Howa M1500

So after reading Kopel's article on gun control in Japan, I developed a renewed interest in the Howa rifles I've seen advertised.  My Browning shotgun has a Miroku barrel, and their stuff in Japan is crazy-expensive.  Some people don't dig Japanese-manufactured parts, but the Japanese have probably forgotten more about metallurgy than the West ever knew.  That's hyperbole of course; still, Japan knows steel manufacture.

Anyway, Legacy Sports imports the Howa M1500 rifle.  The 24-inch "heavy barrel" model is considered a sniper rifle.  Unfortunately it doesn't take a box magazine.  Weatherby, who uses the M1500 action in their Vanguard rifle, issued a press release in 2008 saying that they were to release an upgrade kit.

One interesting bit of info is Howa's recommended barrel break-in procedure.  The proper method always seems to be debated amongst gun people, but my chief concern is from a metallurgical perspective, and they ought to know!  Interestingly enough, they recommend cleaning with Windex, rather than powder solvent.  Observing the copper fouling is interesting as well.

Davidson's has an M1500 with 24" stainless heavy barrel in a laminated stock for $768.  The addition of a scope base, rings, and a good scope will certainly drive up the total cost.

There's a site online dedicated to the M1500 as well.