870 vs. S&W 3000

[Gun Geezer]

I have seen a few S&W 3000's for sale from time to time. Not sure they are made any more?

Any way, the 3000 looks all the world just like an 870 but command half the price of a "Police" model 870.

Anybody familiar with the S&W 3000? Solid reliable HD gun?

 

[Fred Fuller]

I'm not sure how much will interchange between an 870 and a 3000 as far as parts and accessories are concerned. That being the case, I'd look for a good used 870 (even a used Police gun) and pass on the S&W... and I have done exactly that in the past.

 

[TurtlePhish]

The late Dave McCracken (may he rest in peace) was as knowledgeable on shotguns, the 870 in particular, as anyone could ever hope to be. He wasn't particularly fond of the S&W 3000, IIRC. I'd go with the 870 if I were you. There's no question about an 870's reliability.

 

[Hunterdad]

I was looking at the 3000 a while back when my LGS had one for $150. I honestly could not find a good review on them, so I passed.

You really can't beat an 870. They just flat out run forever.

 

[dfariswheel]

The Model 3000 was sold here by S&W, and after they dropped it, Mossberg sold it for a year of so.
The gun was actually made by Howa of Japan, who I think sold it under their name for a year or so too.

It was a top quality near-copy of the Remington 870, but parts don't interchange, and accessories like magazine extensions don't interchange.
As I recall, it was available in both steel and aluminum receivers.
For a time the S&W version 3000 had a sort of cult following among individual police.

At the time S&W was making a play for the entire police market. They had lines of holsters, ammo, and other police equipment and figured to take away Remington's 95% of the police pump shotgun market share.
Remington ate S&W's lunch, and shortly S&W announced they were dropping shotguns and getting back to their core market, pistols.

Most 3000 owners are very happy with the gun.
It's only problem was that it just didn't have anything to really offer over the well-proven Remington 870.

 

[SwampWolf]

If I had to pick between the Smith Model 3000 and the Remington Model 870, I'd opt for the Howa-made Smith. There has been some discussion (see my previous posts) concerning the claim that the Model 3000 doesn't have a certain malfunction propensity that the Model 870 does.