Smith and Wesson I - Bolt rifle

[smithman 10]

Does anyone have experience with or any knowledge of the Smith and Wesson I - Bolt rifles? I know they have been discontinued but I happen to be a Smith nut and was thinking about buying a used one if I can find one in 30-06.

 

[Art Eatman]

If this is the one from back around 1980 or so, I had one. Shot okay, although I never tweaked it for "perfection". By and large, what few comments I've seen have said it's a plenty-good hunting rifle.

 

[dvdcrr]

I would buy it only if you had first hand knowledge that it is good to go. My own experience with a 25-06 factory new was "interesting"

 

[dvdcrr]

Theyre from the early 2000's not the 80's.

 

[smithman 10]

Smith I-Bolt

Here's a link to an article about the rifle. I'm not too crazy about the comments about the bolt coming out on its own!

http://www.shootingtimes.com/2011/01/03/longgun_reviews_ibolt_081507/

 

[dprice3844444]

just an fyi,it's free

HOWA rifle safety notice, bolt recalled
In the December 2002 issue of the American Rifleman (p. 85) is an Important Safety Notice concerning Howa rifles made between 1970 and 1993.
I just read it last night, while perusing the magazine.
Anyway ...
"Howa Machinery Ltd. of Japan is performing a safety upgrade on all Model 1500, 1550 and 1700LS series rifles manufactured between 1970 and 1993.
"The affected rifles bear serial numbers from one of the following series on the receiver: PN00010 through PN87159, LS00001 through LS05150, M000001 through M020422, LS10001 through LS10309, B000001 through B028450.
"The safety upgrade will replace the bolt sleeve to prevent misassembly of the bolt, which might occur on affected rifles. Such misassembly might result in a hazardous condition in which the rifle can be accidentally discharged without the bolt being fully engaged, causing severe injury.
"These rifles were distributed by Smith & Wesson, O.F. Mossberg and Sons and Interarms. These rifles may bear the distributor trademark.
"Stop using your rifle immediately and visit our website at www.regen.com/howa or call Howa at 1-800-456-5131 to receive a Bolt Return Kit.
"Only the bolt sleeve is being upgraded. Your bolt will be returned to you after the upgrade.
"NO OTHER HOWA RIFLES ARE AFFECTED. CHECK YOUR SERIAL NUMBER

 

[MAKster]

There were two separate recalls for the I-bolt. Doesn't seem like a good idea to buy one of these.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...4_750001_750051_757983_-1_757978_757978_image

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...4_750001_750051_757985_-1_757978_757978_image

 

[smithman 10]

I-Bolt

Thanks for that recall information.

Much as I like Smith and Wesson stuff, I believe I will drop the idea of buying an I-Bolt rifle.

 

[dvdcrr]

just an fyi,it's free

HOWA rifle safety notice, bolt recalled In the December 2002 issue of the American Rifleman (p. 85) is an Important Safety Notice concerning Howa rifles made between 1970 and 1993. I just read it last night, while perusing the magazine. Anyway ... "Howa Machinery Ltd. of Japan is performing a safety upgrade on all Model 1500, 1550 and 1700LS series rifles manufactured between 1970 and 1993. "The affected rifles bear serial numbers from one of the following series on the receiver: PN00010 through PN87159, LS00001 through LS05150, M000001 through M020422, LS10001 through LS10309, B000001 through B028450. "The safety upgrade will replace the bolt sleeve to prevent misassembly of the bolt, which might occur on affected rifles. Such misassembly might result in a hazardous condition in which the rifle can be accidentally discharged without the bolt being fully engaged, causing severe injury. "These rifles were distributed by Smith & Wesson, O.F. Mossberg and Sons and Interarms. These rifles may bear the distributor trademark. "Stop using your rifle immediately and visit our website at www.regen.com/howa or call Howa at 1-800-456-5131 to receive a Bolt Return Kit. "Only the bolt sleeve is being upgraded. Your bolt will be returned to you after the upgrade. "NO OTHER HOWA RIFLES ARE AFFECTED. CHECK YOUR SERIAL NUMBER .

This does Not concern the I bolt which was a completely different rifle.

 

[hipoint]

from reading that article, I don't know that I'd want one either... Individual rifles can vary alot though, even with high end companies, but those are some pretty bad numbers for accuracy from a sled...

I guess the best advice is, get one if you can shoot it first, or if it's cheap enough to flip if it isn't what you expected... I've gone through so many firearms over the years that when I find one that is a real "shooter" I hang onto it, so who knows, you might get that rifle of a lifetime out of s&w, or you might get something that gets traded off quickly.

I bet s&w wasn't pleased with that writer though!!! haha, usually those gun writers don't mention bad stuff very often, too afraid of not being in line for the next one I guess.