S & W 916A
Just received a S&W 916a 12 GA. in a trade I would like some info on this shotgun. I did not know that S&W made shot guns. Ser # starts with 513.
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Smith & Wesson bought the Nobel Mfg. Co. in the early 1970's. One of Nobel's firearms was a pump shotgun.
This shotgun was sold under the S & W name until the mid 70's.
It wasn't a great success.
Subsequently S & W made arraignments with Howa ( Japan ) to sell their shotguns under the S & W name.0 -
Is this shotgun very good I mean dependable as far as a home defense weapon? and how about the value ? Thanks for all the help Later Steve 0 -
Too many "Alloy" internal parts to my liking.
Dependablity is questionable!
Value for a 90% 96 (according to Blue Book) is $130.
That's about it.
I damn sure wouldn't want to consider it a "defense" shotgun, unless you're not "defending much"!
My $.02 worth.0 -
Last month I replaced a left hand extractor (stamped style) in a S&W M916, using a part from GPC. The first time the bolt was closed, the tip of the extractor hit the base of the shell, rather than slipping over the rim, and the tip bent inward. Now the shotshell rim wouldn't slip under the tip because of a lack of clearance. In trying to bend the extractor back into usable condition, one of the sides of the channel shape developed a crack. (Rapid metal fatigue - one flex!) I have another part coming from GPC and do not expect to enjoy an easy and stress free job installing this new part.
In my opinion, there are problems with this shotgun and its extractor - poor design, soft metal in the replacement extractor, very difficult to install the part - I could almost write a book.
Years ago I did a lot of repair work on Nobel shotguns, and discovered that they were of marginal quality at best. I have not had any in for repair in the last 10-15 years, for which I am grateful. This is the first M916 I've seen in 25 plus years of repair, and if I ever see another one, the ten foot pole rule will apply!! The same goes for any other Noble shotgun.
The last Noble shotgun that showed up in my shop was a 12 gauge pump that a customer of mine bought at auction. Its defect was that upon firing, the action (bolt) would slide about half way open, and solidly jam at that point. It was necessary to completely dismantle the gun in order to release the jammed bolt, which practically fell out once enough parts were removed. There were no visible or obvious defects, and after tinkering with the gun for six or so months, including 4-5 trips to the range to test fire, always with the jam as a result of the first shot, I returned it to the owner with the condition that I wouldn't charge him for my efforts, if I never heard of the gun again. I advised him that it was my opinion the gun was unfixable. About six months later he came in and said - "Remember the shotgun you said was unfixable?". I said - "Remember - you were never to talk about it again?". Well, after I returned the gun to him, he took it to the Pine Tech (Pine City, Minnesota)gunsmithing school, and had just that day had gotten it back with the school's opinion that it was unfixable!! Isn't an "unfixable" gun almost unheard of? BTW, the action lock worked fine until the trigger was pulled on a loaded shotshell - of course, it was impossible to hold the slide forward against the thrust of the shotshell.
I expect a Noble owner may take me to task about how great Noble shotguns are, but sorry - I cannot be convinced.0 -
SAKOFAN, YOU ARE RIGHT ON. I'VE GOT TWO OF THESE IN THE SHOP NOW, BIGEST PIECE OFSH$T OUT THERE. 0 -
Thanks guys for the info. I was not hurt with the trade it was actually kind of a freebe. I will pedal it off asap. I don't need more junk. my universal carbine is enough of a headache. Thanks again. Steve 0 -
I guess there's always an exception but I shot a S&W "Eastfield" 916 for years. It was bought new in 1974 for less than $75.00 in response to the steel-shot requirement for duck hunting at Lacassine, La. Absolutely cheaply-made - this one has a pressed-on barrel - but it never disappointed me and I was not overly concerned when it got muddy, rained on, etc. HOWEVER, when that flimsy single slide bar broke after 25 years of shooting like a champ and I started taking the gun down to install the new slide bar to the bolt link that old pot-metal alloy showed its nature. The bolt comes out the stern of the receiver after removing the stock, and when it did, it came apart. I have just put the old thing away until someday when I may come across a bolt that's not priced above the value of the shotgun. It has some sentimental value as it was used a lot by family folk that are no longer with us. It is in lots of fine old pictures with loads of ducks and geese and dogs and kids - some great times!
timbroman@aol.com0
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