The M1500 is a bolt-action centerfire rifle produced by Howa Machinery. The original Howa rifle blueprints were drawn up with a strong resemblance to the Sako centerfire bolt action. At present, the M1500 is one of three large-calibre bolt-action rifle platforms produced in Japan, and is sold as Howa's representative rifle not only in Japan, but throughout the world. The others are the Browning AB3 and X-Bolt platforms, produced by Miroku, located in Kochi, Japan. The internal magazine can hold 3–5 rounds, loaded through the open action. Aftermarket 5- and 10-round removable box magazine systems are available, similar to the Type 38 infantry rifle. Barrels are chromoly, not chrome-lined as seen on arms of the Type 64 rifle. Barrels are offered in both sporting length, weight and profile as well as Varmint length and weight. All guns circulating within Japan undergo fire-testing at the Toyokazu Company, and every new rifle has its paper test target enclosed with the firearm.
Markets
There are two main products for the domestic market. The Deluxe model fitted with open sights and the sightless varmint-hunting model, known as the "Heavy Barrel". Both versions are available either blued or in stainless steel, for a total of four models on sale, independent of caliber. Short action and long action calibers are available including, but not limited to.22-250,.223 Remington,.204 Ruger, 6.5×55mm,.300 Winchester Magnum,.308 Winchester,.30-06,.338 Winchester Magnum,.375 Ruger, so the user can freely choose to suit his purpose. In 2017, Howa introduced the "mini action" for.223 Remington, 7.62x39, 6.5 mm Grendel. For foreign exports, the barreled action with trigger mechanism are also supplied in a stripped-down form to various small arms manufacturers. It is common that a maker will choose and attach its own gunstock to Howa's barreled actions, and then sell it under their own brand. Weatherby Vanguard is such an example. Previously, Smith & Wesson, O.F. Mossberg & Sons and Inter-Arms sold them as the M1500. Currently in the United States, Legacy Sports International, a firearms manufacturer and distributor in Reno, Nevada, markets and sells bolt-action rifles that use the Howa M1500 barreled action. Their latest rifle to use the Howa M1500 barreled action is the HCR which accepts some AR-15 components The M1500, while being comparatively low priced compared to other overseas models, has been judged to have all the delicacy and robustness one would expect from Japanese engineering. Spare parts have also sold fairly well, however starting with the incursion of Remington into the Japanese domestic market, foreign companies with stronger brand recognition and more competitive prices have caused M1500 sales to become sluggish. For this reason, more than 95% of Howa's M1500 are produced in stripped down form for overseas export.
The M1500 was originally a hunting rifle, but Prefectural police departments in Japan has adopted them as sniper rifles. This model was designated "Heavy Barrel." Heavy barreled "Varmint" or colloquially, "Sniper" rifles are fitted with longer, heavier barrels to increase projectile velocity, resist heat soak, and provide more repeatable shots. In addition to the police, M1500 are also introduced in the Special Security Team of the Japan Coast Guard. However, on the ocean, it is said that the Howa Type 64 designated marksman rifles that is easier to fire faster than M1500 are used more frequently.
