Newly inherited shotgun.

[egermann04]

My grandfather recently passed away and to my surprise my dad asked if I was interested in a shot gun that he had. We weren't aware of the shotgun until his condition started to worsen and by that time he was too far gone to remember the origin of the gun. It's a 12g smith and Wesson 916a pump. I've scoured google and all I've learned was why it was made and that it's not a very liked firearm and its supposed to be crappy. No one specifically says what problems they suffer from. Apparently they were made to compete in the shotgun market for LEO's in the 70's. It seems very well made. I've shot Mossys and didn't like them very much because of how loose they felt while cycling. I haven't seen anything on Calguns about one. Does anyone here have one or seen one before? Any thoughts on it? I'm super stoked to shoot it and pics will be up when I get home.

[ke6guj]

I've got a stainless 916-a that I got from my father. never shot it though.

[BigDogatPlay]

S&W 916's can be very much hit and miss. They made sporting models as well. First one I saw was a sporting model that had been bubba'ed to an 18 and a low fraction barrel and the stock re-worked to a pistol grip only. It could not reliably feed and fire five consecutive rounds, ever. A couple of other examples I've seen and handled performed reasonably well.

Overall it was pretty much a failure for S&W and they discontinued it relatively quickly. If the one you've received shoots good and runs properly, then it's a score. I'd evaluate it with many hundreds of rounds, though, before I'd bet my life on one.

[egermann04]

I really like the look of it. I'm hoping its reliable. It seems like it would be perfect for HD.

[BigDogatPlay]

Is there a bead sight on the barrel? Kind of hard to tell in the photos. I ask because that barrel length with a modified choke doesn't really compute in a 916, so I'd suspect someone had the barrel shortened at some point.

[motorwerks]

There was one at a local gunstore that I wish I had picked up. It seamed nice enough.

[egermann04]

Is there a bead sight on the barrel? Kind of hard to tell in the photos. I ask because that barrel length with a modified choke doesn't really compute in a 916, so I'd suspect someone had the barrel shortened at some point.

There is no front bead or evidence of one being there. The most I've found on google was pictures and many of them look just like that with no bead. From what I read, some were made as riot guns for LEO's and idk if riot guns have one. I'm not too familiar with shotguns in general. It does seem as though it was cut due to the fact that the replacement barrels I've seen aren't even close to that short and there's a real hard (but not too sharp) edge on the tip of the barrel where it was probably cut.

[CUTTERS DADDY]

My first shotgun I ever purchased was a Smith & Wesson 916A from Montgomery Wards. It was on sale, used my Mom's employee discount and think I paid less than $90.00 for it way back when (late 70's).

My future brother-in-law purchased one at the same time too and he lived in the garage of his Dad's house. I was in the house and heard a "bang" so I open the door to the garage and there he is waving his hands to try to clear the smoke. I asked him what the heck happened. He said he went to check his shotgun that was laying down in his closet to see if it was loaded and pulled the trigger Put a hole thru his closet, put a hole thru the garage sheet rock and from the outside of the garage you can see the chicken wire from the stucco that flew off

Anyway, I killed quite a bit of pheasant and ducks with it but in all honesty I haven't shot it for over 25 years. I probably would not trust if for my primary home defense as it has a single slide and it binds from time to time. I know I had to replace parts on it quite a bit when I used to hunt with it.

[egermann04]

Some new info on my shotgun has come to light. While my parents were going through his belongings they found the original receipt. It's dated 6-13-1980 from a store called "Andrews Sporting Goods" in Harbor City, CA. The purchase price was $199.99. On the receipt it was described as "S&W 916-A Riot". He also bought a box of OO Buck shot with it. The receipt looks like it was filled out yesterday due to the fact that it's been sitting in an envelope for 32 years. I'd really like to preserve the receipt for when I pass it down. If anyone has an idea of how to do that without ruining it I'd much appreciate it. In the meantime I'm going to be sifting through google on different methods.

[BigDogatPlay]

There is no front bead or evidence of one being there. The most I've found on google was pictures and many of them look just like that with no bead. From what I read, some were made as riot guns for LEO's and idk if riot guns have one. I'm not too familiar with shotguns in general. It does seem as though it was cut due to the fact that the replacement barrels I've seen aren't even close to that short and there's a real hard (but not too sharp) edge on the tip of the barrel where it was probably cut.

Factory barrels all have some manner of bead or sight on them. The 'riot gun' model of the 916 came with a plain bead. I'd say that cinches that yours was cut down, and the choke on it will be none... Cylinder.

The receipt looks like it was filled out yesterday due to the fact that it's been sitting in an envelope for 32 years. I'd really like to preserve the receipt for when I pass it down. If anyone has an idea of how to do that without ruining it I'd much appreciate it. In the meantime I'm going to be sifting through google on different methods.

A sheet protector, a clear plastic sleeve with holes on the margin to put into a binder, will work. Failing that, a ziploc bag will work also.

[philobeddoe]

I've got a 916A, runs great, no problems. Wasn't a commercial success but so what?
I see a lot of Internet chatter, but nothing you can hang your hat on. Enjoy the shotgun, I sure enjoy mine.

[bsg]

coming from your grandfather... it's a keeper. sorry for his passing.

[Markito]

As stated above sorry about your grandfather. Something cherishable like that I wouldn't use for home defense. Buy a seperate gun for that. I suggest taking it out every so often and firing it in remembrance of your grandfather. Awesome looking shotgun by the way. Always enjoyed the riot look. I just put on a police wood stock on my 870

[new1911]

vacuum seal the receipt.

[Ubermcoupe]

vacuum seal the receipt.

Take pictures of it too!

Looks like a nice shotgun... but how does it shoot