have a S&W 1500 in 243 which as stated was made for S&W by Howa. Very accurate little gun and built solid as a rock. I would not hesitate to buy a Howa if this gun is indicative of the type of firearm they are still producing. The problem is that I just don't see many of them in local gun stores for some reason even though I have never heard anything negative about them.
They have been too busy making guns for everyone else to focus on marketing their own guns. They need better marketing.