Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 16, 2026

Smith & Wesson Model 916

The Smith & Wesson Model 916 is a pump-action 12-gauge shotgun produced by Smith & Wesson during the 1970s.

Last revised
Jul 16, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
322 w
Citations
9
Source
Smith & Wesson Model 916
TypePump-action shotgun
Place of originUnited States
Production history
ManufacturerSmith & Wesson
Produced1973-1980
No. built10,000+1
Variants916T (takedown)
916A (tactical)
Specifications
Mass7+14 lb (3.3 kg) (28" barrel)
Length48 in (120 cm) (28" barrel)
Barrel length26, 28, 30 in (66, 71, 76 cm)

Cartridge12-gauge
ActionPump action
SightsFront bead
References2

The Smith & Wesson Model 916 is a pump-action 12-gauge shotgun produced by Smith & Wesson during the 1970s.

History

Noble Manufacturing Company of Haydenville village within Williamsburg, Massachusetts, was a small gunmaker that produced shotguns and .22 caliber rifles.3 Noble, incorporated in 1943, was in bankruptcy as of mid-1971,4 and went out of business in 1973.3 In 1972, Smith & Wesson—located in Springfield, approximately 25 miles (40 km) from Haydenville—bought patents and tooling for Noble's Model 66, a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun.53

In 1973, Smith & Wesson produced the shotgun as their Model 916, with a sportsman version (916), takedown version (916T), and tactical version (916A). The guns were plagued by a variety of quality issues, including a recall due to a safety issue with barrels of the 916T version rupturing.16 The series was later discontinued in 1980 and replaced by the pump-action Model 3000 and the semi-automatic Model 1000.

References

References

  1. "Gun barrels recalled". The Leader-Post. Regina, Saskatchewan. November 17, 1978. p. 1. Retrieved June 19, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  2. Model 916 Pump Shotguns (information booklet). Springfield, Massachusetts: Smith & Wesson. 1977.
  3. "Firearm Factory of the Month: Noble Manufacturing Company". TINCANBANDIT's Gunsmithing. November 14, 2019. Retrieved June 28, 2020 – via blogspot.com.
  4. Aaron Posnik & Co. (July 25, 1971). "Public Auction Sale". The Boston Globe. p. A-39. Retrieved June 28, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  5. Petzal, David E.; Bourjaily, Phil (November 9, 2007). "Six Candidates for the Worst Shotguns of All Time". Field & Stream. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
  6. "Defective gun barrels recalled". Detroit Free Press. AP. November 17, 1978. p. 16D. Retrieved June 19, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
External links