Howa

Howa Machinery Company Ltd (豊和工業株式会社) is a Japanese machinery manufacturer. The company is known internationally for their production of military and civilian firearms. However, they also manufacture civilian products such as industrial tools, construction vehicles and windows and doors.

WWII military
Since 1940 Howa has been heavily involved in the Japanese armaments industry. Many of their WWII-era weapons are highly sought after collector's items.

Howa was involved in manufacturing the famous Arisaka Rifle series.

Post WWII military
Howa created a copy of the US M1 Garand and the M1 carbine for the Japanese Self Defense Forces during the early days of the Cold war, with the following manufactured for JGSDF use:


 * Howa Type 64
 * Howa Type 89
 * AR-18 (licensed production for Armalite Inc.)
 * Howa Type 96
 * Howa 84mm Recoilless Rifle (licensed copy of the Swedish Carl Gustaf 84 mm Recoilless Rifle)

During the early 1970s, Howa produced the AR-18 and AR-180 5.56mm assault rifle as a license from Armalite Inc. of Costa Mesa, California, which marketed the rifle to various military forces. Japanese government restrictions on the sales of military small arms to foreign countries eventually forced Howa to cease production of the AR-18/AR-180, moving production back to Armalite.

Civilian rifles
Howa has produced a long line of civilian hunting and target practice rifles in a range of calibers. Howa manufactures components for other firearm companies such as Mossberg, Smith & Wesson, and Weatherby.


 * Howa M1500 Bolt action rifle in sporting, varmint and heavy barrel configurations. Howa rifles are available in the U.S. from Legacy Sports International.