Where have all the M16's gone. Were they just something shown in the catalogs of the day never to make it out of the large market areas? In my way over fifty years of ogling S&W's I have never had the opportunity to cast my eyes upon one. Maybe I should have run this in the earlier forum. Friend told me there was a consecutive numbered pair on a big gun web site listed for $5K. But at that price, it's a little more then I care to pay to peep.

I may be wrong, but I have found that people in the Ohio area and going east pretty much have all the old S&W and Civil War stuff locked up and hidden in their closets. Then they act real dumb when you ask about it!!!!!! Cleaver folks.

Help me out here.

I've only seen them in pictures on the internet.
I've wanted one for a few years now, but they seem to be priced like Pythons.
Of course, I would buy a 16 instead of a Python. The K frame grip fits me better, and the lockwork is easier to work on.
Plus, I can cast/load/shoot .32 Long cheaper than I can .38 or .357.

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What would Jim Cirillo do?

Don't think there ever were that many.............

efforts to revive the .32 have all withered and died ........even the .32 magnum ........ which I had "hopes for" as the basis of a perfect "Kit Gun".......but I wanted readily available factory ammo..... in a number of .32 caliber flavors........................


PS: What's in my closet ........ stays in my closet........... .....................FWIW my only .32 is a PPK

A very rare and elusive critter indeed. I too have never seen one in person and the few that come up for sale are way beyond my budget.
Some years back I settled for one of its younger siblings. A 6" Model 16-4 .32 H&R Magnum. Nice gun, but not quite the same. Now even those are becoming hard to find and expensive. But they are out there if you keep looking.

I can't understand why you people are having a hard time finding a mod 16! I was to a small local gun show(100 tables+ or-) today and there were 3 for sale, a 16-3 LNIB and two 16s in Gold boxes. All were priced in the 4 digit range!!!!!!!!! These guns were made for 27 years however there were only 3630 made in that time period. That consecutive serial numbered pair on that "big web site" sold for over $7700!
jcelect

Good question! That's why I've been posting here this week about the possibility of cloning a model 14 or 15 into one,, and trying to find out about relining a M-17 or 18 barrel and boring the M-17 or 18 cylinder just like we did to make .44 specials out of M-28s. It really was not that big of a deal to do back then. Anyone that visits here that has the ability to preform the conversion should consider "setting up shop" to specialize in this needed service. As for me I have my parts ready to ship for the conversion soon as I can find that someone. No need to scratch your head and think about a business that could generate revenue, it's right there in front of you for a qualified gunsmith!
The other question I've been asking too is what does it take to convince S&W to run a reissue Cassic .32 Series version of these out of control priced guns ,,the Model 35's getting there up there too and should be bought back also.

Just continue to watch the major auction web sites. You'll have the best luck finding a 16-4, (that's the only one I ever found). Even a beater 16 will bring over $1000. But there are lots of 1903 32 Hand Ejectors (I Frame, and J Frame) out there and they are really lots of fun (and they are still affordable).

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Yes, The model 16-4 are out there mostly around $2,000 or better,, I'm referring to cloning the Model 16-2 that the sellers are asking $3,500 or $5,000 for like new. How long it takes a seller to get that kind of money (if at all) is an other aspect.

I saw one today for the first time at Bloomsburg gun show in Pa. asking 3k and it looked new, the owner said it was the first time she had it out. I scored with a 19-4 with box and a 13-1 with box now in the safe

I guess I was lucky when I took a 16-4 in trade for a bunch of vintage BMW motorcycle parts. Of course the parts have probably increased in value about the same as the 16-4. Everybody is happy! I think.

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I'm gonna grow fins.

With the price of where these type .32s have gone there becomes a time of "do without" or get creative.