16-4 correct grips

Hosspower

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I bought a 16-4 and the gun is in better shape than the speedloader cutout target grips so I doubt they are original. By the box label can you tell what they should be? Most of these guns seem to have finger groove combats. Did any come with target grips?
 

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All 16-4s (4, 6 and 8 3/8 inch) came with square butt combats. This is my 4 inch.
 

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Thanks guys. Never had combats in my hand but I really like the feel of factory checkered targets. Have them on most of my K and N frames.
 
You've been a member a few months but since only 2 posts, welcome aboard. As stated, your grips aren't original to your gun. And although a pic of the label is nice, we like pics of your 16-4 too. Also those K & N frames you mentioned. :)
 
It is unfortunate that it isn't unusual to find the original SB combat grips missing on several models and replaced by more common grips. The previous owners have stripped them off and sold out for around $300 and replaced with grips costing less than $100.
 
Combats are definitely smiled upon in the secondary market. I like 'em a lot but I don't love 'em as much as the market loves them.

16-4's are just as functional and cool without their original combats. (they certainly aren't as valuable however)
 
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Another example of the combats disappearing and replaced by Pachs. Just found this 16-4 at my LGS about an hour ago. 90+%. Wondering if I should go back - I have a set of combats looking for a home. Did 6 inchers come with target trigger and hammer?
 

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The 6-inch was available with three T's but I cannot say for sure if every 6-inch Model 16-4 was three T's.

I own two and both are three T's.

I think the tagged price of that one is optimistic, not crazy, but I wouldn't pay it.
 
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The 6-inch was available with three T's but I cannot say for sure if every 6-inch Model 16-4 was three T's.

I own two and both are three T's.

I think the tagged price of that one is optimistic, not crazy, but I wouldn't pay it.

That's what I told em, but they ain't budging.
 
Ha! And if I was a brick & mortar gun store in Feb 2021, I also wouldn't budge on that price.

There's almost surely a buyer for it at that price, but it isn't you or me.
 
Ha! And if I was a brick & mortar gun store in Feb 2021, I also wouldn't budge on that price.

There's almost surely a buyer for it at that price, but it isn't you or me.

I am still thinking about it. I already have a 4" and an spare set of combats that would look good on that 6".
 
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If you want it, go in with 10 crisp $100 bills and lay them out along with your business card. If he still says no, don't say a word, just pick up the money and walk out. Leave the card. Gun prices are up and guns are harder to find, but any of the 32 calibers are far less popular than others. Not that many in the know buyers.
 
I am still thinking about it. I already have a 4" and an spare set of combats that would look good on that 6".

They've priced the gun as if the combats were still on there. Maybe ask them if they've still got them? They're obviously looking for someone innocent soul who doesn't realize the combats are a major part of the value.

Only you can decide if it's worth it to you.
 
They've priced the gun as if the combats were still on there. Maybe ask them if they've still got them? They're obviously looking for someone innocent soul who doesn't realize the combats are a major part of the value.

Only you can decide if it's worth it to you.

That's exactly what I told them, they won't budge. At $1300 after taxes, I'll leave it for someone else.

Thanks for the input.
 
That price seems high without the original grips... but at the same time, the 16-4 production was discontinued 28 years ago in 1993, with total production across the 3 barrel lengths being approximately 8800, that makes their numbers relatively low.

They haven't gone out of demand, in fact it's been the opposite due to the popularity and ease of converting them to .327 Fed Mag.

How many times have you seen a 16-4 come up for sale?

After I bought mine new in 1993 for $430, it was 7 years before I saw a 16-4 for sale locally, and I paid $950 for it in 2010.. albeit California pricing, which is higher than the rest of free world.

I've mentioned this before, but if you're an ongoing repeat buyer of S&W's (like me), the principle of dollar cost averaging comes into play, like buying stocks.

Across purchases, you've bought lower, and also bought slightly higher.

Divide the total amount paid for all of your guns by the number you have and you get the dollar cost average price of each one, which is usually lower than the highest actual price paid for any one gun.

When the 16-4 came up for sale in 2010 at 950, I balked at first at the price.

But when I thought about it in terms of dollar cost averaging... the first 16-4 cost me $430, if I were to buy the second one at $950, it would make a total of $1380 paid for two 16-4's.

Dividing that by 2 and the average cost for each of the two 16-4's becomes $690 each. I decided that I could live with that and made the purchase.

I've since had that 2nd 16-4 converted to .327 Fed Mag, and couldn't be more happy with it.

Just some food for thought for looking at the financials a different way.
 
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That price seems high without the original grips... but at the same time, the 16-4 production was discontinued 28 years ago in 1993, with total production across the 3 barrel lengths being approximately 8800, that makes their numbers relatively low.

They haven't gone out of demand, in fact it's been the opposite due to the popularity and ease of converting them to .327 Fed Mag.

How many times have you seen a 16-4 come up for sale?

After I bought mine new in 1993 for $430, it was 7 years before I saw a 16-4 for sale locally, and I paid $950 for it in 2010.. albeit California pricing, which is higher than the rest of free world.

I've mentioned this before, but if you're an ongoing repeat buyer of S&W's (like me), the principle of dollar cost averaging comes into play, like buying stocks.

Across purchases, you've bought lower, and also bought slightly higher.

Divide the total amount paid for all of your guns by the number you have and you get the dollar cost average price of each one, which is usually lower than the highest actual price paid for any one gun.

When the 16-4 came up for sale in 2010 at 950, I balked at first at the price.

But when I thought about it in terms of dollar cost averaging... the first 16-4 cost me $430, if I were to buy the second one at $950, it would make a total of $1380 paid for two 16-4's.

Dividing that by 2 and the average cost for each of the two 16-4's becomes $690 each. I decided that I could live with that and made the purchase.

I've since had that 2nd 16-4 converted to .327 Fed Mag, and couldn't be more happy with it.

Just some food for thought for looking at the financials a different way.

Well stated!
 
That price seems high without the original grips... but at the same time, the 16-4 production was discontinued 28 years ago in 1993, with total production across the 3 barrel lengths being approximately 8800, that makes their numbers relatively low.

They haven't gone out of demand, in fact it's been the opposite due to the popularity and ease of converting them to .327 Fed Mag.

How many times have you seen a 16-4 come up for sale?

After I bought mine new in 1993 for $430, it was 7 years before I saw a 16-4 for sale locally, and I paid $950 for it in 2010.. albeit California pricing, which is higher than the rest of free world.

I've mentioned this before, but if you're an ongoing repeat buyer of S&W's (like me), the principle of dollar cost averaging comes into play, like buying stocks.

Across purchases, you've bought lower, and also bought slightly higher.

Divide the total amount paid for all of your guns by the number you have and you get the dollar cost average price of each one, which is usually lower than the highest actual price paid for any one gun.

When the 16-4 came up for sale in 2010 at 950, I balked at first at the price.

But when I thought about it in terms of dollar cost averaging... the first 16-4 cost me $430, if I were to buy the second one at $950, it would make a total of $1380 paid for two 16-4's.

Dividing that by 2 and the average cost for each of the two 16-4's becomes $690 each. I decided that I could live with that and made the purchase.

I've since had that 2nd 16-4 converted to .327 Fed Mag, and couldn't be more happy with it.

Just some food for thought for looking at the financials a different way.

Well stated!

Since I am only into my 4" for $900... :D
I've never looked at most guns as an investment, but buying desirable and or uncommon guns will likely yield more than a CD, savings account or similar investment and I get the pleasure of playing with it. :D
 
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I went back today to look at it. Sans combat grips and overall condition, I decided to pass. If I didn't already have a 16-4, I probably would have dropped the coin.
 
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