I first got a Smith in .327mag several years ago--it just seemed to be a good, handy gun.
It is and I like it---however---I have always thought it would be a better gun with a longer barrel. Since this did not happenI was wondering what I could do.
Then Hammerdown started his tirade on Mr. Bowen and his 16-4 conversion. Seemed to me it was a good thing.
I ran across a 16-4 here and got a deal going with a member---one that I am completely happy with.
The weapon has been shipped to Mr Bowen to do his magic on.
HAPPY FEET---SMILEY FACE.
Blessings

__________________
TEXAS, by GOD

I have a model 16 I thought of having that done as well. let me know how it works out for you.

Since the folks at Springfield don't seem to be interested in making what we want, or at least everything we want ( ), drastic measures have to be taken. Let us know how you come out with this. It should be a big success.

William- I have a 16-4 I have been think of sending to Bowen for the .327 conversion. Do you have to send him the whole gun or just the cylinder? Please post a range report when you get the gun running again.

__________________
Jim
Many K and N Frames

I have a 16-4 and if I go the .327 route it will be with a second cylinder. The 16-4s aren't getting any cheaper and I don't want to modify my original cylinder. Granted the change in chamber length is slight but some day collectors will be hunting the unmodified versions of the 8,500 16-4s made.

I had this conversion done on my 16-4 also done after all the positive comments from Hammerdown as well. I am real happy with the results!! I even had my marlin 32 mag converted also. One of our forum members let me borrow his 327 reamer and a local gunsmith did the job for $60.00. I went out two weeks later to shoot it and the cartridge did not fit!! I took the gun back to the shop and sure enough it did not fit. At 11PM the gunsmith woke up, went to the shop, looked at his paperwork from the job and then at the gun I brought in. It turns out I had brought in my other 16-4, the serial number was different!! Man, I felt stupid, we got a good laugh about it.

I must have 8 of these and buy them whenever I see one, most of them have been "lent" to my kids. The other ones are for my grandkids.
Here are the triplets.

I just had my 16-4 cylinder converted to .327 by Clements Custom Guns, it arrived back a few days ago after I sent the cylinder to Dave on 3/30.

Workmanship is excellent, there was no need for any touch up or rebluing of the cylinder. Total cost with shipping was just over $84.

All I'm waiting for now is some good weather, we only have an outdoor range available where I live.

__________________
Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222