S&W Model 16-4 .32 H&R Magnum with 4 inch barrel and combat grips. Thinking about making it a .327 Federal

I think this is pretty easily done. However, I’d wonder about the muzzle blast and flash from the shorter barrel. Beautiful gun.

I would buy a Ruger and keep that lovely gun just the way it is. I had a 327 Federal Target patriot CA 4" and it went down the road. I just don't embrace the blast and enjoy the 1000 fps of the 32 Mag. YMMV.

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I'm with mtgianni,

That 16-4 is a rare beauty. Don't modify it. If I absolutely had to have a 327fm in my 16-4, I would get a second cylinder.

I think you will find a lot of owners shooting 32 H&Rmag in their 327s after initial testing. The hrm is a superbly accurate caliber, and around 1200fps can get the job done.

I've got several 327fm, 32 hrm, and even several 32-20s (my favorite). The 327fm's 45,00psi is a lot hot ! scary pressure.

Are you unhappy already with your 16-4 shooting 32 hrm?
Are you handloading or using factory ammo?


Prescut

Just bought and don’t have it in my possession yet

I am looking at a 6”. Anything I should consider? I have a couple of the Winchester Model K frames and a 32 Hand Ejector but no modern 32s.

Kevin

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DON'T touch it!!!!
Buy one of the Ruger offerings if you need a shooter. The 4" is too scarce to alter - IMO.

Great looking gun, I have one like it and a six inch too. I'll echo the other commenters above though about not converting it to 327 Federal. Not sure of the impact on value if you do but don't think it would be positive. The 16-4s are very accurate and great fun to shoot; I like cast bullets with light charges of Titegroup. Can hand load these for about the price of .22LR; about 7 cents a reload. Prepared another 250 cases this week. I have a 327 Mag (632-1) but mostly shoot 32 H&R mag in it too. If I want a fire breathing J frame a 340PD fills that bill. I've thought about having a M17 cylinder bored out for 327 Fed to fit a 16-4 but probably wouldn't shoot it enough to make it worth the trouble/cost. I'm not sure about the ability of a M17 cylinder to handle 45,000PSI anyway but I've read that it has been done so maybe that's an option to consider. Anyway, great gun and it is likely to become one of your favorites at the range.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

It's your call whether you should ream your 16-4 to 327... it will have a negative effect on the value if you choose to sell it, but it will also have a positive effect on the usefulness of the gun if you want to shoot the most powerful of the 32 family of straight side cartridges. It has to be your call.

I had a Model 66 ND converted to 327 FM (see Project 616) and ended up with a stainless version of the very gun you propose. I can say without fear of contradiction, it is loud! I consider it interesting to shoot, but too noisy (with full house loads) to be considered pleasant and fun. This is a serious round coming out of a serious gun.

If it were my gun, I would probably spend some time researching the most effective 32 H&R loadings available and try them before making any modifications to what we know is a rather uncommon and valuable model. Then if you really want to keep the gun for a long time and want to get the most performance out of it, I would then, and only then, consider having it recahambered to 327 FM. Then again, it's your gun, so do what you think is right for you.

Froggie

Top one has been reamed to Fed Mag and is a hoot to shoot. Only thing it doesn’t like accuracy wise is .32ACP.
My main regret is not doing a 6” instead.

Who did the work?

double post

I'm with the leave it alone crowd. 16-4s are scarce and expensive. I'd think that modifying one would cut the value seriously.
I have a 16-4 6" and I shoot mostly 32 Long target loads in it.

I will try some H&R loads when it gets here. I am going to try to find a .22 cylinder for it or a spare .32 cylinder to rebore and keep the original as is

The “original” K-32s and Model 16s were intended primarily to be target guns, so any K-frame 32 is good to go with 32 S&W L target rounds... and you are Virtually guaranteed Good performance with any of them. The 16-4 and custom 616 versions do all that and let you go with more power if you desire. My 616 is a rompin’, stompin’ fire breather when I want it to be so I’ve had no desire to magnum-ize my recreated Model 16-3 and prefer to think of it as more genteel. Not everybody has the luxury to have both... I’m blest that way and I know it.

Froggie

I agree with the "leave it be" crowd. I can honestly say the thought has crossed my mind on this 631, but it was a very brief thought. When there aren't but just so many of a good thing out there, it doesn't make sense to screw with it. That's what the Rugers are for. LOL!

The 32 magnums are just plain fun! I have some .357's if I want to do more damage, or just get louder.

That's a great looking 16-4! Wish I had it.

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I'm also with the leave it alone crowd. The 32 H&R is plenty potent, and it it isn't enough, you neede a bigger caliber. I spent several months experimenting with handloads when I got mine and I settled on this one. Shot at 12-13 yards while chronograph.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

You surely have a nice looking M-16-4 and I have to agree with those who cautioned you against reaming the cylinder to accept the .327 Federal Magnum thus preserving the value you have with your revolver remaining as original. My alternative was to take advantage of a Ruger distributor closeout on their M-GP-100 chambered for the .327 Fed. Mag., it's less than 1/2 the price of the 16-4s worth, very handsome looking stainless steel and appears to be well made. You may wish to look into this alternative. Personal opinion but my thinking is that your S&W will continue to appreciate, the Ruger could even do the same while being the caliber you are seeking, will accommodate most of the .32 caliber cartridges with exception of the .32/20. The GP-100 is sporting a 6" barrel & Hague Rubber grips and is a 7 shooter.

Must apologize for my mistake, the Model Ruger I referenced should have been a GP-100

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Sam
S&WHF 333 S&WCA 2198

I also considered reaming my 16-4 to 327 but decided not to do it when I realized the 32 mag can be loaded to do all I wanted it for. There are several published loads that can drive a 100 grain bullet to over 1200 fps. As H Richard said, if that’s not enough, get a bigger gun. I have a Ruger SP-101 in 327 but I enjoy shooting the model 16-4 much more.
Another vote to leave it alone.

I found a S&W Model 17 cylinder for $139 that I can pick up

Don't forget to call S&W. They may have a M16-4 cylinder for sale.

1-800-331-0852

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I’ve used a Model 17 and a 617 cylinder for my two K-32 builds... the 617 was simply reamed and fitted to the Model 66 donor gun that became Project 616. We kept the recessed chambers as it was to be a “proper magnum.”

The Model 17 cylinder was milled off on the rear face to make the correct non-recessed chambers for the Model 16-3 recreation.

In both of my builds, new barrels were fit to the guns, so the B/C gap was established fresh at that time. Fitting an additional cylinder to an existing gun may introduce that challenge. If the replacement cylinder it sufficiently long, you may be good to go, or if too long, the cylinder can be faced off. If it is too short, your gap will be too great and your barrel will need to be set back and you will have to face off your original cylinder to match.

In addition, the version of the Model 17 cylinder you get is important. If you get the later, squared off extractor, there will be additional time and expense needed to rechamber it and get the recesses cut for the rims... when I used the later 617 cylinder for my 616 build, Andy Horvath had extra work to do to make it work. It works OK, but be aware of the extra hurdle.

Froggie

I wonder if S&W will sell a cylinder from the 17 Classic and if it would work?

Typically they won’t sell fitted parts. In any event, I’m pretty sure the ratchet on the newer models is different.

^^^This^^^ there are a few cylinders available from the usual post-factory sources, but again, I would be very aware of the differences between early and late extractors. The later ones can be made to work, but will involve extra effort and expen$e if you pay to have the work done.

Froggie

I to am with the leave it be crowd .
Rugers like this can be had for around $400 and
Will not be missed by many.The S@W
Is in short supply.

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Rugers can be made to be pretty decent guns. Most take a bit of trigger work. I’d love to see S&W make a K frame .327 with a 6” barrel on the old lockless frame without full length under lug. Not gonna happen in my lifetime. Love to see S&W produce the same in a L frame 10mm. That ain’t gonna happen either. Ruger produces both at a pretty reasonable cost. As much of a S&W fan as I am, the Rugers are pretty tempting.

Had the 4” 16-4 reamed to .327 by Andy Horvath for 75.00. The reamer rental was the same price. Figure if I sell it, the person that buys it may appreciate that it’s a .327. Just can’t see buying a Ruger, nice guns but like the .327 in a Smith. The .327 kicks more then I thought it would and the flash is amazing. Larry

I talked to Andy Horvath today and I am sending it to him for rechambering and an action job

Andy does good work. You will be pleased with the results.

Kevin

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Two of my shooting companions have had health issues that make them sensitive to concussive effects of loud noises. They both expressed discomfort when I shot my “616” with anything like full power loads. The 327 FM is definitely a stout caliber and not for the faint of heart nor the poor of health. Fortunately(?) I’m partially deaf and pretty recoil insensitive, so I actually enjoy shooting the 327, but my friends just think of this as one additional bit of evidence that I’m weird!

Froggie

I have reamed both of my 16-4's well before Ruger came out with the 327 cartridges revolvers. I would recommend trying out a SP 101 or the GP 100 for size before you make a change.
As for me the S&W 16-4 revolvers will stay in my family for the next 100 years!!
Now for additional information I love using 32 ACP, 32 short, 32 long, 32 magnum and 327 magnum when training new shooters! I did this with my children and all the family members who want to learn to shoot. I start out mild and then once they get the basics down I increase in bullet size and finally mix all up in the cylinder so they can feel the differences.
It makes for great training and a lot of fun!!

Andy does very nice work. You will be pleased. He built two K Frame .327 Federal guns for me. Both are fun to shoot and very accurate.

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I have located a S&W Model 17 cylinder. I need find an extractor I would guess. Do I need to get one for a .32 or can one for a .22 be used? Anything else I would need?

Another vote for, “don’t modify it!” The target or beer can won’t know the difference, nor would a bad guy if you decide to carry it. Leave it alone. Rechambering a spare cylinder would be the best alternative.

Just relieved Pacecar from his dilemma.

It will soon be mine and I promise to maintain her dignity, even if she’s been passed around like a cheap prom date.

Thanks Pacecar!

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