Model 16-4; Is it Worth it?

[george_lehr]

I'm looking for some input from the forum with regard to the value of a S&W Model 16-4 in .32 Magnum.
My LGS has a 16-4, 6", .32 H&R magnum for $850.00. I believe that I could negotiate a little better price, but I'd like any input I can get from you on ball park value.
I know if it were an earlier model 16 in S&W long it could sell for up to $2000.00 or more, but I have nothing but the SCSW to evaluate current value of a model 16-4 in .32 magnum.
The gun has serial #BEH1118 which I believe makes it a 1989 gun per SCSW (the 16-4 was produced from 1989 to 1992). It has the original box (serial number matches), but no papers and it has Pachmayr grips instead of the goncalo alves combat stocks. I would consider the condition to be "very good", with a well defined turn line and slight wear on the left side of the muzzle, with no other scratches or blemishes on the finish. The bore and cylinder charge holes look fine and I found no issues with the mechanical function of the gun.
I have an accumulation of .32 caliber guns (.32 S&W long and .327 Federal magnum) and really want to buy this gun. I'm looking for a quick way to establish a reasonable ball park value for it before I just let my S&W fetish overwhelm me.
I appreciate any input.
Thanks,
George

 

[Muley Gil]

I would buy it myself. I had one and had to sell it, about 5 years ago. I believe I got $700 for mine. It was crazy accurate. Wish I still had it.

 

[gmiller0737]

Without The Factory Grips I Would Offer $650-700 & Might go $750 Those Grips are Pricey when/If You Can Find Them.

 

[slickracer]

I would take it for that price in a minute!

 

[texmex]

It has been quite a while since I ran across a Model 16 at all. I say, negotiate the price if you can, but just do it.

 

[Dillyp]

A better price is always, well, better, but 850 is a good deal IMO.

 

[steelslaver]

I have a very nice 4" with the box etc and it cost me $1500. The most I ever paid for a gun. They are not easy to find. Any 32 caliber S&W K frame is hard to find. If I would have ran across the deal you are describing I would have tried to haggle of course, but would have paid.

 

[stu1ritter]

I own a 16-4 that is pretty pristine and would not consider taking $1500 for it. It's way to valuable to me. David Carroll has sold a couple of 98% guns for over $2200 each.

Stu

 

[jack the toad]

$850 is what I paid for my very clean shooter grade 4" with box/docs/grips. My LNIB one was a little more.
Try for a better price but if you want it, buy it.
Then if it were me, I'd modify to .327 mag (what I did).
IMO, you won't be sorry.

 

[loeman]

$850 seems like a fair price. I wouldn't sell mine for that. And I wouldn't be too unhappy that it doesn't have the OEM Combats. That will give you a great negotiating point.

For me the factory combats just didn't work. The finger grooves were in the wrong place for my hand and I don't care for the look. So I put the combats in storage and put on a nice set of targets. Here's what it looks like now.

 

[george_lehr]

Thank you all for the comments. I'm going to head back to the LGS today.
George

 

[H Richard]

I paid $800 5 years ago for a 6" without a box. Was it worth it? You bet it is.



I see quite a few going in the $1200 to $1500 range and not any going for much less lately. I would however have a "discussion" about the lack of original stocks which are selling for over $200 - $300 by themselves.

 

[Bastogne71]

$850 is a very good price even for a M16-4 with Pachmayr grips. Of course you try to negotiate down because of the missing combat grips but that's just the way to play the game.

I hope you haven't made my mistake! Saw a 4" one a few years ago and went home to think it over. When I went back the next morning, it was gone. Cost me two years and more $ by the time I found another one!

 

[Ethang]

You should have been posting pics of the sweet 16-4 you picked up today for a great price....

 

[Dale53]

I got my 16-4 (6" barrel) when they first hit the market. I shoot mine a good bit. I only use my homecast bullets in my .32's. I have little need for "magnum" loads but have used mine extensively for both "On the Range and in the Field".

My current favorite bullet is from a five cavity NOE mould and is a copy of the RCBS 98 gr. SWC.



FWIW
Dale53

 

[george_lehr]

I got it

You should have been posting pics of the sweet 16-4 you picked up today for a great price....

My pictures aren't good, but I went back to the LGS yesterday and got it for $750.00. I put on stocks that I had picked up at a gun show that had a crack in the right panel and they look way better than the Pachmayrs. I was wrong about it coming with box, only. Under the vapor wrap was a cleaning rod with unused mop in a plastic bag (but no SAT). Under the folded cardboard was the instruction manual and warranty info. There was also a bunch of computer printouts of the Gunbroker auction and details of the transaction. The LGS people apparently never looked for/at the paper. This gun was won in an auction on December 2014 for $1199.99! All this puzzles me because the LGS owner is pretty savvy about gun values, especially with S&W guns.
I guess it was just my lucky day.
Sorry for the poor picture quality. It was way too windy and cold to get outside for some natural light poses. The light is coming in through the garage door window.
And thanks again for the encouragement (as if there would be something else coming from you guys).
George

 

[tarsam]

Very nice! You will not be disappointed.

 

[stu1ritter]

george, that is a steal a deal. Congrats. Gun store owners can be really stupid sometimes, beyond belief in not knowing what they have. About 2 years ago I went into the Firing Line which is one of the largest gun stores in Denver. I wanted to check the grip on a Ruger 101. Sitting next to it in the display case was a S&W marked K-32 with a $600 price tag. I stopped the guy and told him I'll take the K-32. He then told me the barrel had been cut down to 4 inches and the stocks didn't number to the gun. I told him I don't care and bought it. It was one of 10 K-32 Masterpiece Pre-Model 16 with a 4" barrel and it lettered as such. I've told this story before here. The gun sold for well into 5 figures. If the gun store owner had a copy of the SWSCatalog and just looked it up he would have realized what he had but he just made some VERY expensive suppositions about what it was.

Stu

 

[jack the toad]

If the gun store owner had a copy of the SWSCatalog and just looked it up he would have realized what he had but he just made some VERY expensive suppositions about what it was.

ssshhh... not too loud.
ignorance is bliss... knowledge is power.
and congrats to the OP on a good deal for a nice gun.

 

[glenncal1]

Color me jealous, I have been looking for a reasonably priced 6 or 8 3/8" 16-4 for years to convert to .327 fed mag. I have a 4" that is a great gun but too nice to convert and I have a gp100 that covers the 4" .327 size for me. You got a nice score on that gun, even with the Pachs.