Smith Wesson model 16-4

[Oldman11]

I just traded for a model 16-4,I will be able to sleep for a month thinking about it. That’s about all I can say since I’m headed out the door to see what it can do. I already have the K.32 so that makes a pair. Serial no. BFE62xx,bye.

 

[Thunderbolt84]

That is one gun on my short lists of “One day I”ll get one”. Please posts some pics and tell us how it did at the range.

 

[D Brown]

Model 16-4

Mine is BEH2069. I bought it new in 1989. It shipped from the factory on 10-26-1989.

 

[H Richard]

Great guns, I bought mine from a member of this Forum, and very happy with it. It dates to a ship date of Aug 1989. I have done quite a bit of handloading for this and really like the Hornady 100 gr. XTP. It is accurate.

 

[Green Frog]

Of all the guns I’ve owned but sold, the 6” Model 16-4 I got when they first came out. Soon thereafter I got heavily involved in single shot rifles (Schuetzen) and thought I had “too many” handguns. I’ve never quite forgiven myself for that lapse, but it led me to build Project 616 and my Model 16-3 recreation, so don’t feel too sorry for me.

Every serious revolver shooter owes it to himself to have at least one or two S&Ws in 32... the I- or J-frames will sort of scratch the itch, but a K- frame has a certain panache that must be experienced to be appreciated. Of course, the higher power of the 327 FM makes it more flexible, but as my brother Dale53 has pointed out repeatedly, serious loads for the 32 H&R almost-magnum can be pretty easily loaded as desired. BTW, what is the current opinion on reaming the 16-4 to 327 FM, improve the or sacrilege?

Froggie

 

[jack the toad]

4” is only ones I’ve had. Currently these two, top is reamed to .327 Fed mag, other remains .32 mag.
While short, long, H&R and Fed are fun in their own way, the Fed mag is a hoot to shoot due to 100 gr JSP factory load at 1500 fps and long is accurate with very little recoil.

ETA:
Congrats to OP but you're likely familiar with forum pic requirements.
ETA:
As Froggie alluded to, I had a pre-lock J in .32 mag but IMO there's no comparison to same caliber in the K.
I sometimes wish I'd went with longer barrel model for the .327 but being full lug, the 6" is about all I'd wanna go.
For those that have reservations about reaming the factory cylinder, I guess could always fit a second cylinder to maintain originality. Might as well have 2 extras... one in .327 and other in .32-20.
Then could fire at least 6 different rounds from .32ACP thru .32-20.

 

[Tom K]

Great guns, I bought mine from a member of this Forum, and very happy with it. It dates to a ship date of Aug 1989. I have done quite a bit of handloading for this and really like the Hornady 100 gr. XTP. It is accurate.

You know, that target is missing a crucial piece of information - the distance. A group by itself is not much use.

 

[Oldman11]

My new one shoots very good,better than I am. I got the 4 inch and left a 6 inch for someone else. I have been wanting one for a long time to go with my .32 masterpiece. I believe I am going to leave it as a .32 hr mag and not ream it out to the .327. I’ll have to wait for my son for pictures, I’m 75 and have never learned how. The gun shop also had a model 16-2 with a six inch barrel but I could not get both.

 

[H Richard]

Tom K, FYI, the target was shot at 15 yards, while I was chronographing the loads.

 

[DanGee]

I bought mine 25 or more years ago (CRS syndrome) and mostly let it sit while I misspent my time at work. After I retired four years ago, it became my favorite shooter. It would be the last handgun I sell.

 

[jaymoore]

... BTW, what is the current opinion on reaming the 16-4 to 327 FM, improve the or sacrilege?

Froggie

I'm perfectly happy with the .32 H&R Mag. Recoil is pleasant in the K frame, accuracy is oustanding, and it shoots reasonably flat out to 100yards. (In actual fact it usually doesn't need elevation change from 25 to 50 yards. The drop past 75 is rather noticable, but there's no danger of running out of elevation adjustment.) I feel zero desire to ream one out.

 

[Oldman11]

By the way I left a 6 inch at the store. It had the box tools and all.

 

[Jebus35745]

Nice find especially in the 4” version. Enjoy your 16-4. Maybe mention the gun shop so someone could buy the other one. What was the price on the 6”?

I had Andy Horvath ream mine to .327. Wanted one in that caliber for a while. Kinda a blue version of Froggie’s 616 that Andy built. No regrets on value, someone may want it that way. Larry

 

[Tom K]

Tom K, FYI, the target was shot at 15 yards, while I was chronographing the loads.

That's fine, I just didn't see the information on the target. Is it on there somewhere? If I shoot a target and keep it, I don't ever not record the distance - I don't rely on my fallible memory.

 

[H Richard]

Tom K, no the distance wasn't listed. I normally chrono at the 15 yards, and just marked down the load data.

I also have a 431PD and a 432PD, and the listed load will do just over 1000 fps from their 1 7/8" barrels. It is not uncomfortable in these lightweights, the factory grips (rubber) aren't bad but I really like the Culina J Frame boot grips. The fit is such that the recoil isn't really noticible.