Tell me about your new model 16's....

[toad67]

Been thinking for awhile that a model 16 would fill a nice gap in my model numbers, but haven't quite got to purchasing one yet. I see, that as the years go by, they aren't getting any cheaper, so I figure that if I'm gonna get one, now seems like the time to do it...
So, the question is, on the new model magnum (-4)how does the 4" feel, shoot as compared to the 6" version? TIA.

 

[Gunhohulk]

I have a 4” 16-4 that I’ve had for a year or two now and I really like it so far. It’s been out on several occasions and .32 long wadcutters are very precise and have almost no perceptible recoil. Shooting the wadcutters at steel over longer distances is fun because they have such a pronounced hang time before the ding of steel gets back to you.

The downside would be sourcing .32 H&R Mag ammo. Factory stuff is hard to find and pricey but I think I can have reloads down to about 10 cents a round excluding the cost of brass. The other idea I’ve been rolling around is having my chambers reamed for .327 Fed since it was a shooter before it came to me and the “seal” has been broken. TBD.

That’s the limit of my experience but it makes me want to find 6” and 8” examples as well. My advice would be to grab the first reasonably priced one you can find then start hunting for a specific barrel length after that

 

[STCM(SW)]

I had one for several years. I could not find a use for it and sold it.
For the frame size a 357 when hunting seemed better.
Now in a J frame I would like it for CC .

 

[jaymoore]

I don't have a use for the .327 Federal, but .32 H&R Mag is a good IHMSA Field Pistol round, if you like shooting revolvers. I've shot an 8 3/8" barreled 16-4 for quite a few years. Getting a superb 100yd cast bullet load has been challenging. Out to fifty yards it's great. Low recoil.

For hunting purposes, it'll never be as good as a .44 nor .45 on big game.
For steel or paper, very satisfying!
As eye candy, it's just another '90's revolver. Might as well get a .22 or .38/.357.

My 6" 16-4 doesn't get run nearly as much.

 

[moosedog]

I've had all three barrel lengths in the 16-4 and prefer the six inch as that fits the design as a target revolver for me. The 8 3/8ths is just not very popular like they once were and seem a bit cumbersome.
The 32 Magnum is a nice cartridge, especially if you load your own.

 

[22hipower]

I have a 4 inch and a six inch. Don't hunt with them but they're hard to beat for just plain fun at the range. As Gunhohulk noted the ammo can be loaded very inexpensively with cast bullets. I prefer the 4 inch but either one is fine. I'll buy an 8 3/8 if I come across one at a reasonable price. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[lawandorder]

Confession time............

........like most of us I struggle with change, of any kind. Change is very hard on humans, especially the older we get. Set in our ways we say.

I confess sometimes (often ?) I was wrong in my stubbornness.

When they first came out I thought full lug versions of S&W revolvers were ugly. I must not have been alone because reports said they did not sell well especially in the model 16 in .32 H&R Magnum.

I was already an early fan of the caliber, starting out with a Ruger Single Six and shortly after a Model 631 2 inch.

Wouldn't even care to look at one of those new fangled full lug models.

Then they ceased production of the 16 and price began to creap up, something about supply & demand, then the price sky rocketed. Seems to be leveling off around the 1,500. mark now. I broke down and bought it because I had developed a like for Smith oddities. Like coins the fewer of a coin produced the more the value climbed.

Was going to put in the safe deposit box and wait. Got the itch to see how it shot. Dug it out and shot it. Was in love with it after the first cylinder ( 6 rounds DA @ small plate spinner target 12 yds and hit each one I realized I was wrong about this change.

Just to prove I have not lost all of my dislike for change, will never buy a gun with an internal lock. Now if I could find a 1968 Chevy PU I could get rid of this automobile we have that want to drive for you.

Stay safe in these crazy times we are living in.
Law & Order or Anarchy!

 

[mtgianni]

The 6" is accurate, fun to shoot and nice to look at. I have never shot factory loads in in, just powder coated reloads. If you find the brass, and don't mind loading it, it's a great cartridge. It is nearly as accurate with 32 longs, but that just means you need to avoid a ring in the cylinder by a good cleaning every time you shoot it.

 

[Green Frog]

It may have been serendipity, but when I had Project 616 built, the only Model 617 barrel that was available to rebore from 22 to 32 caliber was a 4” one. At first I wondered whether I should keep looking for a 6” barrel, but when it was finished, I’m quite pleased with the shorter barrel. Remember, it’s just a stainless Model 16-4! I should mention I had it chambered in 327 Fed Mag, but the principle is the same… a 4” barrel with under lug balances well. I do recommend square butt smooth combat drips with finger grooves as well.
Froggie

 

[jcelect]

16-4

I bought this 16-4 from a friend that had it bored to 327 Fed Mag. This gun will shoot 6 shots touching at 50yds, if I do my job? It is like shooting a 22 but when you shoot the 327rds it barks quite a bit, but not much recoil!

jcelect

 

[Grayfox]

Like many here, I always lusted after an early model 16. But they're scarce as hen's teeth and prices are astronomical.
Some years back, I found a 6" 16-4 and bought it. Excellent gun and a great shooter.
However, I never really warmed up to the .32 H&R caliber. I really don't see anything it can do that the .38 Special can't do better.
Honestly, I don't shoot the gun very often and when I do its with my own .32 Long reloads. But it is very accurate and lots of fun.

 

[Rodfac]

I've had a 4" M-16 since '90, but rarely carry it in the field. It's a bit more accurate than my Ruger Single Sixes in .32 H&R, but the weight on the belt is a deal breaker. As Smith's go, this one is a keeper with a crisp SA trigger and a DA that's as good as any Smith I've ever tried.

Just wish Smith had made it with a pencil barrel contour, & without the needless underlug. Best regards, Rod

Here's the pair for comparison, along with one of my holsters I made up:

 

[Alk8944]

New Model 16s? S&W hasn't made a Model 16 since the 16-4 that went out of production in ca. 1990. Is this what you are asking about, or just Model 16s that are new-to-me?

 

[toad67]

Not sure why you have to be so darned nit picky, everyone else seems to know what I'm talking about. Yes, maybe I should have used the term "reintroduced model" rather than "new" model....Sheesh