16-4 .32 H&R 6 INCH S&W

[williamlayton]

I found this one this week off another sight from a person with a good reputation. From the pictures it appears to be 85% conservatively.
Blueing is good and the recoil shield shows no markings. The turn line is hardly visible. No box or papers.
Serial # BEZ80---could use some helpon the date.
$700 plus shipping.
Decent deal--yes or no?
Blessings

[mauser98us]

Pretty scarce gun in a hard to find chambering. I bought mine new in the early 90's. The fit,function and finish are simply outstanding on mine. $700.00 probably is a goood price. I would be hesitant to pay it,but I'm rather cheap.

[Hammerdown]

Hello William
The Model 16-4 was a reintroduction of the Preivious model 16 but now chambered in .32 H&R Magnum rather than .32 S&W Long, and this new ofering had a full Lug barrel feature. It came in Three barrel lengths being 4", 6" and 8-3/8" lengths. They were made from 1989-1992 and in 1991 they discontinued the 4" and 8-3/8" barrel lengths selling off the remainder of the 6" Guns in 1992. The .32 H&R Cartridge suffered popularity as the gun's that the Cartridge was named after Being Harrington & Richards went Bankrupt shortly after the release of the cartridge. The .32 H&R Magnum at that time was the most Potent loading for the .32 Caliber arena with average velocities of 1100 FPS. S&W Made about 8800 of the Model 16-4's before they ceased production of them in late 1992. Given the fact that they are made on the K-Frame platform, it allows the hand loader ample room for expanding on the cartridge very much without Fear of hurting the gun. The Price you quoted of $700.00 is  on the low side for a Good Model 16-4 as most are averaging $1000.00 these days when we see them and many are over a Grand out there. I would be all over it if it were me and the gun was in good condition. I have a 6" example that shipped out in 1989 the same year as the one you are looking at and I gave $600.00 for mine new in Box about Seven years ago before these escalated quickly in price. Mine has been converted by Hamilton Bowen to the new exciting Federal .327 Magnum caliber and it is a Rocket round. Below are pictures of mine & The conversion to The Federal .327 Magnum round is just $95.00 last I checked and well worth it as the accuray of it's results are shown below shot with one of my hand loads... Hammerdown
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 

[williamlayton]

Hammerdown
Thanks--you opinion follows my findings.
The pictures sent indicate--as does his description--it is a shooter probably 85/90% but mechanically sound with no push off & good timing.
The seller is Smith&Winchester over at the other board, I would rather not chat about it over there as all communications have been by PM.
I think he can be trusted--we will see when I get it.
Thanks for the year--about what I figgered.
I will have the same process done to mine.
Blessings
 

[inthebeech]

William, You're a lucky dog.  I gave up looking for one and realized I was wasting time that could be better spent shooting so I settled on the K-38 but I really was hoping to get the K-32.  I don't buy a lot of guns so now that I have my Bullseye and tin can revolver I wouldn't buy one but yours was definately my first choice.  I would have loved to work up a nice cast bullet load for it and never look back.  I hope you give some more thought to rechambering a great cartridge in a gun that is one of less than ten thousand in the world, just to basically give you what either the existing model 14, 15 or 19 can do (and more and at the same weight).  I've always thought the 32's advantage is down at the low to moderate range of its intended loadings.
To Your Health,
Ed

[williamlayton]

Well it is not rechambering.
If i have it reamed so that  it will shoot the .327 mag--it will still shoot al the rest.
The little cartidge stop in the cylinder is just reamed to accept a longer shell casing of the .32 size.
Blessings

[Hammerdown]

Hello William & Others
The Calliber rechambering job that Hamilton Bowen does to these S&W Model 16-4's is a  Process of Legthening of the cylinder throats. Your gun will fire the .32 S&W, .32 S&W Long, .32 H&R Magnum and the new Federal .327 Magnum when he is done. He also Matches the cylinder throats when doing this caliber conversion and it makes the gun more accurate than it left the factory, at least mine is now. You will only need to send him the guns cylinder and crane assembly for him to perform this caiber change... Hammerdown

[williamlayton]

I thought that is what I said in---well---very un-Smith like language.
Correct me in my thinking Hammer down.
Blessings

[1muzzle3974]

I know this is an old post....but does anyone know the value of these in Ontario?? For folks south of the border, this firearm is classified as prohibited in Canada.....

[williamlayton]

Prohibited by who and for who---sometimes you just gotta do what you want to do.
Blessings

[1muzzle3974]

A few years back, our politicians, decided, certain handguns, would be classified as prohibited. Anything in .32 calibre was one of the ones changed so some us handgun owner in Canada all of a sudden had prohibited weapons. The identical firearm in a .22, .38, .44 , etc., is considered restricted. Unless you had a .32 when the law was changed, you can not acquire one under the new law, except for the odd circumstance that doesn't apply to the ordinary citizen. Example, my son who has his restricted licence, can inherit my .44 mag, S & W, but not my .32 S & W. So treasure your gun laws.

[williamlayton]

I prefer to think of them as rights but I understand what you are saying.
Blessings