NOT REALLY A RANT

[williamlayton]

I just wonder why S&W does not offer some models that seem to me would be good sellers.
I come from the point of their most recent offering of the .327 mag---which is a good round--but they only offer it in that little ported 3 incher.
I bought a 16-4, which they produced back in the 90's, and it has more potential than the little production weapon.
If I were doing it I would have re-introduced it in the 16-5 .327mag--offering more choice and still offered the 3 inch.
There are a number that they can do this with----IMO.
Blessings

[Hammerdown]

Hello William
The Old  School S&W Factory may have reintroduced the Model 16-5 in a K-Frame offering chambered in The Federal .327 Magnum but it seems the new vision is Far more of carry protection than Good Target style revolvers. I feel the 3" Model in J-Frame round butt configuration in the Federal .327 Magnum is more of a Morphadite than a true carry piece. If they were intending the cartridge for personal carry the traditional 1-7/8" Barrel length should have been chosen. It seems the factory has forgotten the famous K-Frame in square configuration that made most of their money for them, they choose a round butt configuration now as it cost's a bit less to make the round butt models. Target shooting has suffered Popularity now for a long time so I don't feel you will see them bring out the Model 16-5 rechambered in Federal .327 Magnum caliber in a Carbon steel blued or Nickel revolver...For that, we will have to count on Hamilton Bowen to fill our Lusts for the Hot Federal .327 Magnum Cartridge... Hammerdown

[williamlayton]

Well now, I am not holding my breath that any suggestion I make will be headed.
Just conversation---but I agree with you.
Blessings

[canon6]

I have the J frame 327 Federal( 632 carry Comp) but I would love a K frame 3 inch,fiberoptic front and adjustable rear.
But I agree with the two previsious posters. Doug

[Mohawk]

Actually, a good point, William. I have always been a little critical of S&W marketing strategy. Granted, they seem to market most of their product to concealed carry. But, they should also do a little research into the remainder of their target customers. It is almost like back in the revolver era they did not need any marketing, it was almost a no brainer when it came to sales. Smith and Colt! Must be great to have only one target competitor!! Now that the worldwide LE market is autos, they may need to lean their marketing to hunters, concealed carry, recreation shooters, collectors, old school Smith users(Myself and William), and folks that scream everyday for the Smith of the old days. 

[Swampman]

I see no point in any of the .327 cartridges.

[Dixiejack]

Mohawk, I agree with you.  The so called gun writers promote what gun makers can make cheap and sell at a good profit.  We are told aluminum and plastic  are the materials.  Lightweight is better than mass.  I'm guilty--my carry is a S&W Bodyguard .38 Special.  With 158 gr, +P ammo, it recoils as much as my .357 Mag.  I wonder how long it will stay together?  Anyway, Smith (since we are talking about them) has to turn out high numbers of each model to make money and that's their bottom line.  They made 3,000 Model 16's in 3 or 4 years. Not a profit maker.  I want a Model 16-4 with a 5" barrel in .327 Mag. and a Model 48 with a full lug 5" barrel and both of them all steel and blued. Not in my time. Now, half the fun of owning a rare firearm is chasing one down. I turned my nose up at the Model 16  when they came out.  Yep, Swampman, my thought was who needs a .32 Mag. when I got a Model 39 and a Model 52 to punch vermin and paper?  Damn, I wish I had them back. 

[williamlayton]

Well-- there are model 16's out there--I just bought one and it can be altered pretty inexpensivly to shoot all .32 ammo including .327.
I own two S&W .327 mags---and they are fun to shoot---louder than a woman scorned--but fun.
I think the 16-4 I bought will be a fun gun to plink with. It is the first gun in two years that I have had a desire to set up the reloader and start building a load for.
Blessings

[pastorp]

With this problem I have with my hand I have embraced the 32H&R mag in a big way. It just plain hurts to shoot anything much bigger. So I've sold most of my larger bore handguns and replaced them with the little mags. I have 2 pocket S&Ws in 32mag, one hamerless and one with a hammer. My wife claims the Hammer model and it's kept loaded with 32S&W longs.
Then I have a 16-4 and 2 Sp101s. Swampy I hope you never develope arthritis in your hands. However if you do, you'll see the need for the 32mags. I'm going to try my S&W 16-4 out as a squirrel gun if I ever get back to Fl during squirrel season. 

Regards,

[rawhidekid]

Pastorp;  You might want to talk the wife up to the 32mag.  I used to shoot the 32 S&W long until one day I shot a bowling pin match with it to see if I could.  The pin would fall over with a center hit, but would not penetrate the pin.  Stopped carrying 32 S&W long after that.