Smith and Wesson 16-4 My favorite gun

S

shooter429

Moderator
It is not the biggest, most powerful or baddest wheelgun around. Maybe that is why I like it so much. I love this little 4" revolver. The action is smooth as butter and light as a feather. Nothing I have ever felt is as nice. I also love the versatility of this little magnum. She is at home plinking with the .32 S&Ws or defending the home with the magnums.

Anyone else have one of the beautiful little magnums?

Anyone else think the .32 H&R is underrated?

I cannot find any references to the gun anywhere. I take it she is a bit rare. Any idea how many exist? Value?

Shooter429
 

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I take it yours is a second issue from 90-93? The Model 16 Masterpiece is built on the K frame. I believe yours non-original/modified from the picture. A generic value based on the picture would be $200.00. The rara avis would apply to the Model 14 8.38" 38 Special in single action only. These M14/M16 K38/K32 revolvers do have great actions. The Model 16 was produced from 1947 and discontinued in 1974. 3,630 were made. The reissue ran from 1990-93. If yours were an original 1st Issue, DA it would be a significant piece. Value would then run around $1,000.00 to a low of $800.00 +/- $400.00. Is yours marked as 32 H&R Magnum?
 
The M16-4 is the re-issue of the K32 with a full lugged barrel and chambered in .32 Magnum. They aren't exactly rare as somewhere between 8000 and 9000 of them were made for 2 or 3 years. They are valued below the non lugged barreled model K32 with a price tag of around $450 if in excellent condition.
 
I've got one. (Reissue , full lug, 4", combat grips) I "needed" a 16 to fill in my S&W revolver collection. ( Had all the "teen" series guns but the 16.) Traded a duplicate mod 17 for it ( NIB w papers) . The 17 had a value of $425 or so.
I like the "feel" of my 16 but to be honest, havn't gotten around to shooting it yet.
 
16-4

Hmm. Thanks for the responses. I am curious though, what does "non-original/modified" mean?

Mine is marked ".32 Magnum" on the BBL. She is marked M Model 16-4 I also noticed some marks that I did not recognise. Under the ejector rod is inscribed "5X6." Any idea what that means?


Well, in any event, she has a sweet enough action to be worth a lot to me.


Thanks

Shooter429
 
By the way, I know for serious collectors shooting them might be a no no, but it is an experience you won't soon forget. I wish more guns today came with such wonderful actions. I have not found a new Smith that comes close.

Shooter429
 
I don't recall seeing those grips before from the factory. You didn't mention box, papers, tools and kraft paper wrappings. I believe based on the picture that your Model 16 is modified from the original form that left the S&W factory. I like the Model 16 myself. I wondered if it was marked 32 Magnum or 32 H&R Magnum due to a spurious fake I once saw. S&W AFAIK always left off the H&R so as to not give them free publicity. S&W did place 45 Colt Cartridge on their barrels though. I wonder why?
 
Sir William,
His pictured revolver is factory original. Those are the factory SB Combat stocks used in that time frame. The M16-4 was different from the K32 in that it had a full lugged barrel and most were chambered in .32 magnum.
S&W did place 45 Colt Cartridge on their barrels though. I wonder why?
Click to expand...
They had to tell the difference between a .45acp gun and a .45 Colt gun.

Shooter,
Don't worry about shooting your revolver. The re-issued models like yours don't have the collectability of the K32. Most shooters buy the re-issue to shoot and put the K32s up as safe queens. While your M16-4 will cost around $400 the K32 thru the M16-3 (the entire first series) will have price tags of around $1500.
 
Majic, I believed those to be Hogue finger groove grips. Providing they are original factory, I would still only say about $275.00 in value. The reissues are worth what other K framed revolvers are worth a la M10, M15 and maybe M18s. I would be hesitant to pay $350.00 for one.
 
Those are S&W SB factory Combats stocks not Hogues (look carefully and you can see the retaining screw). I have quite a few pairs on N-frames in the SB and RB configuration. The M16-4 came stock with those stocks.
If you can find one for $275 then I suggest you buy everyone you can find because you can make a killing reselling them. Also M10s generally don't have no where near the price of a M15 or M18. I know the .38 spl revolvers have different prices regionally, but when you get to under $300 they generally have wear on them. The M18s just aren't found that easily. Owners tend to hold on to them tightly.
You may be lucky and be in one of those few areas where the Masterpices are inexpensive, but most places have them priced much higher.
 
Well, to the best of my knowledge, the gun has not had anything changed on her. She was about a "month old" when I bought her back in the early 90s and had ridden in a holster for a month, so I was told by the dealer. As the price seemed reasonable, even at the time, I inquired about the prior owner, and, of course, he was the dealers best friend who just changed guns like underwear-1 pair per month, needed or not. LOL

Anyway, I inspected everything with a light, bought it, and did some test firing. It rode with me when I went hiking and is the only gun to actually save my ass when I encountered ferrel dogs. She performed perfectly. So, after that incident, I thought it a perfect home defense gun for arthritic, elderly family members who don't tolerate lots of recoil or stiff slides. Anyway she has been sitting in a drawer for a decade, so I am sure she never made it to get customized. The two pictures of other specimens that I did find had identicle wooden finger groove grips (which are really nice). There is no "H&R" anywhere on the gun.

Anyway, thanks for the info. Happy shooting

And Happy New Year

Shooter429
 
Wish I could find any of the guns mentioned here for $200. Seems like nice specimines of even common revolvers like the mod 10 and 15 are demanding $275-$350 these days. Guess that's what happens when they quite makeing the best :rolleyes:
 
Majic, I agree with you on the grips. My grips are darker and the lighting seemed to blonde the wood to my eyes. I did find a friend with a M16-4 and his grips are darker too in real light. I asked him what his M16-4 was insured for. He had his NIB with all papers, tools and a perfect box appraised at $385.00. He said it would probably take closer to $600.00 to replace his. I got a little interested in these revolvers. I may start trying to hunt a M18 to pair with my M15. A local shop has a M14 6" @ $450.00. No box, no papers and no takers.
 
You suck and I hate you!

Ok, ok, I'm kidding. I love those little .32 Magnums and they never seem to come up for sale at a price a mortal could afford. The M16 is very nice.

What I REALLY want is a Model 631. The stainless kit gun with four inch barrel but in .32 Magnum. J frame. I've seen one of those for sale and it happened when there was just no way I could buy it. None since then. Great woods walking gun. I love my little M63 right now but how much better would the same gun be in .32 Magnum!

Right now I do all my .32 Magnum shooting with a Ruger Single Six with adjustable sights. Nice.

It's odd how gun companies can finally get around to making truly useful guns but then people just don't buy them and they get discontinued!!

Gregg
 
Sir William,
The Combats can be found in various shades. I've even seen some with prominent grains in them and even streaked. I wished S&W never decided to discontinue that style. The prices on them are on the rise with excellent condition ones now going for upwards to $80 when you can find them.
The M18 is getting to be another revolver that's tough to find. Those with them are hanging on to them. I was speciffically looking for a -3 model to complete a -3 Masterpiece set I was putting together and it took me 2 years to find one. Luckily it was NIB, but I didn't very many M18s the entire time I was looking. Good luck on finding one for yourself.

Ok, ok, I'm kidding. I love those little .32 Magnums and they never seem to come up for sale at a price a mortal could afford. The M16 is very nice.
Click to expand...
The M16-4 which is the one chambered in .32 magnum sells for welfare prices compared to the true K32 Masterpiece goes for. Even at the unreal prices of the K32 you still will have a hard time finding one.
 
So far, so good. I have found a M38 in blue with a flat latch and 38 Special 2". I have found a 638 to contrast. I have found a flat latch M36 2" blued model in 38 Special. I have found a 3" HB, RB M10 in a K frame. It is raining great S&Ws on me at present. No Mteens though. Yet.
 
Did someone say the K-38 masterpiece is worth something? I dunno the year of manufacture, but I know someone who has one in New condition and has kept it in a drawer for decades.

What kinda cash outlay would that be worth? Maybe He'd trade for a newfangled Keltec 32 :rolleyes:

Shoot now I gotta go find out. Wish me luck.

Shooter429
 
Depending on the vintage and the condition a K38 can go for up to $450 for an excellent one or around $250 for a shooter. One thing most everyone will agree with is that they are excellent shooters. It would make a fine companion to the M16. You will then find it's like eating potato chips because you next have to find the M17 (.22lr known as the K22), the M15 ( a shorter barreled K38), the M18 ( a shorter version of the K22), and the M48 ( .22 magnum). Consider all the various finishes and barrel lengths, add in the full lugged models and you can get lost and broke just in Masterpieces.
 
Ahh, I guess instead of a shooter, I am becoming a collector. I wonder if it is an age thing? LOL

Well, I am looking forward to it.

Shooter429
 
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