S&W mdl 16 32 H&R mag

[rodsvet]

Does anyone know of a smith in the LA or Orange County area in Kalifornia that can ream the cylinder a little deeper so I can shoot 327's in it?

[JohnnyFlake]

Before you continue with your idea, you should do some serious research. Drilling a .32 magnum cylinder out to hold .327 magnum cartridges can be very dangerous. A .32 magnum round develops about 20,000/22,000 CUP, while the .327 magnum round develops about 40,000/45,000 CUP.

That is about twice the pressure!!!

[subsonic]

Not to mention there will be several tears shed for that model 16!

Do you know how much those are going for now??!!

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

I never quite understood the appeal of a 32 that can shoot 100gr boolits at about the same pressure a K-38 will shoot 150's.

But, I never understood why anybody voted for Barry Soetoro four years ago either...

[bobthenailer]

If you have to do it ? i would just load the 32 h&r mag case to a slightly higher chamber pressure in between the 2 cartadges say around 30,000 cup . I personaly would not rechamber to 327 Fed as the cyl heat treating may not hold the 327 Fed chamber pressures ? the chamber pressures were kept to a level that the would be safe in all 32h&r revolvers the S&W & Ruger might possibley be able to handel more CUP than the others. there may be a wright up in Handloader magzine on this?

If the 32 case cant handel it, possibley a 327 case trimend to the 32 H&R case length would help in containg the extra CUP?

[MT Gianni]

There were smiths adapting the single six 32 H&R to 327 Federal. I woud buy one and go that way if it were me. I would cry if I saw a mod 16 disfigured that way.

[Dale53]

You can safely drive a Smith 16-4 to magnum velocities with a hundred grain cast bullet. For me, that's more than enough.

Frankly, most of what I shoot in my .32's are target loads.

Dale53

[GLL]

Sell me the Model 16 instead ! :) :) I live nearby !

Jerry

[rodsvet]

You guys make me feel like $h%%. I don't want to harm the pistol or it's value. The cylinder is the same diameter as a model 19. The .32 bore would leave more metal than a model 19. Lengthening the throats a little didn't seem like a dangerous idea. However, you guys have convinced me not to do it. I haven't fired the pistol in years and was thinking about doing a project. Thanks, Rod

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

Just make somebody here deliriously happy by selling it to them, and buy a 32-20.

[9.3X62AL]

The S&W Model 16-4s have a lot more capability than do the H&R revolvers to handle increased pressures somewhat beyond that of SAAMI specs for the 32 Magnum. Having a 30 Carbine Blackhawk in the safe, I just didn't see the need to chase down one of the 327 Federals. A number of owners of S&W and Ruger 32 Mags have run them to 327 Federal velocities without apparent wear or damage to their revolvers.

I've run mine a little bit past SAAMI specs--Lyman #313631 (100 grain SWC/GC) to 1375-1400 FPS from the 6" barrel. I used SP magnum primers (CCI 550) and AA-7 and AA-9 powders, and about half the casings (Starline and Federal) fell free from the chambers when the muzzle was pointed upward with the cylinder open. A slight push on the extractor rod freed up the others. Primers still had some radius at the pocket edges, too. The Federal brass dates from 1985, the original lot I bought with my first 32 Magnum at that time. With 25+ loadings, it is incredibly durable stuff. The primer pockets are still snug, too.

I understand the intrepid rationale behind striving for optimum performance from a given caliber. With the 30/32 calibers, about all you accomplish by cranking on the velocity is to flatten trajectory--you don't really expand the range of game the calibers are capable of taking, and the 327 remains a marginal anti-hairball caliber in my view. If anything, the increased velocity of the 32 Mag or 327 tends to shrink the range of game animals these calibers can harvest, as their bullets rip and shred edible small game beyond consideration as table fare. As such, they are limited to varmint control. Increased velocity is NOT a cure-all, by any means.

[sagamore-one]

Another aspect to look into is top strap cutting. The cylinder if the 16 may take the added pressure but the top strap may cut dramatically faster. I beleive this is why Smith and Wesson began installing top strap inserts.
Just a thought.

[Lloyd Smale]

another one here that never really got bit by the 327 bug. I mostly shoot cast and can get 1200 fps or better out of a 32mag and that never left me feeling undergunned. As a matter of fact most of what i do with a 32 is small game hunting and alot of the time youll find me in the field with 32 S&Ws loaded in my 32 mag guns.

[Bullshop]

I am learning that the (most) 32s with thier smaller size frames and weight are about the most convenient guns to carry for general field use.
I have had two of my old model Ruger single six revolvers converted to center fire because I already had them and couldnt justify buying others for CF cartridges.
One of these is a 32 mag and the other is 22 ccm.
I am becoming increasingly fond of the 32 over the 22. Where once I felt I needed to carry a 44 or 45 now these smaller guns suffice and I am finding its much easier to keep my pants up as well.
I recently traded into a Colt Police Positive Special in 32/20. This little gun has the same attributes as the aforementioned guns. Yesterday I tested a batch of ammo using the traditional Lyman 115gn fnpb with 9.5gn of AA #5744. It shot extreemly well and exactly to point of aim with the fixed sights. At 100 yards was no problem at all consistantly ringing a 12"x12" gong. Recoil is not a consideration with these little guns and its like learning to shoot al over again only better this time.
Checking the on line gun auctions I am amazed that the Colt Police Positive guns can be found in good shootable condition at about $300.00. Collector grade guns are double that or more but shooter grade seem very affordable.
Before I had my single six RF guns converted to CF if I could have for a Ruger 32 for that money I would have got one. Just seems strange to me that you can buy one of these historical Colts for less than a used Ruger. Now I have both and sometimes its tough to decide which one will go with when I head out the door.

[Harry O]

I have a S&W NewModel 16 that was in .32 Magnum. It was really too big for that caliber. My S&W Model 631 (SuperKitgun) and Ruger SA (small frame) are much better sized for the .32 Magnum.

Anyway, I started shooting handguns with a 32-20 and for many years wanted a new 32-20 with better steel, tighter tolerances, and target adjustable sights. I never found one, so I had the NewModel 16 rechambered in 32-20. I load it hotter than a factory .32 Magnum, but not as hot as a .327 Magnum. I love the gun and am very happy with it.

Do what you want. It's your gun.

[Green Frog]

I hope the Model 16-4 will be good in 327 Fed Mag... I'm having one built, only in Stainless (a "616.") I started with a Model 66 and am adding a Model 617 barrel and cylinder rebored to replace the originals. I have talked to others who have done this and it is widely agreed upon that it will work fine. You might want to check out the S&W Forum for information about it.

Froggie

Look here - http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/260686-project-616-a.html

[NoZombies]

Hamilton Bowen is your man, He will rechamber the cylinder of your 16-4 for about $120 the last time I checked. The 16-4 will hold the pressure fine, and the HT is no issue. Being a 16-4, the rechamber shouldn't effect the value in any significant way.