I’ve been using Bostitch finish nailers for years now, so when I heard that the company was releasing an updated oil-free 16-ga. model, I jumped at the chance to try it out.

The test: To give the gun a full workout, I left my old 16-ga. nailer at home and used only the new FN1664 to install more than 1000 lin. ft. of baseboard, door and window casing, wainscot, and crown molding.

The bottom line: The FN1664 is definitely at the high end of the 16-ga. price scale, but it’s a solid and well-built nailer. I think the previous model (FN16250) was a better fit for me, but I doubt buyers will be disappointed with this new model. I’d have no hesitation recommending it to anybody looking for a new finish nailer.

The trigger settings: A selectable trigger allows the tool to switch between sequential and contact-firing modes, but I wish the selector switch locked more firmly. I often accidentally nudge the switch between settings, which causes the nailer to lock. I also had a few nails jam in the firing track, but because the nosepiece is easy to open, it wasn’t much of a hassle compared with the number of fasteners I fired without a problem.

The sound-dampening exhaust: I am fairly impressed with the sound-dampening rear exhaust, which makes this model noticeably quieter than any of my other nailers—an especially nice perk when working in tight quarters prone to loud echoes.

The swivel fitting: The swivel airhose fitting makes the tethered nailer more manageable, but hooking up the tool while the hose is pressurized is a bit of a tricky operation.

The new magazine: Bostitch abandoned the side-loading magazine on its old model for a more traditional bottom-loading setup. Personally, I prefer the old design for ease of loading and unloading (when changing nail sizes), but all things being equal, this model’s bottom-loading magazine functioned as well as any I’ve tried.

The depth-control wheel: This may be the first nailer I’ve used that has a depth control that affects the depth of drive. I still prefer to leave the air pressure high to ensure that nails are properly countersunk, though. The Dial-A-Depth wheel is too much of a hunt-and-peck feature.

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