S&W Model 18-3

[FPrice]

Hi, my name is Frosty and I cannot be trusted alone in gun stores.

Well, there I was last night in one of the local gun stores. I go in there just often enough to notice when a new gun has come in. At the end of the row was a blue S&W revolver I had not seen before. Turns out it's a S&W Model 18-3, 22lr, ser no of 1Kxxxxxx puts it about 1970-71.

Nice shape, good blueing, nice trigger pull...only one small imperfection I could see. The topstrap that the rear sight is on is about 1/8" too long in front, overhangs the junction of the cylinder opening and the barrel just a bit. I don't think it would affect the operation, just looks off a bit.

Anyways, I keep thinking about adding this to my collection. However, in my current situation I'd have to get rid of something, possibly my S&W Model 63, and use this as my .22 DA revolver for training.

Any other Model 18 owners out there want to help me feed my addiction???

 

[FPrice]

"Um, why even bother to post something like 1KXXXXXXX?"

Umm, cuz that's all I could remember of the serial number. I have NOT bought it yet, just recall the "1K" as a way of trying to get a rough date of manufacture.

It's in about 90% or better shape from what I recall, just have to balance this purchase against some other things I am thinking of. This would make a fine addition to complement my 15-3, and a few other Smith's I have.

 

[popeye]

SaxonPig: I've noticed your replies can be rather condesending. You berrated me recently on S&W forum. Are you the "God of gun info?"

BTW: Your info bar about Little Rock is REALLY annoying.

 

[FPrice]

popeye...

"SaxonPig: I've noticed your replies can be rather condesending. You berrated me recently on S&W forum. Are you the "God of gun info?""

FWIW, I've corresponded with SaxonPig many times and found him to be pretty knowledgeable and generally friendly. I did not take this personally. We all have bad days.

Oh, I don't care for the Little Rock thing either. But that's mainly cause of Bill Clinton AND my ex-wife, both came from around there. Wonder if there is any connection???

 

[jaybar]

Model 18 - Combat Masterpiece.

Fprice - The model 18 is considered by many to be the ultimate in .22 revolvers. K-frame gun, so its a bit more man sized than the J-frame 63 and its blued cousins. It is basically a K-22 (model 17) with a 4 inch barrel and a ramp front sight instead of the patridge (holster ripping) taget front sight that the Model 17 has. Just right for holster carry, mimics in size and weight other center-fire K-frame guns that might be considered typical duty revolvers such as the Model 10, Model 19, Model 66 etc. Buy it you won't regret it. You may ,however, regret selling the 63.

 

[Dot_mdb]

I own a 617 which I like very much. But the Model 18 is definitely on my buy list for .22's.

Bill

 

[FPrice]

jaybar...

"The model 18 is considered by many to be the ultimate in .22 revolvers."

It seemed like a nice sized revolver when I held it. I am going back to take another look at it soon, hopefully it will still be there.

"You may ,however, regret selling the 63."

Maybe, but it is something that may have to be done. I am not over-extended yet, but I am getting close. To get something I am going to have to give something and that is the most expendable at this point.

 

[Ala Dan]

Hey-Hey Frosty

I had a Smith & Wesson model 18-3 S/N 1K 70XXX that
I bought NIB way back in 1971. I'm here to vouch for
these weapons, as being the finest .22 caliber revolver
ever assembled! I enjoyed mine, sending thousands
of .22 LR's downrange over about a 10 year span.

Got a wild hair up my nose one day, and sold the 18
and have never been able to find a suitable moldel
18 to replace it. As they say, "hindsight is 20/20".

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[BigG]

You know, that's something I learned on the Internet. I never knew there was a combat model of K-22 until somebody raved about one on TFL or THR. I have had a couple K22s but thought they were all Model 17s.

 

[Ala Dan]

Hey-Hey-Hey Big G

That was most likely me, raving about the Smith
model 18 during the days of TFL! Its one of my
all-time favorite Smith's. I bought mine from the same
dealer that old James Earl Ray used to purchase that
infamous .30-06!

Capbuster and myself each use to buy a block of 500
rounds from Woolco or K-Mart (boy them days are for
ever long gone) and spend all day on Saturdays out
at our local shooting gallery. At the time, we did not
have a public range; so we made do at the local trash
dump! Heck, you had about a 200 yard, high banked
target impact area; that was probably 60 yards wide.
We enjoyed that site, 'till the city ran us out of there!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[BigG]

Come to think of it, it probably WAS you, ole buddy! Dang, TFL is long gone. We is gettin old, pardner!
Incidentally, you got me lonesome so I posted a pic of my K22 (mod 617) "sniff"

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Nice shape, good blueing, nice trigger pull...only one small imperfection I could see. The topstrap that the rear sight is on is about 1/8" too long in front, overhangs the junction of the cylinder opening and the barrel just a bit. I don't think it would affect the operation, just looks off a bit.

Sounds like you just described my Model 18-3. The front of the sight overhangs the part of the frame where it's scalloped a little bit. My Model 15-3 is the same way. If I were you and I didn't already own one, I'd buy it. My M-18 is one of the sweetest shooting revolvers I've ever handled.

 

[Standing Wolf]

...only one small imperfection I could see. The topstrap that the rear sight is on is about 1/8" too long in front, overhangs the junction of the cylinder opening and the barrel just a bit.

That's not an imperfection. That's the way all Smith & Wesson revolvers with adjustable sights used to be built, along with recessed cylinders and pinned barrels. Frankly, I don't care for the overhanging rear sight strap, but it was what made Smith & Wessons so readily identifiable.

 

[jame]

.

 

[jame]

Love mine!

 

[Trebor]

I got a Model 18-2 (or is it a 18-3? I'll have to check..) from a buddy a couple months ago. I stopped at the range on the way home and couldn't believe how accurate it was. I haven't been back yet though since I'm waiting for the weather to warm up just a bit (I don't like sub artic temps).

I got the gun for $300 and I think I stole it at that price.

 

[rbert0005]

FP,

Take it from me. Go ahead and buy it you will not be sorry you did. I was lucky about a month ago. I found a real beauty and grabbed it right up.
They are sweet. The best trigger out of all my Smiths.

Bob

 

[tomthel]

Model 18

I have had my 18 the longest of any gun in my collection (20 Years). Before that had a couple of 17's. When they got away got the 18 and have kept it. Mine has had quite a few rounds run through it over the years. As a training gun the weight is closer to a .357 medium frame than the J frames and it has the leaf mainspring vs. coil. I had mine tuned by an APG gunsmith in the area and the action is really sweet.

I don't think you would regret getting the 18.

Tom

 

[FPrice]

Well, I picked it up. Was able to shoot it Sunday and even though conditions were bad (cold and windy) it shot very well. Pic is not very good (I'll work on that) but here it is.

 

[Ala Dan]

Beautiful Frosty - both weapon and pic.

I know you will certainly enjoy that fine revolver!
Wish I still had mine partner~

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Majic]

As a training gun the weight is closer to a .357 medium frame than the J frames

Well it is built on a K-frame. Why are you comparing a J-frame?

 

[FPrice]

Majic...

"Well it is built on a K-frame. Why are you comparing a J-frame?"

Most likely because in my original post I opined that in order to obtain this revolver I might have to part with my current S&W .22 revolver, a Model 63. A matter of economics more than anything else. My Model 63 is at the S&W Performance Center now getting some action work done. I'll have to see when it gets back just what I am going to do.

 

[Litlman]

FPrice, NICE M-18!!! It is on my "list" of got to haves. I will walk int one sooner or later. Enjoy. And you all be good!!!

 

[FPrice]

SaxonPig...

"Very nice. You'll have a lot of fun with it."

Thanks, I know I will. I shot it Sunday (very cold and windy) and it grouped well under those conditions.

"No weather Gizmo..."

Ya know, I've been wondering how it's doing down there!

I don't worry about things like that.

Oh, before I forget, this shop also has a NICE S&W M28-2, about 1975 era or so. It has some ugly Pachmyer grips on it, but it's nice and tight and looks about 90-94% or so.

 

[rbert0005]

Nice pick up....

What shop was that in?

Bob