Finally my Model 18-2 arrived in the Netherlands!
Now the final paperwork has to be completed before it is legally mine, it is in my dealers' safe now. Cannot make photos or handle it.

As I still have to wait for it, a hard part, I wanted to pass the time by asking from what year it actually is.

The serial number I got is K6369XX

Thank you all in advance!

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anton

1965 production. Did you buy it from someone in another country and have it shipped to the Netherlands?

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Thank you murphydog!
1965 is a good year, the year I became eleven
Yes, it is imported.
I had been looking around for a Model 18 for years and finally found one on a website of a German gunshop.
Last year I bought a Model 34 from a dealer near the border, who deals with this shop. I asked him about the possibilities of importing it for me, it took some time and quite a bit of paperwork for him; Customs declarations etc.
Now it still has to be transferred to my license before I can shoot it, can take a bit of time too...

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anton

Anton, I'll look forward to some pictures and a range report soon!

Jerry

This is the first picture of my "new" S&W Model 18-2.
(Still not in the house awaiting the last details on the paperwork)
Condition is quite good.
As far as I'm concerned, the only downside are the German proof-marks..



Can't wait to shoot this beauty!

Attached Images

Model 18-2 mine.jpg (62.6 KB, 2614 views)

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anton

Over the last 30 years the M-18 has been the one S&W .22 LR revolver that I most enjoyed. It took me 25 years to stop buying, shooting and the selling them. In 2003 I found a beautiful at a local gunshow, bought it and have since kept it. Firing with a two-hand grip from a supported position it will with good ammunition keep 12 rounds well inside of 2 inches at 25 yds. (approx. 22.8 meters). It is as pretty as a find watch and as tough as a M-1 tank. I often carry it in the car on the front seat while making visits to church members. It is has been a source of pleasure and is a joy to my eyes. I hope you will very much enjoy your new 18. Of all the .22 LR revolvers made by S&W, the 18 is perhaps the perfect combination of utility, portability, accuracy and simple aesthetic beauty. Sincerely. brucev.

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<><

You did well, my son in law is from Belgium and he was amazed at how easy it is to buy firearms in the USA

Congratulations, Anton. What a clean looking Model 18! The stocks, in particular, look untouched. Let us know how it shoots.

Jerry

Well, I hoped to be able to post more pics around this date, but it is possible that it takes longer than expected before the paperwork is done...
The police-station has to deal with cuts in staff and illnesses.
Also, Queen Beatrix will be in Middelburg for the traditional April 30 festivities (Queensday).
Maybe you all heard about what happened last year, in Apeldoorn?
So there is a lot of extra safety precautions this year.
This means no free days on and around that date for the officers, instead a lot of them can get their days off now.
It all takes quite a bit longer than I ever hoped for...

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anton

I just recieved a phonecall that I can collect the permit for "my very own" Model 18-2!

All the above worries after a previous call were not needed!

They MADE some time for me, that is very great of the man in charge, isn't it!

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anton

Congratulations Anton, I can hear you joy all the way over here.
I'm sure you're going to enjoy your new acquisition.

Regards Rob

Congrats from a French neighboring Anton.
I predict years of fun and satisfaction.
As mentioned earlier by another member of the forum, it is deadly accurate and almost indestructible.
I own one for a month or so. It was somewhat of a very long Quest to find one in nice shape over there.
Accuracy is at least equal to what I am use to obtain from my 6 inch 617. Plus, it is easier to handle: The balance is by far much better.

It handles incredibly well with the NILL's grips. Nevertheless, Executioner Stag grips as scheduled. A classic gun needs according shoes doesn't it?

May you forgive me for the awful picture.

Attached Images

CIMG2212.JPG (103.7 KB, 155 views)

That is a beautiful firearm. Thanks for posting.

You too Anton. Very nice pieces, like art.

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Don't Squat With Your Spurs On

Here it is, my 'own' Model 18-2 and I am VERY happy with it!

Feels almost like new, it has a supercrisp trigger and an almost perfect DA. The stocks have some flattened checkering where (ringed?) fingers have touched it but overall the gun looks as if it was hardly used.
The blue is near-perfect!

The photo doesn't do justice to this beautiful gun, the blue looks tattered because of my oily fingers and reflections...



I cannot wait to shoot it!
But that has to wait until next Thursday, I don't think I have a chance to go to the range sooner, aarggh...

Attached Images

IMG_0364 20 knipp.jpg (61.5 KB, 649 views)

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anton

Model 18-2 in the company of it's little sister, the Model 34:






After shooting the Model 34 exclusively for the last couple of months, the extra weight of the Model 18-2 surprised me somewhat.
But it is quite a bit lighter and better balanced (for me) than the 6" Model 617.

Attached Images

	IMG_0365 knipdraaiklein.JPG (145.0 KB, 2208 views)
	IMG_0377 knipklein.jpg (122.7 KB, 1438 views)

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anton

A Model 18 and a Model 34! Now you're just showing off.
How am I ever going to keep up with you guys?

The Model 34 brought back FUN in shooting for me, it also re-kindled the interest in older guns... That is why the 617 traded places with the 18-2.

If I am right, you do have some nice guns yourself; a Model 10 AND a 64? And now a Model 18 on its way?
Nothing to complain about, is there!?

I would like some Stainless twins too; a Model 67 and a 63 would be very welcome!
(But I can only have .22lr nowadays, as the range I shoot on is rimfire only...)

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anton

There should be quite a few of the Model 18's around, but you don't see many advertised, isn't it? Years ago, a lot of the gunclubs in the Netherlands had a Model 17 and/or Model 18 as training guns.
You do see a lot of the Model 17's for sale, but hardly a Model 18.
Where are they all gone? In the hands of enthousiasts? Maybe still in the club's vaults?




I do like the Nill grips, yes; a more 'classic' look is nicer, but when it shoots better this way, by all means use them!

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anton

Thank you Anton.

You're right. I don't know either where the hell all those fine guns went to.

Glad you like the grips from Nill. Nevertheless... I won't resist for long to the appeal of bones and stag.

Found myself on the range with the Service stocks still on the gun, after a photo-session...
I'd really wanted to test it with the Target stocks on it. My arm does not recover well from miss-treatment by a chiropractor (!?!) after I got a tennis-arm more than a year ago, so I immediately felt the difference in weight compared to my Model 34.

The Model 18-2 has a great balance, the 'reach' to the trigger is better than on the 34, but with the Service Stocks my grip is not an ideal one, it took me almost a full box of 50 rounds before I could produce this card here(10 Meters, 5 rounds, One hand grip):





Double Action, 6 shots in (approx) 6 seconds produced this card
(10 Meters, 6 rounds, One hand grip)


When I was changing the grips I tried -just out of curiosity- the Tyler's T-grip from the 34, and Surprise, it Fits!



Looks like a gap near the triggerguard, but it isn't, feels better and looks great, don't you think?:

Attached Images

	IMG_0430 18.JPG (67.3 KB, 149 views)
	IMG_0425 18 gamma.jpg (78.7 KB, 152 views)
	IMG_0427 18.JPG (70.5 KB, 151 views)
	IMG_0437 knipklein.JPG (79.6 KB, 150 views)
	IMG_0435 18.JPG (97.8 KB, 575 views)

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anton

Your range results mirror my own long term experience with various M-18 revolvers. My current 18-3 produces outstanding accuracy in both single and double action shooting. Doubtless you will find that that 18 will give good results with a variety of .22 LR ammunition. You might want to try some target loads. From your targets it appears that you have found a brand of .22 LR ammunition that works well in your revolver. If I were you, I'd note the lot number on the box and buy as much of that particular load as I could find. Good luck with your new revolver! Sincerely. brucev.

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<><

Hey Anton:
Nice shooting. How do you like the T-Grip compared to the Target stocks? Personally, I find the T-Grip more comfortable in the hand.
I like the look of your gun with the Service stocks over the target stocks - more traditional don't you think. Does the T-Grip leave any kind of marks on the stocks after you have used them for a while?

Regards, Rob

Please excuse me for repying so late..
Have been quite ill for some time and after that lots of work to catch up.

@Rob; I have not had a chance to shoot with the Tyler's jet, I had put them on the gun when I was changing the Service stocks back to the Target grips. I am used to shooting K frame Models with Target grips, although they are Just a little too large for my hands.
The Tyler's T grip does feel quite good, but as you suggested, I hesitate to shoot the gun with it, as I don't know what it will do to the finish of the Service stocks. Maybe that is the difference with dedicated K frame grips (#3), as the one I have, for the Model 34 (#1) is somewhat touching the wood. Maybe it will leave a mark with use, I hope to avoid that!

@Bruce; At the moment I only have access to CCI Std ammo, I don't know if other people have heard of my problem: it is not consistent in size. The rounds are not all sized the same, some will not even fall out of the little rack in the box.
Ammo from some 'old' boxes load normally, but the newer lot I bought more recently, are a heavy push-fit in the cilinders of both my Model 34 and Model 18-2.

Unfortunately, I can no longer get ammo from the lot number I had last summer.
A trip to my supplier is not in order for some time...
You cannot just go to 'some' store to get ammo overhere! I will try some different brands of ammo, whatever is available when I find the time.
Maybe there are some boxes Eley match rifle ammo available at the society, I have used this succesfully in revolvers before.

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anton