S&W Model 18

[seabeesbob]

I had never knew about this revolver to just recently, because I had never thought much about 22s before. I read a nice review about this one and was wonder how much they cost and I was surprised. What make some guns so expensive? Just wondering.

[alwslate]

The mod 18 is a very desirable revolver and lots of people who don't
own one would like to. Why so expensive? Simple, supply and demand.

[Papa John]

Quality and perfection in a .22.

[fyimo]

All S&W 22LR revolvers are expensive and the Model 18 is extra popular because of the 4 inch barrel. Those people that have one generally don't sell them making them hard to find and they sell for high dollars.

My Model 18-4 with slimmed down target grips

[Old cop]

I lucked into one a couple of years ago and it will never be sold. One of my favorite range guns.

[jack the toad]

The last M18 I got several years ago was for a reasonable amount but the two I bought yesterday from GB, I can't say that. One of those was an 18-4 w/ box and accessories, unused tool kit, etc. and the other was a 5-screw pre-18. Both were very clean original condition which adds to the price.

[g8rb8]

Originally Posted by seabeesbob

I had never knew about this revolver to just recently, because I had never thought much about 22s before. I read a nice review about this one and was wonder how much they cost and I was surprised. What make some guns so expensive? Just wondering.

I assume you are referring to older pinned model 18's(?). alwslate is correct - "supply and demand."
In the early 1970's, at least in the area where I live, I remember going to the shooting range or LGS with my dad and the conventional wisdom, regarding handguns, was no "real shooter" would want a .22, except a dedicated target pistols, when you could have a larger caliber handgun. You never saw many .22 revolvers and they were sort of shunned so, from my limited experience, I can imagine relatively limited sales of .22 compared to other caliber revolvers. Now fast forward to modern day. Many of us "older" guys, maybe some with upper extremity problems, have discovered the joy of shooting a low recoil, quiet, very accurate, and inexpensive .22 round. This year my dad, age 76, acquired his first .22 revolver (model 17 no dash he traded me for a 17-3), after years of many different .38's and .357's, because of a sore shoulder. He loves it. So, my theory is, that the supply sold years ago was relatively low and the demand from collectors and shooters is relatively high now.

[Grayfox]

The Model 18 is one of my absolute favorite revolvers. Mine get more range time than any other gun I own. And like fyimo said, those of us who have them have no intentions of selling.
Aside from being fantastic revolvers in their own right, the 18 makes the perfect understudy for practicing skills with the ever popular K-frame .38s. I give my Model 18s full credit for teaching me to properly shoot a DA revolver.

edited to add:
Current prices I've seen have been in the $500-700 range depending on condition. Really nice ones can bring more. Yes, they are worth it.

[Lou_NC]

Originally Posted by seabeesbob

.............What make some guns so expensive? Just wondering.

Have you priced ANY centerfire S&W revolver lately? Take a current-production 686 for example. I haven't purchased one myself recently, but I believe they're selling for around $750 in gun shops, maybe even more.

Is there any real difference between the tolerances, quality of manufacture, materials, labor costs, etc., that go into making a model 617 in .22LR vs. a model 686? I'd say the answer is "no".

There was a time when I scratched my head and wondered why .22 revolvers were so expensive. "But they're JUST .22's!" I would say to myself. After reading this forum for a few years, and thinking about it more myself, I came to realize that there is virtually zero difference between a model 18 and a model 15, or a model 686 and model 617 (other than caliber). So, they're shouldn't really be any expectation of prices being any lower for the .22 "version".

Of course, the above reasoning does NOT take into consideration scarcity, demand, popularity, etc. These things drive up the costs of certain revolvers in a disproportionate manner to their actual cost of manufacture (Just take the S&W model 610 for example!).

Lou

[snowman]

Of all the Smiths I own, my 18-3 is the only one with no tangible flaws -as near to perfection as can be had.

Regards,
Andy

[arjay]

The 4" k frame just has the right combination of weight and balance for a 22 or 38.I finally bought an early 50s CM this year and they are worth the price.

[JSW]

Most people that buy one tend not to let it go. There are way more looking for one than selling.

[JSW]

Originally Posted by arjay

The 4" k frame just has the right combination of weight and balance for a 22 or 38.I finally bought an early 50s CM this year and they are worth the price.

Nice guns and photos!

[Zud]

I got mine at a great price and I will never part from it.

[22 Short]

I saw a Model 18 recently at the local gun show. The fellow who owned it was an older gentleman who said he has owned it since the 40s I can't remember now what my S&W book said about when production started on these but he definitely had an older model. He said he had sent it to S&W to have it rebelled many years ago. I considered buying it but hesitated as it was used and after hearing it had been rebelled wondered just how hard it had been used. I think he wanted $700 or so for it and thought that was a bit step considering condition. Of course if I never see another I might re-think that.

I'm still cooking on whether or not to buy a Model 48 in practically new condition for the same price. Oh if it weren't for money.

I'd love to get an 18 in my quiver of shooters.

Dave

[22 Short]

I guess I should have previewed my last post substitute rebelled for re-blued. Darned spelling corrector re-thinks my spelling for me more than I like.

[jsfricks]

They are definitely a fan favorite. Here's my Pre 18 from 1951. I'm thinking about getting another one with more wear so I feel better about shooting it more.

[lowriderfxr]

I got a pristine 18-3 recently and then got a LNIB one that I had let get away years ago. I just kinda assumed I would sell the one without the box but I cant bring myself to do it. I shoot my 617s so that's not even the reason. I just can't seem to bring myself to sell it.

[P&R Fan]

The M18 is the companion gun to the M15 in .38 Special. They are both Combat Masterpiece models. It was intended as a training gun for the .38 Special. The idea was a revolver about the same weight with the same sights and feel of the centerfire model. Ammo costs would be much less. That was the theory, anyway.
People love this revolver because it is just cool, and fun to shoot. I have a M18-3 that I bought about 15 years ago. Paid all of $225 for it. One day I was at the range and as I was leaving I noticed some young guys shooting a scoped .22 rifle off the bench at 100 yards. They were aiming at a 2 liter pop bottle. I loaded my M18-3 and asked them to spot for me. Held up a bit of the front sight and they told me I was just above the bottle. I held right on it and hit it several times, offhand at 100 yards. They were impressed.
These suckers will shoot!
Jim

[alwslate]

I had an 18 about 30 yrs ago in the early 80s and didn't really
appreciate it, too focused on the magnums in my younger years. I
traded it off at a gun show and ended up regretting it for many years.
So when I spotted a nearly new 18-4 in the box at a gun show a few
years ago I snatched it up and brought it home. I plan to keep this
one. The 4" barrel gives the 18 great balance and handling and they
don't seem as numerous as the 6" mod 17. Even at the higher cost
of 22 ammo today, hopefully temporary, it's great to be able to shoot
a full size K frame revolver without having to pay for 38s or reload.
Their popularity means fewer guns for sale.

[skypilot1941]

Alwslate, I could just copy your first line statement except mine would be 40 years ago. My 18 was a beautiful 6" piece. It did have one problem which was the cause of my selling it. I hadn't had it very long when I noticed that the blue seemed to be flaking from the front of the cylinder. I wasn't intelligent enough in those days (how many of us were in our 20's) to know to contact Smith and of course we didn't have this forum. If we did, perhaps I would still have my 4" 15, 4" 29 and 6" 18. Somehow, although I enjoy reading this forum very much, it's like pouring salt in the wound. Maybe I'll enjoy another 18 one day. Meanwhile, I WILL enjoy shooting my 629.

[H Richard]

As several have pointed out, there is no difference in the manufacture or quality of a Mod 18 to any other revolver. That being, the quality of the shooting and accuracy is also the same and therein lies the value. The reason you don't see very many for sale is very few people ever sell one, it is usually one of the last guns anyone ever parts with.

[JP@AK]

Originally Posted by skypilot1941

My 18 was a beautiful 6" piece.

Okay. I'm puzzled. If it had a 6" barrel, how was it a Model 18? By definition, the .22 Combat Masterpiece had a 4" barrel.

[skypilot1941]

Yes, excuse me.... it was a K-22. I didn't know too much about model numbers and still have a long way to go. Thank you for keeping me straight. It was still beautiful.

[Engine49guy]

The Model 18 is a great companion to a Model 15,

Although an IL "Classic" version appeared a few years ago S&W stopped making the non lock version after the 18-4 ,
After they dropped the 18 S&W began offering the Model 17 in 4", 6" and 8 3/8" lengths.

If your interested in the Combat Masterpiece evolution checkout this thread:
Some Combat Masterpiece eye candy

[gkitch]

When I was a young teenager in the 1970s I read all the gun magazines and catalogs to determine what my first handgun should be. I decided upon a Model 18 and saved some money up. Once there, could not find a new or used Model 18 for sale anywhere in the state of North Carolina. S&W revolvers were very much n demand and hard to find even while they were being produced! I eventually settled on a 4" nickled Model 34, which turned out to be an excellent gun. Yes, the Kit Gun is still around.

Just a couple years ago I bought a nice old Model 18 from a friend. I have come to love it too.

Everybody should start their handgunning with a good and reliable DA 22 revolver. Unfortunately, only Ruger makes such a gun nowadays at a reasonable price (the SP 101 9-shot).

[ma deuce]

Originally Posted by jsfricks

They are definitely a fan favorite. Here's my Pre 18 from 1951. I'm thinking about getting another one with more wear so I feel better about shooting it more.

That is a beautiful gun. I love those stocks and the matte blue.