Just purchased this Model 18-4. Appears to be 1981 vintage and just before they eliminated the pinned barrel in 1982. Don't have it in hand yet, but from the pictures looks pretty good with some bluing wear on the muzzle.

Stocks don't look right or as least I don't recognize them. Box shows "S" on the label for stocks, but not sure what that means.

Any help would be appreciated.

I'm pretty sure "S" means Standard. Those stocks are too new, they would probably be non-Diamond center Magna's, or optional targets also without diamond center. Those are nice looking stocks, and it you plan to just primarily shoot the 18 I'd just leave those stocks on it until you shoot it and see how you like them.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Richard: Thanks. That was my conclusion as well. This one will be a shooter and kind of like the finger groove grips. They don't have the lines you typically see with square frame combats. Almost look like Target grips with finger grooves.

Mike

The stocks are Thailand Specials.

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SWHF #448

Interesting. Just looked on E-bay and that is what they are.

Thanks db.

Your late 70's production Model 18-4 would have come with Non diamond checkered Magna grips ,
There was an evolution to the non diamond Magna grip if your looking for correct era,
The first version in 1967 had the same deep SS escutcheons as their predecessors and are the same dark walnut,
Around 1969 they change to shallower brass escutcheons and get slightly lighter,
In 1970 the first SS K frames appear and their grips have SS washers inside but are otherwise identical to the blue washer grips,
Around 1976 the black washers are discontinued and SS washers become the standard,
The 80's non pinned era grips get very blocky and lose their tapered shoulder, Early 90's the checkering pattern gets slightly smaller,
The newest style is a laminate wood with what appears to be pressed checkering instead of machine cut.

Almost forgot to mention the "PC" or Plain clothes Magnas which have a tapered heel for concealed carry,
Those are usually found on snub Model 10's but may have shipped on some 18's (not sure).

Great looking purchase as P&R Model 18's rarely come up for sale as the people who buy them rarely sell them.

Thank you for the info. Despite this being a shootable collector, only right to put the correct grips on this one. I'll be on the look out for some non diamond magnas with SS washers and maybe add a t grip to fill the hand a little more

The Magnas you want would look like these


If you want OEM style targets they transitioned from Football relieved to speed loader cut style around the same time as your 93K prefix gun in 1981 but either will work and look right on a pinned barrel 18 IMO.

Lower pair are post 1980 speed loader cut OEM targets, middle are 70's era OEM football relieved , top pair are OEM pre 1968 diamond targets,

Thanks. Price was below $700, so not a steal by any means but they are getting pricey. There was a 18-3 also for sale that went for over $900.

Appreciate the pictures on the correct grips. Helps me visualize what I'm looking for. I prefer the fit of the target grips and glad I have the flexibility of using either the football or speed loader style.

Okay, now I feel like kicking myself. I was rooting around in the safe looking for what I thought was a 6" S&W Model 17-9 Classic. Prefer a 4" barrel on my revolvers and was thinking this would be a good one to put up for sale to make up from some of my recent indiscretions.

Box said Model 18 and sure enough it is a Model 18-7 with a 4" barrel. Now I have two of these.

I think I need a safe organizer and catalog what I've got in there.

The 18-4 and new copy are totally different guns that look similar. Keep the 18-4
Imo Sell the IL MIM classic Copy

Expect that will be the case.

Since I didn't have a clue what I had sitting in the safe, good indication how often I have shot it. Think never since I bought it a couple of years ago.

If one does have to sit in there, best if it was the P&R Model 18-4 vs the Classic copy.

Such a problem, to have two Mod 34's! I have a 34, and a 63, (same gun in stainless), and they are kept busy when I take my two granddaughters out shooting. Just the right size to teach young one's how to handle a handgun. Now, just look for a couple young one's to take shooting.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I'm seeing some appropriate grips but don't have washers. Are they recent manufacture?

Those without metal washers are the last style S&W produced. Correct stocks for your gun would have silver washers.

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SWHF #448

Thanks db. Helps trim down the candidate list.

There are worse problems than having two M18's.

I'd take both out and shoot the heck out of them.

Agree. Definitely can use them. Lot of folks seem to think I need to take their kids out and teach them to shoot or at least introduce them to firearms/teach gun safety. Parents typically haven't grown up with guns and are a little intimidated.

I'm happy to do it, so long as the parents come along and learn too. 22 revolvers are a good way to start but we always end the day with folks getting the opportunity to shoot my 454 Casull Ruger Alaskan to give them some perspective.

Beautiful gun, congratulations on the find.

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John

This new grips should make this package look a little better.



Sticker on the original box says Montgomery Ward. That takes me back.