Hi guys, I'll be the new caretaker of a very nice model 18-4 after I wait out Marylands 7 day hostage situation. I am curious, what are the differences between the M17 K-22 Masterpiece and the M18 K-22 Combat Masterpiece? Is it only barrel lengths? TIA.

Pretty much. The M-17 series was available with barrel lengths of both 6 and 8-3/8 inches, while the -18 was just 4 inches. Another difference was the M-18 usually had a ramp front sight blade while the M-17 usually had a Patridge.

You will really enjoy shooting your Model 18.

A passing bit of Model 18 minutia: The late Jeff Cooper wrote that the name "Rimfire Combat Masterpiece" was "surely the exaggeration of the century," given that a .22 isn't really suitable for combat and many of S&W's other guns were also masterpieces.

The Colonel had a dry wit, and was seldom wrong!

I agree with Buff. Also the target trigger, hammer, and stock options are more often seen on the M17.

Just FYI: not long after the 18-4 the M18 was discontinued as a separate model 17 stamped 4" versions.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

18's have tapered barrels similar to the .38 Model 15. 17's have non-tapered barrels. This was my 17-6 that I never should have sold.

The 17-4 began the 4" heavy barrel. The 17-5 and early 17-6 had the same barrel, the later 17-6 had a full barrel lug.

Then there was an early 617 with a heavy barrel and no lug like the 17-4, -5 and early 17-6, and a later 617 with full lug barrel.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Here's a comparison photo. The two upper guns are Model 17s, while the bottom gun is a Model 18. Hope this helps.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

The 6" heavy .22 Masterpiece barrel that was standard from about 1950 through 17-4s and its rib both had a straight taper. The taper was even more important in keeping the 8 3/8" 17 barrels well balanced for one handed Bullsye matches. The traditional .22 Combat Masterpiece and Model 18's pronounced barrel taper gave them a handy 36 ounce weight. I see S. Hammer's pictured 4" 17-6 has lost all barrel taper and has the very wide rib of a heavy barrel Model 10. If I recall correctly those were essentially 4" 17-5 barrels that S&W used up during early 17-6 production.

Another not yet mentioned difference between traditional 18s and 17s was the the front end of 18 top straps were beveled to match up with the narrow rib.