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S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


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  #1  
Old 09-16-2017, 07:45 PM
Housepuss Housepuss is offline
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Default Model 18-3 question

Stopped in at one of my LGS this afternoon and the owner showed me a Model 18-3 with a 8 3/8" barrel, TTT, Serial number was 5K74XXX.

The revolver is basically unmolested, bright shiny bore. All numbers match, no evidence of having gone back to factory for any work. At least 95% condition maybe more. Lock up and timing very strong.

I've never seen a model 18 in anything other than a 4" barrel length. Shop owner says it has to be a factory special order. He's been in the business for over 40 years and has never seen another one.

Does this sound reasonable? I know a letter would establish precicely what barrel length it shipped with.
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Old 09-16-2017, 08:19 PM
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iPac iPac is offline
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I'm no S&W expert but it doesn't sound factory. The model 18 was the 4" version and the model 17 was the 6" version but I also believe the model 17 would have got the 8" barrel if requested/wanted.

Somebody with more expertise will have to chime in.
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Old 09-16-2017, 08:56 PM
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Could be a mismarked 17-3 8 3/8".
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Old 09-16-2017, 09:18 PM
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Either a mis-marked 17 or a 17 barrel on a 18
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Old 09-17-2017, 04:04 AM
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Typically the M18 came with a 4" barrel and the M17 was the 6" version but did have the 8 3/8" option. That said, S&W also had a bunch of non cataloged variants and could also have changed the barrel at some point for the customer. Possibly even an after market modification or as others have said above, a mis-marked M17 which was available with that barrel length.

Last edited by chief38; 09-17-2017 at 04:08 AM.
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