M18 4" should I or shouldn't I?

[cbunix23]

Mine, all mine

Lucky me, the M18 was still there when I went back today. Price was $549, less 3% cash discount, plus tax, about $568 out the door. The original box is in perfect condition, includes original manual, cleaning rod and brush all unused, wax paper, even original price tag ($97.50). It's an 18-3. It won't be owned by anyone else until I'm 6' under.

Here are some photos. Enjoy

 

[cbunix23]

Any info on this beauty ?

Can someone tell me manufacture date? I'll post a photo of the box interior later.

 

[Muddyboot]

I'm not sure about the production date, but you got a great deal at $568.00 out the door, congrats.

 

[bamabiker]

Congrats, very nice. Should be 1969.

 

[Cooter Brown]

Great deal, especially if you got the tools as well! That box is in excellent condition. As others have said, my pre-18 is my favorite shooter. That one is likely to becomes yours.

It's got the standard trigger with a removable "shoe" on it.

Congrats!

 

[Grayfox]

Congratulations and a hearty well done Sir!

 

[Joe in SC]

Nice pick. Actually, you're lucky it was still there when you went back. I would had bought it on the spot had I come across it in my wanderings. You did well to buy it.

 

[cbunix23]

More photos

Did I mention the tools are still in the original sealed bag.
Ignore the large white rubber band from a produce company.
The sides on the interior of the box show some wear.

Instruction manual feels like it was printed yesterday.

A little bit of bluing rubbed off the end of the barrel on both sides.

Other side looks the same (no big deal).

What's the best way to preserve the box and papers from mildew and all that badness? I have a goldenrod in my safe, is that good enough for the papers?

Thanks for all the encouraging words, and I really need to join the SWCA.

 

[cbunix23]

Congrats, very nice. Should be 1969.

Thanks for the manufacture year.

 

[murphydog]

Thanks for relieving the suspense over your decision .

Any climate- and humidity-controlled storage area should be fine. Be sure not to stack it under anything that may crush it.

Since this has an adjustable rear sight, it should have a sight adjustment tool (aka "screwdriver"), silver fluted handle with a blue shaft; not sure I see one in the box photo. Easy to find.

 

[DCWilson]

Excellent score at a fantastic package price. Congratulations!

I know what you mean about "six feet under" guns. I have a few of those myself. I could never part with them, so my inheritors will have to do it for me.

 

[JP@AK]

Very nice revolver at a very reasonable price. As others have said, you did well and lucked out that it was still there when you went back for it. Congratulations.
As Alan mentioned, you need the fluted SAT if there is not one in the box. Here is a photo of one, next to a much earlier one that is knurled blue steel.
If you need a correct one for your gun, I probably have an extra I could part with. Send me a PM if so, and I'll see what I can do.
Jack

 

[JP@AK]

For what it's worth, there are two up on GB right now. One has a "Buy it Now" price of $26, the other $29.
Since it is an active auction, I can't post the numbers. But if you go there and do a search on S&W Screwdriver, you will find them.
There is a third one that looks too shoddy to bid on. Ignore that one. The other two look perfect.
I can probably offer you a better deal from my stuff, if you prefer.

 

[Recoil Rob]

You have to decide to collect something otherwise you'll collect everything.

I was born in '55 so that's my criteria for guns I don't need but would like. This 1955 pre-18 came to me in a multi gun buy (3 Pythons, a post war Service Ace, a 94-22 and this) on the cheap. I have some Keith Brown Ropers to put on it since the stocks it came with are not numbered (How does that happen!)

Nice carry gun when hunting but if it grouse hunting it's the pre-43 Airweight.

 

[dewey]

I looked for 3 months for one with 3Ts and finially found one on arsmlist by a dealer. ( I'd never buy one from a 'person' there unless in sate.) It's easy 95%+ with only 2 ticks on the barrel. I paid $625 shipped for mine so you did very well, IMHO.

I had to do a trigger job as the it was 5 pounds or so. I got it for my Grandsons so they would quit shotin' up all my dang .44 and .45 ammo !

Enjoy, they're great.

 

[SDH]

This may be heresy, but I've had three, one M-18 and two Pre-18s and sold each of them. The first in the 1970s, I carried it bird hunting one time and decided it was just too heavy. Shooting my friend Doug Mitch's Pre-18 convinced me to find another as there is no doubt they make fine shooting, extremely accurate revolvers. I bought and sold both of the pre-18 guns in the past year or so and felt the same way about them, just too heavy. I just don't like to carry them.

For the range I prefer a 6" barrel and since I got this pre-35 it is the gun I carry on the belt when I hunt. It is remarkably accurate as long as I have some sort of rest, great fun to shoot, and I can hardly feel it when carried on a twin-ply Don Hume belt.

This target shows three 5-shot groups with sight adjustments at 15 paces. I've got a trophy gopher photo, but the guns accuracy makes it a bit gruesome... I hit the natural aiming point on a gopher.

Early K-22 for the range.

 

[cbunix23]

You have to decide to collect something otherwise you'll collect everything.

That right there is excellent advice.

 

[JP@AK]

That right there is excellent advice.

Yes. There is also the old adage, "If you aim at nothing, you are sure to hit it."

 

[bigmoose]

Great gun. Congrats on a fine purchase. Mine is one of my favorites. Original price was $205 back in 1980. I got it last year for 60% more than that. Came with original box, docs, tools. Definitely a keeper.

 

[cbunix23]

So far so good, very good

I shot about 250 rounds through it the past couple days. I don't mind the grip or trigger shoe as much as I thought I would. I still may change them to see if I can make it feel more comfortable.

The only trouble I had is inserting inserting certain brands of ammo was harder than others, had to give them a firm shove, or ejecting the empty cases.

It's a keeper!

I just need to work on, and improve, my shooting technique and it will be dead on.