Which To Buy - Model 17 or 18

[kraynky]

If the 18 balances better in your grip, there's your answer. I hope to own one myself one day. I had a 17 a few years back and liked it pretty good, but always wanted an 18 I think. The 17 went down the road to aquire a nickle 13 I think.........

 

[ischia]

17 or 18?

I met a guy who is cleaning out his gun collection, has both a model 17-3 and an 18-3. Told me that I could buy one or both.

Cant really do both due to $$ and permit nonsense here. I am beyond confused. This is going to for the range, targets and plinking.

I see that the 17 is a bit heavier but the 18 seems to balance better.

If you were going to buy one which one would you buy?

Is the 18 a 4" I don't believe I've seen a 4" model 17 ?

 

[ischia]

!7 or !8?

I met a guy who is cleaning out his gun collection, has both a model 17-3 and an 18-3. Told me that I could buy one or both.

Cant really do both due to $$ and permit nonsense here. I am beyond confused. This is going to for the range, targets and plinking.

I see that the 17 is a bit heavier but the 18 seems to balance better.

If you were going to buy one which one would you buy?

If it was a model 35 J frame I would be all over it. Like the model 34 but a 6" barrel why S&W quit these is beyong me

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Buy the one ....YOU WANT..........Not one people suggest.

 

[Narragansett]

I have a 6” & 8” m17 and a 4” m 18. If you can only have 1, I would get the m18. Assuming similar money and condition

 

[peterdeb]

18 is what I bought.

Good choice! Makes me look for one.

10-1-24. found a 18-3. thanks for enlightening me on that model.

 

[19leben]

Model 18 every day. I’m not a fan of 6” barrel guns.

 

[pwjp2011]

I just re-read the 2nd Amendment & I didn't see anything in there about a "permit"...............

Tell me about it... thats a whole other discussion.

 

[pwjp2011]

Assuming the 17 has a 6" barrel & A Patridge front sight, that would probably be my choice for a mostly range gun. If I were going to be carrying it concealed, or on my belt in the woods, then the 4" model 18. In the end, either is a good choice. What feels better in your hand?

Larry

The 17 has a 6" barrel and the 18 has a 4" barrel. This will be something for me to enjoy just plain simple shooting. Cant conceal here but I can walk around my grandfathers farm with it.

I have a Model 27 with a 6" barrel and I also have a Ruger MKIV Hunter. Ironically the Ruger feels much more unbalanced than my 27. And the Ruger is heavier than my 27.

 

[.38SuperMan]

Is the 18 a 4" I don't believe I've seen a 4" model 17 ?

Well you’re in luck. Here’s my 17-6 4” with partial under lug. They were only made for about 6 months and are more scarce than the 18’s.

The difference in the 17-6 4” and the 18 is the barrel profile. The 18 is tapered and the 17 isn’t.

 

[stansdds]

If I had to pick only one, I'd pick the Model 18. The reason is that Model 18's were not as popular as the Model 17, so there were fewer Model 18's made and you don't find them for sale as often as you will find Model 17's.

 

[Grayfox]

I have both. I use the Model 17 when I want to target shoot. However, the Model 18s are mostly shot DA as a practice gun for its centerfire brothers. I give the Model 18s full credit for teaching me to properly shoot a DA revolver. One of my Model 18s goes along on almost every range trip. I also prefer the 18 for field carry.

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

My answer is from perspective of availability. If you have to choose only one, get the 18 as it’s less common and tougher to locate readily. You can always get a 17 later on down the road as they’re more plentiful.

 

[lscocoa]

If I was just using it for range and plinking the 17 would be a better choice because of 2” more sight radius. If you might want to carry it then the 18 which is just as accurate. I have both 17-2 & 18-2 and yes I like optics on my guns but the 18 goes back to iron sights when I carry it in a shoulder holster when hunting season come around. Both use b-square mounts. I shortened mount on my 18-2 mostly for looks .

 

[bobsguns]

Is the 18 a 4" I don't believe I've seen a 4" model 17 ?

In 1990, Smith introduced the full-lugged Model 17. Barrel lengths were 4", 6" & 8-3/8".

In 1975, 15 were made in nickel 6", square butt.

36 were reported made with 7-1/2" barrels.

The 10rd models were made from 1996-1999.

Model 18s were made from 1949-1985. Both product codes list a 4" barrel. In 1985, the 4" Model 17 replaced the Model 18.

All info from the S&W Standard Catalog, 3rd Edition.

Hope this helps!

 

[sodacan]

I have a 1953 K-22 Combat Masterpiece (pre-18) and a 1947 K-22 (pre-17). They are both terrific revolvers. You won't make a mistake getting either one. That being said, I shoot a 1939 K-22 Outdoorsman more than either of them. Such a burden to have to choose. LOL.

 

[JohnRippert]

I would buy a M18 first and then save up for a M17 later.

 

[silicosys4]

I looked around for a model 18 for a long time and finally gave up on finding one for a reasonable price and broadened my horizons. So, when a really nice 17-2 showed up for sale online I put it on layaway. Wouldn't you know it, less than a month later a nice 18-3 showed up for sale at the same store. So I put that one on layaway too.
Of the two its more common to run across nice M17's for a reasonable price than it is M18's.

 

[S-W4EVER]

The Model 18 was discontinued a long time ago by S&W. The Model 17 was more recent. Lots more Model 17's around. I have a Model 17 and love it but I would pick the Model 18.

Same here. I bought my M17 new back in the early ‘80’s and still have it. I never ran across a M18 for sale.

 

[Rob613]

Same here. I bought my M17 new back in the early ‘80’s and still have it. I never ran across a M18 for sale.

There’s a nice 18-3 in the classifieds right now, make it happen!