What kind of accuracy would one expect from model 18 .22 revolver?

Model 63?

Thanks.

For the Model 18, with the ordinary .22 LRs that I usually have on hand (not "match grade"), I expect 1-1/2" to 1-3/4" groups at 25 yards, from a rest. I would expect a machine rest would probably cut that down to 1" or so, but I don't know that for a fact. I am talking about Model 18s other than the current production. I have no experience with those.

Model 63s are more of an unknown. Can't offer much experience there. I only have a little experience with one or two guns. The ones I know about have not been exceptional shooters, but still, they were probably better than I could tell from my hand-held testing.

In 30 years I have owned and shot the hound out of six M-18. I had one that would not shoot under 2 inches. It came very close... but it never quite made the cut. The other five all would shoot under 2 inches firing 12 shot groups, i.e., twice around the cylinder, from a hand-held sandbag rest. Back around 2002 I bought a lightly used 18-3 from an acquaintance. Using plain bulk packed Remington Thunderbolt .22 LR ammo, it will put the above mentioned 12 rounds into about 1 1/2 inches at 25 yds. firing without a sandbag, etc. but simply resting my hands on the roof of the car. This past week I spent an afternoon shooting it at the range. Shooting single-action from a standing two-hand hold, I put six shots into 1 3/4 inches. I was shooting at a worn harrow blade that I had painted white. I was aiming at the axle hole. This same pistol fired from a standing two-hand hold at 65 long steps has produced groups of 5 inches using CCI Mini-Mag .22 LR ammo. When my daughters were little, we would collect the large pine cones to make Christmas decorations. I could shoot the pine cones out of the large pine tree in our back yard. I've had a number of Model 17's, and they are fine range revolvers. But in my opinion the Model 18 is the preeminent .22 LR revolver.

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Surprisingly, the 18-3 4" outshot the 17-3's, 6" & 8-3/8", at least for today. Also have more shooting experience with the 18 so this may change as I get more familiar with the 17's. A cheap fun day at the range. What more can you ask for.

MP1518, welcome to the forum.

I can't swear the same thing would happen with every trip to the range, but the one time I specifically compared my four-inch K-22 to a 6-inch model, the shorter barrel made a much tighter group for me. I have heard other reports that the Model 18 or its immediate predecessor is inherently a little more accurate than other S&Ws with longer barrels. Of course a serious shooter will work with a specific gun until it does what he wants it to, so I am not sure the "more accurate" judgment would hold up in the long term.

The model 63 is a smaller-frame revolver. I have found that lighter guns are more difficult to shoot accurately than heavier weapons. But others find them extremely accurate and easy to shoot well.

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David Wilson

With Federal ammo, my pre 18 will shoot about 2 inch groups at 25 yards from a rest. With Eley Sport a bit tighter. I have best results by sorting the .22s by rim thickness. But not by a whole lot.

If you live in the metro Atlanta, GA area I would be happy to let you shoot my Pre-18 and 4" 63 for yourself. You may or may not shoot better than I do.

Based on my experience with a model 17 which has a longer barrel, the model 18 is more accurate than most people are. I consider the model 17 and 18 as the best 22 lr revolver ever made. And that includes Colts.

My pre18 frequently out-shoots my Mod 17. Keep in mind most 22's aea ammo sensitive, and yo may have to try several types before finding the one that works best in yours. Ironically, I usually have better luck with high velocity bulk ammo than I do match grade stuff. The newer stuff at 1200 fps being made for reliable functioning in the .22 AR Clones seems to shoot well in the 18.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I have both a 17-4 (8-3/8") and a Model 18-4.
Out to 25 yards I generally shoot a little better with the 18.
Past that distance, the longer sight plane of the 18 comes into play.
Back in the day, I used it for IHMSA rimfire revolver silhouette matches, where it really did the business when I did my part.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Thank You everyone!

I think I will start looking for a used model 18.

It feel the same as my other K frames in 38/357.

Got to mail my taxes first LOL.

In my hay-day I could put 5 out 6 or a solid 6 in a 3 lb coffee can at 50 yards two hand standing or corn fed tree squirrels at 35-40 yds pretty regular with my old 18-3 and Winchester ammo.

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T. Johnson

Mine 18 shoots one ragged hole at 10 yards.

My 18 & pre-18 both shoot "minute of squirrel" in the tree tops.

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S&W Accumulator