17 vs. 18: what's the difference?

[00Buck2]

Such nice looking K22’s in this thread I couldn’t help but post a couple photos of my 17-1 and 18-3.

 

[MT2AShooter]

Those are truly beautiful.

 

[TAROMAN]

Model 18s are really scarce around here.
Mine is the only one I've ever seen.
Drove over the Cascades in winter for it.

 

[Snapping Twig]

Same for me! Only one I've ever seen in the flesh was the one I bought.

Seen quite a few 17/617.

 

[Stirling]

Gorgeous revolvers gentlemen, thank you for posting your pics. They're very much appreciated in another informative thread.

 

[sbowenjr]

The biggest I can think off is about 2 inches;-)

 

[deingy]

Interesting Mod 18 story. My dad and I often did gun deals where I was the owner in end runs around Mom. I was just out of high school and working when dad got offered a new Mod 18 via a co-worker who had bought a 17 and a 18 and got caught by his wife. I put up half and we called it mine. 57 yrs later it still looks and shoots great. Goes to my son.

 

[max503]

My 18 is near cherry and I've begun shooting it last couple months. Now it's a range toy and I'm happy with the decision.

 

[gmarshall99]

I've seen Model 17's with a 4 " barrel on GB. Cut down or did S&W offer them as a special order?

 

[Nframe_is_no1]

As mentioned earlier on this thread the model 17-5 was available with a 4” heavy barrel.

 

[sodacan]

The K-22 is a great revolver in any barrel length. The three pictured here are predecessors of the the models 17 and 18. The Combat Masterpiece is from 1953. The Masterpiece is a 1947 "LERK" (No offense intended to those of you who bristle at that designation). The Outdoorsman (1939) is in a class by itself, being IMO, the equivalent of the RM of in 22lr. There always seems to be a dearth of any of these models in gun shops, but plenty of them online. Like most members of this forum, I'm extremely particular about what I buy, and it took some time to find the ones that fit my requirements. As an aside, I do have the original numbered stocks for the Outdoorsman. They look good on the gun, but they're not so great for shooting.

 

[45NUTT]

My 1948 K-22 with target stocks and magnas. It was refinished at one time, but shoots like a dream. I have other 22 revolvers with 4" barrels. If I come across an affordable 18 maybe, but right now I'm getting some Winchester XTR's in the stable.





I picked up a Win 70 XTR Featherweight, the one with the nice Schnabel forend and fluer de Lis checkering in 7X57 6 months ago and killed two deer with it last Saturday. Then I found a 243 last week on GB for $250 lees that I have seen them for 3 years.

 

[glenncal1]

OP- there are a couple 3T 18's listed on GB right now, not cheap but not outrageous yet. Good luck with the search. I have a 4" 17-6 full lug and it is a great gun to shoot. I also had a 17-5 4" really like the heavy barrel.