In Praise of the S&W M-18.

[brucev]

On Thursday I felt perfectly lousy... dizzy, etc., the whole nine yards. I figured I'd feel lousy if I sat at home or if I got out and tried to do something useful. As I was not well, I could not visit church members, so I my G-22, S&W 625 and 18 and went shooting. I did not do well with my G-22. It wasn't the fault of the pistol... I just didn't feel good. I ended up firing only 25 rds. before putting it away. I only fired 14 rounds from my 625... excellent accuracy but again I just was so weak and dizzy. I drank a Dr. Pepper and then got out my M-18. In the area were many discarded aluminum drink cans discarded by farm laborers. I started throwing them out and bouncing them around with the 18 firing first single and then double-action. For the next two hours I just loaded and fired. When I'd get to dizzy, I'd sit down and wait till I felt better. There was a peanut wagon out in the edge of the field that later paced at 53 long steps (I'm 6'3" w/ 35" inseam). On the side of the trailer was a stenciled "G" in faded white paint. On a lark, I fired six rounds at it from a Weaver stance. Five of the six rounds went into 5 inches w/ the sixth round hitting out to the right by about 2 inches. I ended up firing an entire large box of Winchester Dynapoint .22 LR ammunition. I came home, cleaned all the handguns, ate supper around 8 PM and then crashed. All in all, it was a wonderful way to salvage the remains of a day that due to illness was basically a washout. Sincerely. brucev.

 

[bamabiker]

I'm sorry you don't feel better. A nice S&W .22 can make a bad day better. Pleasent to shoot and always accurate.

 

[buckeyeshooter1]

I'd like to shoot that well --- even feeling ok. get well soon!

 

[HAWKEYE10]

Those kind of days are really bummers, but you made
the most of it. Don

 

[moosedog]

I hope tommorow brings better feelings for you.
I've had several model 18s over the years and for some reason or another sold them off, keeping the 6 inchers instead. I do miss them.
I used my last one on a coyote at over 80 yards and hit him in the rear leg which he lost. Used to see him out back running on all three. My son and I called him "old tripod".
He ended up "road pizza" about a 1/4 mile down the road.
I sold that gun to someone on this Forum but can't remember who.
I saw a nice 18 no dash two years ago, new in the box with full target and RR WI sights for $400. Yeah I was broke that day.

 

[Raider]

Going shooting, especially with the Mod 18, is guaranteed to make anybody feel better. Hope you are okay now.

Charlie

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

I hope that you get to feeling much better soon. I never knew how much I needed my 17-3 until I got it.

Isn't it amazing how much pleasure you can get just plinking, and that the anti's don't understand that, and that it isn't all about killing and violence?

 

[smitholdtimer]

Mod. 18

Saw one today at the gun show with a round butt, how about that? It is not kosher is it? How much do I deduct for that modification? Priced at $650.00, $250.00 too high, isn't it? Also; what Gun 4 fun said, it isn't violence, it is relaxation and I do mean total, under control relaxation.

 

[Yurko]

i hope that you get to feeling much better soon. I never knew how much i needed my 17-3 until i got it.

isn't it amazing how much pleasure you can get just plinking, and that the anti's don't understand that, and that it isn't all about killing and violence?

Amen~~~~~~

 

[aterry33]

I have been looking for a Mod. 18 no dash forever if anyone is selling one.

I like the 18 better than the single six and that's saying a lot!

 

[flat top]

Went out to my hunting spot today to do a little scouting for deer season, and of course my Model 18 was on my side. It is a great companion/trail/camp gun "just to have along" for whatever may pop up in the way of small game or varmints. My 18-3 has quickly become my favorite go to gun for just about all outdoor activities and is an absolute pleasure to carry and shoot.

 

[S&W-Keeper]

It is funny how 18's will do that. I have one that I bought in the early 70's.They are a lot of fun to shoot.

 

[Beaver]

I've had two model 18's. I sold my first one to my anti-gun, super liberal sister from Cali after the Yosemite murders a couple years back. The one I own now I traded a 25-3 for because I was mad/sick/urinated at the gun and was willing to take any good gun for trade. It's a good shooter and I've learned a bunch about revolver shooting from 18's. Hope you feel better. Shoot two cylinderfull's and call us in the morning.

 

[peyton]

Funny you all bring this up. I just offered to buy a model 18 on another forum. I got my first one from papalondog two years ago and it shoots so great my oldest son claimed it!! I enjoy the weight of it and is easy to carry. Just wish I could get out of Iraq long enough to do some shooting!!!

 

[Grayfox]

The Model 18 is my favorite .22 revolver. I have two. One is plain old box stock. The other had been modified by its previous owner. Red ramp, white outline, smooth polished trigger face and a really nice action job. I give this gun credit for teaching me to shoot a wheelgun in double action mode.

 

[Snake45ACP]

I had an 18 in the '70s. It never seemed to shoot quite as well as my 17. It got stolen in 1980. In the late '80s I finally got around to replacing it with a 4" barrelled 17 after Smith discontinued the 18. This one is an outstanding shooter and might be my favorite .22 revolver.

 

[Beefy01]

Model 18 and feeling better

Glad you are doing better. In my opinion, most of the credit is due a very fine gun, the esteemed Model 18. I have one which I treasure. Yes, decent specimens are expensive today but that means that others also recognize a quality piece !! James Cormany NRA Patron Member

 

[smithman 10]

Model 18

I wanted a Model 18 so bad that when I found a Model 17 6 incher, I bought it and had a 4 inch tube put on by my gunsmith.

Great way to have low-cost fun at the range!

 

[brucev]

It is now Sunday evening. The time is 9:45 p.m. I've finally had supper. "The Sandpebbles" is on T.V. In a little while I will crash and go to sleep. But come tomorrow, that's my off day. And I have plans for my off day! First I'll run over to the hospital to visit two elderly men who are not doing so well. Then I'm going by the house to pick up my M-18 and M-625. I have 66 rds. of .45 ACP and a big 500 rd. box of .22 LR ammo. A church member has offered to let me use some of his scrap steel as targets. I figure I'll put some targets up at around 100 yds. or so and see what that big fat .45 slug can do. I am sure there will be plenty of targets that will merit the attention of the M-18. I have several revolvers (18, 28, 625) and one pistol (Glock G-22). Out of the bunch, I suppose the 18 is my favorite. One way or another I've had one almost continuously since 1983. I was convinced of its practicality and utility by the writings by the writings of Bob Melik. I have had several 6" M-17 and a couple of Colt .22 LR Trooper revolvers, but none have had the indescribable "feel" of the M-18. One day I hope to own a 4" M-19. I think it would be a nice match. Sincerely. brucev.

 

[Camster]

Sometimes my fascination with shooting varies,and indeed I can just do so much of it before I want to go,but the beauty of it is that I'm focused on what I doing,my mind isn't plugged into the myriad of other things that can wear a fella down.