May be a silly question...Model 17 versus Model 18

[Engine49guy]

Wheelgun28 several things occur to me viewing your gun,
First the frame is not mis stamped because it is a 17 frame.

Second its definately an 18 barrel,
Its hard to imagine S&W QC would not to catch a major mistake like that but a letter is the only way to know for sure how it left the factory.

I am guessing the PC Diamond Magnas do not number to the gun?
PC's were usually used on non target frames

 

[Hondo44]

Wheelgun28 several things occur to me viewing your gun,
First the frame is not mis stamped because it is a 17 frame.

Second its definately an 18 barrel,
Its hard to imagine S&W QC would not to catch a major mistake like that but a letter is the only way to know for sure how it left the factory.

I am guessing the PC Diamond Magnas do not number to the gun?
PC's were usually used on non target frames

Well your right of course, the frame was meant to be made up into a Model 17. Lee has stepped in to 'referee' several of these kinds of threads. If original from the factory (and that's a big if) in it's present Model 18 configuration IIRC he contends that it was assembled as a Model 18, therefore is a Mod 18 and has a mismarked frame because it wasn't overstamped Mod 18.

But counter intuitive as it may seem, they have and do leave the factory this way on occasion. And right, it begs to be lettered.

 

[JimC]

I bought a real nice slightly used 18-3 back in '89 from an FFL friend when I lived in NJ. The receipt shows it's an 18-3.
I always figured that they need to make up some 18's and used available 17 frames.
Here is a photo of the over stamp model #. Maybe 15 years ago I called S&W to ask about the over stamp and if my gun was an 18 or 17 and any other info. The woman that I spoke with replied, "I couldn't tell you." I asked if it could be determined by the serial #. She wasn't able to check. ?????
I gave up at that point and have always called it an 18-3.

 

[Engine49guy]

.......counter intuitive as it may seem, they have and do leave the factory this way on occasion. And right, it begs to be lettered.

I agree with you Jim,
It is a very interesting piece and while I do not letter most of my guns the previous K22 really needs to be lettered to see if the barrel was installed originally or after it left the factory.

JimC
While anything is possible,
IMO Your K22 was mis stamped as a Mod 17 then overstamped as it is clearly a Model 18 frame and barrel.
If I use my imagination I can come up with several scenarios where they might convert a M17 to a M18 at the factory but it doesnt make sense when you consider the Model 18 was still in production at the time.
Again anything is possible with S&W.


Again all this is just my opinion.
Thanks for sharing it.

 

[wheelgun28]

Well I guess I will letter the gun at some point.

As for the stocks, I put them on they were cheap via internet auction years ago. My dad being shall I say frugal, had the original magnas from his M 28 on it...

I put them back on the 28 and scrounged the ones that are on it. I guess frugality is a family tradition

Also, it would seem my dad bought this gun used. I think the SN is from around 1961 or so and he bought in in 1968 as best I can tell. This is the only gun he bought that I dont have the receipt for. He lived in NY at that time and the SN is on his permit.

Also, I cant ask dad about the gun (passed on) the store where he bought all the other guns closed up around 1980. The only chance for any history is the factory.

Was there a time in the 1960s that M-18s were hard to find, or M-17s hard to sell?

 

[Hondo44]

Well I guess I will letter the gun at some point.

Was there a time in the 1960s that M-18s were hard to find, or M-17s hard to sell?

Generally speaking, shooters of that era were beginning to favor the advantages of the shorter barrels on all models. The era of the popularity in formal NRA Bullseye matches was on the wane. Roy Jimks has said many times in so many words, S&W didn't give a wit about collectors. They're goal was to move product out the door and stay profitable and competetive.

So if orders for 18s were coming in that didn't match parts in inventory, they used what they had to fill orders. So I would say yes in answer to your question. I think you hit the nail on the head!

 

[roaddog28]

Well all I know is the 17 and 18 has got the best double action trigger pull I have ever experienced. Its rare that a person can find a 22 double action revolver with a good double action trigger pull. The 17 and 18 has it.
Howard

 

[texagun]

Great thread. I recently picked up a 17-3 and can't find a manual on it anywhere. Is it OK to shoot Stingers and other hyper-velocity ammo in the Model 17?

 

[Hondo44]

Oh heck yes! It's as strong a .22 revolver as ever made.

 

[FB111Bob]

I bought a real nice slightly used 18-3 back in '89 from an FFL friend when I lived in NJ. The receipt shows it's an 18-3.
I always figured that they need to make up some 18's and used available 17 frames.
Here is a photo of the over stamp model #. Maybe 15 years ago I called S&W to ask about the over stamp and if my gun was an 18 or 17 and any other info. The woman that I spoke with replied, "I couldn't tell you." I asked if it could be determined by the serial #. She wasn't able to check. ?????
I gave up at that point and have always called it an 18-3.

I ,too, have a 17/18-3. On close inspection you can definitely see the the 8 is overstamped on the 7.

 

[Beemer-mark]

I own both the M17 & M18. Had to buy the M17 to see what the difference is. You got to be a really S&W expert to tell. Barrel length is the obvious giveaway but I'm sure the I've see the M18 with a 6" barrel. Keep thinking I should sell one but....

 

[JP@AK]

I'm sure the I've see the M18 with a 6" barrel.

We've had a few of them show up here on the Forum over the past few years. Without exception, they have all turned out to have had a barrel change. When asked, Roy has confirmed they shipped with 4" barrels.