Model 17 and Model 18 Differences?

[Red Tex]

I know both are k-frame 22LR revolvers, but they seem to be almost identical. What would be the significant differences that would lead Smith and Wesson to labeling them separate models?

 

[murphydog]

A 4" tapered barrel on the model 18, vs. the 6" heavy barrel (sometimes 4 or 8 3/8" also) on the model 17. The former thought of as more a holster gun and the latter a target gun, but you don't need to follow those rules.

 

[sodacan]

Essentially, just the barrel length. Why? I don't know, but I can almost guarantee that there's a forum member who does.

 

[jcelect]

It all started in the "name"! In the pre model number era, before 1957, all S&Ws had a name! The pre14 was the K38 Masterpiece, the pre 16 was the K32 Masterpiece and the pre17 was the K22 Masterpiece in 6" & 8 3/8" barrels length. The pre15 was the K38 Combat Masterpiece in 2" & 4"barrel length, pre18 was the K22 Combat Masterpiece in 4" barrel length, & the pre19 was the 357 Combat Masterpiece in 2 1/2" & 4". In 1957 all names were changed to model numbers! Some time at a later date S&W drop the practice of different model numbers for barrel lengths.
jcelect

 

[Flygas]

It all started in the "name"! In the pre model number era, before 1957, all S&Ws had a name! The pre14 was the K38 Masterpiece, the pre 16 was the K32 Masterpiece and the pre17 was the K22 Masterpiece in 6" & 8 3/8" barrels length. The pre15 was the K38 Combat Masterpiece in 2" & 4"barrel length, pre18 was the K22 Combat Masterpiece in 4" barrel length, & the pre19 was the 357 Combat Masterpiece in 2 1/2" & 4". In 1957 all names were changed to model numbers! Some time at a later date S&W drop the practice of different model numbers for barrel lengths.
jcelect

The pre-19 was actually the Combat Magnum, not Masterpiece, correct?

 

[RKmesa]

The pre-19 was actually the Combat Magnum, not Masterpiece, correct?

Yup, that is correct.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Generally about 2 inches

 

[k22fan]

As wonderful as RdrBill's 1950 Combat Master Piece is, the planet did not stop spinning when its barrel profile was discontinued in 1985. Considering changes made after 1985, the difference is 18s were only made with light 4" barrels. After 1985 17s were made with 4" barrels that had the same small amount of straight taper that 6" & 8 3/8" 17s had before 1985. Before 1990 all three lengths of 17s got full lug barrels. 18s resurfaced in the modern Classic line, again with thin 4" barrels.

There was a production run of 617 Mountain Guns with 4" thin barrels with thin ribs. I would have named them 618s and made them a standard catalog item. The .22 Combat Mastepiece's 36 ounce weight is heavy enough for many purposes.

 

[Babysitr]

I quickly found that my M18 hangs with any of my 17's in the accuracy dept.!! and they're all more accurate than the operator!!!!

 

[woodsltc]

Here's my sampling of 17's & 18's including pre-models.

Don

 

[brucev]

I know both are k-frame 22LR revolvers, but they seem to be almost identical. What would be the significant differences that would lead Smith and Wesson to labeling them separate models?

After a great deal of early R&D, S&W very happily arrived at the pinnacle of perfection (all without any help from Glock) when they looked real hard at the various target type permutations of the S&W .22 LR K-frame and then produced ... the .22 LR Combat Masterpiece now known to one and all as the S&W Model 18. JMNSHO. bruce.

 

[minden]

All
4 inch K22, tapered barrel, Patridge front sight. May 1950.
Lettered.
I have to be careful when this K22 comes out of the gun safe. There is a couple folks in ARIZONA that would buy it.
Bill@Yuma

Ya, & a couple in California also!!!! Very Very Nice

 

[rogerwnuss]

Was there an intention in there maybe, of
the M18 being a trainer for the m15?

 

[JP@AK]

It all started in the "name"! In the pre model number era, before 1957, all S&Ws had a name! The pre14 was the K38 Masterpiece, the pre 16 was the K32 Masterpiece and the pre17 was the K22 Masterpiece in 6" & 8 3/8" barrels length. The pre15 was the K38 Combat Masterpiece in 2" & 4"barrel length, pre18 was the K22 Combat Masterpiece in 4" barrel length, & the pre19 was the 357 Combat Masterpiece in 2 1/2" & 4". In 1957 all names were changed to model numbers! Some time at a later date S&W drop the practice of different model numbers for barrel lengths.

A few minor corrections here.

In 1957 all names were changed to model numbers!

Model names were not "changed" to model numbers. The numbers were added, and model names continued.

Also, in a practical sense, this occurred in 1958. The numbers were assigned in June, 1957, but as far as we can determine, no model marked guns left the factory until 1958.

The pre15 was the K38 Combat Masterpiece in 2" & 4"barrel length

Actually, the 2" barrel on the .38 Combat Masterpiece didn't become a cataloged item until after it became the Model 15. I can't locate my notes at this time, but I believe it was during the -2 production period. In any case, it was after 1958.

Moreover, despite what is found in the SCSW and in many letters, the K-22 and K-38 monikers were not used for the Combat Masterpiece units. They were simply listed as .22 Combat Masterpiece and .38 Combat Masterpiece, respectively.

Furthermore, barrel profiles and usually front sights differed between the 6" and 4" guns, with Patridge sights used on the longer barrels and Baughman sights used on the 4" guns.

Finally, and this has already been mentioned, the .357 K target gun was the Combat Magnum.

Otherwise, jcelect's answer is correct.

Cheers!