Mt Gun vs Model 18

[41special]

So who here would give up (as in sell) their vintage S&W Model 18 to finance a new Mt Gun in 22 LR?

Mine is a keeper, it shoots CCI subsonic HP into tiny groups and kills grouse & pesky Montana Turkeys with headshots aplomb.

I'd look at a new manufactured Mountain Gun in 45 Colt for sure, but in 22.......

I guess a well heeled gent could have both, and throw in a new Colt, but why?

 

[Thaddeus Beauregard]

I will never sell my vintage M18 to finance anything. I love that little gun, and I inherited it from my late father, so it has extra worth to me way beyond its "book" value.

I've never asked myself "why?" when contemplating buying any gun, nor have I ever let the fact I already have multiple others in the same chambering sway my decision to buy, whether or not it had any legitimate purpose, or filled any particular "need." My only considerations were whether I liked it, whether I liked it enough to pay the asking price, and whether I could afford it.

I personally think you should keep your M18, buy a .22 Mountain Gun, AND buy a new Colt. Life is short, live a little!

 

[InTheWoods]

Why buy one? Just because I can. I have a thing for SW rimfires and seem to collect/accumulate multiple examples of them. From a pure user/practical point of view, the OP is 100% correct. His 18 has served him well and why get rid of proven woodland companion. I wouldn't. I feel like that when it comes to my other firearms endeavors. Take my quail gun for example. This early production 20 gauge Browning Citori Superlght (pre interchangeable choke) I bought new in the 70's has been through thousands of both miles and birds. Despite being oiled at the end of each hunting day, there is not one iota of bluing left on the lower receiver and the stock is dented and worn. It is beautiful! No way I would trade it for a new, shiny one.

For some strange reason, I can't make myself put that kind of wear on my beautiful, vintage pristine blued Smith rimfires (17,18,34,51,etc) when stainless options are also available in the same formats for my hunting and field carry needs. So I have also ended up with a 63, a 651, a 617, etc. through the years. My blued ones have remained relatively prestine other than worn ejector rod bluing from shooting them a LOT on my home range.

There is no right or wrong here. We all spend our resources differently and our priorities/interests differ. BTW, my new 617 Mountain Gun showed up at my dealer yesterday for a pickup this afternoon. I have feeling the 18 will get shot as much as ever and the Mountain Gun will get holstered and carried a lot afield.

 

[45Smashemflat]

I'm thinking hard about getting one of the new 22 Mountain Guns, but I'm not going to let my K22 CM go to get it.

 

[minconrevo]

If your older M18 is a good one, and it probably is, you do not want to send it down the road. Too hard to find another good one.

 

[44wheelman]

Foolish to sell an older S&W that shoots tiny groups to buy a new one with hopes it will shoot as well. bird in hand, pig in a poke...

Now, if I wanted a new one, I'd buy it, shoot it, and keep whichever you like more/shoot better. ...

 

[Birdhunter6]

My serious rimfire revolvers are a 6" 48-2 and a 4" 63 no dash.

Years ago I shot my best friends 18 quite a bit. The .22 CM has slowly worked it's way to the top of my "gotta get me one" list. When I find mine, it won't be going anywhere.

 

[Bald1]

18-3 or 4" 48-3. That is the question? Same condition same price. Which would you choose. Seems like 48 would be worth more and appreciate more.

 

[Riposte1]

Might be just me, but I would not trade any old S&W, in decent shape, for any new S&W! I might someday consider buying a new S&W but only because money seems worth less today than it used to be.

Still, to each their own!

Riposte

 

[lihpster]

No, I wouldn't sell mine to buy a MG. Truthfully, if I had the cash just laying around, I'd rather buy another 18 than the MG.

 

[cowboy94916]

Sold 2 18"s i bought new in the mid 70's each to finance something I wanted more. Took a lot of years till I finally found a replacement that was built in 65 in mint condition. It was perfect mate for my 15-2 from 67. Its not for sale.
I got the colt king cobra after a 2 year wait. Its also not for sale.
I have been pondering the 22 Mountain gun but still on the fence.
On the other hand a 18 with 3 t"s, in minty condition, would be a instant purchase for me. It would be the perfect companion to my m19 3 t's.

 

[The Norseman]

Don't buy into the 2025 Mountain Gun excitement.
They're nothing like the Smiths of old.
Look (inspect) and handle one first, then decide.

 

[eclayton]

My model 18 is one of my favorite handguns and I will never sell it. If you can only afford one .22 revolver, or only have interest in owning one, then there is nothing any other .22 revolver you mention can do that the 18 doesn't already do. For me, I don't like putting holster wear on the 18, and after moving onto a ranch and carrying it for a while to shoot barn rats, I found a speck of rust on it once, and that was it. I know I could maintain the 18 as a tool and use it for ranch duty for years, but I can afford a stainless revolver for that and keep the 18 for range fun. I do have a Colt KC .22, and I'm going to buy a 617 Mountain Gun as soon as I find one locally that I can inspect first. I like K frames and I've wanted a lock-free 617 for years. I will get my money's worth out of it even if I pay MSRP.

 

[MajorD]

For me the only slight detractor of the older guns versus the current production is the 10 round capacity. Also I personally detest stainless and would only want blue.
Typically a very nice user shooter grade 18 is going to cost less than the current mountain guns, so to me simply not worth it.

 

[clang444]

What no pics??? While technically not an 18, this is my well used pre-18. It's the one gun that goes on EVERY range trip

 

[Yendor357]

Money is a lot easier to come by than a really nice old Smith.

I assumed that the OP's question was a rhetorical one. Unless you're planning to kick the bucket soon, nobody in their right mind sells a good S&W, regardless of vintage.

 

[wilmccall]

Perhaps a different question would be "who would sell their current 617 for the new 617mountain gun? That seems to me to be more 'apples-to-apples' comparison than a beloved 18 to a new toy.

I have an older 63 with original box, tools, & papers. Also an older model 17, blue with heavy 4" barrel. They're not going anywhere until I do. But if I live long enough to see one first hand, I will buy the 617 mountain gun to go with my late 90s 45 Colt MG and my new 686+ MG.

 

[The Norseman]

No way would I trade/sell my 10Dec2002 617-3
22lr 6"bbl. or 15Oct1997 617-1 22lr 4"bbl. The
quality is light years ahead in comparison of the
new 617 22lr Mountain Gun or even the new
629/686/610 (44mag/357mag/10mm).

The quality control is just not there anymore,
a hit or miss from what I have observed.

My suggestion is to see them in person first.
Best, avoid the worry and headaches try to
get an original.

617-1

 

[Birdhunter6]

18-3 or 4" 48-3. That is the question? Same condition same price. Which would you choose. Seems like 48 would be worth more and appreciate more.

That's a shooter/collector question.

As a shooter, between 18 and 48 any dash, I consider how often will I will shoot it. Ammo cost for the 48 discourages a high round count.

If your primary purpose for a rimfire revolver is casual plinking or transition training to a center fire CM, go for the 18. If you plan an occasional range trip and use for small game and nuisance critters the .22 WMR makes sense. I went with a 6" 48-2. More barrel is better with the Magnum.