New Model 18 is home!!!!

[flat top]

Well, my new model 18-3 is home, and it is far beyond my expectations!!! I really wanted a "shooter", and from the photos that the owner sent me, his description of the gun, as "good shape", and the price I ended up buying it for, that is exactly what I thought I was going to get...a "shooter". When I opened the box at my FFl's, both of our jaws dropped to the ground!!! He told me, "are you sure you want to "use" that gun!" Now, after seeing it, I am starting to have my doubts! LOL!!! It is absolutely beautiful, and in near perfect condition! It has very little wear if any, all the bluing is original, and there is no touch up anywhere on the gun, no holster wear, and very little mechanical wear! I would imagine this to be a 98/99% plus gun, but, I guess I really need a pro to look at it to get an educated and realistic appraisal of its condition. This gun was not shot much at all, the bore is pristine, and it has been handled very little! It is a remarkable example of a near 40 year old gun....and it has all matching numbers, plus the factory manufacturing marks, but, no extra stampings that I can tell of. On the down side...the grips look like they have been through a war, and are incorrect for the gun. I am going to try to find a period perfect set of magna's, which would be the icing on the cake for this gun...it deserves the best! Anyway, thanks to all who put up with me through this process, and if any of you know of someone who is an experienced collector/appraiser in the St. Louis, Mo. area, I would appreciate knowing how to contact them.

 

[flat top]

Well, my new model 18-3 is home, and it is far beyond my expectations!!! I really wanted a "shooter", and from the photos that the owner sent me, his description of the gun, as "good shape", and the price I ended up buying it for, that is exactly what I thought I was going to get...a "shooter". When I opened the box at my FFl's, both of our jaws dropped to the ground!!! He told me, "are you sure you want to "use" that gun!" Now, after seeing it, I am starting to have my doubts! LOL!!! It is absolutely beautiful, and in near perfect condition! It has very little wear if any, all the bluing is original, and there is no touch up anywhere on the gun, no holster wear, and very little mechanical wear! I would imagine this to be a 98/99% plus gun, but, I guess I really need a pro to look at it to get an educated and realistic appraisal of its condition. This gun was not shot much at all, the bore is pristine, and it has been handled very little! It is a remarkable example of a near 40 year old gun....and it has all matching numbers, plus the factory manufacturing marks, but, no extra stampings that I can tell of. On the down side...the grips look like they have been through a war, and are incorrect for the gun. I am going to try to find a period perfect set of magna's, which would be the icing on the cake for this gun...it deserves the best! Anyway, thanks to all who put up with me through this process, and if any of you know of someone who is an experienced collector/appraiser in the St. Louis, Mo. area, I would appreciate knowing how to contact them.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Congradulations! I love the M-18. What year is your gun?

 

[G-Mac]

Originally posted by flat top:...and if any of you know of someone who is an experienced collector/appraiser in the St. Louis, Mo. area, I would appreciate knowing how to contact them.

Here..let me appraise it for you...

It has very little wear if any.

All the bluing is original.

There is no touch up anywhere on the gun.

No holster wear.

Very little mechanical wear.

I would imagine this to be a 98/99% plus gun.

This gun was not shot much at all.

The bore is pristine.

It has been handled very little!

It is a remarkable example of a near 40 year old gun.

It has all matching numbers, plus the factory manufacturing marks, but, no extra stampings that I can tell of.

On the down side...the grips look like they have been through a war, and are incorrect for the gun.

I would value your gun at approximately $425.00...allowing for regional variances.

My bill will be in the mail.

Thank you.

 

[flat top]

Gun 4 Fun; I think it was DOC44 on here who dated it at 72/73... and from the serial number concurred that it was an 18-3

 

[flat top]

G Mac!!!!! Damn, I overpaid by 10 dollars!!!! Ive been ripped off!!!!!

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

E-mail sent. Oh, and by the way, if it'll make you feel better, I'll give you $15 over what you spent so that it won't bother you any longer

 

[flat top]

Gun 4 Fun; You are a good person!!!!

 

[flat top]

Gun 4 Fun; email recieved and one back at ya! Thanks!!!! FT

 

[deanodog]

You have to love those model 18s....I do..You sound like a happy camper...Congrats

 

[flat top]

deanodog; Yes, I am happy! This 18 is one sweet little gun. I am going to get it out to the range and see how it groups...clean it up, and into the safe it goes. I guess as time goes on I will make a decision as to whether I will use it or not. I think the biggest issue with me is, I am not a collector, but, I can appreciate what they do....should I take a nice gun, that potentially could be a collectable, or a part of someones collection and use it? I have always felt (and was raised to believe) that a gun is a tool, and was made to be used. Its a tough decision to make!

 

[hitecrednek]

Use it! Did you put your toys on a shelf to keep them new when you were a kid?

M-18 is my favorite S&W. You'll enjoy it!

 

[ken158]

What GMac said about the value. I got mine for $350 and it has RR, WO, TH, TT. It is a tool and they made many of them! Shoot it - I shoot mine often.

 

[flat top]

hitecrednek; Yes, I did put my toys away when I was a kid (that was many, many years ago). I sold them all last year so I could buy as many Smiths as I want!!!

I think I will enjoy the 18...it is a nice little revolver for sure. I am interested in seeing how accurate it is, or how accurate I can be with it!

My "draw gun" is an N frame in 44 Mag, with a 2 1/2" barrel, fixed sights, and Eagle Secret Serice grips..... I know...I know, why such a large caliber revolver for CC. Well, if somebody gets serious, I dont want to be undergunned!!!!

 

[flat top]

ken158; Your winning me over to the dark side!!! LOL!!!

 

[Chris K]

I am not ashamed to tell you I am jealous----I am actively looking for an 18 now and expect it will be my next gun purchase. Congratulations!

 

[flat top]

Chris; Dont be...there is one out there waiting just for you, and at a good price as well! This was my first buy of a "preowned" gun, "sight unseen". I just lucked out, but, I did search hard, and deal hard to get the best price I could! The owner "really" wanted to sell it, but at the 695 he was asking, I "wasnt interested". I just told him, that if he wanted to sell the gun for a fair price that I "would" be his buyer, but, at 695, well to me that just wasnt a fair price. He told me he had it on the market for some time and didnt have any takers, so we started talking, and FT brought home a nice 18. The thing is, and why I consider myself "lucky" was, that I was under the impression that this gun was just a shooter, and although the fella kept telling me it was in good shape...well, I guess what he calls good shape, I consider near perfect!!! I guess there was a miscommunication going on there! Good luck....search hard...deal hard...and that special gun will be yours! By the way, there are others on this forum that have found some excellent deals (much better than mine), and, there are good deals to be had on this forum as well...so keep your hopes up!!!

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

I just looked at Cabelas web sight. they just sold one at the store by me for $599. It had a box near perfect, and the gun was as flawless as I've seen. The gun was shipped from out west to Mich, for one of the salesmen. I tracked this same gun down from store to store about a month ago and they told me the salesman was buying it for sure. Now I see that they just sold it!

There are still a couple others on their sight for sale, but none as nice as this one was. If you want to see it, go to the gun library at Dudee Michigans web sight.

 

[GF]

Hey FT, got your e-mail. Nice piece!
NOW, Get that .22 out there and get it dirty!!!

 

[flat top]

Thanks GF; In the future, I will "try" to get some "DOC44 like" photos of the gun (yeah right), and send them to you. My photography does not do this one justice. I hope to get it out this Friday, or maybe Sunday for a little excersize, and we shall see how it shoots...I will keep you posted.