S&W 17 or 18?

[adluginb]

If you had your choice of either a model 17 or 18 which would you get and why?

I know the 18 is a 4" barrel and has combat sights and the 17 has target sights and has different barrel lengths but other than that why do you like the one you have?

Thanks


Update, After this thread reached 3 pages and several pm's from some helpful forum members I made up my mind as to which one to get. Thanks for the help and a special thanks to the person who sold me these. Tried to take so good pics but it is hard to show the deep blueing on the revolver. Enjoy the pics!

1966, Mint, hardly a turn line S&W 17-2

Notice the case colors.

 

[model17]

model 17

I have both and prefer the front site of the 17 as well as the longer sighting of the 6 in. barrel. Both are equally accurate in the right hands!
I have several 17's and this is my favorite(17-4) with the "3 T's"

 

[GF]

Well ya' just KNOW what a member with a screen name of Model 17 is gonna' like!

Very nice stocks on that revolver. Target hammer & trigger too - that set up is hard (impossible) to beat.

The Mod 18 is my 2nd choice unless it's from the 1950's...

... you don't choose between a 17 & an 18, you just gotta' have both.

GF

 

[CajunBass]

I don't have an 18 but do have a 17. It seems to me that 17's are easier to find than 18's, but I say that mostly because I don't know that I've ever even seen an 18. At least not since I learned enough about them to appreciate them. I'd like to have an 18.

Which one to get first? The one you can find I would say. Having said that, if you plan to shoot it mostly at the range, the 17 might be the way to go. If you plan to holster it and a carry in in the woods, I'd want the shorter, handier 18.

 

[murphydog]

Best to handle one of each before choosing. Personally I find the 18 to be a little muzzle-light and the 17 to be about right, but only you can tell what works best for you.

 

[gkitch]

I prefer the Model 18. It was designed to give us a 22 version of the Combat Masterpiece for practice and it accomplishes this mission well. That said, when I'm doing something that I want a 22 revolver along the 4" barrel is a great combination of "accurate AND handy". Since most of my serious carry revolvers are S&Ws with 3" or 4" bbls the M-18 remains a familiar friend.

As for the excellent and legendary M-17, it is certainly a great revolver for the range or for small game varmitting. I sold mine though when I realized that when I go to the range or field with a 22 the High Standard auto or the Colt Woodsman Match get to go.

 

[deanodog]

They are both fine guns. I had both but ended up selling the 17 and keeping the 18. It was just the use I had for them. The 18 was a little handier to carry and I have a model 15 that is almost identical to the 18 with 4 inch barrel.

 

[jpwhel]

A lot of people get the .22lr in the same barrel length as other revolvers that they have, me included.
I have mostly 4 inch revolvers and having the Mod 18 allows me to have the same feel in practice as shooting my other 4 inchers at a much lower cost. If I had more 6 inch guns I may be tempted to to get a Mod 17. Of course I do have a 6" Mod 19, looks like I need to get the 17.

 

[RdrBill]

Sir.
I have a couple dozen K22's. I have not made up my mind which I like best, 4 inch or 6 inch. I will buy a couple more and maybe then make a decision.
Bill@Yuma

 

[WILDPIG]

I like the 18 a little better. It looks "right", packs easily, and is perfect for plinking and rabbits and such.

WILDPIG

 

[wnc wheelgun]

6 versus 4

I agree with murphydog, it seems to me the balance on the 6 inch 17 is just about perfect, at least for me, I have 19's in 4 and 6 inch and prefer the 6".

 

[Engine49guy]

I slightly prefer the 4" barrel of the Model 18 over the 17 beacuse its just esaier for me to holster.

IMHO the best of both worlds is the 17-5 with 4" M17 barrel contour.

It came about as a meens of eliminating the Model 18 line,

The 4" 17-6 full underlug gets honorable mention as my second favorite K22..... but...

My "dream" gun would be a 22 lr K frame with a Model 19 profile heavy barrel and half lug.

 

[PMRet]

A lot of people get the .22lr in the same barrel length as other revolvers that they have, me included.
I have mostly 4 inch revolvers and having the Mod 18 allows me to have the same feel in practice as shooting my other 4 inchers at a much lower cost. If I had more 6 inch guns I may be tempted to to get a Mod 17.

Same here. In my case, the 617 is the perfect companion for my 686 and 16-4.

 

[Geronimo Jim]

I like the 17 at the range to punch holes in paper and the 18 the carry around in the wood and hiking.

 

[wnr700]

I think mine is an 17-8 w/ 6 inch barrel... a 10 shot.

If I had to do over I might opt for a 4' over the 6' barrel. Maybe because I shoot so much more .22 that I seem to tire more easily.

It is a dream to shoot an accurate.

I would buy whichever came available first. One concern the blue guns obviously show more wear.

 

[Iggy]

Model 17 and 14 seem to make a nice pair.

 

[Wingmaster]

Iggy,
That is a very fine pair. I have been on the lookout for a pair just like that.

Wingmaster

 

[ab4ka]

since I don't have either one I'd grab whichever one I could get my hands on

 

[Smee78]

I was looking for a good Smith 17/18 for a good price and I just found a model 18 first and that is how I picked

 

[TAROMAN]

I have both.
Model 17 8-3/8" and a 4" Model 18.

Personally, I prefer the 18 for anything except rimfire silhouette shooting at 100 meters, which is what I purchased the 17 for.

The 18 just handles and feels "right" to me. the Ahrends stocks help a lot, too. I like them enough that I'm gradually switching all my revolvers over to them.

I can also say the same for my Model 14/15 pair.