S&W Model 18-3 357 magnum

[rjkortus]

I have a S&W 357 Magnum Model 18-3. Can anyone provide me with the history of the model 18-3?

 

[rjkortus]

I have a S&W 357 Magnum Model 18-3. Can anyone provide me with the history of the model 18-3?

 

[diamonback68]

It CAN'T be an 18-3. The 18 is a .22LR caliber gun. Are you sure it's not a 19 or 13?

 

[CMcDermott]

How about it being a Model 13-3, the 357 Magnum version of the venerable Model 10. Introduced in 1974 as the 13-1 (there aren't any model 13 no dash guns), the gas ring change in 1977 made the 13-2 and losing the pinned barrel and recessed cylinder in 1982 gives the 13-3.

 

[rjkortus]

Originally posted by diamonback68:
It CAN'T be an 18-3. The 18 is a .22LR caliber gun. Are you sure it's not a 19?

Thanks for the fast response. I will verify when I get home. Thanks.

 

[carguychris]

Originally posted by rjkortus:

Originally posted by diamonback68:
It CAN'T be an 18-3. The 18 is a .22LR caliber gun. Are you sure it's not a 19?

Thanks for the fast response. I will verify when I get home. Thanks.

FYI a Model 13 has a fixed rear sight consisting of a square notch in the topstrap. A Model 19 has an adjustable rear sight consisting of a metal blade that adjusts for windage when you turn a screw in the side.

BTW it's not too uncommon for older S&Ws to have overstruck numbers inside the yoke (i.e. an additional number stamped on top of the first number). This can sometimes make it difficult to read the numbers correctly. I used to own a Model 19 that had an overstruck first digit of the serial number inside the yoke; the factory struck the correct "4" on top of an incorrect "6", so it was difficult to tell which was correct (the butt only had the "4", and this is considered the definitive location of the serial number on a modern S&W).

S&Ws have also been found with the wrong model number stamped in the yoke, although this is much less common.

 

[rjkortus]

Thanks to everyone......My eyesight is going....it is a model 19-3. It helps when I use my glasses. It sure did look like an "8" if you don't look really, really close.

Thanks for the information.

 

[longarm]

Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 3rd edition.
You'll find answers to your questions there.

Or try the Search function on this forum. Lots of threads on the M19.
Dan

 

[rburg]

Actually, guys, you just can't depend on what some worker stamped into a yoke cut. Gunshows are full of mis-stamped model guns. At the show a week ago Saturday my table pards unloaded a gun marked 48-?. It clearly said "22 Long Rifle" on the barrel, and the cylinder was chambered for 22 long rifle. I don't care what the stamped model number says, you just can't depend on S&W to do the right thing!