S&W Model 18 Questions

[redbos]

Hi,

Been collecting S&W's for awhile and I dont know much about the Model 18 and I would like to know what you folks would buy for a collectors Model 18. Would like it to be all Target, but not sure if I should buy a Pre 18 or a 18-1, 18-2, etc....

Thanks so much for the info, a picture or two may be nice as well!

 

[model17]

get any model 18 you can and shoot, shoot, shoot!!

My 18-3 is very accurate and well balanced.

 

[Camster]

Buy condition.

 

[deanodog]

I don't know the engineering changes but here is a model 18-3

 

[GF]

Buy condition.

There are two other things to consider, that would be condition and condition. You've been around here awhile so you know the difference between a good shooter and a high condition revolver.

The only thing to add to that wold be age, the older the better.

And... if it's a gun you want and you know it's a good one - spend the money. Condition remains after price is forgotten.

GF

 

[redbos]

Yes, I typically buy S&W's at least in 95% condition , I do love NIB guns, but sometimes they are not around when I am ready.

Would you prefer a Pre 18 or a more modern vintage?

 

[GF]

"Would you prefer a Pre 18 or a more modern vintage?"

Going by the condition of the gun I would gladly have a Mod 18 (up to about a -3 ) or even a newer one if the deal was right.

I'm getting where it's all about the older ones but I never look down my nose at a revolver at a good price.

Consider this as far as you being ready, keep the cash on hand and watch the gunshows, online auctions and classifieds. Wait for a good gun and be a bidder/ or make an offer up to where you're comfortable with. The guns I posted above are the only two Combat Masterpieces I own and it took me about four years of looking before I found them.
In the meantime I did find a nice 18-3 that was newer than what I wanted, but at 5 bills it was to good to leave on the table.

So... I guess it's all about condition first - at a reasonable price in your opinion ( and NOBODY else's ) and the hard part is to wait & hunt for both!

GF

 

[Jeff45]

The K-22 square butt 4" barrel 5 screw revolvers started using the model 18 designation in 1957.

The various engineering changes were:
18-1 1959, extractor rod thread direction
18-2 1961, cylinder stop change, deleted trigger guard screw
18-3 1967, rear sight leaf screw change
1968, deleted diamond grips
18-4 1977, gas ring from yoke to cylinder
1982, eliminate pined barrel
1985, model 18 discontinued

They are all great guns and I prefer them over the new ones.

 

[H Richard]

Condition is everything if you are looking for strictly a Collector. I usually go for decent condition shooters. I found this Pre-18 about a year ago in a Pawn shop. The problem with Mod 18's is "Finding Them".

 

[Camster]

Doubtful that anyone here would consider it a collector's item,but having a 18-3 already, and wanting another 18 but with target features and not finding one(extra fussy,I also am),I simply bought one of the new classics when Davidson's was running a sale.I bought it for me,not the next guy.Perfectly happy with it.

 

[redbos]

I hear you Camster, it is an individual thing. I do not prefer the newer guns even though folks say that the quality is there. Yeah, I would rather be picky on Condition and all the "T's" if I have to wait 6 months to find a stunning example, so be it, I can dream till then!

 

[fxntime]

I spent several months looking for a decent model 18 that someone was willing to sell and ended up with a unfired 18-4. Little newer then I wanted but the price was reasonable and I will agree with others here when I say that they just don't pop up for sale as often as other models, they are in demand and don't go up for sale much locally.

I'd probably buy an older one if in nice shape and the price was right if I ran across it.

 

[fat tom]

I think you are going to have a VERY difficult time finding an older gun with 3T's. I'm not even sure if I've ever SEEN one. Can someone post a pic if you have one?
f.t.

 

[TDC]

I'm with Fat Tom... I've seen two factory all-target 18's in over 40 years of collecting and those were both very early factory ordered guns when special orders were still possible.

There are sure to be others out there, perhaps owner modified guns, but you may have a long, long wait finding one that's original. I'm not sure if other gun parts in their frame size are interchangeable but if they are you may want to add the necessary parts from a 17 to a standard Mod 18. That would seem to be a much more achievable goal...

Just sayin'

 

[gtrjames]

This is actually my first post here...glad I found this forum.
My model 18 which is also my first pistol...I bought it in 1981 and my dad had to sign for me..I was 13.
It has been SHOT! a tremendous amount but cleaned religiously and is still perfect.
I still have the original box/papers and the S and W holster I bought the same day.

 

[J-FRAME]

In 1972 I bought a new 18-3 no T.s NIB for $115.00. I made maybe $3.75 per hour.

 

[J-FRAME]

Two Weeks pay after taxes- climbing poles and making a living. Is it Obamas fault ??

 

[redbos]

I see, didnt know the Model 18's where mich more rare with all the T's...

I will settle for a nice minty one though!

 

[CajunBass]

Years ago, when I used to pour over an old dog eared copy of "The Shooters Bible" I wanted every gun I saw. But a Model 18 was near the top of the list. It had the looks of the bigger 38/357's but used the cheap 22 LR cartridge. What could be better?

Flash forward a bunch of years, and I still wanted one, but really didn't look seriously for it. Everything I read indicated that they were all priced in the $700-800.00 range. I didn't want to spend that much. I already had a 17-3, so that would have to do me.

Then while on a trip to Illinois, I saw a post on this board that the shop back home, where I did most of my business, had one for sale. I called the first thing the next morning and had them "hold" it for me.

Two days later, I got there to pick it up. It turned out to be a 1953, five screw, "pre-18", with diamond magna's numbered to the gun. As far as I know, it was the first one I have ever layed eyes on. It was sort of flat looking, but I have since learned that's normal for the post war guns. They were asking $499.00 for it which I thought was a steal. I tried to be cool though, and offered $450.00. They came back with $460.00. I was afraid to push it any further.

I don't know if that was a good price, or bad, or about normal. I was tickled to have it.

I had it out yesterday shooting it. Went through a couple of boxes of ammo. Man, it is a fun gun.

I don't think I've seen another one since. If I do, I might buy it.

 

[bigmoose]

Any Model 18 will do.

Nothing like a k-22 thread to bring out the pictures. I lucked into this mint 18 for a very good price along with a 67 in the same deal. I was looking for quite a long time before I found it. Buy the first nice one you see in decent condition for a fair price, regardless of age. Shoot and enjoy it. Keep your eye out for an older one in high condition. You can always trade up or start a collection. They are certainly addicting. Never met a K-22 I didn't like.