There's a nice 18-3 on G/B, seller is Locust Fork....
JIM............
JIM............
S&W Model 18 Questions
- Thread starter redbos
- Start date
I picked up a 18-2 a couple months ago from a coworker with box, tools, matching numbered grips and a spare set of target grips. I really like the way it shoots - this one gets handed down for sure. It also had the original sales receipt - purchased in 1968 for 70 dollars after a 20 dollar Colt 22 trade-in. I paid a few dollars more 
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
I love going out to the range with a case full of .22 revolvers.
It is the SO range and the deputies who happen to be out there love shooting them-I usually bring an extra brick just for them to blow through. The K22 and the old three screw single six seem to get the most use. They think it's neat to be shooting a couple of guns made in the 1950's. I get carte blanch use of the range and every now and then I find a couple of boxes of 9 or .45 on the hood of my suburban-win win all around.
It is the SO range and the deputies who happen to be out there love shooting them-I usually bring an extra brick just for them to blow through. The K22 and the old three screw single six seem to get the most use. They think it's neat to be shooting a couple of guns made in the 1950's. I get carte blanch use of the range and every now and then I find a couple of boxes of 9 or .45 on the hood of my suburban-win win all around.
Frostback
Member
I picked up my model 18 no dash at a gun show a couple of years ago. Paid $345 CDN for it. It was carried by a trapper for years, and looks it! Shoots very well though.
Frosty
Frosty
So Jeff, would you think that every revolver stamped "Mod 18-1" was made either in 1959 or 1960 or 1961? And what about the earlier engineering version, the "Mod 18" (no dash) guns? Would you think every "Mod 18" stamped gun was made in 1957, 1958 or 1959? It seems logical that there would be no "Mod 18" guns made after "Mod 18-1" guns production had begun. Can you state where you found that table showing the years of engineering changes? Here's a somewhat related question: Do you think that the "Mod..." stamp is always done after the serial number has been stamped into the frame?
Larry from Bend
Member
I bought this 18-4 (one of the last pinned barrels) 7-8 years ago for $300. It was ANIB when I bought it, but with incorrect grips. I didn't care. I've shot it a bunch, and it's of a model that S&W will work on if anything ever goes wrong with it. If you get too picky nowadays, better have a fat wallet.
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18-2
I guess it is time to get a letter on this one. The target stocks fit like they were made for this gun. Will post in a couple months.
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'
I guess it is time to get a letter on this one. The target stocks fit like they were made for this gun. Will post in a couple months.
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VAdoublegunner
Member
I have a 4-screw Model 18-1 I picked up about 20 years ago when no one wanted revolvers, everybody had to have a Wondernine, for $160. Those days are long gone!
It's a shooter rather than collecter condition, but still about 90% shape. It is a terrific gun for the range, I taught several ladyfriends to shoot with it. And I carried it often in the field when bird hunting before I got the 2" Model 63. Made one of my craziest memorable squirrel shots ever with that M-18.....a squirrel ran out on a big oak limb when I was walking in from grouse hunting in the mountains one time. I figured he was about 70 yards away. I needed some Brunswick stew ingredients anyway, so held some Kentucky elevation a couple of inches over his back and touched one off. Nothing happened, didn't even move, just sat there in a position like he was eating a nut for about 30 seconds. I figured I had missed him so badly the shot didn't even get close enough to bother him. Then he just fell, a total dead fall in that same sitting position right off the limb. I went to pick him up and he was centered in the heart lung area. I walked it back and it was 72 paces. Pretty crazy reaction. I guess the velocity had dropped enough it just punched through without much shock and he bled out internally.
It's a shooter rather than collecter condition, but still about 90% shape. It is a terrific gun for the range, I taught several ladyfriends to shoot with it. And I carried it often in the field when bird hunting before I got the 2" Model 63. Made one of my craziest memorable squirrel shots ever with that M-18.....a squirrel ran out on a big oak limb when I was walking in from grouse hunting in the mountains one time. I figured he was about 70 yards away. I needed some Brunswick stew ingredients anyway, so held some Kentucky elevation a couple of inches over his back and touched one off. Nothing happened, didn't even move, just sat there in a position like he was eating a nut for about 30 seconds. I figured I had missed him so badly the shot didn't even get close enough to bother him. Then he just fell, a total dead fall in that same sitting position right off the limb. I went to pick him up and he was centered in the heart lung area. I walked it back and it was 72 paces. Pretty crazy reaction. I guess the velocity had dropped enough it just punched through without much shock and he bled out internally.
Engine49guy
Member
Model 18's are great, 3rd down from the top is an 18-4 with factory .500 TH and .400 TT,
never seen a Model 18 with an original RR/WO though.
never seen a Model 18 with an original RR/WO though.
I just won an 18-2 on GB:
Smith & Wesson Model 18-2 Revolver - NO RESERVE : Revolvers at GunBroker.com
At $495, do you think it's worth it?
Smith & Wesson Model 18-2 Revolver - NO RESERVE : Revolvers at GunBroker.com
At $495, do you think it's worth it?
The Model 18 is a great revolver and I have two one an 18-3 and the other a 18-4 without the pinned barrel and they are both great shooters.
The Model 18-4 is Brenda's revolver and she shoots it really well with a set of grips thinen down to fit her hand.
My Model 18-3 with Kurac Colo Bolo grips
The Model 18-4 is Brenda's revolver and she shoots it really well with a set of grips thinen down to fit her hand.
My Model 18-3 with Kurac Colo Bolo grips
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I bought my 18-3 in 1976 new for $160. It's been on many deer hunts, and still looks like new. The only blue wear in on the ejector rod. I took it out the other day and ran about 100 rounds of everything I had, no problems. The gun still shoots and feels good in the hand, and has the nicest action of any 22 revolver I have handled.
Engine49guy
Member
When you add a set of original grips , shipping and transfer fees etc it might be a tad on the high side but one year from now it will be your favorite shooter and you will have forgotten what you paid for it.
BTW the 18-2 came with diamond Magna stocks then changed to non diamond Magnas before the dash 3 change over so depending on when it shipped it could have either.
BTW the 18-2 came with diamond Magna stocks then changed to non diamond Magnas before the dash 3 change over so depending on when it shipped it could have either.
Walter Rego
Member
I have a Model 18-3 that dates to 1971. It has the Target Trigger and Target Hammer but unnumbered Magna Stocks. I bought it used and have not lettered it but have always thought it odd to only have 2 of the 3 target options. While I have seen many Model 19's with 4" barrels and the 3T options I don't recall seeing many Model 15's or Model 18's with target options.
I've had my 3T's 18-3 for over 5 years and never knew this an uncommon configuration. Should I assume it was owner modified, or get a letter? Or does it really matter with a -3?
I remember the rack of stocks, hammers and triggers in blister packs at gun shops in the 70's, so it's likely modified. I wonder what 3T's in blister packs cost in the 70's. Probably wasn't cheap even then.
I remember the rack of stocks, hammers and triggers in blister packs at gun shops in the 70's, so it's likely modified. I wonder what 3T's in blister packs cost in the 70's. Probably wasn't cheap even then.
Just got an 18-2 today at LGS, 3Ts, box, papers, looks unfired, out of an estate sale. Has RR front sight, WO rear as noted on the box. SN499xxx. When I took the paper clip off the papers I found the papers for the 29 no dash I put on layaway, same condition, but no box, just a wooden one with some tools. $450 for the 18, $750 for the 29. Did I do OK? I need help posting pics.
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IMHO buy what you like based on your use. If you simply collect, pay for quality and you will never regret it. If you only want one yo shoot, buy the best condition non- mint you can find. I say that because while I shoot and collect, I want my shooters to look good and I take good care of them.
On several occasions, I have bought a as news in box with the intent of shooting it. NOT! Just doesn't work for me. So I end up buying a second example that I know has been fired so I have one I'll be willing to shoot. Now am very content. Just broke.
On several occasions, I have bought a as news in box with the intent of shooting it. NOT! Just doesn't work for me. So I end up buying a second example that I know has been fired so I have one I'll be willing to shoot. Now am very content. Just broke.
