S&W pre model 18 22 combat masterpiece find

[redlevel]

Here is a thread I started a while back about a pre-18 I eventually bought.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha.../71910-pre-18-price-help-update-pictures.html

Maybe it will give you a little more insight. By the way, I wound up paying $500 OTD.

It's hit and miss finding something like this without going to one of the auction sites. I put a wanted ad in a GA outdoor forum and got a response on this particular gun a year later.

 

[gagunner 2]

About 2 years ago I found a 18-3 from '75,NIB with papers and all for $375.Three months later ,a 5 screw from '54 that was 98% for $400.Too nice to pass up!Haven't seen another since then.Bide your time ,one will show up and be worth the wait.

 

[Engine49guy]

I think $700 is outrageous.

But outrageous seems to be the norm, these days.

I bought this one about 5 years ago for $265 and thought it an OK deal but not spectacular.

How much would you sell it to me for today? Seriously...
$265? or more like $550, then shipping, FFL transfer fees probably would cost me $600 total. Then I risk it being stolen or damaged by some tree hugger at UPS, or the delivery guy stealing it.

A bird in hand is worth 2 in the bush......offer $550 cash.

 

[jspick]

I went back and tried to deal a little today and no dice the guy wouldn't come down any. And after all the input and thinking it over. I decided to pass on the gun being it was over priced.

I think I will wait and keep hoping to find one of the stainless model 17's if I ever get the chance.

Thanks for all the input and advice. You are a great bunch.

John

 

[Engine49guy]

I went back and tried to deal a little today and no dice the guy wouldn't come down any. And after all the input and thinking it over. I decided to pass on the gun being it was over priced.

I think I will wait and keep hoping to find one of the stainless model 17's if I ever get the chance.

Thanks for all the input and advice. You are a great bunch.

John

The stainless 17 evolved into the model 617 full lug ,
kinda looks like a Model 686 with full underlug and rubber grips,

MSRP of $916.00.
BTW....
Smith has taken notice to the sudden demand for their classic Models 17 and 18,
They are back in production complete with hammer Lock.
And an MSRP of...........
$1051 and $1011 respectively.


No beautiful reproduction diamond magna or targets that are supplied with the new .41 Magnum
model 56, 57 or 58 series N frame classics either.....
BUT THEY ARE THE SAME PRICE

The new "Classic" M17 and M18 are supplied with cheap wood laminate grips available on their website for $35.00...
In case you are considering a pair, I recently bought a set.......
If original K magnas fit , finish and quality were a 10....... they rate about a 5 ,
Sorry but IMHO in comparison they are Junk and I still regret not sending them back.

Attention SW corporate Bean counters.......Its called "False Economy".
Saves a few bucks on production costs but dissapoint the customer.
I guess Im crazy to expect nice grips on a .22 handgun that costs over $1000.00?

Well at least they have done the owners of original models the favour of securing their values.
In light of the trigger lock and cheap grips,,,,
That $700 5 screw original doesnt look so bad after all !!!

 

[jspick]

engine49guy

Yes I know about the 617. Thank you. I have a 10 shot 617.

Smith made a stainless version of the 17. It looks just like the 17, no underlug. I think they were made in the early 90's. I read about them here or the other forum and whoever told about them posted some pictures. They are just like the 17, just stainless. Very pricey too from what I remember.

John

 

[SmithNut]

engine49guy

Yes I know about the 617. Thank you. I have a 10 shot 617.

Smith made a stainless version of the 17. It looks just like the 17, no underlug. I think they were made in the early 90's. I read about them here or the other forum and whoever told about them posted some pictures. They are just like the 17, just stainless. Very pricey too from what I remember.

John

The model you are referring to is the M617 without the underlug barrel, made as a special production run for Ashland Shooters Supply. These were made in both 4" and 6" barrel versions with various TT/TH, Std T/H variations available. Very limited production, the 6" in the ~130 qty. range, the 4" reported to be ~200 qty., but seen less often from my experience.
These were originally shipped with the smooth Combat grips seen on 90's vintage Smiths.

 

[jspick]

There you go! That is what I NEED! I really NEED one of those! I'd take a 4" or 6" either one, but prefer a 6". I NEED it.

John

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

A year ago I bought a nice pre-18 combat masterpiece from an estate sale for $250.00.

 

[Camster]

I think Smith could sell more of those lugless 617s than their current 17/18 classic blue models.A stainless 18 (618?) would sell well imo.

 

[Engine49guy]

Stainless M17

Thanks Smith Nut,
I had pretty much picked up everything on my wish list....
That was until you dangled those beautiful Stainless model 17's in front of us.

Now I have to Be On The Lookout for yet another
beautiful and rare Smith Handgun.

Actually half the fun of this hobby is searching for then finding them.
AWESOME collection !

 

[Anton Dee]

I think Smith could sell more of those lugless 617s than their current 17/18 classic blue models.A stainless 18 (618?) would sell well imo.

Maybe I'm a bit (!?) late to reply, but yes, if S&W offered a new 4" stainless no-lug 617, in Model 18 style like the ones for Ashland Shooters Supply, I would certainly buy one.
That would be my first new gun since 1990.

 

[bdGreen]

Now, I am showing this picture of my Model 617 to show you that I do not have the four inch model.

I, too, am in the hunt for one of the elusive Model 617's sent to Ashland with the four inch barrel and no underlug.

enjoy,
bdGreen

 

[nutsforsmiths]

I bought a Pre-18 with original box and tools s/m K197xxx in April 2009 for $525. It even came with the grease paper that is a bit worse for wear. This pistols was in 95% shape. $700 seems quite high.

 

[pwhphd]

I collect another style handgun, but I offer the following advice based upon my own desire for a Model 18 and in response to some of the advice I have read here. Yes, $700 is very likely overpriced, but it could be defensible based upon the intended use. If the owner is a collector the price may not be the biggest concern. The condition, box and papers would likely be required to satisfy that buyer. If the gun is to be a shooter, it would certainly be overpriced. It is very close to the price of a new S&W "Classic" Model 18. For shooting, the new handgun would be a much better buy, even with the lock as it would not likely be a self defense handgun.
I would also be very cautious about ratings of 95% and 98% as they are so subjective as to be misleading and "condition is king" to any collector.

I'm looking for a Model 18 that is intended to be shot and I would be very glad to buy one at 85% condition for a more reasonable price. Patience and persistance in searching for a specific firearm is usually the best avenue for success. If you have a shooter - PM me please - pwhphd.

 

[DCWilson]

Can't believe this thread is a year old. Seems to me we were discussing this just a couple of months ago.

Anyway, given what has happened to the price of high-condition 5-screw K-22 Masterpieces in the last year, and given that there are far fewer Combat Masterpieces than the standard six-inch/patridge kind, I still think that the $700 price for the original gun was a little elevated but not completely out of line. It's the kind of thing that, if you want it, you'd better take the one available or you may be skunked for years to come.

Not too long ago I finally managed to pick up a high-90s early 22 CM. It came with the original box and tools.

Hard to know how to value this. I traded a not-quite-right 547 (wrong box and grips) and a couple of bucks for it. Maybe $900-1000? At any rate, I'm happy with it. It shoots like a dream, but I can't imagine shooting it every time I head to the range.

A note on the two pins that hold the sight base to the rib. Sometimes the pins were left standing proud, and sometimes they were polished flat to the rib. But they are always there. You may be able to see them with a loupe in raking light. And sometimes a photo will exaggerate contrast and show what the eye cannot see by direct observation.

 

[SDH]

The only 4" .22 I've seen for sale lately in Montana was a 75% blue, wrong grips Pre-18 for $550 at a the Bozeman gun show. I wanted one and paid $525 for this kinda beater out of CA.

I bought this pre-15 from the same guy at Bozeman for $500, a bit much, but a Much Nicer revolver!

Some guys like to brag about the $300 "Good Deal" they got and call you an idiot for thinking about $700, but would Never sell for near the same price. There are also some dealers in Greed, who prey on the fact that certain guns are very regional. 4" .22's are scarce near as I can tell...
These came in today, a 1948 .22 and a 1954 .38 but I had to buy both to get the "deal". They'll be waiting on the upcoming KB Ropers!

Boy Oh Boy do I like those k-Frames!!!

 

[MR. IHC]

i paid 650 for my pre-17. its in 85-90% shape(shooter grade), absolutely no regrets here!

 

[Marksman]

I bought a Pre 18 in about 95% condition from a Forum member several years ago, I paid $350.00. Even taking appreciation into account $700.00 seems rather high. If I were looking to buy, I'd place a wanted ad in the classifieds here on the forum.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

It's only money...........if you work you'll make some more next week.