Value of early Model 18's?

[K-22]

Weights

Tom, I'm sure you are aware and you should make your friend aware, the 18 will not be a true "match" for the 19. The 19 has a heavy shrouded barrel with wide rib and beefed up, heat treated frame, whereas the 18 has a tapered un shrouded barrel with a narrow rib and slightly lighter frame. The heft and balance will not be the same on the two guns as long as he knows that. The only thing they will have in common is a 4" barrel. Smith never made a heavy barrel .22LR. Before I get flamed, yes they did make the full underlug 17s, but that's a whole different gun.

According to SC of S&W,

the 4" Mod 19 and the Mod 18, both weigh in about 36 oz.

Best,
Gary

 

[murphydog]

According to SC of S&W,

the 4" Mod 19 and the Mod 18, both weigh in about 36 oz.

Best,
Gary

Gary;

True, but I think with the heavier barrel and wider chambers (=more weight toward the front), the model 19 balances a little more "muzzle heavy" than the model 18.

 

[Hondo44]

The book is close, see post #15.

 

[Engine49guy]

No problem Jim,
I have been contemplating several K22 projects for quite some time (as I am sure many others have) involving a .22lr version of the Models 19 and 66.
Sent an email to Bowen arms , they seemed to think that sleeving a Model 66 barrel would work fine and achieve the same result.

Now its my turn to Fess up ,

No! The Model 53 has a .222-inch bore, the same as the .22LR bore.

About a year ago someone posted having accuracy difficulties with their Model 53 firing 22lr and attributed it to a larger bore diameter.
I have never actually measured the bore diameter of a Model 53 and do not have one to measure .


A quick check in the SCSW revealed nothing .

 

[NE450No2]

I have had a Mod 18 for many years. I bought it as a practice gun [low cost ammo] when I carried a 4" Mod 29 as a duty gun.
Even though it was lighter and a smaller frame the concept worked great, as I could shoot hundreds of rounds with out reloading, or picking up the brass.

In fact when I was in the Academy we started out shooting Mod 18's, before we went to the 38 Specials.

Also, I found it handled nearly the same as a 4" 19. Remember even though the 22 LR barrel is tapered and does not have the lug, because of the smaller bore it weighs more than a .35cal barrel.

If it will work for me and the Mod 29, it will surely work for a guy with a Mod 19...

 

[The Gila Bender]

Mike Q hooked me up with a beautiful Model 18-4, in box with tools, at the Crossroads show. Circa 1980, so it's a nice companion to a late 1970's Model 19. Very nice, thanks Mike!

And thanks again to everyone who contributed to this thread. I learned quite a bit just by asking a question.