S&W Pre Model 18, Model 18-3

[msrtex]

I have been looking for a model 18 for quite awhile now. Let me correct myself, I have been looking for an affordable model 18 for awhile now. I attended the Springfield gun show today and came across both a pre model 18 and an 18-3. As I started to look at them through the case an older gentleman asked to see the pre model. After about two and a half minutes he said I'll take it and handed the dealer eight hundred dollars and got his five bucks change. I asked to look at the model 18-3. It had the box and papers and was un-fired. It was just as nice as I thought it would be. I asked the dealer if he would take any less for it. He said nope. I handed it back and the guy next to me said, I'll take it. He handed the dealer seven hundred bucks and was handed back his five dollars in change. I hate that I missed out on it but I still think that is too high.

 

[krs]

the model 18 is very likely the pistol I would most hate to let go of, and I've got lots of pistols.

Beautifully balanced, finely accurate, with a fabulous and perfect trigger - it's as though the people at Smith & Wesson had a special soft spot for the model and so took extra care when building it to see that it was the very best revolver that it was within their capability to build, and they succeeded magnificently............

don't you think?

 

[Hutch]

Them prices was just stupid high.

 

[Old Fuff]

The price of anything that's for sale is what someone else will pay for it, no more and no less.

The current prices I see boggle my mind because I can remember what they used to be. But remembering doesn't make them less expensive today. I think the Internet may be partly to blame because an increasing number of people are coming to the conclusion that the craftsmanship and handwork that went into these guns isn't likely to be seen again. We now live in the age of CNC machines, punch presses and polymer.

I think if I had been msrtex I would have probably passed too, but I would have cried all of the way home.

 

[Logan5]

I love my 18, it's like my 19 but I can afford to shoot it... that said, you go to a gun show praying for a miracle, not expecting a bargain, because you're competing with enthusiasts in every given niche. What you need to do is get out to your local stores that get awards for Glock volume, and look at the used rack for pinned & recessed Smiths.
I'm prepared to say that $700 is objectively far too much for a garden variety M18, and you should keep hunting.

 

[wraco]

$700 may be too high in one respect, but if you're picky about condition, $700 is okay. The feeling of paying a tad too much will wear off quicker than the satisfaction of owning a NIB M18-3.

My way of thinking is a $450 M18-3, with wear and tear and no box is not as good a bargain as a $700 NIB M18-3.

Here's one I bought new in the early 70's. Also bought a M19 around the same time and I couldn't ask for a better pair of revolvers. I used 38 spec. for combat shooting but the M18 allowed more shooting for the budget.

Still have them both and they both still look like new.

Rod