Sweet! I got a minty S&W 18-3 yesterday

[Trebor]

A buddy of mine is selling some guns for his dad. He had a Model 18 I was interested in and we were finally able for arrange for me to go over yesterday and look at the gun. I didn't need to look at it long, it's a 18-3 in absolutely pristine condition, so I ponied up the cash and walked out with the gun.

The gun is tight, with perfect bluing and a very slight drag line on the cylinder. I couldn't wait, so I stopped off at the range on the way home and put 50 rounds through it. It has a nice smooth trigger pull, is very accurate, and the sights seem very well regulated. I would have shot more, but it was below freezing out and my fingers were going numb. I'd spent most of the day before teaching a CCW class at the range so I was pretty beat from that as well.

I got the gun for $300 even and I think I pretty much stole it at that price.

The serial is 5K26xxx. Any idea on the "born on" date?

My buddy also has a 29-3 with a 3" tube for sale. It's unfired, like new in a wooden presentation box. I'm not into the big magnums, but I'm tempted. Any idea what a fair price would be for that? He wasn't sure what to price it at and I'm not up on the current values of that model.

Thanks

Rob

 

[Clemson]

Great gun! Congratulations. You will find it to be a fine choice for the revolver part of the Basic Pistol course also.

Clemson

 

[Trebor]

Great gun! Congratulations. You will find it to be a fine choice for the revolver part of the Basic Pistol course also.

Thanks. Yep, this will do double duty as a training gun where needed. I'll use the Taurus 94 first, but will press this into duty as well if I have too. The only problem is that it's so darn nice I'm not sure if I want anyone's grubby paws but mine (and my wife's) on the gun.

 

[Ala Dan]

Seasons Greeting's Trebor-

Looks like your Smith & Wesson model 18-3 was born
in 1973; as the indicators are: 5K6617-5K73962, per
the 2nd edition of The Standard Catalog of Smith &
Wesson by Supica & Nahas.

That is a great find, my friend. Excellent price on a
wonderful firearm. I saw a "pristine" S&W model 18
recently, with a price tag of $509.95; and the dealer
would not buge. Enjoy~

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[ACP230]

Trebor: I picked up a Smith 18-4 10 years ago.
It is a neat revolver, one that I just took out and shot again last month.
Congrats on your new purchase. You should have a lot of fun with it.

Ala Dan: Can I get an idea on when mine was made? It's serial number starts as follows: 82K6XXX.

Thanks.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's ACP230-

Looks like your S&W .22LR caliber model 18-4 was made
in 1980; as the serial range for that year ran from:

57K0001 thru 91K6800

Also, 1980 saw the introduction by S&W of the three
letter - followed by four digits on the serial number's,
starting with the L frames. Consequently, they
would look something like this:

AAB2455

Slowly, this procedure was incorporated into all other
model's as well.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[DennisE]

Good catch! My favorite .22 LR handgun is my S&W 18-3. It always goes to the range with me! Dennis

 

[Trebor]

Ala Dan, thanks for the info. I knew I got a good deal, but I didn't think it was THAT good.

I think I'm going to REALLY like this Smith and I'm hoping my wife will fall in love with it as well (to get her to the range more often). It'll be a great gun for me to work on my DA revolver techniques. It'll make a good "understudy" gun for my 10-5. The Taurus 94 is nice, but not as smooth or refined as the Smith.

I love those older Smith's. I only own 3 S&W revolvers, but the newest still only dates to the late '70s - early '80s. The new ones I've looked at just don't seem as nice.

 

[BluesBear]

Trebor, PM sent.