S&W Model 15, 4" barrel, blued - Page 3

SaxonPig · January 18, 2020, 08:44 AM

I think the Combat Masterpiece is the classic S&W. Got these 18 years ago. Paid $135 for the 38 and $265 (a bit high) for the 22.

Oh, and a 15-3 sent to the campus police at a university in Louisiana.

texagun · February 1, 2020, 01:26 PM

Great thread. Needs more photos.

This is my Model 15 wearing Ahrends Retro Combat Stocks in Cocobolo wood. Gun was made in 1971.

Jim Watson · February 1, 2020, 02:02 PM

I can't post the pictures here but look on the S&W board for the M14 Roper model.
It is a K38 with 4" full lug barrel. They only made 131 of them on special order.
Should be a regular production item but I guess it would cut into 686 sales.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-rev...gun-found.html

CajunBass · February 1, 2020, 04:30 PM

I found a Model 15-10 for sale not too long ago. Interesting gun because it looked like a Model 19. It had the shrouded ejector rod and everything, but was marked as a 15-10. I thought that it was a mis-stamp when I first looked at it, but a little research turned up that there was such an animal. Who knew?

It was fairly recent production obviously, with the internal lock, and Uncle Mikes grips. I thought it was pretty interesting and was thinking seriously about getting it, when I thought, "I wonder if it has the flat spot on the forcing cone like the Model 19 does?" Sure enough it did. It also had a cracked forcing cone in the very spot you'd expect to see it. The very first cracked FC I've ever seen, live and in person, and it was on a 38.

I pointed out the crack to the clerk, he showed it to a manager, and it was wisked off the floor right then. I don't know what they did with it, but I never saw it again.

zoo · February 3, 2020, 02:18 AM

I couldn't resist and went over to the S&W site. No model 15 classic addition or otherwise. They do have a "Classic" model 19. It weighs in at 37.2 ounces and of course can handle .357. The original model 15 was around 34 ounces (original also had a 4" barrel, new "classic" 19 on their website has a 4.25 inch barrel).

Close I guess, but not a model 15

.

zoo · February 3, 2020, 02:24 AM

Plus that Hillary hole is just so damn stupid on the new Smiths. Next we're going to see compliance to such requirements on all of the semi-auto pistols.

Reloadron · February 3, 2020, 11:45 AM

They are really nice sweet little revolvers. Gave my son-in-law this one for Christmas a few years ago.

The kid absolutely loves shooting it so now every Christmas a a stocking stuffer I give him a few hundred rounds of .38 Special.

Ron

zoo · February 4, 2020, 08:21 PM

Quote:

The kid absolutely loves shooting it so now every Christmas a a stocking stuffer I give him a few hundred rounds of .38 Special.

Reloadron, why couldn't you have been my father-in-law?

Reloadron · February 5, 2020, 07:56 AM

Thanks, he's a great kid and deserves it.

Ron

walnut1704 · February 5, 2020, 10:01 AM

40 years ago I walked into a Circle Pawn shop in Houston, TX and bought this new. Yes, I saved the box. It's been my nightstand gun ever since. I guess I should polish it up, put the original grips back on it and retire it from duty.

CajunBass · February 6, 2020, 04:42 AM

Why retire it?

Nice gun by the way.

Art in Colorado · February 7, 2020, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highpower3006

I have had an infatuation with the Combat Masterpiece for many years, at one time I had three of them, but I sold off a couple and only retain the one made in 1954.

That needs a Tyler T-Grip !!!!!!!!!!!

J.G. Terry · February 8, 2020, 09:46 AM

I stopped looking for a K-38. Found a really nice 19-5. The gun shoots very well as 38 Special. That's from a Ransom Rest. Should I be looking for a Combat Master piece the 19, for me, is a good substitute.

Reloadron · February 8, 2020, 10:25 AM

Quote:

I stopped looking for a K-38. Found a really nice 19-5. The gun shoots very well as 38 Special. That's from a Ransom Rest. Should I be looking for a Combat Master piece the 19, for me, is a good substitute.

I like my Model 19 it's a fine revolver. If I see another Model 15 or Combat Masterpiece before 1957 like the nice one I gave my son-in-law I might buy it. Both are good revolvers and share the K frame.

Ron

zoo · February 9, 2020, 10:48 PM

I like the model 19 too but when it comes to moving up to a S&W .357 I go 586/686.

CajunBass · February 10, 2020, 06:56 AM

I'm a big fan of the Model 19 and the Model 15. At first glance you'd think they were pretty much the same gun, just chambered for different cartridges. Not quite.

The Model 15 is lighter, trimmer, more "svelte" is the word I like to use. The 15 has a thinner barrel, that tapers down just in front of the frame, whereas the Model 19 has a heavy barrel all the way to the tip. The Model 19 has a heavier rib, and a slightly longer cylinder. It also has a shrouded ejector rod, something the Model 15 lacks. All of those factors tend to make the Model 19 a little heavier...which is needed for the harder kicking 357 magnum cartridge, but also tend to make the two guns feel totally different...to me anyway.

One is not "better" than the other, they're just different. I didn't realize how different, until I held them side by side.

Let's face it. You really need both.

URIT · February 10, 2020, 07:10 AM

This thread brings back some fond memories for me. The S&W Model 15-3 pictured in Reloadron's Post #57 reminded me of my first handgun when I was a rookie cop in 1968. After two minor adjustments to the sight screw by one of the department's range instructors, I was shooting in the middle '90s and have been a Smith and Wesson brand loyalist since.

In 1977, I traded it for a new nickel S&W Model 19-4 Combat Magnum and carried it until I retired in 2001 even though most of my peers were carrying semi-autos by then.

zoo · February 11, 2020, 08:13 PM

Any reservations I have with the model 19 from years past have been rectified (as I understand) by S&W in their classic line. As such, I guess they have no real reason (in their thinking) to currently produce a model 15. Sort of a shame, if you ask me. As CajunBass stated, the model 15 had a lot of good things going for it. I remember seeing occasional problems with over penetration in the .38 +P+ rounds let alone .357 in the model 19 and 586/686 models.

Jeff22 · February 16, 2020, 02:00 AM

I carried a S&W 15 Combat Masterpiece .38 revolver as a Law Enforcement Specialist in the the AF Security Police and for 6-1/2 years at one of my civilian jobs.

I have a Model 15 and also a Model 18 in .22 cal that I use as a sub-caliber trainer gun. I haven't shot either in over a year. Probably time to make a trip to the range.

A well tuned Combat Masterpiece is wonderful to behold and a joy forever.

gb_in_ga · February 16, 2020, 05:01 AM

Back around '05, I was browsing the used gun display at the LGS, and lo and behold there sat a very nice model 15 (it was a -2), a little bit of holster wear but otherwise it was nice. After market polymer grips. Woo Hoo! At the time, I was shopping around for a bedside revolver for Wife Unit. She has RA, so recoil is an issue, and she really *isn't* able to properly use an autoloader. A K frame is just the ticket and it's a Model 15! And it was only $175! Wow! I promptly went home and brought her there to buy it. After all, if it is going to be "her" revolver, she needs to buy it. And that's what she did. It is *HERS*. She loves her revolver. It still resides at her bedside. And is the sweetest shooting revolver I've ever shot.

February 1, 2020, 04:30 PM	#54
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,767	I found a Model 15-10 for sale not too long ago. Interesting gun because it looked like a Model 19. It had the shrouded ejector rod and everything, but was marked as a 15-10. I thought that it was a mis-stamp when I first looked at it, but a little research turned up that there was such an animal. Who knew? It was fairly recent production obviously, with the internal lock, and Uncle Mikes grips. I thought it was pretty interesting and was thinking seriously about getting it, when I thought, "I wonder if it has the flat spot on the forcing cone like the Model 19 does?" Sure enough it did. It also had a cracked forcing cone in the very spot you'd expect to see it. The very first cracked FC I've ever seen, live and in person, and it was on a 38. I pointed out the crack to the clerk, he showed it to a manager, and it was wisked off the floor right then. I don't know what they did with it, but I never saw it again. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

February 6, 2020, 04:42 AM	#61
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,767	Why retire it? Nice gun by the way. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

February 8, 2020, 09:46 AM	#63
J.G. Terry Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2014 Posts: 577	I stopped looking for a K-38. Found a really nice 19-5. The gun shoots very well as 38 Special. That's from a Ransom Rest. Should I be looking for a Combat Master piece the 19, for me, is a good substitute. __________________ Intentionally Antagonizing Another MemberInsults and Ad Hominems

February 10, 2020, 06:56 AM	#66
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,767	I'm a big fan of the Model 19 and the Model 15. At first glance you'd think they were pretty much the same gun, just chambered for different cartridges. Not quite. The Model 15 is lighter, trimmer, more "svelte" is the word I like to use. The 15 has a thinner barrel, that tapers down just in front of the frame, whereas the Model 19 has a heavy barrel all the way to the tip. The Model 19 has a heavier rib, and a slightly longer cylinder. It also has a shrouded ejector rod, something the Model 15 lacks. All of those factors tend to make the Model 19 a little heavier...which is needed for the harder kicking 357 magnum cartridge, but also tend to make the two guns feel totally different...to me anyway. One is not "better" than the other, they're just different. I didn't realize how different, until I held them side by side. Let's face it. You really need both. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

February 16, 2020, 02:00 AM	#69
Jeff22 Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2004 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 715	I carried a S&W 15 Combat Masterpiece .38 revolver as a Law Enforcement Specialist in the the AF Security Police and for 6-1/2 years at one of my civilian jobs. I have a Model 15 and also a Model 18 in .22 cal that I use as a sub-caliber trainer gun. I haven't shot either in over a year. Probably time to make a trip to the range. A well tuned Combat Masterpiece is wonderful to behold and a joy forever. __________________ You can only learn from experience if you pay attention!

January 18, 2020, 08:44 AM	#51
SaxonPig Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2006 Posts: 1,900	I think the Combat Masterpiece is the classic S&W. Got these 18 years ago. Paid $135 for the 38 and $265 (a bit high) for the 22. Oh, and a 15-3 sent to the campus police at a university in Louisiana.

February 1, 2020, 01:26 PM	#52
texagun Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2004 Posts: 230	Great thread. Needs more photos. This is my Model 15 wearing Ahrends Retro Combat Stocks in Cocobolo wood. Gun was made in 1971.

February 1, 2020, 02:02 PM	#53
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	I can't post the pictures here but look on the S&W board for the M14 Roper model. It is a K38 with 4" full lug barrel. They only made 131 of them on special order. Should be a regular production item but I guess it would cut into 686 sales. http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-rev...gun-found.html

February 3, 2020, 02:18 AM	#55
zoo member Join Date: October 2, 2019 Posts: 414	I couldn't resist and went over to the S&W site. No model 15 classic addition or otherwise. They do have a "Classic" model 19. It weighs in at 37.2 ounces and of course can handle .357. The original model 15 was around 34 ounces (original also had a 4" barrel, new "classic" 19 on their website has a 4.25 inch barrel). Close I guess, but not a model 15 .

February 3, 2020, 02:24 AM	#56
zoo member Join Date: October 2, 2019 Posts: 414	Plus that Hillary hole is just so damn stupid on the new Smiths. Next we're going to see compliance to such requirements on all of the semi-auto pistols.

February 3, 2020, 11:45 AM	#57
Reloadron Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 2016 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Suburbs Posts: 1,750	They are really nice sweet little revolvers. Gave my son-in-law this one for Christmas a few years ago. The kid absolutely loves shooting it so now every Christmas a a stocking stuffer I give him a few hundred rounds of .38 Special. Ron

February 5, 2020, 07:56 AM	#59
Reloadron Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 2016 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Suburbs Posts: 1,750	Thanks, he's a great kid and deserves it. Ron

February 9, 2020, 10:48 PM	#65
zoo member Join Date: October 2, 2019 Posts: 414	I like the model 19 too but when it comes to moving up to a S&W .357 I go 586/686.

February 10, 2020, 07:10 AM	#67
URIT Member Join Date: February 7, 2020 Location: Coastal North Carolina Posts: 52	This thread brings back some fond memories for me. The S&W Model 15-3 pictured in Reloadron's Post #57 reminded me of my first handgun when I was a rookie cop in 1968. After two minor adjustments to the sight screw by one of the department's range instructors, I was shooting in the middle '90s and have been a Smith and Wesson brand loyalist since. In 1977, I traded it for a new nickel S&W Model 19-4 Combat Magnum and carried it until I retired in 2001 even though most of my peers were carrying semi-autos by then.

February 11, 2020, 08:13 PM	#68
zoo member Join Date: October 2, 2019 Posts: 414	Any reservations I have with the model 19 from years past have been rectified (as I understand) by S&W in their classic line. As such, I guess they have no real reason (in their thinking) to currently produce a model 15. Sort of a shame, if you ask me. As CajunBass stated, the model 15 had a lot of good things going for it. I remember seeing occasional problems with over penetration in the .38 +P+ rounds let alone .357 in the model 19 and 586/686 models.

February 16, 2020, 05:01 AM	#70
gb_in_ga Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2005 Location: Pensacola, Fl Posts: 3,092	Back around '05, I was browsing the used gun display at the LGS, and lo and behold there sat a very nice model 15 (it was a -2), a little bit of holster wear but otherwise it was nice. After market polymer grips. Woo Hoo! At the time, I was shopping around for a bedside revolver for Wife Unit. She has RA, so recoil is an issue, and she really isn't able to properly use an autoloader. A K frame is just the ticket and it's a Model 15! And it was only $175! Wow! I promptly went home and brought her there to buy it. After all, if it is going to be "her" revolver, she needs to buy it. And that's what she did. It is HERS. She loves her revolver. It still resides at her bedside. And is the sweetest shooting revolver I've ever shot. __________________ COME AND TAKE IT http://www.tamu.edu/ccbn/dewitt/batgon.htm Formerly lived in Ga, but now I'm back in Tx! Aaaand, now I'm off to Fla...