Is anybody familiar with the Smith and Wesson 15 Series .38 revolver?

S/w 15

I want a pair of those grips .. The hammer on your 1951 model15 looks different than my '71's it appears wider and a different angle is that one of differences in them other than the 3 screw vs 4/5 screw . What are some of the changes from the 1951 and the 1971 if anyone knows right off hand .. Thanks Art
 
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I love them in the Snubby version...Here are a couple of mine....Zebulon

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This is our 15-2, from 1963. Got it for $350, new condition. I have a special light load for it so it doesn't get worn out - the wife likes to shoot about 200 - 300 rounds out of it when we take it to the range. Those are Herrett cocobolo stocks. The original grips are perfect, and in the safe.
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Sometimes she even lets me shoot it. :rolleyes:
This is one of the best revolvers ever made. Accurate, great balance, wonderful revolver. We'd never sell it.
 
My combat masterpiece has the target hammer and trigger. It was a option and not sll model 15s came with it. I believe you can have them installed but don't no where other than S&W. The target hammer and trigger to me made the revolver sweeter to shoot than even my model 10 or my model 66s.

Like I said buy one and look for one that has the target hammer and trigger.

Good luck,
roaddog
 
The S&W k-frame revolvers are classics and rightly so. They are just "so right" in so many ways. You're going to enjoy shooting and owning that revolver. :)
 
...the Model 15 is my favorite revolver. I have owned, sold, and traded away a bunch of Model 15s; I feel naked without one. This is my current M15. Regards, Richard

Richard,

That looks more like a cut down Model 14 as the barrel has no taper. The M-15 has a tapered barrel as shown in some of the other pictures in this thread.

Personally I would prefer a M-14 cut down to 4" or 5" to the M-15. The extra bit of barrel weight just holds better in my opinion, yet the 1 or 2 inches saved from the M-14's 6" barrel makes it much handier.

Dave
 
Smith wesson model 15 - Has mine had work or are these triggers this light .
I have custom guns but Damn this is a light trigger . this is a new gun to me ..
 
I have some 15's, excellent revolvers.The -4's and down have the pinned barrell.It gives them the finishing touch.They will serve you well.
 
If I were awakened in the middle of the night, and informed that the end times were at hand, I'd grab my Combat Masterpiece, or it's more powerful kin, the Mod 19 Combat Magnum!

Hands down the finest fighting revolvers made, and equally at home on the target range, IMHO. I'll never be W/O a K frame Smith!
 
That looks more like a cut down Model 14 as the barrel has no taper. The M-15 has a tapered barrel as shown in some of the other pictures in this thread.

Personally I would prefer a M-14 cut down to 4" or 5" to the M-15. The extra bit of barrel weight just holds better in my opinion, yet the 1 or 2 inches saved from the M-14's 6" barrel makes it much handier.

I noticed that as well, but I think that perhaps at some point S&W switched from the lighter "pencil" barrels like had been used on the Model 10s (and pre-10s) for years to heavy barrels. But you're right of course, it could be a cut down Model 14.

I currently own three .38 Special K Frames: A 6" Model 14 and two model 15s, a 2" 15-2 and a 4" 15-3.

The 15s are, IMHO, about as close to perfection as can be achieved in a fighting handgun. Both feel fantastic in my hands, particularly the 4" gun, and as a result they shoot exactly where you point them. The DA triggers are smooth and break cleanly. And the guns are still pretty common, and affordable.

As someone else mentioned early, I also prefer carrying either of my 15s to my 1911.


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The Ariforce bought thousands of them, and issued them out.

The Airforce bought thousands of them, and issued them out. Mostly to law enforcement and security troops and dog handlers. It was later replaced with the Beretta Model 92 approximately 1989.

The Model 15 ordered by the airforce had a very wide trigger and a wide hammer.
 
Mine doesn't it has the same Ser# on the frame under the crane as on the butt but no model # , Ser#1K87*** Is this a common occurance ..
 
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S&W Model 15

MikeinNJ,

I have my old model 15 that I use to carry as a duty gun. It's a four inch that I still shoot at pistol matches. It's one of S&W's finest guns. If you buy it you will be very happy with it I'm sure.

Good luck,

Bob
 
So I believe I have a model 15 but it's not blued. Is it a true 15?

You have a 1959 no-dash nickel Model 15 (they were indeed available in a nickel finish until 1987).

In 1957, the K-38 Combat Masterpiece was relabeled the Model 15. The serial number of your revolver dates it around 1959 (and it was probably produced right before S&W released the 15-1 in the same year).

Yours looks to be in great condition and its age is certainly a plus with S&W collectors.
 
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