S&W M14 and M15: interesting!

L

Lone Star

New member
From time to time, folks here and/or on the S&W forum wonder about "mismarked" M15's. Get, "Gun Digest 2003" and read the article on S&W M&P target models. It has the explanation, and it included some data that even I didn't know, and I thought I was pretty well up on Smith & Wesson.

I won't give away the author's whole story, but it seems that, among other issues, the frame as well as the bbl. was different for the two models. So, S&W eventually began making only M15's, regardless of bbl.length, and marked the frames as M15's, because foreign law enfocement sales often specified the Model 15.

This is a good story. There's also one on classic .32/20 revolvers that many will enjoy. By the way, John Taffin has replaced Hal Swiggett as revolver reviewer for the new products section. With all due respect to Mr. Swiggett, this was a positive step, I think.

Lone Star
 
I got caught arguing about this recently because I have not followed S&W products since they quit making real guns in 1981. A fellow claimed to have a 8 & 3/8 M15 and I said he could not.

Used to be the M14 had Patridge front sight and was offered in 6" and 8 & 3/8" barrel lengths.

The M15 had ramped front sight and was offered in 2" and 4" barrels.

Bear in mind that there are thousands of S&W revolvers out there with mismarked frames bearing the wrong model number. Happened all the time. But, above is the usual configuration for the M14 and M15.

Then, a few years ago S&W combined the two models into the M15 line. So all many of sights and barrels are now found on the newer M15s.
 
I got caught arguing about this recently because I have not followed S&W products
Click to expand...
:D
Funny how things like that can happen huh? I got "nailed" over new Model 10's being designated as "plus P" a year or 2 ago.
 
Also, the "Lunchbox" revolvers are the wildcard whenever you speak in absolutes regarding S&W revolver features.
 
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