S&W Model 15, 4" barrel, blued
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Art in Colorado
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That needs a Tyler T-Grip !!!!!!!!!!!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.
J.G. Terry
New member
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'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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.