I don't have my books with me at the moment, but I am curious..... When was the 2" Combat Masterpiece introduced?

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Mossyrock

I believe that the first was the Model 56, around 1962-3. Maybe someone who knows better will post soon.

S&N say that the 2" barrel was introduced to the 15 in 1964.

2" heavy barrel.....introduced 1964

There's a kind of fuzzy zone here. The two-inch Model 56, produced for the Air Force in about 15,000 units, became known to the outside world soon after deliveries began in 1962. The gun-buying public was interested in the configuration and began lobbying S&W for a commercial version. The company responded in 1964 with the two-inch version of the Model 15, which is very similar to the Model 56 but differs in a couple of minor respects.

So the Model 56 was the first two-inch K-frame .38 with adjustable sights, but almost all of those were crushed. Specimens are rarely seen nowadays. There are some mentions of them in the forum archives for those who are interested.

EDITED TO CORRECT INACCURACIES (20,000 > 15,000; 1963 > 1962): See post no. 11 from kwill1911 below.

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David Wilson

The wealth of information on this site continues to amaze me. I get edgumacated every time I log on.

This would be a great place for some snubby pics.... Just say'n.

Alrighty, then...

Attached Images

s100_2744.JPG (74.0 KB, 296 views)

If you like that type of revolver, good for you. Me, I could never figure out was it was good for.

I can conceal a 4" round but K frame much better than a 2" Combat Masterpiece with the square butt. The longer barrel pushes the butt into the body, helping to conceal it. You lose velocity and sight radius with that short barrel.

If you are carrying openly, go for the longer barrel.

The shape of the gun butt and the type of holster used determine the better carry mode.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Well, I have two 4", 5-screw Combat Masterpieces and a 6", 5-screw K-38. I was hoping for a 2", 5-screw Combat Masterpiece to round things out, but, alas, it would appear to be a pipe dream. :-(

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Mossyrock

According to Mr. Jinks, my 2" Model 15-2 Serial K538XXX was shipped in September 1964. Since the Model 28-2 is also in the picture it was shipped in December 1972. I got them together last year.

David,

May I offer a couple of specific corrections? There were 15,025 Model 56 revolvers made and they started shipping in 1962. Sorry for nitpicking.

Regards,
Kevin Williams

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Kevin Williams SWCA1649 HF208

Everything you say is true. BUT, I still own a 2" Model 15. The only other 2" K frame I have is a Model 10 that is very nice, not mint but close. I'd let the 10 go before the 15, which looks okay but has been reblued.

Happy to be corrected. I knew when I was typing that stuff that I really ought to look up the details and not work from memory, but I was just too lazy to bother with precision when I was in a "close is good enough" frame of mind.

I promise to do better next time.

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David Wilson

I find mine to be great for EDC - see explanation below.

I agree that the SB is a disadvantage, and seem particularly strange on a 2". However, the Rogers/Safariland grips work very well for me. They are slimmer and longer, and conceal well with the holsters I use, while providing an excellent grip, so good, in fact, that I can shoot as well with the 2" as with a 4".

How true!

A revolver aficionado of my acquaintance created what he considered to be the ultimate carry revolver by taking a 2" Combat Masterpiece, round-butting it, and installing a factory bobbed DAO hammer. He rounded the package out with chamfered chambers, magna grips and a Tyler grip adapter. He carried a similar M&P for years, but was tired of different loads not hitting to point of aim. This was his solution. Given how well he shoots it, I can't really argue with him.

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Mossyrock

The mod 15 is the only one I've owned that I can shoot the 2" as accurately as the 4".

Can you elaborate on the minor differences? I find this kind of trivia interesting.

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Tony

Okay....

Do a search on "Model 56" with the quotes included. One of the better threads (there are quite a few) is Final Update: I DID buy this rare Model 56 . Not sure, but I think the best threads have "Model 56" in the title of the post.

Yeah, yeah. I don't much worry these days about velocity, what's easier to hide under my t-shirt, and so on. I love my 2" nickel 15 because it's fun when folks see it and commence to droolin'!!! And that's when I bring out the 2" nickel Model 10, and the 2.5" nickel 19....

To me, the 2-inch Model 15 is one of the most business-like looking handguns ever produced and I'd love to have one for that reason alone. I'd tote it though. It'd work just as well as a 2-inch Military & Police I tote on occasion.

I have a 2" round butt Model 10, 2.5" 19 & 66, 3" 66s and 4" 15,19s & 66s..... but....

for some unknow reason every time I see a 2" 15 thread I want one that I can slap a set of Spegel Boot grips on !!!

...me too:

15-4 serno 33K48XX
New to me Nov, 1979.
Still unfired.

Attached Images

	S&W 15-4.jpg (112.2 KB, 90 views)
	S&W Mod 15-4.jpg (87.2 KB, 75 views)
	S&W Mod 15-4 (3).jpg (75.4 KB, 11 views)

I also have always failed to see the purpose of having adjustable sights on a 2" revolver. But it does look cool. I have almost succumbed to buying a 2" Model 15 which was temptingly priced on several occasions, but pulled myself back from the abyss before saying "I'll take it!".

Just very classy little guns.

I too have always found the 2" 38 SPL Combat Masterpiece to be an interesting gun. And I've always wanted one, just not as bad as the people who bid against me.

BUT...What I'd really like is a 2" Combat Masterpiece in 22LR (aka a 2" Model 18). Has anyone ever seen one of those? - Calling Jim Fisher...Calling Jim Fisher?

BTW - I know that Jim has a 2" fixed sight "Outdoorsman" that was made up for a certain speed shooter - I'd take that one too.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

I like all S&W's but IMO the SB HB snub with target sites is neither Fish Nor Fowl ,
Perhaps if it was introduced as a 3" round butt ?

An alternate take is the Model 19 snub which weighs and costs about the same, has a 1/2" longer barrel , RB grip frame is easier to conceal, .357 Mag = more powerful .... the Model 66 is even better for CCW.

It's not about purpose. It's all about Style.... It's cool. It's even sexy. Blue or nickel, it's a designer firearm. I feel sorry for you fellas that think your hardware is supposed to serve a purpose other than simply look at and be happy that you've got one. (I'm sure the really rich collectors like Allen Frame and Mr. Wilson feel that way about their personal museums, right?)

Sentimental reasons are driving desire to own 2" Combat Masterpiece. We carried them as USAF SAC command post controllers. Would like to own one....

There is just something about the 2" 15 (mine is a 15-2) that makes it think it is a 4" barrel. The photo below was for the Internet Snubby Match some time ago. 10 shots, double action, 2 hands at 50 feet. The flyer was my fault and without it that's a 2.5" group. These things really shoot.

Stu

Brings back memories. I worked with a little older dried up man in the sixties who had a uniform holster made for an M-15 snub like those pictured here. His butt was so skinny that he couldn't keep a uniform holster for a four incher off the seat in the howl car and it was uncomfortable for him, so he rigged up for the two incher. I remember that his waist was so small that the twelve loop cartridge slide went halfway around his belt to the left side. With that and his handcuff case on the Sam Browne and a couple of keepers, there was precious little empty space around his waist. He'd a sure been in trouble today. LEO's carry more stuff around than I could have carried around on my significantly larger Sam Browne belt!!!

I also worked with another fellow for several years who was a game warden who carried an M-15 with the square butt. His rig was a tooled brown leather outfit that had been worn for many years. He was a survivor of the Bataan Death march and was also very slender. He had a six cartridge slide, a handcuff case, a rear belt keeper that straddled his middle belt loop, with a couple of slender ones on the front either side of his belt buckle. His holster was also custom made in the Bill Jordan style of the day and it fit him just fine. I remember that I would not have wanted him to be shootin' at me with that snub!!! Good memories. Thanks for the pictures and the memories, guys!!

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So long ... Ken

Just like Stu's gun, the 2" Mod 15 doesn't know it isn't a target model.


Shot two handed at 12 yards, double action.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Well, I think 2" K frames are the bees knees. 2.5" ain't bad neither.....and I have no clue when they were introduced. I need to know I ask on here..

I prefer the round butt but I don't think I'd have trouble concealing the square butt.

Attached Images

	M 10 SB.jpg (84.8 KB, 43 views)
	M10 - 7 RB.jpg (140.6 KB, 47 views)
	Model 10 nickel SB.jpg (150.1 KB, 41 views)
	Model 10-7 with new bonded ivory stocks and Pachmayr T type.jpg (156.3 KB, 42 views)
	M 64 customized.jpg (52.1 KB, 42 views)

Hmmm....I have others to show off. The last one above is a customized M 64 - once was a 4" but not any longer. It is my EDC although that M10 with the faux ivory is also an EDC. I generally don't carry the others.

Attached Images

	Model 19-3 2.5 inch.jpg (95.3 KB, 50 views)
	Model 15 2 inch.jpg (80.7 KB, 38 views)

K539XXX.

With a Lawrence flap holster made specifically for a 2" Combat Masterpiece. No, I don't know why either but I'm happy to have it.

Regards,
turnerriver

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turnerriver

Here's one from around the time frame turnerriver posted ...



I think Steve McGarrett would approve!

GF

Recent aquisition......I am pleased

Attached Images

20170130_195947.jpg (74.5 KB, 35 views)

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Even older, even crankier....

I think I'm gonna cry. Something else I didn't know I needed til I started hanging around this forum. Well, I've only bought two guns so far this year....and here it is February already!!.....about time for another!!! I think I always wanted one anyway, because I kept seeing (what looks like to me anyway) one on the Tyler T Grip box. So if I did get one, I'd have to find another T Grip for it!!

Edit, February 2nd, 2017. Good Grief!! I must be losing my mind! I completely forgot that I bought this nickle Model 15 back in September, 2012. I only owned it for a couple of days, before a friend talked me into swapping for something else that I thought I needed more!! Just remembered today, and found a few very poor cell phone pictures that I had taken at the time... Now, of course, I wish that I had kept the little rascal!!



Now I just need to find another one....


Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

Here is a very recent acquisition in the 10K serial number range:



.......& an old standby Model 12-2 :



Best,
Charles

Does one shipped to the SEALs count?

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Kevin Williams SWCA1649 HF208

Muley Gil and dwalt are absolutely correct...... absolutely. BUT, I will still find one some day, I will be a 15-2, it will be blue, it will have a diamond service grip panel, it will be gorgeous and it will be mine!!!!

I wish that I had never sold the one that I had when I carried it off duty while working at the Mens's Central Jail in Los Angeles..... I will never know how I could be so ignorant at age 22........

Why not just carry a 2.5-inch M-19/66 or one of the rare three-inch M-66's and have both stainless steel and .357 capability when needed?


BTW, while in the USAF, I knew a couple of fellow Air Policemen who'd carried those short M-56 guns at a base in Washington, I think Fairchild AFB. They complained bitterly about how much harder they were to shoot than the four-inch barreled version.


Muley Gil's point about how hard a K-frame snub is to holster was well made by holster maker Chic Gaylord in his, "Handgunner's Guide", published in 1960.


I think Gen. Lemay thought the snubs were more prestigious, like detectives using snubs over longer barrels partly as a privilege of rank. And frankly, many in the AF like to see themselves as sort of executives, not as combat troops.

Hardly an endorsement. Jack Lord and the McGarrett character were both anti-gun. I don't know about the new show, showing Australian actor Alex O'Laughlin as McGarrett, but he uses auto pistols, anyway.

Might the Navy have issued these to investigators or intelligence agents? ONI had some round-butt M-19's, with four-inch barrels.


This seems an odd choice for SEAL warfare.

When I was sworn in in 1981, my department's issue gun was the Combat Masterpiece / Model 15. Detectives and plain clothes assignment deputies got 2 inchers and the unwashed mass of uniformed patrol deputies got 4 inchers. The department didn't own enough to issue one to everybody so personal arms were approved.

Many detectives hanged onto their 2 inchers when they went to a uniform assignment. Uniforms included the big black duty belt and holster. These guys just bought holsters for 4 inch guns and carried their 2 inchers in them so they didn't need to qualify with a separate gun for off-duty carry. Many added Target or big Pachmayr grips. I was surprised at how common this was.

I never found a 2 inch M-15 any harder to shoot well than a 4 incher. The short gun still has a big grip frame to accept good stocks and those big, blocky adjustable sights are great. And, with the short barrel, that front sight looks like it is a lot more steady than it really is, giving the shooter confidence.

I wondered from time to time why S&W didn't put a round butt on the 2 inch M-15, or offer a 2 inch barrel on the M-67, but I guess the short M-19 and M-66 covered those bases.

It letters to the Naval Special Warfare Unit in Coronado, CA.

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Kevin Williams SWCA1649 HF208

Is that gun a normal M-15, or an AF M-56?


Thanks for the photo, BTW. An impressive item.

Does the USAF M-56 have target hammer and trigger? I don't like those on that size gun, but the four-inch AF guns had that feature.

The Navy gun is a Model 15. Here it is with a USAF Model 56.

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Kevin Williams SWCA1649 HF208

Other than the diamond on the Model 56 stocks, it is hard to see much difference. However, this shot should help.

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Kevin Williams SWCA1649 HF208