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S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


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  #1  
Old 11-14-2010, 02:46 PM
Deeb Deeb is offline
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S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3 S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3 S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3 S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3 S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3  
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Default S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3
Hello Everyone:

I am new to the forum and have a question about my S & W re ammunition.

Can I fire 38 spcl ammo in my revolver? I am having a hard time finding 38 S & W. Owners manual says: .38 s & w special, .38 s & w special mid range.

I've fired Blackhills wadcutters and some 38 spcl but not sure if I should.

Any help/advice appreciated.

TIA

Diana
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Old 11-14-2010, 03:08 PM
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S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3 S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3 S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3 S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3 S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3  
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Fire away!
Your gun takes .38 Special, not .38 S&W. .38S&W is a shorter and slightly larger more enemic round. Fire all the .38 Specials you want, wadcutters or whatever, that's what the gun was designed for.

Oh BTW, big welcome!
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Old 11-14-2010, 03:19 PM
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S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3 S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3 S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3 S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3 S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3  
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Cartridge nomenclature can be confusing. S&W has a habit of naming calibers they develop after themselves. They brought out the first 38 S&W back in the 1880s. In 1899 they introduced a new 38 cartridge that was not interchangeable and they called it the 38 S&W Special. Most folks just say 38 Special.
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Old 11-14-2010, 03:21 PM
shawn mccarver shawn mccarver is offline
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S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3 S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Deeb View Post
Hello Everyone:

I am new to the forum and have a question about my S & W re ammunition.

Can I fire 38 spcl ammo in my revolver? I am having a hard time finding 38 S & W. Owners manual says: .38 s & w special, .38 s & w special mid range.

I've fired Blackhills wadcutters and some 38 spcl but not sure if I should.

Any help/advice appreciated.

TIA

Diana
To explain further, there are actually two different cartridges, the "38 S&W" and the "38 S&W Special."

The 38 S&W is older and less powerful, and it is NOT interchangeable with the newer, more powerful 38 S&W Special.

The 38 S&W Special name has been shortened in popular usage to just "38 Special." Thus, the 38 S&W Special and the 38 Special are the same cartridge. The 38 S&W is a competely different cartridge.

The Model 15-3 is chambered for the cartridge officially known as 38 S&W Special, but which has come to be called in modern usage just "38 Special." Thus, your revolver is designed to shoot what is now called the 38 Special.

The so-called 38 S&W Special Mid-Range was the official name of a 38 Special that was loaded to have less velocity and less recoil so that it was better for target practice. It is still, however, a 38 Special, and not a 38 S&W.

Your Model 15 will shoot the 38 Special, but not the 38 S&W.
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Old 11-14-2010, 03:21 PM
odis odis is offline
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S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3 S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3 S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3 S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3 S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3  
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I am no expert when it comes to guns but in my opinion the Combat Masterpiece is the best 38 spec. ever made.
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Old 11-15-2010, 11:52 AM
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S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3 S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3 S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3 S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3 S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3  
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I have one I bought from the original owner and it is the last one I would ever part with.
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Old 11-15-2010, 01:28 PM
Deeb Deeb is offline
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S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3 S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3 S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3 S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3 S&W k-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15-3  
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Thanks to everyone who answered my question.

Much appreciated.

Diana
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cartridge, combat masterpiece, masterpiece, model 15, s&w

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