I was more than delighted to see a fine freehand 1.5 inch group at 50 yards on the first try, using some sloppy handloads from this old pawn shop rat gun with beat up stocks and somebody's shaky engraving on the side plate, and a funky colored epoxy to mark the front sight.

It had been neglected in the store display case for quite some time when I couldn't stand anymore to know it was there waiting all that time.

I really think the 4 inch 15 is the quintessential S&W revolver, with all due respect to the M36, M29 and others.

I love a pinned barrel. Feel free to call me a Pin Snob, no regrets.

Agreed. The Combat Masterpiece is a wonderful gun. And they continue to shoot well, despite deteriorating cosmetics.
Of course, good looks are nice too. If they weren't most of us would probably never get married!
Jack

__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I picked up a well loved 15 a while back. Now I have to get it out to the range if they shoot that well!

__________________
Insert short witty words here

Like pictures of gun and target.

I love to hear there are still people who shoot farther than 15 yards. You can't really appreciate a guns accuracy until you stretch it out.

1.5" at 50 yards off hand!? That is some incredible shooting; do you shoot Bullseye?

__________________
Mark

Yes as in Bullseye powder...

It was probably the best revolver group I ever shot actually.

I might have shot well before out plinking, but really never paid attention to paper targets until recently, and the results were not on this level, and may never be again...

I'll try for a repeat this weekend. Tried not that long ago with a later non-pinned heavy barrel 15-6, nowhere near as tight.

I recall some superb shots with a 6 inch Diamondback 22 before, and of course no longer have that gun sold off in a weak moment.

I won't try posting a photo because there are so many of them, but I've almost always had a 10 or 15 dash something....in my possession.

I like my former Mdl 10 police trade-in so much I paid almost 1/3 of what I've invested in the gun for pristine correct grips....am I stupid?

Naw....just a happy guy....

Wow
I feel great when I do 3" at 50 yards with my 10-5/8 29 from a sand bag!

They are superb guns. My 15-2 4" will go six for six on metal popper plates every time if I do my part.

__________________
Tony

I don't think I can even see 1.5" at 50 yards any more.......

__________________
Even older, even crankier....

Incredible group.
I have two S&W's that will shoot 2" @ 50 yds., from a benchrest-not sure I can see, or hold better than that.

A friend and I play a relaxing game at our outdoor range. We set a collection of a dozen or two clay pigeons on the berm and then shoot from a picnic table rest back at about 60-70 yards. We each get one shot at a selected bird. Sometimes the 'winner' gets lunch out of the deal.

Last time it was my old beater M15-3 4" against his Springfield M1911 5" Target 9mm.
I got lunch. That 15 made me a believer.

__________________
Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

A Model 36 w/2" barrel, a 4" K-frame (15 or 67) and a Model 29 with 6 or 8 3/8" barrel and you are well set. Of course a few 22 and 32 revolvers and a 45 or two and... Anyway, that 15 of yours sounds like a keeper to me! If you can get it to shoot that well on command, you have something really special! BTW, what ammo were you using?

Froggie

The bulk Speer Plinker 158 SWCHP swaged bullet with 3.5 Bullseye. That load has been good but not outstanding in other guns. Hard to call that bullet a great target bullet, just because looking at them they are kind of rough and slightly inconsistent in shape. Also tried a while ago in another later prod. M15, results disappointed though. Could have been me. That one was kind of my return to revolver shooting after several years away...

The load is shown in my Speer book as a full power non +P 38 load, but in my Mod 36 is only goes about 675fps. Not sure if the chrono is off or the short barrel drops it that much. I need to chrono the M15.

Afraid to shoot the M15 again, in case the group was some kind of daydream...

Me either. I'd be lucky to see the targets I use at 50 yards. 1.5" is some mighty fine shooting! That's about what I do with my K22 at seven yards!

__________________
Peter
S&WCA #2620

Me neither- can't see the target at 50 yards anymore, but 15 or 25 I can do a steady hold.

__________________
HIS Trains 'a LEAVIN

Don't need to see the target. Just the front sight! Targets are illusions. Try shooting at a largish piece of blank paper (or an NRA "D" "tombstone" target which is pretty much the same thing)at 50yds some time. Your groups might be surprising.

I recall shooting groups about that size with my 14-3 from a sand bag rest and 158 gr speer lead SWC and Unique powder.

Like shooting at something over 200 yards with a 4x scope, it's more of a task of positioning the sights consistently in relation to the overall image downrage, than it is being able to see the exact center of the bullseye, because I surely can not see it clearly either!

This is something I found out at an early age. My father carried a S&W Model 15-3 4" when he started his LEO career in early 1968. We still have that gun with it's moderate, honest wear. He was soon promoted to Detective in 1973 and bought a used Colt Detective Special from one of the guys. That gun, even though he carried it more through out his career and life, does not grab me as much as the Model 15 still does.

For now, my dad is not ready to give up the 15. I went ahead and bought an all original 98+% K-38 (dated 1950) to fill that void. Funny thing is.. the gun was sold to me sight unseen as a Model 15 and priced accordingly. So a great deal it was.

As much as I love a Model 28 4" or 29 6" I have to agree that the K-Frame, Model 15's and 19's are works of timeless beauty.