Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Revolvers > S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980
o

Notices

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


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-01-2013, 09:40 PM
magnum62 magnum62 is offline
Member
Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15  
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Georgia. USA
Posts: 5
Likes: 5
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15

I have been looking for a SW Model 15 for an affordable for sometime.
I ran across one in a local shop a 15-4,(serial 29kxxx) no docs or box. I'd say 90% condition. Locks up tight with some wear around the muzzle. The same shop just got in a pre 15 (Serial K157xxx). It looks as if all the blueing was removed, and appears to look stainless. I am a sucker for these old Smith's and can't decide which to take home. These will be primarily shooters anyway. Both are mechanically sound. There is little price difference between the 2. I'd like some opinions on which to get and why. As of now, I'm leaning towards the pre 15. I appreciate your time.
__________________
Man is Too Stupid To Know How Stupid He Is
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-01-2013, 11:08 PM
Waywatcher's Avatar
Waywatcher Waywatcher is offline
Member
Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15  
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,652
Likes: 1,457
Liked 1,489 Times in 570 Posts
Default

For a shooter, I'd go with the 15-4. It has the gas ring located on the cylinder, which lets the gun keep on running dirty. The 15-4 probably has slightly more useable life left, all things considered.

In my opinion, it's the last iteration of improvements in S&Ws, before they began to cost cut and remove pinned barrels, recessed chambers, etc.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #3  
Old 07-01-2013, 11:13 PM
6GUNSONLY's Avatar
6GUNSONLY 6GUNSONLY is offline
Member
Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Northwest Alabama, USA
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 365
Liked 1,905 Times in 680 Posts
Default

I hear what Waywatcher is saying, and agree in theory but my "thing" for 5-screw Smiths would make me take the pre-model gun, have it blued, and shoot it. You can't lose with either...
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #4  
Old 07-01-2013, 11:17 PM
Fredo Batali's Avatar
Fredo Batali Fredo Batali is offline
Member
Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Northwest Washington
Posts: 1,127
Likes: 2,436
Liked 2,284 Times in 474 Posts
Default

Personally I would buy the 15-4. The Combat Masterpiece should not be priced in the same range as the 15-4. You're basically buying a Combat Masterpiece "in the white" and preserving it that way will be a PITB. I received this Combat Masterpiece in trade and it dates to 1952. I received the lower 15-3 in the same trade. The 15-3 out shoots the Combat Masterpiece, but not by much. If I had to choose between the two I would keep the 15-3, but that's just me YMMV.

De Oppresso Liber


Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #5  
Old 07-01-2013, 11:36 PM
Rpg Rpg is online now
Member
Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15  
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Denver area
Posts: 6,221
Likes: 20,240
Liked 13,057 Times in 4,157 Posts
Default

Sight unseen, I'd bet the older revolver has a nicer action.

I'd close my eyes and buy the better action.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #6  
Old 07-02-2013, 12:09 AM
magnum62 magnum62 is offline
Member
Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15  
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Georgia. USA
Posts: 5
Likes: 5
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Thanks for the replies. I really appreciate the good info. It's funny, but I did close my eyes and "felt" the action, and there was not alot of difference. Maybe, just maybe a little edge to the 15-4, but not by much. The input on the gas rings on the 15-4 makes good sense too... I think part of my dilemma is the nostalgia with the older made revolvers.. I sort of finished my search for Model 19's... looks like 15's have taken their place..
__________________
Man is Too Stupid To Know How Stupid He Is
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 07-02-2013, 09:31 PM
policerevolvercollector policerevolvercollector is offline
Member
Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15  
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Georgia
Posts: 2,685
Likes: 2,473
Liked 5,898 Times in 1,224 Posts
Default

The external finish on a working gun does not matter to me in the least. An ugly gun will shoot just as well as a pretty gun with less concern by the shooter about scratching it etc. Having said that, if you ever want to sell it, most other folks would grab a 90% gun over a 0% gun in a New York second......

Last edited by policerevolvercollector; 07-02-2013 at 09:34 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #8  
Old 07-02-2013, 10:24 PM
shawn mccarver shawn mccarver is offline
SWCA Member
Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,907
Likes: 3,513
Liked 6,728 Times in 2,620 Posts
Default

If you are really going to shoot it alot, you might want the newer one as parts might be easier to find in the event of the need for a repair.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 07-03-2013, 09:39 PM
magnum62 magnum62 is offline
Member
Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15  
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Georgia. USA
Posts: 5
Likes: 5
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

I decided on the 15-4, but I might try to get the other if it's still available later
__________________
Man is Too Stupid To Know How Stupid He Is
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 07-05-2013, 07:25 AM
dogngun dogngun is offline
US Veteran
Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15  
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Berks County, PA
Posts: 623
Likes: 351
Liked 359 Times in 139 Posts
Default

That sounds like me in reverse. I'd probably have taken the older gun first, and put money on the newer one, but I would have tried like hell to get both of them.

My Model 15-6 was my late wife's and it's a great shooter, now retired...replaced by a late '70's Model 10.

mark
__________________
Liberals made the USA
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 07-05-2013, 08:17 AM
remo remo is offline
Member
Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15  
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 6 Posts
Default

Get both or you be sorry.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 07-05-2013, 08:42 AM
K-9 K-9 is offline
SWCA Member
Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15 Choice Between SW 15-4 and Pre 15  
Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 220
Likes: 177
Liked 59 Times in 37 Posts
Default

With the original finish removed,the collector value is vastly diminished,especially on a common piece like a Combat Masterpiece.

If you could get it really cheap,it could be worth it.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
what would be the best choice? patrickd S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 25 10-25-2016 08:43 AM
M60 choice joe44va S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 10 01-15-2016 06:15 PM
GUN CHOICE. Edknn123 Smith & Wesson SD & Sigma Pistols 15 01-14-2016 07:45 PM
CZ P06 vs M&P choice help please johnfl Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols 12 04-29-2011 07:56 PM
Choice between a 28-2 or 38/44 HD? Engine49guy S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 22 05-04-2010 07:05 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:09 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)