They are uncommon. For a brief period of time in the late 1980s S & W discontinued both the model 14 and 18, but instead produced the 6" model 15 and a 4" model 17. Each of these was only made for a few years.
The tapered barrel 4" Combat Masterpiece was discontinued after the 15-4.
The Model 14-5 got a new full underlug barrel and the old wide rib non ejector rod shroud "Heavy" Masterpiece continued on but became the new Model 15-5 and 15-6 in 4" and 6" lengths.
IMO would have made much more sense to give the new 15-5 "Combat Masterpice" the full underlug barrel so it matched the style of the new L frame 4" 586 "Distinguished Combat Magnum".
Last edited by Engine49guy; 12-06-2014 at 04:33 PM.