What are the differences between these two S&W revolvers?

15. Comes 2" & 40"
14 comes 6" & 8 3/8" and also was available single action only.

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4" not 40"

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In general terms, barrel length and sights. The M-15 is either 2 or 4 inches with a ramped front sight, and the M-14 6 or 8 3/8 inches with a patridge front sight.

Of course, exceptions abound.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

After about 1954, there was one other distinction between the K38 Masterpiece (later the Model 14) and the .38 Combat Masterpiece (later the Model 15). In addition to the barrel length, the K-38 had a straight barrel, while the Combat Masterpiece retained the original tapered barrel. This remained true until c. 1982, when the Model 14 was discontinued.

Throughout the years when both were made, the Combat Masterpiece normally had the Baughman "Quick Draw" ramped front sight, while the Masterpiece normally had the Patridge target sight. The Model 15 was not available with the 2" barrel until about 1964 (Model 15-2).

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Welcome! Five + years from joining to your first post. Don't be such a stranger!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

JP@AK mentions what is to me one
of the most important and endearing
aspects of the Model 15: The tapered
barrel. When that was eliminated in
the 1980s, I didn't find the Model 15
as appealing.

In fact, to me the most appealing models
Smith produced and had the sculpted or
tapered barrels were not only the 15 but
notably the Model 24 .44 Special and the
Model 27 and 28 .357s.

Other models, such as the later Mountain
Guns, had the sculpted barrel as well.

Heck, I even find the Model 10s with the
standard tapered (pencil) barrel way more
appealing than the bull barrel.

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Ubi Est Mea

In the late 80's or early 90's I remember a model 15 coming with a 6'' barrel with a Patridge front sight.

The difference that was consistent throughout their manufacture was that the 15 was lighter than the 14. The differences between the original Models 15 and 14 are well described above. Uncle Ed's descriptive term "sculpted barrel" is new to me but I like it. In addition to thinner walls those barrels had thin ribs. About 1985 4 inch "sculpted barrel," Model 15s were discontinued and replaced with Model 15s that had the Model 14's traditional barrels including 6" and 8 3/8" barrels. The name Model 14 was reused for adjustable sight K frame .38s with heavy full lug barrels. While as a practical matter the Combat Masterpiece was gone the Model 15 remained the lighter of the two Models.

My 1954 Heavy Masterpiece .38 is probably relevant to this discussion...

http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachm...9&d=1481073864

The consensus on the Forum was that it likely was a 6" that was cut to 4". The profile is smaller than the later heavy barrels but larger than the tapered.