Hi guys and gals,
I have looked and looked and can not find any info on the model 15 with a 2"bbl and round butt. I saw a 2" 15 with round butt. Everything I have read says the 2" 15 had a square butt...Anyone found anything different?

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M.J.Hanna

Hi guys and gals,
I have looked and looked and can not find any info on the model 15 with a 2"bbl and round butt. I saw a 2" 15 with round butt. Everything I have read says the 2" 15 had a square butt...Anyone found anything different?

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M.J.Hanna

In theory, there should be some. SCS&W III said thatthe square butt was discontinued 1995-1996, while the Model 15 was discontinued in 1999. Whether they made any 2 inch Model 15's between 1996 and 1999, with new, then-current frames, is anyone's guess.

I've never seen one.

The round butt Model 15 snub and the 2" Model 13 are two guns Smith & Wesson should've made but didn't (to my knowledge anyway).

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Centennial Every Day

I just won this on gunbroker.com...Looks like a round butt to me..But I do not have it in my hands yet to be 100% sure..but the grips are definately round butt.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Aucti...m.asp?Item=126018274

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M.J.Hanna

The blueing looks nice in pictures. Did you call them before end of auction and ask them to look under grips for you?
I hope someone hasn't "made" a round butt.

(And I'm not raining on your parade but did not think rd butts existed)

It's had a wide target trigger and wide target hammer added and the thumbpiece re-profiled at the bottom edge. If it IS a round butt, chances are it's been re-worked and not at the factory. A nice piece, nevertheless.

It seems a little unusual to have a wide target trigger and hammer on a snubbie that would most likely always be used in double action.

PJ310, regardless if factory or custom, still a very nice handgun. I saw it when I was surfing for a carry sized K-frame. Hope you enjoy.

Hey, thanks for your responses. Like I wrote earlier, from what I know the 2" 15 was never made in a round butt...
I am going to use the gun as a carry piece for police duty along with my 625 and 686. I did not notice the trigger and hammer until you guys pointed it out. This actually could be a 4" that had the barrel changed. The seller stated they took off the grips and it was a round butt. I really dont care but it is interesting ...If it really bothers me I will just have the gun lettered.. Should be a fun carry gun. I have been looking for a 15 for a while now. Thanks for your info guys.....

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M.J.Hanna

I don't believe it was ever a 4" as the frame for the 4" has a slightly different front profile as the frame for the 2" Model 15. If it is a factory round butt Model 15 it probably has some collector value as it would be fairly rare.

Photo shows it is a 15-3, so it was made well before the banning of squarebutts.

Probably a custom job. That was popular back in the day. You should be able to tell when you get it. It was a rare gunsmith that could pull off the front and back strap striations/grooves properly.

panamajack310, that's neat! If the butt looks original, I'd get it lettered. Never say never when it comes to S&W variations.

I've seen your thumb piece somewhere, but I can't remember where.

It certainly is a gun that they should have made!


My 15-4 has a .375 semi-target hammer, and a .265 serrated trigger. Original? I dunno, it came to me this way, and the previous owner (he wasn't the original owner either) didn't change it.

I've had a few and seen lots more 2 1/2" 19s that had target hammers and triggers. Seems like it was a status thing maybe?

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Hoot Gibson

It looks good in the GB pics. As soon as the Pachmayrs are removed we'll all know...assuming you'll share that info with us.

I don't currently have any Pachmayr Compaq grips on a S&W, but in the GB pics I notice a gap between the gun's grip frame and the rubber at the top.

I don't remember if Pachs are made that way or not.

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C & L

Cocked&Locked...Of course I will share with you guys..I would be a jerk if I did not share. I was woundering if those Pachs were N frame Pachs hiding a Square butt frame.....

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M.J.Hanna

Factory or Custom...either way gonna be a revolver high in the Cool Factor rating!

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C & L

Here is an update.
I recieved the model 15 today. I removed the grips and I found that it has been modified to be a round butt.The back strap and front strap have been worked.. I think I will keep her and maybe continue to customize her.

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M.J.Hanna

Nothing wrong with re-working a square butt to a round butt if it is done well. There is plenty of extra metal in the K frame square butt forgings to do this. The backstrap and frontstrap groovings are rather difficult to replicate. Hopefully, they did a nice job on yours.

Sounds like you've got the perfect platform to build your "personal" 15. Neat!

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Hoot Gibson

Can you post pictures? I've roundbutted a few revolvers over the years and like to see work that others have done.

Re the target trigger and hammer. Back in the '70s, a lot of cops wanted these installed on their duty guns. I swapped out a number over the years.

Of course, savvy gunmen knew that a smooth, narrow trigger made for better double action work.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Ok guys and Gals, Here are the best pics I could take with my little digi camera....Notice the back strap is blank..and it is thinned out. I tried putting a set of K frame round but grips on and it is still too wide and the grip pin does not line up at the base of the frame. any way here are some pics.

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M.J.Hanna

.

Looking good PJ310 ! What's next...better fitting Pachmayrs...custom fitted wood or stag? N-frame grips cut/sanded to fit? Lots of good ways to go.

I'd be tempted to start with some square butt K-frame woods (factory or other) and start the fitting process.

Keep us updated.

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C & L

Can you post a picture of the revolver wearing round butt Magnas? It may be possible to alter the frame to make a better fit.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Send the frame to Patrick Grashorn. He should be able to fit some nice Elk grips on that S&W 15.
http://www.grashornsgunworks.com/

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

Actually I am going to start with a trigger job, and then send it off to have night sights put on it. and finally I think I am going to get hold of Patrick Grashorn for some ELK stag grips.

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M.J.Hanna

Sweet looker you found Jack, and it will be gorgeous with the new grips.
Enjoy the "find"

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Μολὼν λαβέ

I find something interesting in the pics.
To convert a SQ to RD there will be work on the front strap above and below the strain screw, And the pic shows no work done there.
A round butt grips WILL fit on a SQ butt gun all the time.
It wont cover, But the alignment screw will be in the right place.
Try a stock set of RB Magna grips and see what's sticking out.
I changed a couple from SQ to RD and never had issues with grips.
A conciderable amount of metal has to be removed from front and rear, BUT also the top of rear strap where it meets the frame DOES NOT need any metal removed.
I am a bit stumped without seeing RB Magnas on it.
Peter

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Need 1/2 moon Chiefs special

Peter,
All the work seems to have been done to the back strap. The front strap was rounded below the strain screw. The round butt grips do not line up on the grip retaining pin at the bottom of the frame. I can not post anymore pics of the gun until next week, as I will be on vacation the rest of this week and...The gun is on its way to Colorado to pay a visit to Mr. Patrick Grashorn for some custom fitted shoes.

I will keep you guys posted on my custom model 15. When I get the old girl back from Mr. Grashorn it will be sent to Greensboro gunworks for one of Brian's awsome trigger jobs and possible night sight installation.

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M.J.Hanna

What year(s) were the S&W model 15-3 made

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

Very cool M15.

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Formerly know as Lucky Derby

whitecoyote, according to the book and my serial number my gun was made in 1973

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M.J.Hanna

Well Mr. Patrick Grashorn e-mailed me a copy of the grips he made for me. When I say the grips all I could say was WOW!!!!
I immediately called him and told him I loved the grips. I went with a service grip to be different..Patrick Thanks for the great set of grips and if any one out there wants to see more of his grips check out his website on page 2....so here are some pics for all of you guys... PAtrick is a truly amazing craftsman...I guss I better start saving my money I will be buying several more grips from him.

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M.J.Hanna

They look great

Nice! I have some Grashorn elk stag service grips on my Model 24-3.

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Centennial Every Day

Photoman,
No as long as you render the firearm un able to be fired you can ship it USPS. With a semiauto you need to remove the firing pin. With a revolver just remove the cylinder.

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M.J.Hanna

"No as long as you render the firearm un able to be fired you can ship it USPS. With a semiauto you need to remove the firing pin. With a revolver just remove the cylinder."

panamajack310,

Not sure where you got that information, but only an FFL can ship handguns through the mail and the frame is considered to be the firearm.

Us common folks must use FedEx or UPS. Or you can have your local FFL ship for you, if he will.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Yes, firearms shipped out of state must go to an FFL holder.

From the ATF website:

(B7) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm through the U.S. Postal Service?[Back]


A nonlicensee may not transfer a firearm to a non-licensed resident of another State. A nonlicensee may mail a shotgun or rifle to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. The Postal Service recommends that long guns be sent by registered mail and that no marking of any kind which would indicate the nature of the contents be placed on the outside of any parcel containing firearms. Handguns are not mailable. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun.

[18 U.S.C. 1715, 922(a)(3), 922(a)(5) and 922 (a)(2)(A)]



(B8) May a nonlicensee ship a firearm by common or contract carrier? [Back]


A nonlicensee may ship a firearm by a common or contract carrier to a resident of his or her own State or to a licensee in any State. A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun. In addition, Federal law requires that the carrier be notified that the shipment contains a firearm and prohibits common or contract carriers from requiring or causing any label to be placed on any package indicating that it contains a firearm.

[18 U.S.C. 922(a)(2)(A), 922(a) (3), 922(a)(5) and 922(e), 27 CFR 478.31 and 478.30]

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Here is 18CFR1715 that covers this law. Under the BATF law you can ship the gun to a manufacturer or for repairs.
1715. Firearms as nonmailable; regulations
How Current is This? Pistols, revolvers, and other firearms capable of being concealed on the person are nonmailable and shall not be deposited in or carried by the mails or delivered by any officer or employee of the Postal Service. Such articles may be conveyed in the mails, under such regulations as the Postal Service shall prescribe, for use in connection with their official duty, to officers of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, or Organized Reserve Corps; to officers of the National Guard or Militia of a State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District; to officers of the United States or of a State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District whose official duty is to serve warrants of arrest or commitments; to employees of the Postal Service; to officers and employees of enforcement agencies of the United States; and to watchmen engaged in guarding the property of the United States, a State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District. Such articles also may be conveyed in the mails to manufacturers of firearms or bona fide dealers therein in customary trade shipments, including such articles for repairs or replacement of parts, from one to the other, under such regulations as the Postal Service shall prescribe.

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M.J.Hanna

Therein lies the rub.


It's not BATFE, or 18CFR, it's the Post Office that forbids an individual from mailing a handgun.

http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/601.htm#wp1075956

11.1.2 Handguns
Pistols, revolvers, and other firearms capable of being concealed on the person (referred to as handguns) are nonmailable unless mailed between the parties listed in 11.1.3 and 11.1.5 after the filing of an affidavit or statement required by 11.1.4 and 11.1.6.

11.1.3 Authorized Persons
Subject to 11.1.4, handguns may be mailed by a licensed manufacturer of firearms, a licensed dealer of firearms, or an authorized agent of the federal government or the government of a state, territory, or district, only when addressed to a person in one of the following categories for use in the person's official duties:

a.
Officers of the Army, Coast Guard, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Organized Reserve Corps.
b.
Officers of the National Guard or militia of a state, territory, or district.
c.
Officers of the United States or of a state, territory, or district, whose official duty is to serve warrants of arrest or commitment.
d.
USPS employees authorized by the Chief Postal Inspector.
e.
Officers and employees of enforcement agencies of the United States.
f.
Watchmen engaged in guarding the property of the United States, a state, territory, or district.
g.
Purchasing agent or other designated member of agencies employing officers and employees included in 11.1.3c. through 11.1.3e.


...


11.1.5 Manufacturers and Dealers
Handguns may also be mailed between licensed manufacturers of firearms and licensed dealers of firearms in customary trade shipments, or for repairing or replacing parts.

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Hoot Gibson

That 15 snub gun is looking really good with those grips

Be sure to update us with pics when you have it back and the cylinder is in place.

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C & L