Smith & Wesson Model 15

Milpolice · #1 10-19-2021, 04:31 PM

I have my eyes on this Mod 15. Scratches and some dings but it appears to be all there. The asking price is $389. Thoughts please. I would prefer to have and start with a clean piece, but I carried that model in the Air Force with the Security Police, for over 15 years and it would be fun to shoot it every once in a while.

Update, 0930, October 20, 2021. Just completed the transaction on the Pre Model 15. Less than $300 out the door. The serial number K 220383, places date of manufacture in 1954. And, yes, it is a 5 Screw. Still tight and mechanically sound. Thanks for all the likes....MST

BAM-BAM · #2 10-19-2021, 04:34 PM

Great price if you want a shooter....... dings and scratches aside.

Mbrgr1 · #3 10-19-2021, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milpolice

I have my eyes on this Mod 15. Scratches and some dings but it appears to be all there. The asking price is $389. Thoughts please. I would prefer to have and start with a clean piece, but I carried that model in the Air Force with the Security Police, for over 15 years.

A fully functional S&W revolver in ANY model number that starts with a 3 in the price is on my radar!

A 15?? I'd break my wrist trying to get my wallet out!

(Thanks for your service!)

Buford57 · #4 10-19-2021, 04:47 PM

Run, don't walk. 4 screw, diamond magnas, mechanically sound? It's your hands, not your eyes, that should be on that. I'd be a buyer all day at that price.

Shark Bait · #5 10-19-2021, 04:54 PM

I concur with the others. At that price it is a no brainer (unless the serial number has been ground off).

Milpolice · #6 10-19-2021, 04:59 PM

Thank You. I did 21 years active duty Air Force, all with Security Police, Law Enforcement, retiring in 1993.

michael1000 · #7 10-19-2021, 05:08 PM

hopefully it has target hammer and trigger, like the USAF ones did.

lihpster · #8 10-19-2021, 05:10 PM

Buy it and enjoy it.

mod#10 · #9 10-19-2021, 05:38 PM

dings and scratches add character exspecially on a well made pistol

minconrevo · #10 10-19-2021, 05:44 PM

That 5 screw has been around a LONG time and doesn't really look bad for it's age. As long as it's mechanically sound the price is fine. Ones with a little character just beg to be shot; might as well be you doing the shooting.

Bumpus13 · #11 10-19-2021, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buford57

Run, don't walk. 4 screw, diamond magnas, mechanically sound? It's your hands, not your eyes, that should be on that. I'd be a buyer all day at that price.

Agreed!

(except that looks like a 5 screw in his pic)

JP@AK · #12 10-19-2021, 06:09 PM

Very clearly a 5 screw .38 Combat Masterpiece. It is NOT a Model 15, and therefore does not have Air Force provenance.

Still, I'd buy it for that price.

swagmeister · #13 10-19-2021, 06:25 PM

That gun would easily be $500-$550+ in my area in that condition, and probably more. I would go for it. Can't have enough shooter grade Smiths, especially old ones like that one.

kraynky · #14 10-19-2021, 07:01 PM

If the gun locks up good, timing is right and nobody has been filing on the innards, it's a great deal in this day & time. I bought a 15-2 about 3 years ago and paid close to $500 for it.

You're going to enjoy shooting it. I hope you reload. LOL!

DGNY · #15 10-19-2021, 07:30 PM

My, oh my, that is a deal at such a price. While it has been on the playground of life, judging by the ejector rod, please in the next week or two give us a range report and a detailed review.

Congratulations on a great find!

Targets Guy · #16 10-19-2021, 08:37 PM

I paid $749 for my 1955 K-38 CM

picture url

and $570 for my 1957 K-38 CM

I'd do that deal in a heartbeat.

Stocks match on both revolvers.

Smolt Smython · #17 10-19-2021, 08:45 PM

are you insane? have you seen the asking prices for old K Frames recently??
At that price you should buy 2 or 3 of them…..

Buford57 · #18 10-19-2021, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bumpus13

Agreed!

(except that looks like a 5 screw in his pic)

Plain as the nose on my face. In that case, DON'T buy it. Tell me where it is.

.38SuperMan · #19 10-19-2021, 09:05 PM

I bought a cosmetically challenged M15 thirty years ago and had it bead blasted and electroless nickel plated. I had the front sight replaced and an action job done. I looks and shoots great now and has the best action I’ve ever seen on a Smith.

I’d certainly jump on it and have it done like the one I have already or hard chromed.

Milpolice · #20 10-20-2021, 07:46 AM

No, it does not have a TH, TT.

Milpolice · #21 10-20-2021, 07:49 AM

yes, I do reload, and have been since the mid 70;s.

cmansguns · #22 10-20-2021, 08:55 AM

You probably need to jump on that one before anyone else has a chance.

Last month I sold my Model 15-3 (1969, C&R OK) to another Forum member for $600 shipped. The shipping & insurance cost me $48.70 so netted $551.30 and since I haven't heard of any complaints from the buyer, I'm guessing he was happy as I know I was, so your looking price is even sweeter...I wouldn't even try to negotiate that one.

Mine was a very nice specimen, speed loader grips, not original, but also in good condition except for a small flaw on the left panel. Bore and mechanics excellent, so if one you are looking at checks out mechanically, I'm sure you could double your money fairly quickly if you wanted to flip it.

VaTom · #23 10-20-2021, 09:12 AM

Get it if mechanically sound. A little Flitz and some Ren Wax will help with the finish!

rincar · #24 10-20-2021, 11:12 AM

Buy it now. A great gun at a great price.

UncleEd · #25 10-20-2021, 11:44 AM

As Nature often does when
it comes to us mortals, if Milpolice
buys that Combat Masterpiece,
a pristine one will suddenly
show up in a nearby showcase.
And it will be closer in date to
the Air Force model. And yes, he
should buy that one as well!

CH4 · #26 10-30-2021, 08:05 AM

Before reading this, I was on the fence about picking up a “pristine” 4” nickel M15-3 with the original magnas. She came down from $800 to $675 OTD. I’ll be there when she opens at 10. It’ll go nice with my M67 and I need a home for an aluminum Tyler T.

I also carried a M15 as a member of the USAF Security Police, LE in the mid 80s.

austintexas · #27 10-30-2021, 02:32 PM

I remember when USAF Security Police was called Air Police and carried 1911s.
SWCA 892

bgrafsr · #28 10-30-2021, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by austintexas

I remember when USAF Security Police was called Air Police and carried 1911s.
SWCA 892

I was "Air Police" and carried the Model 15. We did have 1911's and 1911A1's in our armories, though we never carried them.

I do have an Air Force Model 15, marked U.S. on the frame. The stocks are not original, but I like them. I do have the original Magnas for it too. It has a Factory letter so proves provenance.

Jaymo · #29 10-30-2021, 04:36 PM

Yep. Like a duck on a June bug. I have a soft spot for adjustable sight K frames. And fixed sight K frames. And J frames. And L frames. And N frames. And 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gen autos.

smoothshooter · #30 10-30-2021, 07:20 PM

It would have taken me about 10 seconds to buy that one at the price you paid, or even a little above.

smoothshooter · #31 10-30-2021, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CH4

Before reading this, I was on the fence about picking up a “pristine” 4” nickel M15-3 with the original magnas. She came down from $800 to $675 OTD. I’ll be there when she opens at 10. It’ll go nice with my M67 and I need a home for an aluminum Tyler T.

I also carried a M15 as a member of the USAF Security Police, LE in the mid 80s.

Nickel guns don’t do anything for me because of the glare when shooting in bright sunlight.
But unto each his own.
And it is still an older Smith & Wesson revolver.
And that’s a good thing.