Hi: I'm very interested in a 15-6, 4". I own a 15-4, 4 " that's great, very tight, excellent timing. Shoots great. K frame and 38 spl is THE match S&W ever made. What are the engineering changes, other than the pinned to non pinned barrel, that give the 15-6 it's name? Thank you for your time and expertise.

As I recall the Model 15's in that high a revision actually look axactly like the 4" Model 14's in profile, can you post some pics?

The revisions on the 14, 15,19 are the same as the 17 and 18.
A dash 4 can be pinned or unpinned, dash 5 eliminated the pinned barrel ,dash 6 new yoke retention system, radius stud package, hammer nose bushing,.

I was trying to remember why they changed the styling and remembered the Models 14 and 15 had different frame shapes and barrel profiles ie taper vs heavy,
Apparently they decided it was easier to make them have common frames with different barrels.
They stopped making the old style Model 15 and 18 frames after the dash 4 finished.
The 15 dash 5 should be a Model 14 frame with a 4" Heavy barrel and the Model 14-5 and up should have a full underlug barrel.

handloads.com has a link w/ model changes and info. Check it out. Good reloading sources too. Bob

Zack, Here are all of the model 15 eng. changes:

1949: K-38 Combat Masterpiece Introduced

1955: Delete upper sideplate screw.

15 (1957): K-38 Combat Masterpiece continued as the Model 15. Stamping of model number

15-1 (1959): Change extractor rod, right hand to left hand thread.

15-2 (1961): Delete trigger guard screw, change cylinder stop.

1964: Introduce 2” heavy barrel.

15-3 (1967): Relocation of rear sight leaf screw.

1968: Delete diamond grips.

15-4 (1977): Change to put gas ring from yoke to cylinder.

15-5 (1982) Pinned barrel eliminated

1986: Introduction of 6” and 8-3/8” barrel.

15-6 (1988): new yoke retention system/ radius stud package/hammer nose bushing.

1988: Discontinue 8-3/8” and 2” barrel.

1992: Discontinue 6” barrel, blue finish only.

15-7 (1994): Synthetic grips introduced, drill and tap frame, change rear seat leaf, change extractor.

1995-96: Delete square butt.

1996: Begin shipments in blue plastic case.

1997: 4” barrel only / Change to MIM thumbpiece / Shipped with master trigger locks / change to MIM trigger.

15-8 (1997): Changes in frame design: cylinder stop stud eliminated / Eliminate serrated tangs / Change to MIM hammer with floating firing pin and change internal lockworks.

1999: Model 15 discontinued Nov. 1999.

2001: Limited run Lew Horton Heritage Series from the S&W Performance Center.

15-9 (2002): Limited run Lew Horton Heritage Series McGivern Models from the S&W Performance Center. 3 Models commemorating Ed McGivern’s world speed records in 1934 with a revolver. All models have a Patridge front sight with Gold Bead, round butt frame with Altamount Fancy checkered service grips of that era, 6” barrel, Ed McGivern commemorative plate mounted on right side of frame, Heritage Series box.

15-10 (2011)[7]: Production re-commenced under Classics Revolvers line, re-tooled, shrouded redesigned barrel, internal trigger lock.

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M.J.Hanna