Model 15-6 Heavy Barrel

[jonny13sb]

I just bought a near mint model 15-6 at the Del Mar gun show today. Serial number puts it at around 1989. Until today I didn't know that the model 15 was produced in a heavy barrel version so I wasn't sure what it was until I checked it out. My question is, were the HB guns a limited run? And are they more valuable than the standard barrel guns?

[Engine49guy]

Congrats on your new 15-6.
The 15-4 was the last of the tapered barrel CM's,
The 15-5 and 15-6 were only available with the wide rib barrels (Previously used on the Model 14) and available in 4", 6" and IIRC a few 8, 3/8" versions.

Gets a bit confusing because the same time the 15 gets the Model 14's wide rib barrel the Model 14 gets a full underlug barrel in 4", 6" and IIRC a few 8,3/8",
Would have made more sense IMO if the Model 15 "Combat Masterpiece got the full underlug barrel so it was the .38 special twin to the full underlug L frame Model 586 "Distinguished Combat Magnum"

[jonny13sb]

Thanks for the info Engine49guy, I think you're right the full under lug would have been a better choice on the model 15. My model 581 has nice balance but the 6" L frames are too front heavy for me.

[Engine49guy]

The barrel change is mostly cosmetic and was more likely done to simplify production because the older tapered barrel model 15 frame was not interchangeable with the Model 14.
Deletion of the tapered barrels resulted in Model 15's and Model 14's now sharing the same frame with different barrel profiles.

[Engine49guy]

Incidentally the Model 67 was the SS twin to the Model 15,
Around the same time the Model 15 got the wide rib barrel the Model 67 followed suit,

Strange thing is no SS version of the Model 14 was ever produced IIRC which is just another S&W oddity.

[jonny13sb]

Wow, the members on the S&W forum never cease to amaze me with their knowledge and willingness to share. The production changes (sometimes just cost cutting measures) are one of the things that makes collecting Smiths so interesting. One difference I've noted amongst my meager S&W collection is that the roll stamp on the barrels of later guns aren't polished smooth like older guns no doubt to save production costs.

[Kernel Crittenden]

Product code for the 4-inch M15-6 could either be 100418 or 100419. If there was a difference I don't know what it was. The 2-inch -6 guns I've seen were pc 100415.

[k22fan]

Use of the name Model 15 should have ended at the time the Combat Masterpiece's defining features were discontinued. It should not have been used again until the tapered barrel Model 15 Classics were made. Renaming what had been the Model 14 without making any change what so ever to the guns is what causes confusion. By the way Engine49, I can verify there were 8 3/8" err..... old name Model 14, but stamped Mod. 15 made. The first time I handled one I presumed an employee grabbed the wrong stamp. If the new heavy full lugged Model 14s must have a name in words Distinguished Target Masterpiece makes the most sense. Have you ever even heard of one in a holster?

[jonny13sb]

I picked up my model 15-6 today and I think it has better balance with the heavier barrel than my model 15-3. Thanks again for the input guys, I learn something new every time I visit the Forum.