Hi All
My experience with S&W revolvers is limited to a couple of no lock J frames so please bear with me.
My wife has expressed interest in shooting. So far we have been limited to .22 because she is recoil sensitive.
I would like to know is there a K frame prelock model that can handle .38 P+ loads. Mostly it will be range shot with 148 wadcutters but I thought if it would be able to handle .38 higher pressure loads it would be better if it ever became used as a house gun.
I said k frame because I assume its lighter than all the other steel frames. I am trying to avoid 357 magnum because it will never be shot and why have the unnecessary cylinder length.
I would prefer steel 4” barrel pinned front sights and adjustable rears.
Sorry if this has been asked a bunch of times already.
Thanks!!
Brian

Look for an early model 15.

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Ok I will start looking at those. I know from looking online S&W has improvements through the years indicated by -1,2,3 etc etc. is there a certain number I should stay above or a range I should stay in?
Thanks
Brian

I think just stay with a pinned barrel. Not sure what version ended on the 15. Probably dash 4 and before.

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If I remember correctly S&W says ANY steel frame revolver with a model number is safe for +P 38.

Before what the mid 60s ??, Smith did not go by numbers, they went by actual names. The Model 15 was the Combat Masterpiece, the Model 19 was the Combat Magnum etc.

So any Smith 38 stamped with a number should be good for your intended use. The Model 15 is great. The 10 will work but is more basic, a true service weapon. The 14 will be expensive but extremely accurate, a true Target Masterpiece.

A vintage model 15 will serve her well. S&W says any Revolver that is stamped with a model number (after 1957 I believe) is OK with +P's. There are still many around without the internal lock.

Either a Model 15 or the stainless version, the Model 67, will serve nicely. We have two 67's and they are just about ideal as a general purpose revolver. The wife loves her Model 67.

BAB,

Since you wrote "prefer" then don't
overlook the Model 10s with fixed
sights and for lightness the ones
with standard tapered barrel.

__________________
Ubi Est Mea

Hi Brian:

Welcome to the Forum. I think your plan is sound. As others have mentioned, a Model 15 or Model 67 should be fine for your purposes. I’d select the Model 67 over the Model 15 as the stainless steel is a tad easier from a maintenance point of view. Also, I’d suggest selecting different ammunition as the 148 gr. wadcutters can be hard to find, as a well as costly when you do find them. I’ve shot tons of wadcutters when I was younger as I shot competitively, and I also reloaded.

My favorite round in the .38 Special chambering is the standard velocity 158 gr. LSWC (Lead Semi Wadcutter) - sometimes called the “Keith” (after Elmer Keith) bullet. I reload this round with the intention of moving it at (approximately) 730 fps. I use this round for plinking and in the field for small game.

Though the Model 15/67 have adjustable rear sights, I believe they were originally built around the 158 gr. loading. An added bonus is the bullet shape makes loading the revolver quicker and easier. While I think you’ll probably have your wife load her revolver from loose rounds, she could eventually learn to load her revolver using speed strips and/or speed loaders during practice.

Good luck,

Dave

The Model 15 is one of S&W's best efforts.. Classic look, great finish, budget friendly. There are a lot of 15-3's around, and 15-4 is also pinned. Earlier, models tend to cost a bit more. Try to find one in nice shape.

A good bet would be to place an ad in the WTB ( want to buy ) section of this forum

Welcome

__________________
Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

A Model 15-3 (shown below) or 15-4 is just what you need.

Bill

A vote for the 15 or 67.
If you really don't need adjustable sight, Model 10 4" heavy barrel to soak up the recoil or its' equivalent Model 64.

I would like to thank everyone for their input! Much appreciated as all the models get quite confusing. There are a couple of local gun stores that have estate sales guns and seem to have a fluctuating inventory of older revolvers. I will go see them next week and start the hunt!
Thanks everyone
Brian
Now that Ive got all this input Ive started thinking a 4” and a snubby would be perfect.
Im down to one unopened case of wadcutters. Hope this ammo shortage resolves soon!

My M15-2 is a fantastic shooter. Target trigger and hammer, incorrect stocks, tight as a drum and smooth as butter. With 38 special 158 grain bullets this thing is a laser.
Here’s a picture of it with my nickel model 27 Dash two, just for fun, since it was out of the safe for a “breather”.
I think your wife would really like the model 15. It has enough heft to mute any recoil but not too much weight to hold and plenty of style to ogle.
Diligent searching might get one for around 500 or $600, but probably not on gun broker; too many viewers. Put an ad here, and check pawn shops and gun stores in your area.

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Once you get the snubby, watch out! The hunt will then be on for a 3"er.

That blued one looks perfect. As an aside its quite curious that you placed them on the map close to Ionia, which is right outside Sedalia, my moms birthplace.

K-frame, 4” barrel, .38 special+p, adjustable sight?

Yep, that’s a M15 (or M67 stainless)

Great guns, negligible felt recoil, very accurate.

My M15-2 (from 1965) also has the sweetest trigger of my entire collection:

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Of all the maps I could've opened...pretty crazy. The Cameron Peak Fire has pretty much shut down the Game Management Unit where my nephew and I drew our cow tags. Going to file for refunds and hunt over-the-counter bull around Deckers.
Good luck in your search for your K-frame!

Pre lock... Am I the only one that forgets it’s even there? I’d say buy your wife a 19 or 66. Lock or not they are still excellent K frame revolvers. As for cylinder length you probably wouldn’t even notice the difference in length between a 38 Special and 357 Magnum cylinder unless you held both the firearms up side by side. Not to mention since a 38 Special revolver has a slightly shorter cylinder in the K frame it will have a longer forcing cone than a 357 in a K frame so it’s not like the over all length of the firearm will be any different.

I get what you are putting down.
If I was to get a . 357 Id probably buy a 66-8 2.75 and call it good but those are kinda big for ccw. That has crossed my mind more than once. The only thing that has stopped me is I havent actually seen one in person. If I do and I have cash I may not be able to resist.
Just a nice older . 38 would be a heck of a nice present I think.
Have her own centerfire revolver for the range. Who knows she might like to shoot matches one day. (Dream dream dream)