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  #51  
Old 05-11-2010, 11:45 PM
Racklover Racklover is offline
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Carried one while at McClellan AFB, Kunsan AB, and George AFB. Drove the Armorers nuts by putting my own grips on the 15... Would love to have a M15.
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  #52  
Old 05-12-2010, 04:48 AM
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LE Specialist 1971-1975, SSGT E-5.
Kadena AB, Okinawa--Armed Forces Police Detachment; Pope AFB, NC; Utapao AB, Thailand with side trips to RVN and Cambodia.
Loved my Model 15 and shot well with it.

Here's the genuine article:

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  #53  
Old 05-20-2010, 01:48 AM
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SP from '82 through '85. Grissom AFB and Homestead AFB. I'd buy one too. Here's my homage to what we carried back then.

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  #54  
Old 05-20-2010, 11:41 AM
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F-15 Avionics troop here, Eglin and Bitburg 84-88. Entered a handgun shooting competition at Eglin where they gave medals to the top two shooters. We used USAF owned Model 15s. I finished 3rd behind two special ops helicopter pilots.

When I got to Bitburg they need me to be a classified cargo courier and I was issued a model 15 every time I got that duty. When I made SSgt I was also made a Security Police augmentee and issued an M15 again for that duty.

Funny thing is, I never formally qualified with a handgun.
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  #55  
Old 05-21-2010, 07:07 PM
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Good to see so many 77150 MOSs here on the forum. I was in the Air Police from 1966/70 and was heartbroken when they changed from Air Police to Security Police. The Model 15 will always hold a special place in our hearts and it's good to see S&W still producing it, although our early ones were better, no MIM parts or lawyer locks. A USAF Commemorative is a great idea.
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  #56  
Old 05-24-2010, 04:43 PM
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Bat Guano,

I too had a Victory Model and carbine during my tour at Clark in '68. While in Nam we were issued M15 sidearms and M16s.

I agree, an Air Force commemorative would sell a LOT of 15s.
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  #57  
Old 05-24-2010, 10:17 PM
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The 15 was great but the Victory model I carried in the 1st Mob out of Clark had it beat hands down with the low velocity stuff we were issued. Would stand in line for a commenderative.
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  #58  
Old 06-06-2010, 01:44 PM
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Shortly after I started this thread, I sent a letter to Smith & Wesson urging them to produce a USAF Model 15; indeed, a Model 15 for each of the services.
That was in November, 2009. I have not heard one word from S&W, so I'll resend the letter. Any "Wish List" item that gets this much response, from such a tiny sampling, must represent a worthwhile larger market.
I'd guess that Smith & Wesson could sell 10,000 such revolvers outright, judging from the response here. There are many former USAF members who recall their service .38 fondly and would be proud to own such a revolver.
I'll resend an updated letter, emphasizing the response here.
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  #59  
Old 07-12-2010, 10:25 PM
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I was a Law Enforcement SP from 86-90, I carried the M-15 for almost 2 years until we got the M-9. We always qualified/Carried the PGU 12 rounds. We would qualify with factory fresh ammo and carry stuff with a 77 headstamp! The stuff was so tarnished and stained after a decade of use! I wanted a M-15 for a long time and bought one the J&G sales DAO guns they had a few months ago. I also scored 2 boxes of PGU 12 a couple of years ago. They were manufactured in 89. I didn't have a 4" gun at the time but out of my 3 1/2" 27 I was getting 970fps, so it was much hotter than regular 38 ammo.

I am pretty lucky as I work with a bunch of former SP's spanning from before my time to recent discharges. We get swap SP stories.

I might be interested in a commemorative gun also.


Dan
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  #60  
Old 07-19-2010, 12:21 PM
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+1,000,000 from another former 81170 -> 1982 - 1990.
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  #61  
Old 07-21-2010, 07:16 PM
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I was in Ellsworth AFB, 44th SMW from 72-74. Qualified with an M-15 but never really carried it. I do remember it was a beautiful shooter. Did any other service actually use the M-15 other than the USAF?

I'd probably be in for one if S&W ever responds. Anyone actually count how many S&W Forum takers there are yet?
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  #62  
Old 08-04-2010, 12:23 AM
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I was in the USAF from 1966-1988. First time I was issued a M-15 was as an "additional duty" paymaster. Qualified Expert first time out. I was an OSI Special Agent for 10 years. Issued a M-15 4" and/or 2" until OSI replaced them with 3" M-36s (stupid move). However, I would be one of first in line for a USAF Commemerative M-15. I carried a M-19 as civilian LEO.
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  #63  
Old 08-06-2010, 08:41 AM
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Same here, I would love one. Were most of them blued? That was the only versions I saw at Offutt AFB, 1977-1980.
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  #64  
Old 08-07-2010, 09:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lowpower View Post
I was in Ellsworth AFB, 44th SMW from 72-74. Qualified with an M-15 but never really carried it. I do remember it was a beautiful shooter. Did any other service actually use the M-15 other than the USAF?

I'd probably be in for one if S&W ever responds. Anyone actually count how many S&W Forum takers there are yet?
I've started counting and taking "I'd love to have one" type of quotes to forward to Smith & Wesson. I sent a letter outlining a USAF Model 15 commemorative last November. Sent it again in April. No response from either.
Perhaps reference to this site, and the comments, will help get some kind of response.
Frankly, I think there's a large demand for this revolver.

I know that the Navy Security Police carried Model 15s. I met a few when I was stationed in Panama in 1977 and 1978.
Not to be confused with "Shore Patrol," to be in the Navy's Security Police, you had to have served at least four years. The Navy Security Police generally rode patrol and did minor investigative work, often with Naval Investigative Services.

The Navy Security Police I met carried Model 15s just like mine (I was Air force Security Police). Shore Patrol, which was either Navy or Marine personnel given minimal or no training, were issued 1911A1 .45s.

I'll assemble that letter to Smith & Wesson and get it out in the next week. I'd love to have a Model 15, blued, with the USAF Security Police shield on it. The M15 Combat Masterpiece was, and remains, a magnificent weapon.
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  #65  
Old 08-08-2010, 04:45 AM
8th SPS USAF 8th SPS USAF is offline
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Default M 15 USAF

I carried one from Tech school 1971 till I got out in 1974. But put the

old USAF logo not the winged one and have the SP badge on it. Target

hammer and trigger. We had horned grips when stationed at SAC HQ.

8th
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  #66  
Old 08-09-2010, 12:00 PM
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Just an update: the 130gr MC bullet was referred to as the PGU. It traveled at about 1150 fps vs 700.
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  #67  
Old 08-20-2010, 03:05 PM
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See my earlier post, No. 31, dating to Nov. 17, 2009 concerning the 130 gr. full metal jacekt bullet.
Here's an excerpt:

"The standard M41 ball is loaded to standard .38 Special pressures of 16,000 psi maximum and develops 950 fps (plus or minus 25 fps) from a 6" solid test barrel.
The American Rifleman chronographed the M41 cartridge at 720 to 770 fps. This velocity is about the minimum at which a jacketed bullet can be expelled from a revolver.

PGU-12/B has a deep-seated bullet and heavy crimp. The headstamp includes the telltale +P marking. This cartridge gets 1,125 fps (plus or minus 25 fps) from a 6" solid test barrel. Maximum allowable pressure is 20,000 psi, which certainly qualifies it as +P.
The American Rifleman staff chronographed these same rounds from a 4" barrel at 950 to 980 fps."

I was honorably discharged in January 1979. I never saw PGU rounds. Our duty-issue ammo was the M41: 130gr. at 750 fps. The Air Force was experimenting with the PGU, and probably issued it to others deemed more needy (SAC, bodyguards, Air Force One guards, etc.) but we never saw it in Denver or Panama.
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  #68  
Old 08-20-2010, 05:41 PM
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I was the HQ AFOSI Marksmanship Manager and USAF Special Investigaions Academy firearms instructor from early 1974 until fall of 1977. Our issue handgun was a 3" heavy barrel S&W M-36. We begun to see the PGU-12B ammo sometime in 1976. We shot our training weapons extensively and we quickly learned that the PGU ammo was shooting the M-36s apart. We sent several to the Air Force Marksmanship gunsmiths at Lackland AFB, TX and they confirmed our suspicions and recommended that we terminate the use of PGU in the J framed Smiths. Since the guns in the field were usually only fired a couple of times a year for agent requal it took a little longer for the problems to become evident, but not too long. Just before I was reassined from HQ I put together a selection team to select a new handgun. I selected several team members who where 1911 fans and since my successor was also a 1911 guy they selected General Officer size 1911s that were built by the Lackland AFB gunsmiths especailly for OSI use. I'm not sure how long they were used but this was also about the time that DOD adopted the 9mm DOD wide. To my knowledge, AFOSI now uses the M-11, Sig.
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  #69  
Old 08-21-2010, 04:47 AM
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Interesting thread...

When I was stationed at Lowry AFB, CO in the 1960's, we had some hi-speed 150 grain .38 ammo that I think a unit NCO bought in Denver. It had RN-FMJ bullets. I think I also saw those M-41 rounds. We had a few .45 autos, and I often carried one, in a Jordan style holster that I had made for me on leave by a shoe repair shop in Dallas. The store owner was into holsters and made about as good a rig as Don Hume did.

We had mainly Victory Models and a few Colt .38's, with investigative personnel having Cobra or Detective Special snubs with hammer shrouds. The M-15's were in short supply, and went to officers and senior NCO's. One officer carried his own M-14. (S&W .38, not the rifle.)

We had .30 carbines on expanded security alerts, and M-12 Winchester riot guns for prisoner escort.

All USAF M-15's that I saw had the target hammer and trigger. I heard that Gen. Lemay thought those would up the qualifying scores. Personally, I'd have preferred the standard hammer and trigger.

I guess that if it didn't have The Lock and MIM parts, I'd be interested in buying a commemorative M-15. I've never bought one because I preferred the .357 capability of the M-19 and later, the M-66, and the enclosed extractor (barrel lug).

I wish that Saxon Pig would read this thread and see what use of Plus P ammo did to the USAF .38's. He maintains in other topics that Plus P doesn't amount to much. I think that some Plus P is hotter than he thinks.

If I had to be armed with a .38, I'd unhesitantly choose an M-67. It'd have all the goodness of the M-15, plus the rust avoidance of stainless steel. I thought that the M-67 should have been issued to aircrews, who might be unable to oil their guns until rescued, maybe days or weeks later, under all sorts of environmental conditions. But I guess none of the bureaucrats in the Air Force cared.

I do know that some Air Rescue personnel in Alaska received S&W .44 Magnums after a crashed airman was eaten by bears and they were unable to help, as they were unarmed, or had just .38's. This was in an Air Force magazine in the 1960's. I was amazed that they didn't have suitable rifles on the rescue choppers.

T-Star
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  #70  
Old 08-25-2010, 11:46 PM
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Glad the thread is still going...

I'd love a commemorative M-15.

I carried a Model 15 4" flying out of NKP, Thailand 1968-1970.

Found a 15-3 awhile back.. I couldn't pass it up for the price even though the -3 was built in 1970. Still would like to find one with USAF markings. Guy had one for sale for $775 5 years ago. Couldn't see spending that much.

Gonna keep looking....
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  #71  
Old 09-08-2010, 08:41 PM
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I sent Smith & Wesson a letter a week ago, noting the popularity of this post and urging it to offer a USAF commemorative. As the creator of this thread, I felt I had the right.
To strengthen my argument, I copied and pasted the comments of a few but did not include the names. I wanted to show Smith & Wesson that there is much support for this revolver.
Engravings of SAC, TAC or other seals engraved on it was also suggested.
This marks my third letter to Smith & Wesson. I did not receive a reply on the other two, so this time I noted that this thread had received nearly 12,000 hits and had dozens of posters.
One thing I suggested: if Smith & Wesson announces a blue steel USAF commemorative M-15, serial number AF 1 should go to the Security Police museum at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.
Let's keep our trigger fingers crossed.
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  #72  
Old 09-09-2010, 12:57 PM
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Gatofeo,

Thank you. Great idea on the museum . Hope so. Not too much $$$$

8th
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  #73  
Old 09-10-2010, 05:45 PM
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I need to find a m-15 with the USAF stamp on it for a display case I'm making for the family of a team member K.I.A. I live on a small disability check, so I can't afford much, but condition is not an issue. It is only for display and I can have it re-blued if needed. If you have any leads on this, please contact me at [email protected] Thank you, Smitty. (former O.S.I.special agent)
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  #74  
Old 09-16-2010, 05:24 PM
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I remember being "oriented" on the model 15 while I was in the Air Force. Can't remember the exact reason. Anyway, I've been carrying a model 67 (stainless version of 15) on and off for almost 40 years. As a SAC "trained killer" I too would certainly buy a USAF commemorative.
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  #75  
Old 09-25-2010, 12:50 AM
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When I sent the letter to S&W, among the suggestions was that they keep it a simple revolver: no gold plating and very minimal engraving. This is not only in keeping with its USAF utility roots, but more veterans could buy it if the price is reasonable. I'm thinking around $600. Still no reply from S&W. I'll keep you posted.
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  #76  
Old 09-25-2010, 09:56 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by galena View Post
I was the HQ AFOSI Marksmanship Manager and USAF Special Investigaions Academy firearms instructor from early 1974 until fall of 1977. Our issue handgun was a 3" heavy barrel S&W M-36. We begun to see the PGU-12B ammo sometime in 1976. We shot our training weapons extensively and we quickly learned that the PGU ammo was shooting the M-36s apart. We sent several to the Air Force Marksmanship gunsmiths at Lackland AFB, TX and they confirmed our suspicions and recommended that we terminate the use of PGU in the J framed Smiths. Since the guns in the field were usually only fired a couple of times a year for agent requal it took a little longer for the problems to become evident, but not too long. Just before I was reassined from HQ I put together a selection team to select a new handgun. I selected several team members who where 1911 fans and since my successor was also a 1911 guy they selected General Officer size 1911s that were built by the Lackland AFB gunsmiths especailly for OSI use. I'm not sure how long they were used but this was also about the time that DOD adopted the 9mm DOD wide. To my knowledge, AFOSI now uses the M-11, Sig.
galena,

Thanks for your post. Can you confirm that the 3" Model 36 revolvers used by OSI had "OSI" stamped on them?

Thanks,
Kevin Williams
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  #77  
Old 09-29-2010, 09:48 PM
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Sorry it took so long to get back to you. My computer has been down for a few days. Yes, the OSI issued M-36 was stamped with "OSI" on the right side of the frame below the cylinder, just above the trigger. I never saw one in OSI use without the stamp. The OSI issue was equiped with the S&W "banana" style grip panels. A lot of the agents didn't care for that grip so we authorized a S&W grip panel that converted it to a square butt configuration. Personally I liked the banana grip. Hope this answered your question. I am working from my lap top and not sure if I know how to upload pics; however, I will try in the next day or two.

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  #78  
Old 09-29-2010, 09:59 PM
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Ric,

Thank you! I've been looking for one of these for years and would love to see pictures. If it is easier you can email them to me and I'll post them for you.

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Kevin Williams
kevin at kwill.com
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Old 09-30-2010, 02:02 PM
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I'd love to see an AF Commerative.

Security Police Law Enforcement / K9 (Patrol & Explosive Detector) from 1975 to 1979.

I just put together an AR that looks much like the shortened ones we carried as K9 whie I was on active duty. I'd like a M15 to go with it in my brag box in my home office.
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Old 09-30-2010, 08:03 PM
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kwill1911

Kevin,

If all goes well there are two pics attached to this reply. The M-36 in the pics is not an OSI issue weapon. It is my personal 36 set up as they were issued to the agents. The initial issue holster was a S&W inside the waist roughout holster. The one pictured is my personal holster and it is in left hand mode since I am one of those sinister people. The dump pouch is Safariland, some agents got them some didn't. We taught carrying extra rounds in the strong side pants pocket or jacket pocket which was taught at the S&W Academy at the time for plain clothes types. As I said in an earlier post, the M-36s were stamped "OSI" on the side plate just under the cylinder and above the trigger. Supica and Nahas, in their "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" report that the OSI M-36s were stamped on the side plate and on the frame. I do not recall ever seeing any frame marks; however, I may have just forgotten. I am not aware that any of the OSI M-36s were ever offered for public sale after the issue handgun was changed to the General Officer size 1911. I strongly suspect that the recalled 36s were probably either warehoused or destroyed. I would question the origin of any OSI marked M-36 found in the general market place as I do not believe that the government released any to the surplus market at the time (late 1970s through early 1980s) I hope some of the above is useful even if we did get off the theme of the original thread concerning the AF issued M-15s.

Keep shootin' Ric F
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Old 09-30-2010, 08:17 PM
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Thanks, Ric, and my apologies to the OP for hijacking the thread.

Kevin Williams
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Old 10-08-2010, 12:16 PM
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agree on a tasteful subdued military tribute smith- I might suggest since the .mil in all branches used smith revolvers for a long time-
A model 15 4" for the air force,model 10 4" for the other sevices, with a certain # for each service with grip medallions for each service
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Old 10-11-2010, 02:13 AM
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Even though I have a 15-2, 15-3, 15-4 and 67-0 on hand, I'd likely purchase a commemorative 15-whatever if Smith were to offer one.

My -2 is appropriate to the period of M-15 production. I carried the M-15 while on missile combat crew, serving with the 740SMS/91SMW at Minot and subsequently at several command posts in Europe and CONUS.

Wonders can be performed with laser etching but I believe the droids at Smith would be hard-pressed to include the USAF, SAC, TAC & MAC coats of arms, along with the must-have sky cop badge on the somewhat small K-frame.

Could Smith produce a series of commemoratives, each with the USAF arms plus one other? E.g.: USAF/SAC, USAF/TAC, USAF/MAC and USAF/COP BADGE? Perhaps even a USAF/USAFE? I suspect a few of us Ol' Fahrts might spring for more than one. I served in SAC, USAFE and MAC. Inevitably, a few fanatics would want to collect the entire series.
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Old 10-12-2010, 06:42 PM
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I would buy a commemorative M15 in a heart beat. I was an LE and flight line SP from 1966-70 (Lackland AFB, RAF Alconbury & Fortuna AFS ND) and carried the M15 throughout that period. I still have my original holster and belt - don't have any idea how it ended up in my duffel bag when I left the UK. For sentimental reasons I purchased a M15 in the early 70's and it is still my favorite revolver.

It's nice to hear from so many former SP's and their experiences with the M15.
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Old 10-13-2010, 04:08 PM
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I was a T-39 Crew Chief at Offutt AFB '77-'80 (CinC-SAC's airplane). I just asked to shoot one, next thing I knew, I was in the M-15 orientation course the pilots attended annually. Got to shoot about 300 rounds in one day. I will buy one if S&W will build them.
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Old 10-13-2010, 06:24 PM
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Anyone out there that has or knows where I can find a Model 15, 4" barrel in fairly good shape. I'm building a shadow box for my only son of all the guns I have carried on duty for the last 42 years (I'm still working & carrying a Model 586 with a Crimson Sight on it). When we go to the range to qualify I still out shoot all the "AUTOS". I was the first officer in our county to carry an SEMI-AUTO (Colt Gold Cup .45) on duty. Everyone else was carrying those (Ole' Revolvers). 42 years later, I AM THE ONLY OFFICER CARRYING A REVOLVER, everyone else are carrying those (Ole' SEMI-AUTOS). Funny how things have a tendency to make FULL CIRCLE. My first service gun was a S&W Model 15, 4"barrel. Next one was the Model 14, 6"barrel. Then came the .45 Colt Gold Cup and then a S&W Model 586, traded that for a SIG SAUER 226. Went back to a S&W MODEL 586 WITH A CRIMSON SIGHT AND I AM STILL CARRYING THAT TODAY. I will carry that until I go to that
until I absolutely cannot work anymore. I hope and pray that will be many years in the making. I was lucky enough to get back all my guns I carried EXCEPT MY MODEL 15...............THANKS...............CookE
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Old 12-06-2010, 12:58 PM
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Any news about the S&W model 15 Security Police pistol that the company was asked to produce? I would really love to have one to go into a display case. If there has not been an answer from S&W, let us know and we will start a massive letter campaign. I believe all of us who served deserve a little recognition, and a commemorative weapon would be a good start.
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Old 12-11-2010, 09:43 PM
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I sent letters to Smith & Wesson in November and April, 2009, and late August of 2010.
I have never received a reply or acknowledgement.
If you wish to urge Smith & Wesson to produce this commemorative, its address is:

Smith & Wesson
2100 Roosevelt Avenue
Springfield, MA 01104

I put my letters to the attention of Research & Development and the Custom Shop. I'm uncertain exactly which department to send such a proposal, but figured they'd forward to the proper department if I erred.

The following is an excerpt from the August 2010 letter. I pointed out the popularity of the idea in this website, then listed what I'd like to see as a commemorative:

Here’s what I’d like to see in a standard U.S. Air Force Commemorative Model 15:

Frame: K, blued steel.
Barrel: 4”, thin, as were the originals. The thinner barrel gives better balance in my view. However, to keep costs down, the present heavier barrel of the Model 67 could be used.
Sights: Adjustable, as used in the Model 67. However, for this commemorative it would be best to eliminate the red insert in the front sight. The original military models had no such insert.
Hammer: Wide, target, case-hardened.
Trigger: wide, target, case-hardened.
Cylinder: Fluted as were the originals, no or minimal engraving (see below)
Grips: Synthetic, as in the current M67, but in dark blue instead of black. Perhaps the USAF, SAC or Security Police shield could be molded into them.

Engraving:
On the right frame: The USAF seal.
Since posting my wish, others have said they’d like to see a Strategic Air Command (SAC) seal in place of the Air Force Seal. I think that the USAF seal should remain prominent on the right side of the frame. Perhaps a miniature SAC or Security Police shield could be on the left frame.

Along the barrel: For Those In Blue Who Defended America engraved, or something similar. Please avoid any “wild blue yonder” references from the Air Force song. Everyone I ever met hated that corny song. I’m sure they still do.
Cylinder: No engraving is suggested. It’s always difficult to read and wears quickly. Or, the USAF “star and bar” roundel typically seen on aircraft could be roll engraved on the cylinder.

Serial number: Specially numbered with an AF prefix.

Actually, the Smith & Wesson .38 revolver served all branches since at least the 1930s. So why not extend the commemorative to honor other branches as well?
The Navy model could have a USN prefix, MC for Marines, A for Army, CG for Coast Guard. This would expand the market considerably.
Packaging: Smith & Wesson plastic boxes are already blue; retain that but perhaps print the Air Force seal on the lid in white. Or it could be moulded into the plastic.

Serial No. 1 should be presented to the Security Police Museum at Lackland Air Force Base, in San Antonio, Texas. It would be great publicity, and excellent advertising for the commemorative revolver. Gun magazines would welcome the presentation photo, I’m sure.

The above ideas were sent to Smith & Wesson in all three letters.
Perhaps if fellow readers here send a letter to S&W, it will at least ponder the idea.
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Old 12-12-2010, 04:33 AM
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I will be glad to take up this cause, I served as an Air Force Security specialist and Law Enforcement specialist, then worked as a civilian O.S.I. agent for more than 20 years. I think a mass letter campaign might be the best way to get there attention. We need to get the word out to as many members here as we can, and I still have some high ranking contacts in the military who I'm sure would be willing to help. No disrespect to the other branches, but I think we need to work on one special issue at a time. If we can convince them to go through with that, then we will have a base for getting the others. Don't give up, and thank you for getting this started. Spec. Agent G.Smith (ret)
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Old 12-12-2010, 12:16 PM
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Excellent idea as long as they made it without the IL. I think an engraving of the old Air Police Badge would be nice, instead of the SAC emblem, as I was in TAC and have no connection to SAC. I served from 1963 to 1967.
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Old 12-12-2010, 03:53 PM
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Well, since I started this thread I've been amazed the responses.
Many thanks for the support.
I'd prefer that they make a "generic" commemorative with the USAF shield and perhaps the roundel on the cylinder. This would increase chances that the revolvers gets made.

I know some folks would like to see the logos of SAC, Air Police, Security Police, MAC and probably a few FTAs too ... heh heh.
But I feel we lose our collective might by diluting it with too many specialized requests. And frankly, a USAF commemorative Model 15 would represent anyone who was in, regardless of their command.

I know ... I know ... I originally wanted a Security Police shield on it but now I see that's a bit much to ask. If a generic USAF commemorative sold well, then perhaps a few hundred or thousand could be produced with the more specialized markings.
I don't know. Seems like we'd be lucky to get Smith & Wesson to make a USAF commemorative, let alone a special model within a commemorative.

As for the absence of the hammer lock: that's not going to happen. I'm sure it will be included, even though it's not authentic. Deleting it would require retooling. I'm sure Smith & Wesson would rather avoid the bother and just incorporate it. I'm not sure, but they may have legal obligations to include it now.
Personally, I don't find the hammer lock very intrusive. I don't use it, and I don't notice it on my J-frame 637 snubbie.

We're at the mercy of Smith & Wesson. If S&W even considers producing such a commemorative revolver, we'll be lucky. If it decides to go ahead with production, we'll be enormously lucky.
Do you have any idea how many letters every gun maker gets a day whose theme is, "Hey, why don't you guys make a ..."?

Personally, I think a USAF commemorative Model 15 would sell. Even if S&W just made the Model 67 (the stainless steel version of the Model 15) with some USAF-inspired engraving and lettering, I'd be happy.
I'd be happier with a blued version, identical to what I carried, but I also recognize that S&W is a business and it can't meander too far from the profit line.

One other thing occurs to me: Smith & Wesson also has to ponder what precedent it may set with this commemorative. Surely, veterans of the Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard will want their own commemorative too.
And then there's all the retired cops who carried an M15 long ago. What about an M15 commemorative for the boys in blue?
And yet another for homicide detectives?
And the "Dirty Harry" fans want their own M29 commemorative.
Oh, and the Marines suddenly don't want a .38, but the 1911 .45 ACP that S&W produces.
Producing a USAF commemorative could put Smith & Wesson on a road to maddening requests, bordering on demands because, "You did it for the Air Force guys, so why not our group?"

Remember, this would be in addition to normal production demands.

Let's hope that we can convince Smith & Wesson to produce a Model 15 or even a Model 67 to recognize the USAF veterans who carried their product for decades.
A concerted letter-writing campaign will certainly help, so get to writing. No emails, an honest ink-on-paper letter carries more weight.
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Old 12-12-2010, 11:53 PM
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We might be going about this the wrong way. S&W will build anything your willing to buy, if your a large distributor and can order 500 or 5000 units. That said, approaching one of the big guys like Davidson's and having them order 500 units would probably get a quicker response than dealing directly with S&W through a letter writing campaign.
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Old 12-13-2010, 04:16 AM
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F224, can you contact the big guys like Davidson's to see if they would be willing to make such an order and incorporate the ideas agreed upon by this forum, or is that something better done by as many of us as possible? Spec. Agnt. G. Smith
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Old 12-13-2010, 06:19 PM
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i carried a M15 4" in the 70's as a LEO....just a super nice gun...i cannot recall who i sold it to but...just last week i found one at my local dealers, this one shipped from S&W dec.1970...yep....i had to pick it up....a very nice one for sure
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Old 12-14-2010, 11:04 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by supersmitt View Post
F224, can you contact the big guys like Davidson's to see if they would be willing to make such an order and incorporate the ideas agreed upon by this forum, or is that something better done by as many of us as possible? Spec. Agnt. G. Smith
I will talk to S&W at the Reno SCI Convention about the idea of a commerative. They usually have someone from the Custom Shop along with the head of marketing there. It is in late January.
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Old 12-14-2010, 01:56 PM
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Thank you for your help, I know alot of us ex Air Force cops would love to see them get made. Please keep us up to date on anything you can find out, and again, thank you. Spec. Agnt. G.Smith O.S.I. (ret.)
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Old 12-14-2010, 04:20 PM
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Wow...excellent thread on the old M15. A trip down memory lane for me too! I was a CATM instructor in the USAF from 1983-2003. Carried and trained folks on the M15 until the M9 was adopted...also remember the 2" versions, and the old chopped down 1911A1 the OSI used for while. Would be nice to see some of those old guns hit the civilian market. I know I helped pack up hundreds of M15s and shipped them off to Warner Robins when they were replaced...bet they're still sitting in some warehouse down there.
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Old 12-14-2010, 10:04 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by supersmitt View Post
Thank you for your help, I know alot of us ex Air Force cops would love to see them get made. Please keep us up to date on anything you can find out, and again, thank you. Spec. Agnt. G.Smith O.S.I. (ret.)
I will ask S&W if they would do it and which distributor to go to inorder to get them done. I would think both M15's for the USAF and M10's (w/lanyard loops) for the other services would sell well.
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Old 12-15-2010, 03:21 PM
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If this were to happen, I hope they don't give the M15 the same treatment as the heritage revolvers with the lock, frame mounted firing pins, etc. Leave it as it was.
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Old 01-02-2011, 09:20 PM
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If Smith & Wesson makes the commemorative, you can expect it to have the lock and frame-mounted firing pin. Frankly, you can't expect Smith & Wesson to foresake its current tooling, retool, and produce a version it considers obsolete.
Face it, the lock and frame-mounted firing pin are with us. Smith & Wesson isn't going to set a precedent and return to the earlier version. If it did, numerous other shooters would want TWO versions of each model -- and that's not going to happen.
If S&W produced a model without the lock, the first time some child or teenager hurt himself or others with it, the company would face a slew of lawsuits for manufacturing an "obsolete, dangerous" weapon.
We'll be lucky to get the revolver made, let alone a version no longer produced. We must be realistic.
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