The Model 15 snubbie

[Warren Sear]

I got a dash 3 that looks like 10 miles of bad road, but it's the best shootin snub gun I have and wouldn't take anything for it...

Ga Johnny, I have one like that, too! Mine's a former police gun, stamped "BPD" (I'm told for Birmingham Police Department), followed by a 4 digit number . The patrol officers were issued M15's with 4" barrels, while the plainclothes officers got the 2" models, which I hear was common at the time.

I carry mine concealed at times, and it makes a nice trail gun. The trigger and action are very nice. I think of it as a model 36, except you get six shots, you can hit what you're aiming at, and it's actually comfortable to shoot, even with +P ammo.

Edit to add; mine has a pinned barrel, but the cylinders are not recessed. What's up with that?

 

[NA225]

I don't think 38's had recessed cylinders, only the magnums.

 

[MajorD]

recessed cylinders was a magnum thing. also done on 22's. but 38's never had them (maybe the heavy N's like the heavy duty but I am not sure- definitely know k-frames were not recessed.)

 

[Warren Sear]

Thanks guys, I did not know that.

 

[KEN L]

Wonder why they never made it in a round butt??

 

[Joe in SC]

A great snub, no doubt. It does have a great look about it, too! I helped my BIL find one twenty years ago and then had an ex-FBI armorer do a carry trigger job on it. Actually it was OK out of the box.

It has done bed side duty ever since and probably hasn't been fired more than 100 times, if that much. When it came back from being tuned we fired it, a couple cylinder fulls each. At 15 yards it was awesome, shooting as well as my model 19 w/4 inch bbl. with hbwc factory target ammo.

The fact that these revolvers have adjustable sights shouldn't deter anyone from purchasing the gun. I have had so many S&W revolvers with adjustables that I have lost count. I have hunted in heavy brush while wearing them on a belt, I have taken some fairly nasty falls with them on and have never had a problem with them. They are easily replaced if damaged. I certainly wouldn't say they are bullet-proof but they aren't delicate by any means. That sums up my experience with them. I believe the gun is much more versatile with adjustables. To each his own.

 

[gtoppcop]

I've always thought (and maintained) that the Model 15 snub is one of the classiest snubs around (save the Colt DS). I wonder WHY S&W never made them in numbers with a Round Butt?

I think that the combination of a R/B with the adjustable sights would've made the penultimate snub revolver.

They never seem to appear in my area in the used-gun market. I got a S&W Model 10-5 several months back and had it "modernized" to bridge the gap until I'm able to find a Model 15 2-inch.

If I'm blessed to get one, I will most certainly round butt the gun, have Craig Spegel make up some Boots and have the hammer bobbed. The barreled action would go off to Chris McVety at Amerigun for his expert install of a front Trijicon night sight.

 

[IWK2HT]

I too like the 15 Snubies This was bought new in 1975

 

[BAM-BAM]

I find the 2" M15 a Smith that got almost everything just a little wrong. A short gun with delicate and bulky fully adjustable sights, a difficult to conceal square butt, and too-big-for-38 Special K Frame. If one were to carry this much gun would it not be worth the slight difference in size to upgrade to a 2.5" Model 19 or 3" Model 13? If one must have a small 38 six-shooter then the Model 10 or Colt DS or Diamondback would appeal to me long before the 2" Model 15.
Please do not take this personal....just feel obligated to share a different view and I certainly do not want to degrade this pleasant conversation into an argument.

Like others have said...... your comments are spot on.... but for some reason the 2" M-15 is just soooo cooooool!!!!!

My primary carry revolver is a 3" M-66....... but I want a 2" model 15....... just cus!!!

 

[gkitch]

Again, the Combat Masterpiece was once a state-of-the-art fighting tool. Another reason for the 2" gun was so that LE who competed in PPC would have the perfect gun for the snub matches/off-duty.

So, in the 1950s or 60s a serious cop might have an battery something like this:

1. Combat Masterpiece (Model 15), 4" bbl: Duty
2. K-38 (Model 14), 6": Bullseye and PPC competition
3. Model 18, 4": practice, sporting use
4. Combat Masterpiece (Mod 15), 2" bbl: Off-duty, PPC competition
5. K-22 (Mod 17): Bullseye competion, practice.

Basically, this cop could master the same basic gun for all applications. Same basic trigger, weight, grips, sight picture, etc.

 

[raylan007]

New M 15-2 2"

Being a great fan of the M15 I own a few 4" but have been looking for a 2" for the past year or so. The problem I encountered was the only thing I found on GB and the likes were collector grade with box and extras going for $700 and up. I finally came across an example of a 2" that suited my wallet for under $500 on GB getting practically no bids and got all over it. I just received it gave it a cleaning and a quick Ren Wax. I couldn't be more pleased and the seller even threw in the holster that the individual who used it as a carry sold with the revolver, The brand is Hunter and it is a nice little piece although I think I am going to attempt to line it to preserve the near perfect bluing. What do they say about all good things come to those who wait? I'm usually not one of them but in this instance was forced to. By the amount of listings I have come across on GB I would have to guess not many of the 2" were produced or the folks who own them hold on to them. Here is my newly acquired Model 15-2 manufactured in 1969, the date of manufactured was supplied by a Forum member that was good enough to oblige my inquiry.

 

[Xfuzz]

Shooter grade 1975 vintage I picked up off
GB for under $400.00(IIRC).
Carry wear only. Great action and quite accurate.

 

[Warren Sear]

...the seller even threw in the holster that the individual who used it as a carry sold with the revolver, The brand is Hunter and it is a nice little piece although I think I am going to attempt to line it to preserve the near perfect bluing...

Very nice gun!

You do not need to line the holster to preserve the guns finish; just keep the inside of the holster perfectly clean.

Accumulated dirt and debris embedded on the inside of the holster and rubbing against the gun is what wears the bluing. You can rinse the inside of the holster with clear water to clean it, then let it dry naturally (no heat).

Mink oil is good for the outside, but will attract dirt if you use it on the inside.

Spray the inside with silicone spray once in a while to keep it weather resistant.

 

[captainjohnsofd]

Had one blue and one nickle...sold them both. Still kicking myself.....

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

Looks like someone resurrected an old thread but hey who doesn't like seeing model 15 snubs. I've said it before, these 2" guns shoot more like their 4" cousins.

Here's mine. It's a 15-3.

 

[Jimmyjones]

I can add a -4

 

[hugo]

Re: M15 snub-I have friend who flew 105s to Hanoi and areas around there. He showed me his issue vest gun and it is a 15 snub. I can't recall now if it was blued or parkerized but I was surprised to see it. This was in about '65-66 and 67-68. He did 200 total missions and brought smoke on lots of folk deserving it.

 

[nuguy]

Another 15

Can't see enough 15 snubs, here is my 15-3.

 

[beach elvis]

Late last year I scored a NIB -4 2".
Oddly, it was from a batch of LE trade-ins, all the rest being rather worn-in 4-inchers, some with target triggers and hammers. The others all were in generic brown cardboard boxes but this one had the blue box, docs, and all the case candy, including warranty card, holster catalog, and an ad for S&W ammo. I'd love to know what the initials stamped on them all mean.

Anyway, it rides in a Galco shoulder rig and fits my bill perfectly.

 

[walkcubs]

I just bought this snubbie yesterday. I have a question. The grips have the matching serial number for the gun but there is also stamped in large letters "KPC". Any ideas? Inspector stamp? Gun was manufactured circa 1968 according to S&W Catalog & Roy Jinks book.