OP
susieqz
Absent Comrade
thanks. i emptied it.
this site has the most limited box i've sen.
usually, i can keep hundreds.
this site has the most limited box i've sen.
usually, i can keep hundreds.
model 15 help please?
- Thread starter susieqz
- Start date
earplug
Member
After you have that M-15 all cleaned up and working fine. Find a screw driver that fits the following parts, Grab some loctite and apply a little dab to the front side plate screw. This screw holds the yoke in place. Apply another bit of loctite on the front screw that holds the rear sight in place. Put some on the screw under the grips/stock that applies tension to the hammer spring. This is called the strain screw. The screw looking part that holds the thumb latch which opens the cylinder can use a dab of loktite. These are all parts that loosens up and been lost over time. Some are getting expensive to replace.
If you got access to a decent take down manual I highly recommend some loktite on the ejector rod. They have a habit of unscrewing and making it difficult to unlock/open the cylinder. The rod is a left hand thread and there is a trick or two in getting it off without bending other parts. Save your brass and consider learning to reload. Have fun.
If you got access to a decent take down manual I highly recommend some loktite on the ejector rod. They have a habit of unscrewing and making it difficult to unlock/open the cylinder. The rod is a left hand thread and there is a trick or two in getting it off without bending other parts. Save your brass and consider learning to reload. Have fun.
I'd add that if you use Loctite be sure to use the blue variety. Even better is clear fingernail polish. Put it on the lower quarter of the screw and let it dry overnight before screwing it in the screwhole. As secure as Loctite but less likely to freeze up.
OP
susieqz
Absent Comrade
thanks earp n gwal.
i got lotsa nail polish. i'll get that done.
can i take off the side plate just to look?
i was afraid to open it because i don't want springs flying out at me.
i got lotsa nail polish. i'll get that done.
can i take off the side plate just to look?
i was afraid to open it because i don't want springs flying out at me.
The springs won't fly out, but the watch this video to for disassembly tips:
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9gn7zE5b3g[/ame]
OP
susieqz
Absent Comrade
thanks gwal. i studied that n now i think i could change springs.
i got my bushnel tube dot today.
i mounted it but couldn't get it to work. no instructions.
just as i got ready to ship it back, i took out the battery. they had a piece of plastic between the battery n the contacts.
this may be a good idea but it would be nice if they told you about it.
anyway, it's working now n i'll sight it in tomorrow.
i got my bushnel tube dot today.
i mounted it but couldn't get it to work. no instructions.
just as i got ready to ship it back, i took out the battery. they had a piece of plastic between the battery n the contacts.
this may be a good idea but it would be nice if they told you about it.
anyway, it's working now n i'll sight it in tomorrow.
OP
susieqz
Absent Comrade
if i'm forced to get a new made gun, just to get the predrilled holes, i'll by that spring set.
kinda like these nice old smooth guns tho.
kinda like these nice old smooth guns tho.
Smiths seem to get better with age. I have two 15-3s. I saw a couple of them up for sale either on this board or another of the several I frequent. This was five or six years ago. The seller, whom I'd dealt with in the past and I knew to be a stand-up guy, wanted $250 for a "range beater" and $350 for a 95% cosmetic one with an "out-of-the box" trigger. I offered $500 for the pair and would meet him in his locale, which was 100 miles south of me. He accepted the offer and we were both happy. The beater developed a hitch in the trigger which I tried all the usual suspects to get rid of. Just as I'd resigned myself to having a not-so-good DA trigger I tried tightening the screw holding the rear sight on and the hitch disappeared. Now the DA trigger is smooth and consistent and the gun is happily in my range rotation. I wouldn't hesitate to keep it in my car or house for personal protection, except the 4" barrel limits the hideout options in the car. I have a small center console in my Accord that's perfect for a 2" J frame or Taurus 85.
So I wouldn't give up on that 15, Suzie.
So I wouldn't give up on that 15, Suzie.
Also, don't underestimate the value of dryfiring. Even though technically Smiths are OK to dry fire empty, I feel better with the chambers filled with empties or even snapcaps if your want.
Dryfiring smooths the action surfaces and strengthens the specific muscle set that work the action (especially for DA). Dryfire DA 100 times per session. And use the penny trick. I find it helps both in SA and DA.
Dryfiring smooths the action surfaces and strengthens the specific muscle set that work the action (especially for DA). Dryfire DA 100 times per session. And use the penny trick. I find it helps both in SA and DA.
OP
susieqz
Absent Comrade
how odd that the sight screw did something to the trigger.
i can't see that it touches anything that touches the trigger.
well, it better not effect mine. i removed the rear sight entirely to fit the mount.
i'm not giving up. i've done everything you guys said plus everything i can think of, since i have the best trigger in the world.
if it works, i'll get another old 38, maybe a m14.
i can't see that it touches anything that touches the trigger.
well, it better not effect mine. i removed the rear sight entirely to fit the mount.
i'm not giving up. i've done everything you guys said plus everything i can think of, since i have the best trigger in the world.
if it works, i'll get another old 38, maybe a m14.
OP
susieqz
Absent Comrade
is that the penny on top of the gun thing?
i already know the gun moves in double action but is like a rork firing single.
i already know the gun moves in double action but is like a rork firing single.
Yep, practice until you can consistently dryfire in DA without dropping the penny balanced on the ramp, or on guns with Patridge sights balance it on the front sight.
Or if you're Miculek stand the penny vertically on the front sight and dryfire 12 times in 1.3 seconds in DA...
OP
susieqz
Absent Comrade
i'm not sure i'll ever be any good with double action.
the lighter the trigger, te smaller my group.
i suppose i could use it at 10 yards for self defense, but i'm more into 25 n 50 yards.
the lighter the trigger, te smaller my group.
i suppose i could use it at 10 yards for self defense, but i'm more into 25 n 50 yards.
Some folks, my WWII MP SSGT mentor included, believe that if you master DA revolver shooting it makes SA a breeze. But if you know that you're going to be shooting exclusively SA, then what's wrong with practicing with that in mind? None that I can see. And my mentor's platform of choice was a USGI 1911, which is SA.
To be fair, he was a natural and was pretty good with just about any platform. And WWII left him with only one eye...
In other words, shoot what you shoot best. Be aware of everything out there, and gain proficiency with whatever you can, in case you'r in a SD situation and all you have is whatever you have. I know lots of guys who only shoot their DA revos in SA and that's perfectly cool. Personally, I shoot whatever gun I'm shooting in a session a few times weak hand just to know I can if I need to. In your case I think you're trying to master a new gun, so shoot the way you shoot best to get a good feel for what the gun can do. You can always get fancy later.
To be fair, he was a natural and was pretty good with just about any platform. And WWII left him with only one eye...
In other words, shoot what you shoot best. Be aware of everything out there, and gain proficiency with whatever you can, in case you'r in a SD situation and all you have is whatever you have. I know lots of guys who only shoot their DA revos in SA and that's perfectly cool. Personally, I shoot whatever gun I'm shooting in a session a few times weak hand just to know I can if I need to. In your case I think you're trying to master a new gun, so shoot the way you shoot best to get a good feel for what the gun can do. You can always get fancy later.
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OP
susieqz
Absent Comrade
i don't think i'm doing the penny trick right,
i knew the enny would stay single action, but it stays double too.
i got it on the ramp leading to the front sight. the ramp is grooved n 1/4'' wide.
i knew the enny would stay single action, but it stays double too.
i got it on the ramp leading to the front sight. the ramp is grooved n 1/4'' wide.
OP
susieqz
Absent Comrade
YAY ! i got myself a gun.
i went out this morn n sighted in the m15 at 15 yards, with my new dot.
after a dozen rounds, i fired for score.
i forgot my tape measure but i got one ragged hole, with my cheapest ammo.
looks like the gun works. it's just my eyes that don't.
i'm never gonna bother with open sights again.
on sunday i'll sight it in at 25 yards.
then i'll be able to test ammo.
i can't tell yet if it's really a target gun but it looks promising.
that bushnel red dot works pretty good.
i'm hoping for a 1'' group, or at least the possibility of same.
the way i work, if i can get 1'' benched, i can get 2'' using 2 hands n 3'' duelist, which is what i do.
i went out this morn n sighted in the m15 at 15 yards, with my new dot.
after a dozen rounds, i fired for score.
i forgot my tape measure but i got one ragged hole, with my cheapest ammo.
looks like the gun works. it's just my eyes that don't.
i'm never gonna bother with open sights again.
on sunday i'll sight it in at 25 yards.
then i'll be able to test ammo.
i can't tell yet if it's really a target gun but it looks promising.
that bushnel red dot works pretty good.
i'm hoping for a 1'' group, or at least the possibility of same.
the way i work, if i can get 1'' benched, i can get 2'' using 2 hands n 3'' duelist, which is what i do.
amd6547
Member
I'd like to see a pic of your Model 15 with the dot mounted.
My 15-3 was a random purchase at a gun show. It was during the great police 38 sell off. I had seen cheap Model 10's at the previous show, and returned to buy one. As I looked around, I spotted this 4" with adjustable sights...$175.
It came home with me. It looked good, had been refinished pretty well, as evidenced by over-polish of the logo on the right side plate (which dismays me when I look at it). It has red ramp front and white outline rear, and still has the trigger stop installed.
My first range trip convinced me I had bought one of the best 38's ever, truly a Combat Masterpiece. I just couldn't miss with it.
My club has a line of 10" steel plates and animal silhouettes at 40yds. I was ringing them easily, when a guy near me said "That must be a Smith and Wesson...it shoots good..."
Mine is loaded with Speer 135gn +P right now, for house duty. Been wanting to try some hot Underwood SWC.
My 15-3 was a random purchase at a gun show. It was during the great police 38 sell off. I had seen cheap Model 10's at the previous show, and returned to buy one. As I looked around, I spotted this 4" with adjustable sights...$175.
It came home with me. It looked good, had been refinished pretty well, as evidenced by over-polish of the logo on the right side plate (which dismays me when I look at it). It has red ramp front and white outline rear, and still has the trigger stop installed.
My first range trip convinced me I had bought one of the best 38's ever, truly a Combat Masterpiece. I just couldn't miss with it.
My club has a line of 10" steel plates and animal silhouettes at 40yds. I was ringing them easily, when a guy near me said "That must be a Smith and Wesson...it shoots good..."
Mine is loaded with Speer 135gn +P right now, for house duty. Been wanting to try some hot Underwood SWC.
OP
susieqz
Absent Comrade
amd, i can take a pic tomorrow if someone wants to post it for me.
i can email it but i can't post unless someone does it for me.
mine isn't pretty like yours sounds. lots of holster wear.
i don't mind tho. all my guns are working guns during snake season n
even a new one gets beat up fast.
i can email it but i can't post unless someone does it for me.
mine isn't pretty like yours sounds. lots of holster wear.
i don't mind tho. all my guns are working guns during snake season n
even a new one gets beat up fast.
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