Market Check on USAF Model 15

[old bear]

Hello, I saw a mod. 15 recently that was marked usaf on frame. It also has factory letter confirming the gun. Gun is about 75/80 percent finish. Does anyone have any idea of value? He had it listed for $1800.00 This is a grail gun for me. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I was unable to take a pic.

Rover if it's a grail gun ( I can't tell you or anyone how much I hate that term) All I can say is if you really want it and can afford it, buy it, and I hope you really enjoy having it.
old bear

 

[TJm15.38]

During my time in as an officer, never came across many in very good shape. Remember parts falling off one during annual qualification in Panama. Price seems high for what it is. You can usually buy a great N frame for alot less.

I'll second that. I was in USAF when we switched from S&W Model 15 to Beretta M9. In the last few years before the change, those range guns used for qualification were literally beat up. I thought they all went to Warner Robbins, GA to be destroyed, but some got in the civilian market and people are paying premium prices for them. Not for me.

 

[Rev 19:11]

For me it’s an $800 gun, maybe $1000 if I couldn’t live without it.
I carried one as an USAF police officer.

I did as well. McClellan, Kunsan, George. I'd like one but not for $1,800.

 

[max503]

My question is: Is it the USAF lettering that dictates the price?

 

[kwill1911]

Of course. Guns with military provenance always bring a premium.

 

[oneeyedpete]

Why are these so rare? If they were standard issue for the Air Force MPs, I would think there are quite a few out there. Please educate me on these!

 

[jpage]

.Gov destroyed most, with the gradual introduction of the M9.

 

[kwill1911]

Yup. The USAF acquired thousands of S&W revolvers and crushed or torched almost all of them when they were declared obsolete.

 

[oneeyedpete]

Wow! Imagine what they could have saved with the CMP! Look at what beat up moldy old 1911 go for on CMP auctions these days!

 

[murphydog]

The survivors I've seen were presumably "liberated" from government inventory, but I've also read that some were transferred to US police and sheriff's departments.

 

[jpage]

The survivors I've seen were presumably "liberated" from government inventory, but I've also read that some were transferred to US police and sheriff's departments.

Mississippi DFG used them

 

[oldcorps76]

I packed one of these with a 2" barrel when I was a Strategic Air Command Minuteman II ICBM combat crew member at Whiteman AFB, MO, 1977-1982. Some HQ yahoo mandated we load with only 5 rounds. I don't think any of them were ever fired, just rotated and cleaned occasionally. Would love one just for the "good" memories of events like the times (more than one) we got emergency orders to open the Safe - yes, that one - insert the launch keys, strap into our chairs, and wait for the next order...which thankfully was "stand down..." otherwise, we likely would not be here.....

 

[kwill1911]

I packed one of these with a 2" barrel when I was a Strategic Air Command Minuteman II ICBM combat crew member at Whiteman AFB, MO, 1977-1982. Some HQ yahoo mandated we load with only 5 rounds. I don't think any of them were ever fired, just rotated and cleaned occasionally. Would love one just for the "good" memories of events like the times (more than one) we got emergency orders to open the Safe - yes, that one - insert the launch keys, strap into our chairs, and wait for the next order...which thankfully was "stand down..."

Could it have actually been a Model 56, which is quite similar? The USAF bought a lot of them but did not buy any Model 15s with a 2-inch barrel.

 

[oldcorps76]

My CMP 1911 is a mixmaster but shoots right nice. The last -15's I used were pretty beat up after likely +25 years of service....

 

[oldcorps76]

Model 56 - interesting, very well could have been. I never opened one up to look at the yoke to see if there was a model number - we were not allowed to remove them from the holsters, believe it or not.

 

[sigp220.45]

I don’t think I ever was issued a raggedy Model 15 - mine were always in pretty good shape. I will admit to being happy to get that NIB M9 though.

I fought a mostly losing battle with the armory to put Pachmayr Presentations on my issued M-15. I’d put ‘em on, they’d take ‘em off, saying only wooden S&W grips were authorized. I put some factory targets on mine and they just gave up.

 

[PAULEM]

Hello, I saw a mod. 15 recently that was marked usaf on frame. It also has factory letter confirming the gun. Gun is about 75/80 percent finish. Does anyone have any idea of value? He had it listed for $1800.00 This is a grail gun for me. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I was unable to take a pic.

I recall from the 60's when I was in the Air Force, that our Air Police (as they were then called) carried the Smith 15. Good gun. I owned one, let it get away, but still have my 19. The price on this one seems a bit steep. Not sure why it's set there. Good luck.

 

[Bald1]

Rover if it's a grail gun ( I can't tell you or anyone how much I hate that term) All I can say is if you really want it and can afford it, buy it, and I hope you really enjoy having it.
old bear

Ok I’ll bite. Why do you hate the term? Is it the term itself? Maybe a different term like bucket list gun? Seems like a useful term.

 

[murphydog]

The OP hasn't been back since posting. Maybe he is raiding his piggy banks?

 

[austintexas]

Last gunshow I paid too much for a pre M-19. It wasn't a grail gun but It was one I've kinda been looking for. Pre 19s were only made for 2 years, '55-'56. I kinda wanted one, been looking for several years, not too hard but looking. Walked up on this one, a '56 model year, I had the funds and I bought it. I picked it up over 2 others I was looking at, a 1942 Garand, and a nice nickel 4" 44 magnum. I just rationalized there were more '42 Garands and nickel 44 magnums out there than pre 19s.
SWCA 892