My Model 15-3

amd6547 · #1 11-01-2009, 01:45 PM

Hello, I was member here before, but have not logged in for a while, and the site says I never posted before, so here goes.
I am all over the web gun sites as amd6547.
The only S&W product I own is a Model 15-3. I was at the medina ohio gun show, looking for a nice used model 10, when I stumbled into this Model 15 at a bargain price...Private seller, so no paperwork, no tax...I walked away with it for $225 (what I was looking to pay for a Model 10 I had seen at a previous show). Serial 3K395XX. Sights are red insert/white outline.
I believe it has been re-blued, as the S&W emblem on the sideplate appears to have been smeared by too much polishing. It dosn't really bother me, as this is a shooter for me...I am considering replacing the sideplate, however. Overall, it looks pretty good, with a little holster wear. I added the T-grip. and like it a lot.
I don't need to tell you guys how sweetly this revolver shoots. The DA pull is very light and smooth. The SA pull has to be used very carefully, it is so light...I barely lay my finger on it, and it trips, with no overtravel...I have gotten used to it.
The only other revolver I own is a Ruger SP101 3" 357mag, my carry gun.
Anyway, here is the pic:

scotty14 · #2 11-01-2009, 02:08 PM

Very nice--I just picked up a 15-3 as well, but in chrome. You will surely enjoy shooting it.

amd6547 · #3 11-01-2009, 02:18 PM

I have enjoyed shooting it...In fact, I was just at a Walmart last week, and they had a display case full of Winchester white box 100rd packs of flatpoint 130gn FMJ, and 50rd boxes of "personal protection" 125gn +P JHP. Bought one of each, for shooting fun and the brass. Going to start reloading 38spl and 357mag. By the way, service there was impeccable, I had only stood at the counter for about 20 seconds looking, when a nice lady clerk stepped up to see if I needed help, none of the Walmart-customary searching for a clerk with a key.
I am probably going to order up some of the S&B 148gn wadcutter ammo, also.
The rifle club I belong to has a bowling pin range with a pin silouette set you can reset from the firing line...I had a blast there a couple weeks ago knocking them down with my Model 15-3 and Aguila 158gn RN lead loads.

Scary Gary · #4 11-01-2009, 02:39 PM

I just got a Mod. 15 a few months back for my ten year old boy . A friend was selling it for someone ell's and only wanted $225.00 for it . I gave him the $225.00 after glancing at it just to make sure it had not been destroyed or was not a serviceable gun . I got home and took a much closer look and it is an early 1950's gun that looked as though it had never been fired but it did have three small spots on the left side of the barrel that had no blueing and what look like holster wear on the muzzle but no holster wear on the cylinder or the ring aound the cylinder from the cylinder being turned . I asked my friend if it had ever been fired and he said that the guy he got it from said that his father had bought it a long time ago and as far as he knew it had never been fired . This Mod. 15 has the nicest action I have ever seen on a S&W . my boy just loves that gun

HAWKEYE10 · #5 11-01-2009, 04:11 PM

You guys have all the luck. Those are very good deals.
I bought my 15-4 new and at wholesale back in the day.

scotty14 · #6 11-01-2009, 04:54 PM

Here is my 15-3. Got it for $300 at a pawn shop. Great condition and shoots great as well.

bmcgilvray · #7 11-01-2009, 05:05 PM

The Model 15 is very under-appreciated by the handgun world at large. It is a very useful revolver and is so enjoyable to shoot. You did yourself a huge favor picking that one for yourself.

amd6547 · #8 11-01-2009, 05:12 PM

Funny...as much as I love this Model 15, and enjoy shooting it, I havn't stopped lusting for a model 10, 65, or 64.

scotty14 · #9 11-01-2009, 05:40 PM

Quote:

I added the T-grip. and like it a lot.

I would like to try those T grips. I think it may give me a better angle while aiming the 15.

amd6547 · #10 11-01-2009, 07:15 PM

The T-grip is a piece of retro cool gear that works great. I didn't want to go to the large target grips, and rubber grips just don't do it for me.
The T-grip gives a hand filling grip and lets the S&W wood shine through. They are available in silver to match your chrome.

WVfishguy · #11 11-01-2009, 07:52 PM

This Model 15-2 was made in 1963. It's sporting Herretts stocks; the original grips are immaculate, and stored in the safe. My wife and I bought it in a local gun shop last year for $350. It's been very well taken care of.

Scary Gary · #12 11-01-2009, 08:04 PM

My boy's 15 came with target grip's and he loves them . He's 10 and still has some growing to do but we tryed the saller grip's and he and I prefer the target grip's .

roaddog28 · #13 11-01-2009, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scary Gary

I just got a Mod. 15 a few months back for my ten year old boy . A friend was selling it for someone ell's and only wanted $225.00 for it . I gave him the $225.00 after glancing at it just to make sure it had not been destroyed or was not a serviceable gun . I got home and took a much closer look and it is an early 1950's gun that looked as though it had never been fired but it did have three small spots on the left side of the barrel that had no blueing and what look like holster wear on the muzzle but no holster wear on the cylinder or the ring aound the cylinder from the cylinder being turned . I asked my friend if it had ever been fired and he said that the guy he got it from said that his father had bought it a long time ago and as far as he knew it had never been fired . This Mod. 15 has the nicest action I have ever seen on a S&W . my boy just loves that gun

The history of the mod 15 is almost like the model 10. The model 15 is the platform for the model 19 combat masterpiece as well as the 66 stainless steel version. Also the model 67 is the stainless steel brother of the model 15. And then you have the model 18 which is the 22 caliber version of the 15. The history shows this was the most accurate and had the best trigger of any of the K frame revolvers. Below is my pre-15 combat masterpiece production 1951. Its at the top of my list next to my model 10 in my collection.
Enjoy your model 15
roaddog28

armybass · #14 11-01-2009, 10:40 PM

Very nice 15's. I have a M15-3 too but mine is a little shorter than the ones you all have.

She is the one on the far right.

winshooter · #15 11-10-2009, 02:58 AM

I like the S&W 15-3 also and the T-Grip to make it fit my hand a little better. My T-Grip though is made by Pachmayr. This was my dad's house gun and when he passed away in 1976 it became mine. It's been locked in the safe pretty much since then but seeing all these other 15-3's I decided to shoot it more and admire it less.