I am trying to decide between a model 15 or 19 in a 4" barrel. Which revolver would people choose for shooting just .38 specials? Which one has better balance and handles better, or are they very similar? Thanks.

They are very similar; the 19 weighs a few ounces more. I think they handle about the same. If you're "just" going to shoot .38 Specials, the 15 is fine. But having the 19 enables you to shoot .357's if you change your mind.

What he said. Another consideration is that there have been numbers of PD trade-in Model 15s available recently. I scored a decent one for a couple of c-notes:



A decent Model 19 will likely cost you at least double that.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

For shooting only .38 Special ammunition, I'd pick up a Model 15 if I were making the selection. Though it's perfectly acceptable to do so, I never shoot .38 Special in a .357 Magnum chambered revolver.

If you have absolutely no interest in shooting .357, then go for the Model 15.

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Georgia On My Mind

The 15s are very nice...but with the extra weight of the barrel shroud, I thing the 19 ballance3 better...but they tend to be a little more $$ so if its a matter of cost...but if your looking for sometime the potential of .357...the 19 is the way to go

I think my snub M15 balances/feels better than my short M66, or my short M19.
When I go to the range I often take the M15, instead of one of the other guns, because of that.

Both wil shoot just fine. The M19 is a little heavier, a little tougher, and likely quite a bit more expensive, given otherwise equal guns.

For accuracy, there is also the double jump shooting .38 in a .357.
The short case jump in the longer cylinder then the jump to the barrel. Or so I've heard over the years! !
Stu

I have both, a model 15-3 and 19-5 with the 4" barrel. The model 15 is the more accurate of the two, and my preferred traditional S&W revolver.

Accuracy wise, the 15 rivals my 6" barreled 686+, which is the proverbial "tack driver".

If you are only going to be shooting .38's, then the model 15 is absolutely the way to go, IMHO. Good luck with your decision.

As an addendum, I own 4" versions of the 15, 28 and 686. I find the 15 to be the most accurate also.
Stu

For many years my LE agency issued the model 15 in both 2" & 4". They are great shooters and it sounds like the price is right. .38 is a good round, and if you have no need/desire to load or shoot .357 then the 15 is a good choice. Let us know what you decide.

Hard to beat the Model 15 (-3) with smooth Target stocks.

Bill

Buy both of them!

That's why God invented credit cards!

I have one of each. Both are 4" ex-LEO service. The 19 is the more "worn" of the two, but both are great shooters. All of that said, the 15 seems to have a warmer spot in my heart. I shoot .38 spl. 99% of the time and when I do break out the .357's, I go to my model 28 or 581.

Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to start looking for a model 15. Of course, getting both is a good idea too!

Over the years I've owned a lot of .357's, but I'll bet I haven't fired a full box of .357 ammo in my life. I've got one .357 now, a Model 19, but when I go looking these days, I look for 38's. I wouldn't turn down a nice .357, but the price would have to be closer than most I see now.

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John 3:16 .

Is it a personal preference why you don't shoot a 38 special in a 357?

As far as which one I would pick, it would be the model 15. I once had a pre-15 combat masterpiece. It was one of the most accurate revolvers I have ever had. Unfornately, I sold it to get a model 66.

Good luck,
Howard

I don't have a 15 but I have it's stainless brother the 67. No worries about these guns holding up, this was a used Dallas-Ft. Worth PD gun when I got it back in 2002 for $200 or so, and it looked to have a fair number of rounds on it already. Back when .38 Special range ammo like Winchester White Box and Sellier & Bellot were $150 per 1,000 I used to burn a whole 1,000 round case in a long afternoon at the outdoor range and I did this many times, on top of using this as my indoor range gun when I used to shoot weekly on my days off and shoot up a couple hundred rounds a week in this gun. It's still tight as a tick and ready for duty, and still shoots ragged holes at 25 yards.

I'm a proud fan of the .38 Special, it's been getting it done since 1899 and I see no reason why it's not any good to this day. Some people have the idea that "if you buy a revolver it better be a Magnum" but that is BS.

I don't shoot a lot of .357 either, when I do get the urge to feel the "big thump" well, I also own over a dozen Ruger GP100's and a .357 Redhawk. Not a bash on S&W but I feel the Ruger is more up to the task of a steady diet of big boomers. I have a Model 28 that was pretty much shot to pieces by .357's, it's so loose now I won't trust it for more than a .38 plinker no matter how many bearings I had to put in it.

The 19's are getting "collectible" and you'll pay for the privilege..... but lots of 15's were made and I have seen them for $2-300.Since the 15 is basically a taper barrel Model 10 with adjustable sights and S&W cranked out plenty of 'em they don't cost as much. That ".357 S&W Magnum CTG" stamp on the barrel is gonna cost you more because of the "cool factor".

The whole thing with .38's not being any good in a .357 revolver is pure hogwash, I have fired 10's of thousands of .38 Special over the years in .357 revolvers. I have a 6" Model 28 with a 1.5x Redfield scope that I use solely for .38 Special, it will probably never see a .357 while I own it and the gun will last for the rest of my lifetime,the gun is as tight as when it left the factory in 1967 and it will stay that way, guaranteed.......and I still cut the X-Ring out at 50 yards with .38's in this gun.....the burn rings from .38's can be cleaned out with Hoppe's and a nylon brush, some so called "gun gurus" tell me shooting .38 in a .357 will "ruin" the gun but again, I call BS on this "fact" too.

The Model 15 is my choice. It, and the .38 Special, does everything that I require in a revolver of this type. If I needed more power, I would go to a larger caliber.
Chris

15's are cool, don't forget about the Model 10's!

If a 6" 38 special is useable for you a Model 14 is as good as a 38 can get!!

.38 Special's have been the military workhorse through Vietnam. Yes, it is NOT a .357 Magnum, but that's OK. Matching the reputation of the Model 15, with the traditional semi-wadcutter design cartridge, or the re-introduced Nyclad HP's, and you have enough gun! It IS easier to shoot that second shot than a .357, it does track back to target quicker, it fills the hand well, and there are a tremendous amount of cartridge/bullet loadings! Get your M-15, get your ammo, and get started!

Speaking of Vietnam, there was an article in my paper about the South Vietnamese General who was photographed blasting the VC terrorist in the head with a S&W .38 snub....another example of .38 Special getting it done!

Can't go wrong with either. But for just .38 Specials, go with the model 15.

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"I'm just a dog chasing cars."

i bought a 90% + 19w/ box tools and papers for 299 and a 15 in 100% for 399 this year. the 19 is my favorite. both are awesome guns.

Both are awesome of course,
Obviously the Model 19 has the 357 advantage of a magnum treating, heavier barrel and shrouded extractor making it stronger .

Remove that and you are left with two very similar guns.

I like older models with pinned barrels and diamond grips so would probably choose an older Model 15 over a newer 19.

The Model 15 has the tapered barrel look, Magna grips and is lighter ...
I chose both......Which one did you choose?

buy one of each. They are great guns......and fun to own.

The price difference between the 19 and the 15 is negligible. I see a lot more 19s for sale than 15s.
After seeing how much good Model 15s cost, my wife actually relegated our (her) 15-2 (1963) to "safe queen" status. The original grips are in the safe.

It's always nice to have the option of shooting .357s, so I'd opt for the Model 19. The 19 is a heavier, stronger K-frame, and should last forever shooting .38s. My wife shoots this 19-3 (1976).

I think the 19 has better balance, but that's strictly subjective. Shooting .38s out of a .357 is fine, we shoot hundreds of .38s from various .357 revolvers.

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NRA Lifetime Member

I never could decide that one myself. I just went ahead and got both, eventually.

I carried Model 15s as duty weapons, as a civilian LEO, as a enlisted Air Force Security Specialist, and as an AF aircrew member. I've owned Model 66s, but just like the Model 15 better. I have 2 model 15s, one with a 4 inch barrel and one with a 2 inch barrel, just like I carried in the AF, and a Model 67 LE trade-in which is a great utility gun around the ranch. With good ammo, I prefer Speer Gold Dot 130 grain +P and CCI Shotshells, the M15/67 is everything I need in a pistol.

I bought an old beater 15-3 (ex-Arizona Highway Patrol issue) from a friend for $250 and despite its holster wear and general beat-up appearance it shoots as well as my Glock 21 (45ACP) which is my duty carry and which I use in combat shoots. All I did after I bought it was clean it, lube it, add a set of Hogue Monogrips, and take it to the range.

Best $250 I ever spent.