I dunno...maybe I'm getting sentimental in my old age, but yesterday, on my way to the range, I decided to take my old Smith and Wesson model 15-3 along with a box of 130-grain FMJ .38 specials.

It seems like several of the modern-day gun writers have relegated the .38 Special to the rank of forgotten stepchild behind the likes of the more powerful .357 and .44 magnums. A few claim that the .38 shouldn't even be seriously considered as a defensive round and they site examples of the Moros or other incidents where the bad guys have kept coming after being riddled with the .38.

I suppose that I have fallen in with that logic because I'd been carrying a .357 magnum or a .45 as a carry piece for several years now.

Anyway, for whatever reason, I took the old .38 from its practically forgotten position in the back of the safe and drove out to the range.

After several rounds, and a large, gaping, ragged hole in the target, I remembered just how smooth the action and trigger on these old Smith and Wessons were...right from the factory.

I guess you could say that an old love affair was rekindled. In fact, I just might find myself carrying that old model 15 around more often now.

__________________
Pack light and cinch tight.

The .38 is a great plinker and small game round.

And it is an excellent home and self-defense arm. The problem with the .38 Special was always in the ammunition, not in the gun. With the advances in modern ammunition .38 Special is my go-to recommendation to new shooters.

I am only allowed three guns on my carry permit, and two of the three chamber .38 Special ammunition.

Frank

I have two Model 15s, a 4 incher and a 2 inch snub nose.

They are two of my favorite handguns to shoot and I would be comfortable depending on either one for self defense, no questions asked. I mean if my daily carry gun is a .38 Special Model 60, what's the problem with a Model 15?

I have owned several 15's over the years but prefer the stainless 67. I seldom see any of either type for sale. There is a CM pre-15 for sale near me, but the price is $1,200.00.

Bingo, right there. Same's true for 9mm, for which the early defensive ammo was terrible but has come a long way since.

With modern ammunition technology, .38 Special, .45 ACP, and everything in between have more in common than not in regards to terminal ballistics.

My favorite 4" .38 special handgun is the "Combat Masterpiece" aka Model 15/67 and its K22 counterpart the Model 18 ,

Probably not an accident my favorite 357 is the Model 19/66.

Just picked up a 15-2 that serials to 1967 that I am in the process of fixing up to be my new range gun.

Ive posted this before but here are some 22 Combat Masterpieces,


and a side by side of the 19, 14-2HB , 15 and 10 barrel muzzle profile differences

I have read the same negative comments about the .38 special and even have friends claim it and the 9mm are just not powerful enough. Funny though, none of my friends will let me shoot them with either round!

I think they are afraid that I might get lucky and hit something important.

Some of the current Buffalo Bore .38 special +P load offerings compared to the 357 at bottom doesnt seem too whimpy to me.

Heavy .38 Special +P Ammo - 158 gr. L.S.W.C.H.P. --G.C. (1,000fps/M.E. 351 ft.lbs.)
38 Special +P OUTDOORSMAN - 158 gr. Hard Cast Keith @ 1,250 fps
Heavy .38 Special +P Ammo - 125 gr. L.V. Jacketed Hollow Point (1,050fps/M.E. 306 ft. lbs.)

Low Flash 357 Magnum Ammo - 140 gr. Jacketed Hollow Point (1,150fps/M.E. 411 ft. lbs.)

I wouldn't care to be shot by either too. I think it was the 38 long Colt that had problems putting the Moros down, which led to the development of 38 special, and the adoption of the 45 ACP/1911 combo. Thought it was more of a car body penetration that failed the 38 special... hence, in part, the introduction of the 357 magnum. Wouldn't care to get shot by those two as well. But as far as accuracy and shooting pleasure goes, the 38 special is my range caliber of choice.
John

A lot of guys in Chicago went to the coroner for physicals after taking those 158-g LSWCHPs.

My wife's 15-2, 2 inch and the "downstairs" 15-4, 4 inch are currently stuffed with Federal, 158 grain, Hydra Shock rounds. I do not feel under gunned when carrying either one.

Yep, not so long ago, the most common .38 round was a 158 gr round nose bullet at 800 fps. Not too hard to puzzle out where the reputation for ineffectiveness came from.

The sweetest revolver I have ever owned was a four-inch 15-3 bought unfired from an estate consignment. My son and his boys have it now and love it, but MAN, that was a lovely gun!

I can no longer shoot magnum calibers due to crippled-up hands. I carry a J-frame in .38 Special every day and have for years. House gun is a four-inch 10-5. I feel very comfortable with both.

I've owned .357, 9mm and .40 S&W guns, but have kept my fondness for the venerable .38. Especially the FBI load, though I may try the Gold Dot 135gr. short-barrel load if I can ever find some.

I envy you that 15-3.

__________________
Oh well, what the hell.

There is nothing wrong with a .38 cal. round if it is employed properly. However, once we relegated the revolver to a back up or back of the safe and the new philosophy of spray and pray, gangsta style, you needed a 15+ round semi auto with at least 3+ magazines to walk to the mailbox. I'm told I'm to "old school" but I believe in sight picture and trigger squeeze. I think if Mossad uses a few small caliber rounds for covert operations I should be just fine.;-)

My first issued duty weapon in 1973 was a model 15....with 158 gr. RNL bullets...I have always been a huge fan of the K frame 15, 18 & 19's....and their stainless counterparts 67 & 66's.....38 spl ammo ( and all HGN ammo) has made quantum leaps in performance since 1973.....I still carry a 38 spl J frame everyday loaded with the BB SWC HP GC load......I was on several shooting boards and after action investigations and have been thru a bunch of post mortems....bullet placement is KING....and having a round that you can shoot accurately under duress that will cut good permanent wound channels is the rest of the story.

You speak the truth.

Your Model 15 is truly a 'Masterpiece'.

Beautiful, well balanced, accurate, and deadly when necessary.

The .38 used against the Moros was the less powerful .38 Long Colt with lead round nosed ammo. Load a good modern .38 with a Corbon 110 grain DPX or Speer 135 grain Gold Dot and you have an entirely different situation.

My wife's house gun is an ex Aussie police Model 10 3" loaded with the Speer Gold Dots. I would not trust her life to just anything.......

Glad you enjoyed your range time with your 15.

I did the same thing on Saturday and shot this newly aqquired, well worn 15-3 from 1971 in IDPA. But, I am no stranger to the accuraccy and dependability of the Combat Masterpiece.

I carried one every day for most of my Air Force career. It was a reliable and comfortable companion that I trusted my life with.

I answered more questions about it after Saturdays match, and even some young guys wanted to look at it.

I have several 15's and a pre 15 in my collection that I love. This one came with a boatload of holster wear and honest work scars on the finish..a perfect example for competition use where it will get run in and out of the holster all day long.


A .312 smooth forged combat trigger installed makes rapid fire strings a breeze!

__________________
Take your time..quickly.

The model 15 is one of the most elegant revolvers I've ever owned and shot. I feel blessed to be able to own two (a 2" and 4"). It's earned and upheld it's title as the "Combat Masterpiece" for 57 years and I think every owner would agree.

So what if the .38 Spl doesn't get the hype and popularity of the magnum. I bet 80-90% of people who carry a 357 will no doubtingly practice and carry with .38 Spl. or 38+P rounds.

__________________
Ephesians 6 (Armor of God)

Lots of M-15 fans here including yours truly, thanks for sharing...ENJOY!

__________________
NULLI SECUNDUS

Next to the Model 10, I believe that the Model 15 Combat Masterpiece was the most issued/used 38 ever issued or used by Law Enforcement officers in this country. It was my first and only issued gun. Mine was in the service of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. It was and remains, for me, one of the best and most useful of revolvers. Later in my life and career, a model 15 of my own was used in service of a small department in Oregon where I finished my career. I did eventually move on to autos but still find that the Model 15 is my favorite of all. I NEVER felt under-gunned or uncomfortable with my model 15 with me. I wish that I had my original issued model 15. If I had stayed with LASO I would have been able to purchase it when the department changed to the Beretta M92..... Oh well. If anyone knows of it's whereabouts, I would appreciate a note or call: serial number 3K55489. After all these years, it comes right out of my memory!!!

I feel the M15 is the ultimate classic S&W revolver, though I love the M36 dearly.