Saw one last Saturday for $300. Pinned 4" barrel but cylinders not recessed. Bluing is very worn in some places. Wood grips are in rough shape. But the single-action trigger - talk about hair trigger! You just think about it and the hammer falls.

Anyway, I already have a 15-2 so I didn't need another one. Would that have been a good purchase? Would you have bought?

Model 15's were never recessed, but they were pinned barrels up till the-5 came out in 1982. Depending on how worn it looked and if the mechanic's checked out, I would likely have bought it. You can not buy a new even remotely compatible .38 from any manufacture for $300. Some guns just come into our lives destine to be carried and shot ( a lot). Kyle

There was no rust on it, just worn bluing. The action was pretty sound - cylinder locked up tight. Probably gone by now.

Holy smoke, yes, as long as the mechanicals are in good working order. $300 is a steal these days.
Design point for your notebook: S&W .38 special cylinders were not recessed. That was done only on .357s and .22s.
A rough exterior on a firearm with an excellent action just means you won't feel bad about shootin' the heck out of it and leaving the cleaning til the nest day!

And .44 Mag's up till '82 or so, IINM. Not sure about the .41 Maggie.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

If you already have a 15-2, it's good you left it for somebody else. Share the wealth sort of thing.

I've been looking for a nice M15. Too bad it's in Texas and I'm in Illinois!