15-3 2 inch

[stmry]

What do you guys think of a blued model from 1969 in like new condition, original grips, for 6 bills?
It doesn't have any box or paperwork, but is as pristine as it gets.
I'm usually drawn to N-Frames and k-frames in .357, so I'm not as savy with models like this.
I do, however, find it very appealing, hence my interest. Thanks

 

[Art Doc]

This is another model developing cult status. I think a target grade snubby is fairly useless. Not good for real target shooting, not a great choice for carry. I wouldn't know what to do with it.

You want it? It's your money. I think $600 is ridiculous but you're the one doing the shopping, not me.

 

[murphydog]

A pretty nice one with box (earlier vintage, probably early '60s) just sold online for $516, so $600 seems a bit high but not outrageously so.

 

[JP@AK]

At a gun show three weeks ago, I saw two Model 15-2 revolvers being offered by the same vendor. They were both wearing Goodyears, but were otherwise in excellent condition. The price was $425 each. I should have bought them both, but by that time the money was running out . . .
So, I do think $600 is a bit high. If you look around, you will end up with a better deal. The Combat Masterpiece is not a scarce gun. You'll pay more for a 2", but not that much.

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

I'd try to talk and negotiate to at least between $450-$500. Guess it depends on how pristine it is and the condition of the grips. A used .38 spl for $600 is high.

I understand the tempation though. The model 15 is one very elegant firearm. 2 inch models are a little harder to find. They conceal well, and shoot like 4 inch duty guns.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Slightly high. If you really care a lot about cosmetics, it might be the one for you, but if you shoot it, you may want to carry it, a lot, so the cosmetics may be wasted.

SP and I have had a LONG argument on the utility of a 2" adjustable-sight SB K-frame .38 Spl for carry, and he makes some good points, but in the end, a lot hinges on what fits your hand and your body. I like mine very much, and you will see that many others do, also. That does not detract from the validity of SP's points, but merely shows that there are exceptions.

I got one not long ago that I recall was put out for $500, and it was not perfect (but close) and had Goodyears. As it was, I traded even for it (a nickel 4" with box and papers), but $500 would have seemed high. However, I probably would have paid it.

 

[Maximumbob54]

All things S&W are steady creeping in price. And you you think that's bad news then try looking up current Colt pricing. I felt dumb paying $1K for a Python that I've now had two guys offer me $2K for it. And it has been said that if you buy either brand you don't pay too much, you just paid too early. So if you do like it then I would buy it. But I will say I just bought a fairly good looking 4" (super common) with magnas for $450. I added the Hogue:




Threads without pics are boring. Someone post up a 2" Masterpiece to inspire the OP to buy his....

 

[Hapworth]

A touch high, but most hinges on your definition of the highly subjective "like new" assessment. I take "like new" to mean exactly that -- cosmetically and mechanically as if it were from the factory only, never shot (save for test-fire), never carried.

If that's your definition of "like new", $600 still is a touch high for the gun only but somewhat more realistic on the current market. The Model 15 snubby commands a premium among the Combat Masterpieces. If that's a revolver you particularly want or have use for, pristine examples are few and far between.

Now, is $600 the lowest you could talk the seller down to, or the seller's opening ask? If the latter, the whole topic is academic until you have an out the door price negotiated.

 

[NYlakesider]

I'd try to talk and negotiate to at least between $450-$500. Guess it depends on how pristine it is and the condition of the grips. A used .38 spl for $600 is high.

I understand the tempation though. The model 15 is one very elegant firearm. 2 inch models are a little harder to find. They conceal well, and shoot like 4 inch duty guns.

That is the reason I bought my 15 2''. The clubs in the area were doing a lot of PPC shooting and some offered a "off duty" shooting course for revolvers 2-1/2 and down.

I tried to find a 19 but they were hard to find and then I found that 15. It was a bit abused, worn bluing and a couple scratches under the cylinder release and its easy price reflected that fact. It was a working Fed cop’s gun and it was well used, but I told the dealer I was interested. I looked it over carefully and it was tight and I said I will take it but I want to pull the side plate and look around. Dealer agreed and all was good inside.

I bought it rather cheap put some rubber grips on it and that little gun sure could shoot. Not only did I shoot PPC with it, I carried it for a while as my CCW piece. I still have it and if needed would be very comforting to be a carry gun now.

The price The OP stated was a bit high IMHO but it sounds like a nice gun.

 

[H Richard]

$600 seems high to me, but I will report the 2" thinks it is a target gun. I originally bought it on a lark some years back, but after shooting it discovered how great they are.

 

[stmry]

Thank you everyone for your thoughts.
I agree that the price is a little steep.
I'll wait for a better deal. Thanks again.

 

[Hapworth]

Thank you everyone for your thoughts.
I agree that the price is a little steep.
I'll wait for a better deal. Thanks again.

So $600 was as low as the seller would go?

 

[JimC]

I bought a used one back in the early '70's when I first got in to LE.
I got it for a steal (less than $200) from a LGS that I previously work for.
It was in like new condition and was a trade in.
With the SB and adjustable RS is wasn't the best gun to conceal unless I had a jacket on at the time.
That being said, that little gun shot like it was a 4" gun.
It was dead on accurate with 148 gr. WC bullets.
I recall it liked the Rem. 158 gr. short jacket (scalloped) HP so popular at the time.
It is one of the guns that I regret letting go.

 

[FPrice]

I have to admit that I have a soft spot in my heart for the Model 15, mainly because that was the first handgun I ever trained with. That was in the AF way back in 1967. I have a 1949 Target Masterpiece was factory modified to a Combat Masterpiece but I've always wanted a real 2" M15.

The only problem I have with the 2" model is that (to me at least) a snubby revolver just looks better with a round butt. But if I found a good deal on one I could probably overlook that.

 

[NOTREDAME]

Model 15 Snub

There are a couple of snubs I just cannot get enough of:
And the 15 is one of them.... You should be able to find one for less, the question is, how bad do you want this one?

 

[Engine49guy]

This is another model developing cult status. I think a target grade snubby is fairly useless. Not good for real target shooting, not a great choice for carry. I wouldn't know what to do with it.... I think $600 is ridiculous .

Im with SP on this one,
The snub 15 is a weird combination of features that I just dont get.
A .38 special snub 2" wide rib Heavy Barrel without an ejector rod shroud offered as a Square butt only.
Basicly a SB Model 10 snub with target sites and HB.
If your heart is set on a K frame For $600 you can get a 2.5" Model 66 in .38/.357 (left) or for $400 you can get a Model 12 Airweight (right).





I tried but couldnt like this nickel 15-3 snub and traded it off.

Perhaps a 2.5" or 3" version RB in 357 would be interesting...wait thats called a Model 19.

 

[NE450No2]

I somewhat agree with engine 49 on the Mod 15 2".

Back in the mid to late 1970's my dad and I shot in IPSC with 1911's and in Revolver combat matches as well.

I bought a Mod 19 2.5" for the Snubby matches. I lived it and I also got lucky as it would shoot at 25 yards as good as a full blown match PPC revolver.

It shot great with 357 Magnums as well. While I was never a 357 Mag kind of guy for a Duty Gun, I did carry it on several Plains clothes covert assignments, where I felt a revolver is better for a CQB grappling situation, and the "whump and thump" of a full power 357 would be an advantage in tight quarters up close.

My dad bought a 2" Nickel Mod 15 of all things to use in the snubby matches. It also shot very accurate.

He did take a fair amount of ribbing for shooting the Matches with a Nickle gun, but he got back at us when he would say, "This gun is shiny, just like the Trophy I just won with it...

Both of these K frame Snubbys still have a soft spot in my heart.