Hello fellas, I'm a new guy here from South Ga. Just wanted to share my newest project that found in a local pawn shop yesterday. It is a rough but great functioning / shooting 15-3. It looks like it was someone's tool box or truck gun, but I could not pass it up. Lately I have got the revolver bug and it has bit me hard. I intend to get a better set of grips, and replace the sight blade due to it being bent and broken. Just wanted to share this with you guys, any advice is welcome. Thanks in advance. Also here is a bonus picture of my 629 that my dad gave me for my 16th birthday.
15-3 S&W
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I looked at the thumbnail pics and thought, wow, he removed all the bluing and polished it bright!
UncleEd
Member
Looks good to me including
the stocks. I wouldn't do
a thing to it if it functions
smoothly.
the stocks. I wouldn't do
a thing to it if it functions
smoothly.
Great find on the 15 and an absolutely great Dad !!
I'm pretty sure the barrel was originally 4" and was swapped out for a 2" barrel. Notice the contour of the top front of the frame and the scallops on each side where they meet the back of the rib.
The 2" K-38 Combat Masterpiece had a wide rib and the front top of the frame was level and squared off to blend with the rib.
Notice how the top front of the frame on this 4" 15-3 is identical to yours.
If I were you, I wouldn't bother with the front sight. I'd look for a period 4" barrel and a full size ejector rod.
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The 2" K-38 Combat Masterpiece had a wide rib and the front top of the frame was level and squared off to blend with the rib.
Notice how the top front of the frame on this 4" 15-3 is identical to yours.
If I were you, I wouldn't bother with the front sight. I'd look for a period 4" barrel and a full size ejector rod.
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Welcome to the forum also from GA!
Not much you can't do with that combo of snub 15 and short 629. I wouldn't do more than is necessary to get correct functioning on the rear sight… just shoot and enjoy.
Not much you can't do with that combo of snub 15 and short 629. I wouldn't do more than is necessary to get correct functioning on the rear sight… just shoot and enjoy.
Good eye. I saw the bevel on the barrel but assumed this was normal.I'm pretty sure the barrel was originally 4" and was swapped out for a 2" barrel. Notice the contour of the top front of the frame and the scallops on each side where they meet the back of the rib.
The 2" Combat Masterpiece had a wide rib and the front top of the frame was level and squared off to blend with the rib.
If I were you, I wouldn't bother with the front sight. I'd look for a period 4" barrel and a full size ejector rod.
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The rear sight blade is a fairly simple fix. Brownell's has the replacement kits in various heights, but they're all currently backordered.
I don't know if S&W will offer them again, but you might try posting a WTB ad in our classifieds.
I don't know if S&W will offer them again, but you might try posting a WTB ad in our classifieds.
Thanks, I will definitely look there. I found a few rear assemblies on Numrich's website as well, most were listed as seized up though. I also read that a special tool was needed to remove just the blade. Can someone verify this?
Even if it isn't the correct barrel/frame combo, it makes a nice gun.
Looks better than my paint job one when I first found.
Looks better than my paint job one when I first found.
You'll want to buy a replacement kit and a plunger and spring, not just the blade. To get the old one off, turn the windage screw clockwise (tighten) until it breaks. There's a tiny plunger and spring that makes the adjustment screw click and they will launch and disappear when you take it apart, so dismantle it inside a plastic bag.
The new windage screw needs to be staked into the nut. You'll want to get these parts, plus the correct blade.
(Image swiped off net)
The new windage screw needs to be staked into the nut. You'll want to get these parts, plus the correct blade.
(Image swiped off net)
UncleEd
Member
Check to see if stocks are
numbered to gun. Right
panel should have a number
stamped into.
numbered to gun. Right
panel should have a number
stamped into.
Welcome to the forum. As you have seen, there are plenty of good people here that will help out. There are some decent YouTube videos on this topic too.
Your 629 looks like it may have recessed chambers but the barrel isn't pinned. Is it marked as a model 629?
Your 629 looks like it may have recessed chambers but the barrel isn't pinned. Is it marked as a model 629?
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The 629 just has mod 629 stamped inside of the housing along with a couple of other numbers. Are you thinking that it has been modified? I'll get more pictures when I get home. Dad picked it up sometime in the mid 90s but I don't know much else about it since I was a kid back then.
No, not modified. It simply doesn't have the pinned barrel. Smith was getting away from pinned barrels and recessed chambers around this time. Here is a picture of mine for comparison. Notice the pin in the frame where the barrel meets.
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