15-3 versus 15-5

[salt8]

I picked up a 15-5 the other day and compared it to my 15-3. The barrels are definitely different. I hadn't realized that they beefed the barrel up at some point. Does anyone know when the change was made and why?

 

[Engine49guy]

The change occurred after the 15-4 run and kinda weird the way they did it too.
The Model 15 had a tapered barrel since introduction in 1949 and the Model 14 had the wide rib since about 1950, S&W wanted to simplify production because the two guns had different frames at the front because of the barrels so instead of just changing the Model 15 barrel to the new full underlug barrel they gave the Model 14 the full underlug barrel in 4" and 6" (and 8 3/8" ?) lengths then gave the Model 15 the Model 14's old barrel in 4" 6" and 8 3/8" lengths...doh !

Especially bizarre considering the 14 was always a target gun and the 15 a combat gun and their full underlug barrel L frame 357 is the Distinguished "Combat" Magnum

 

[Mike Kerr]

Say what? I did not know the changes were that pronounced.
Must read more.

 

[Engine49guy]

The tapered barrel 67 got the same wide rib barrel but SS revolver revisions are behind the blue revisions so IIRC its the 67-3.

Basically if you look at a 15-5 or SS 67-3 it will look just like the four inch Model 17-5 , Another good comparison is the four inch 14-3 but with a non pinned barrel.

 

[oldafsp]

Is there any sky cop who doesn't have a Model 15 ????

 

[salt8]

Wow, great info thanks.