15-6?

[S&W Fan]

I recently watched a video of “The Gun Guys”-Ken Hackathorn and Bill Wilson-where Ken was talking about his favorite revolvers. One was a 4” 15-6 which he stated has the bull barrel rather than the tapered of the previous editions. Kind of like a new version of the Dayton 14 perhaps?

Do any of you have one and if so is the frame square or round butt? I’ve never seen one before. Thanks for any info.

 

[just plain joe]

I have a Model 15-7. It is blued with a square butt.

I also have one of the Dayton/Hanen revolvers. They are similar in that I find the heft of the larger diameter barrel is conducive to mitigating recoil somewhat, resulting in a quicker follow-up shot.

I prefer both of them over my Model 15-4.

HTH.

JPJ

 

[murphydog]

The 15-5 through -7 were all SB, heavy barrel, wide rib models; basically model 14s after that version went out of production. They were made in 4, 6 and 8 3/8" barrel lengths.

 

[S&W Fan]

Thank you both for the info.

 

[S&W Fan]

So what should a -5,6 or 7 in very good condition go for these days? I prefer the heavy barrel/square butt configuration for a 4”. I don’t enjoy shooting magnums these days so no reason to go after a 19 or 66.
Thanks

 

[Bill In Texas]

My 15-6 has a square butt, but it gets mad if I mention it!

 

[murphydog]

So what should a -5,6 or 7 in very good condition go for these days? I prefer the heavy barrel/square butt configuration for a 4”. I don’t enjoy shooting magnums these days so no reason to go after a 19 or 66.
Thanks

I would guess the 4" would go for more than an earlier model 15. $600-700? The 6 and 8 3/8" were made in smaller numbers and are somewhat scarce.

 

[M29since14]

The one I have is a square butt frame and has a dull-ish finish that I presume is original but I can’t be sure since I bought it used. It does not appear to have ever been high-polished. Nice enough gun anyway, and the heavier barrel does make a difference in felt recoil, in my opinion.

 

[Old cop]

I was issued a blued M15 in the ‘70s. It’s the Cadillac of the Smith thirty-eight line.

 

[S&W Fan]

I don’t currently have any K frames-blasphemous I know-and on those rare occasions I do want to shoot .357 I have my no dash 686 and a 1971 27-2 factory refinish.

I do enjoy the .38 round for fun, have a few rounds of Gold Dot +P I keep handy when I want to keep either handy.

 

[SmithNut]

I've owned quite a few M15's over the years, but this M15-7 with RB grip frame was my personal favorite. The best late model M15 the factory made, IMO.

Unfortunately, when downsizing some years back, I sold all my M15
s in favor of the Model 14's, with many cool late model variations as well.

Enjoy.

 

[klind45]

I have had a 15-6 for about 35 years, yes its a square butt and I one of the most accurate revolvers I have.

Sent from my SM-N986W using Tapatalk

 

[CALREB]

Here is a pair I have 15-6 and a 17-6. Makes a nice set.

 

[Engine49guy]

Many years back I did a thread examining the Combat Masterpiece evolution,
If interested here is a link, scroll down to post #26 to begin the tour, if you're only interested in wide rib versions go to post 48 on page 2,

Some Combat Masterpiece eye candy

The narrow rib 15's are the majority, I like the wide rib versions but they are kind of a conundrum, no sense adding weight to a 4" .38 because recoil is mild.
The .357 Magnum is another story, lighter guns = more fealt recoil.
They are all great so really depends on your preference.