Mossyrock
Member
I don't have my books with me at the moment, but I am curious..... When was the 2" Combat Masterpiece introduced?
2" Combat Masterpiece?
- Thread starter Mossyrock
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
I believe that the first was the Model 56, around 1962-3. Maybe someone who knows better will post soon.
S&N say that the 2" barrel was introduced to the 15 in 1964.
S&N say that the 2" barrel was introduced to the 15 in 1964.
Last edited:
2" heavy barrel.....introduced 1964
There's a kind of fuzzy zone here. The two-inch Model 56, produced for the Air Force in about 15,000 units, became known to the outside world soon after deliveries began in 1962. The gun-buying public was interested in the configuration and began lobbying S&W for a commercial version. The company responded in 1964 with the two-inch version of the Model 15, which is very similar to the Model 56 but differs in a couple of minor respects.
So the Model 56 was the first two-inch K-frame .38 with adjustable sights, but almost all of those were crushed. Specimens are rarely seen nowadays. There are some mentions of them in the forum archives for those who are interested.
EDITED TO CORRECT INACCURACIES (20,000 > 15,000; 1963 > 1962): See post no. 11 from kwill1911 below.
So the Model 56 was the first two-inch K-frame .38 with adjustable sights, but almost all of those were crushed. Specimens are rarely seen nowadays. There are some mentions of them in the forum archives for those who are interested.
EDITED TO CORRECT INACCURACIES (20,000 > 15,000; 1963 > 1962): See post no. 11 from kwill1911 below.
Last edited:
RAPOM65
Member
The wealth of information on this site continues to amaze me. I get edgumacated every time I log on.
RAPOM65
Member
This would be a great place for some snubby pics.... Just say'n.
If you like that type of revolver, good for you. Me, I could never figure out was it was good for.
I can conceal a 4" round but K frame much better than a 2" Combat Masterpiece with the square butt. The longer barrel pushes the butt into the body, helping to conceal it. You lose velocity and sight radius with that short barrel.
If you are carrying openly, go for the longer barrel.
The shape of the gun butt and the type of holster used determine the better carry mode.
I can conceal a 4" round but K frame much better than a 2" Combat Masterpiece with the square butt. The longer barrel pushes the butt into the body, helping to conceal it. You lose velocity and sight radius with that short barrel.
If you are carrying openly, go for the longer barrel.
The shape of the gun butt and the type of holster used determine the better carry mode.
Model39
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
My Model 15-2 2" (September 1964)
According to Mr. Jinks, my 2" Model 15-2 Serial K538XXX was shipped in September 1964. Since the Model 28-2 is also in the picture it was shipped in December 1972. I got them together last year.
According to Mr. Jinks, my 2" Model 15-2 Serial K538XXX was shipped in September 1964. Since the Model 28-2 is also in the picture it was shipped in December 1972. I got them together last year.
kwill1911
Member
David,
May I offer a couple of specific corrections? There were 15,025 Model 56 revolvers made and they started shipping in 1962. Sorry for nitpicking.
Regards,
Kevin Williams
smithman 10
US Veteran
Everything you say is true. BUT, I still own a 2" Model 15. The only other 2" K frame I have is a Model 10 that is very nice, not mint but close. I'd let the 10 go before the 15, which looks okay but has been reblued.
Happy to be corrected. I knew when I was typing that stuff that I really ought to look up the details and not work from memory, but I was just too lazy to bother with precision when I was in a "close is good enough" frame of mind.
I promise to do better next time.
I find mine to be great for EDC - see explanation below.
I agree that the SB is a disadvantage, and seem particularly strange on a 2". However, the Rogers/Safariland grips work very well for me. They are slimmer and longer, and conceal well with the holsters I use, while providing an excellent grip, so good, in fact, that I can shoot as well with the 2" as with a 4".
How true!
A revolver aficionado of my acquaintance created what he considered to be the ultimate carry revolver by taking a 2" Combat Masterpiece, round-butting it, and installing a factory bobbed DAO hammer. He rounded the package out with chamfered chambers, magna grips and a Tyler grip adapter. He carried a similar M&P for years, but was tired of different loads not hitting to point of aim. This was his solution. Given how well he shoots it, I can't really argue with him.
bobf
US Veteran
The mod 15 is the only one I've owned that I can shoot the 2" as accurately as the 4".
Can you elaborate on the minor differences? I find this kind of trivia interesting.
Do a search on "Model 56" with the quotes included. One of the better threads (there are quite a few) is http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...0-final-update-i-did-buy-rare-model-56-a.html . Not sure, but I think the best threads have "Model 56" in the title of the post.
Yeah, yeah. I don't much worry these days about velocity, what's easier to hide under my t-shirt, and so on. I love my 2" nickel 15 because it's fun when folks see it and commence to droolin'!!! And that's when I bring out the 2" nickel Model 10, and the 2.5" nickel 19....
