A Model 15 snub followed me home!

[Nframe_is_no1]

Found this cherry model 15-4 today in blue with 2" barrel and became it's proud papa! A range buddy of mine has a 2" 15. Looking at his combined with discussions of the 2" 15 on this forum made me want one. This one was like new and came with it's factory stocks as well as the original box and papers! Not only were the instructions inside, but a S&W holster brochure, S&W ammo brochure, and unused warranty card. It looked as if it had been test fired and put away. Serial number is 98K6xxx, dating it to 1981 according to SCSW. I couldn't resist it for $399 OTD, which I thought was a good deal since the 2" 15s seem to bring more and aren't often seen. I think this may be one of those "transitional" models discussed here from time to time because although it is marked 15-4, the barrel is not pinned. The SCSW says the barrel pin was deleted with the 15-5 engineering change. The 15-4 is supposed to be the last pinned version. I guess they ran out of barrels drilled for the cross pin before they ran out of recessed cylinders for the magnums? Also, the S&W logo is the old style large one on the sideplate. I ran about a half a box of my 158 gr cast LSWC +P handloads through it today and I was stunned with the accuracy, scoring 3 X ring hits at 25 yards! Anyway, here's some pics:

Here's the box endlabel:

 

[bmcgilvray]

That is the neatest revolver I've never had. The Model 15 is one of the very best looking revolvers. You got a dandy there!

 

[pistola]

Sweet !

That's a nice one.I would love to find one that looks that good.Congratulations,enjoy.

 

[dmar]

Great find, at a great price, congratulations! I've got it's cousin, in Nickel, it's like new, and I really like it, too...

 

[Chuck Jones]

Great buy in that condition with box etc. Very nice!

/c

 

[TinyDee]

I think the model 15 is the premier snub ever made and now you enjoy it no doubt...

 

[kennyb]

what an excellent deal...congrats...i just picked up a M15 4"and i am very pleased too

 

[GJH77]

I found this 15-4 a few weeks ago. Not a pretty as yours but it is a nice gun. Mine is pinned, Serial Number is 19K7xxx, with a date of 1977.
Now a question for those who may know more about them is the grips on Nframe's gun vs. mine. What was standard and when did they change?

 

[Joe in SC]

That's a nice looking gun. The ultimate detective style revolver. I've been wanting one for a while now, just waiting for the right encounter. Guns I want seem to show up sooner or later. In this case it seems to be later. You did good.

 

[C Islander]

Beautiful gun and a great deal.

 

[Nframe_is_no1]

GJH77,
Thank you for your kind words! Based on what I have learned from this forum, the 2" 15s normally shipped with PC style magnas (what you see on my gun). PC stands for plain clothes and means that the bottoms of the stocks are rounded to aid in concealment. That is why the endlabel on my box has an "S" (which stands for square) written in the box that says "stocks". This abbreviation was used for standard square butt service stocks (as opposed to R for round). The 4" 15s came standard with square-bottomed magnas. Your stocks are target stocks and were available as a special order option. They could have been ordered with the gun, or added later. Only the box would tell you for sure, as it would have a "T" for target instead of the "S" in the stocks box on the end label. 4" 15s are sometimes encountered with target stocks, as are 67s (the stainless 15). They are not usually seen on the 2" guns though because such a big handle looks out of balance to some folks with such a short tube. My 4" model 67-1 came with the same target stocks you have:

 

[Frizzman]

Very Nice!

I have a 2" 15-3 I got last year. It was in the used revolver case at a local shop that I go into fairly frequently. The 15 snub has been on my want list for many years but I have very rarely seen one. This one was much like yours. It was in virtually new condition with the original box and papers. I like to team it with my Colt Agent. I usually carry it with Winchester 158 gr. LSWHP +P. The same HKS speedloaders work for both revolvers. Congratulations on finding a great pistol at a very fair price. That's about what I paid for mine.

 

[GJH77]

GJH77,
Thank you for your kind words! Based on what I have learned from this forum, the 2" 15s normally shipped with PC style magnas (what you see on my gun). PC stands for plain clothes and means that the bottoms of the stocks are rounded to aid in concealment. That is why the endlabel on my box has an "S" (which stands for square) written in the box that says "stocks". This abbreviation was used for standard square butt service stocks (as opposed to R for round). The 4" 15s came standard with square-bottomed magnas. Your stocks are target stocks and were available as a special order option. They could have been ordered with the gun, or added later. Only the box would tell you for sure, as it would have a "T" for target instead of the "S" in the stocks box on the end label. 4" 15s are sometimes encountered with target stocks, as are 67s (the stainless 15). They are not usually seen on the 2" guns though because such a big handle looks out of balance to some folks with such a short tube.

No box. I did wonder about how the grips would look, then found photos of a number of other 2" 15's that had the target stocks, and they are not that large in hand. Plus mine came with a set of rubber grips, which appeared to be what was used on this gun for most of its previous life. The targets were only put on for the GB sale I think, as they are just about untouched. I have considered finding some magnas to try on it, but after shooting it I don't think I will change them. Mine came with the target hammer and trigger also, if that would indicate whether the grips are original. I like it because my 19 also has the same setup, and this feels and shoots almost as well as the 19.

 

[Nframe_is_no1]

You have to use what is comfortable for you. That's what's great about stocks, you can change them with out making a permanent alteration to the gun. BTW, in looking again at your picture, it appears your gun does not have a wide target hammer and trigger. Unless your picture is fooling me, it looks like you have the standard .265" serrated service trigger and .375" semi-target hammer. These were standard equipment on the model 15. The target hammer and trigger would both be .500" wide, and I have seen photos of 2" 15s equipped with these for some odd reason. I have read on this forum that some made for the Air Force were so equipped.

 

[Pilgrim]

I love the look of the shorty 15. Here's my 15-3, factory fired only. Just can't bring myself to fire it.

 

[chriske]

Because I'm so fond of my 2" barreled mod 15 , I shot it so often that I became just as good with it as with its 4" barreled counterpart. Great gun !

 

[dmar]

^^ Hey Pilgram, nice looking gun; looks just like mine...

 

[bronco45]

Magna stocks were the standard issue on 15s. PCs on the 2" and standard magnas on the 4".

I have a 15-2 4" and would love to find a 2" 15. Enjoy your revolver.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I have a 2" 15-3 I got last year. It was in the used revolver case at a local shop that I go into fairly frequently. The 15 snub has been on my want list for many years but I have very rarely seen one. This one was much like yours. It was in virtually new condition with the original box and papers. I like to team it with my Colt Agent. I usually carry it with Winchester 158 gr. LSWHP +P. The same HKS speedloaders work for both revolvers. . .

Very wise move, IMO. I often do likewise.

No point in my posting a picture of mine - I paid $175 for it and some ammo and an ammo box a few years ago because it had some cosmetic issues and I had just watched the dealer give $100 for same. It now has Rogers-Safariland grips on it, and I installed a bobbed hammer (saved the original). I don't tell the targets what I'm using, and they all think I'm firing a 4", SA. It also shoots well with 158gr standard-pressure ammo.

I carry my Model 15 more than any other gun, although my 2" RB Model 12 comes close. However, I don't think of the 15 as a 15; I prefer to refer to it as an improved Model 56.

 

[S&W-Keeper]

If you have never shot the snubbie 15, you will be totally amazed. Very accurate.Congratulations.