Accuracy difference between a model 14 and a 15?
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None that I know of. The difference is all with the person pulling the trigger.
ABSOLUTELY
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No. Same gun, different barrels. Barrels will vary slightly in accuracy from one barrel to another and length has little to do with it. In fact, both of my 15s (a 1958 and a 1968) are slighly more accurate than my 1970s Model 14 but such a tiny sample tells you nothing. Both models generally shoot quite well.
Don't be overly concerned with the alleged and often-quoted "advantage" of a longer sight radius. It may be there, but finding a difference at close handgun ranges (25 yards) may be impossible to see. At longer ranges, fifty yards and beyond, there may be a noticeable difference, depending on your skill level.
Don't be overly concerned with the alleged and often-quoted "advantage" of a longer sight radius. It may be there, but finding a difference at close handgun ranges (25 yards) may be impossible to see. At longer ranges, fifty yards and beyond, there may be a noticeable difference, depending on your skill level.
All the above is good advice. Additionally, every gun is an entity unto itself. If every gun was mechanically perfect, they would all shoot one hole groups. They never are, so one model 14 may shoot great and the next model 14 may shoot terrible. Any model # of gun will only shoot according to how well that individual gun was made. If you get a good shooter, shoot it. If you get a poor shooter, get it fixed and shoot it.
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The big difference is almost always the operator and not the equipment. There are exceptions, but almost all reasonably modern handguns are more inherently accurate than almost all shooters can hold.
Thanks gentlemen. I’ve got a lot of 38 Special K frames, just no 14. I’ll probably end up buying one again anyway, but right now my 67 shoots just about the best of any revolver I’ve ever had.
Just wondering……
ETA - might as well add a pic of the 67 (with a 64)
Just wondering……
ETA - might as well add a pic of the 67 (with a 64)
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No difference I have ever heard about except the barrel and front sight, the shape of the top strap, and possibly the front of the frame. Some versions of both models may or may not have had trigger stops. Probably some other minor things, depending on the various engineering changes and individual guns one might bump into.
I am one of those guys who tends to shoot the Model 15 better than the 14, especially the lighter barrel versions of the Model 14. The wider rib of later 14s shifts some of the weight forward and favorably changes the balance and recoil impulse for me. To further complicate things, there are the 14s with the full-lug barrel. I always thought it would be nice to have one of those in 4-inch, but never saw one to buy. I do have a 6-inch, and it is nice gun in some ways, but does get heavy when you handle it over a long session at the range.
Overall, I prefer the heavy barrel version of the Model 15 (15-6?) for my casual .38 Special shooting, but that’s strictly an operator thing, not that one model is inherently better than another. I’m sure any version of either model can outshoot me any day, all day.
I am one of those guys who tends to shoot the Model 15 better than the 14, especially the lighter barrel versions of the Model 14. The wider rib of later 14s shifts some of the weight forward and favorably changes the balance and recoil impulse for me. To further complicate things, there are the 14s with the full-lug barrel. I always thought it would be nice to have one of those in 4-inch, but never saw one to buy. I do have a 6-inch, and it is nice gun in some ways, but does get heavy when you handle it over a long session at the range.
Overall, I prefer the heavy barrel version of the Model 15 (15-6?) for my casual .38 Special shooting, but that’s strictly an operator thing, not that one model is inherently better than another. I’m sure any version of either model can outshoot me any day, all day.
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WAY back when I was a totally around the bend handloader testing loads with a machine rest, I had occasion to test more than a few S&W revolvers----just for the hell of it---something to do.
Each and every one of them put out ragged, one hole groups at 25 yards---same at 50 yards---just a tad bigger, and a tad more ragged. I figured that was more on the ammo than the gun.
If/when you come upon one that doesn't shoot to suit you, I'm inclined to think the same as these other folks here---you need to have a look at whoever's pulling the trigger.
Now that was then, and now is a different matter altogether! Now I'm thinking all these folks we see fussing and fuming about one thing and another about their new guns might very well have something to fuss and fume about. As for me, it's been quite a spell since I bought anything new from S&W.
"My Momma didn't raise no dumb kids!"
Ralph Tremaine
Each and every one of them put out ragged, one hole groups at 25 yards---same at 50 yards---just a tad bigger, and a tad more ragged. I figured that was more on the ammo than the gun.
If/when you come upon one that doesn't shoot to suit you, I'm inclined to think the same as these other folks here---you need to have a look at whoever's pulling the trigger.
Now that was then, and now is a different matter altogether! Now I'm thinking all these folks we see fussing and fuming about one thing and another about their new guns might very well have something to fuss and fume about. As for me, it's been quite a spell since I bought anything new from S&W.
"My Momma didn't raise no dumb kids!"
Ralph Tremaine
OP what is that canvass rig you got there with the cartridge loops?
My 15 is more accurate for me than my 14 was, and my 18 is also more accurate than my 17. The only differences are barrel length, and for me the 4" barrels shoot better. I think it's because outside forces, including the gun, have less time to influence the bullet.
The only real differences between the Model 14 and 15 would be barrel length (sight radius), barrel contour, and the front sight design. As for mechanical accuracy, it would depend upon each individual revolver, some will be better than others, but that has nothing to do with the barrel length or the model number.
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
I see the biggest difference has being cleaned and properly lubricated.
I have noticed that many of my revolvers shoot terrible right after I get them.
But with my tenacity, they get better after many boxes of ammo down range.
Could that just be coincidence? Or is it all the meshing parts inside smoothing out, or my trigger finger getting stronger? Probably both.
How well one shoots one revolver over another just may be which one has been used most. Just my opinion.
But with my tenacity, they get better after many boxes of ammo down range.
Could that just be coincidence? Or is it all the meshing parts inside smoothing out, or my trigger finger getting stronger? Probably both.
How well one shoots one revolver over another just may be which one has been used most. Just my opinion.
Patrick L
Member
Doesn't a M14 have a trigger stop? Not that those affect mechanical accuracy, just a difference.
Or am I mistaken on that?
Or am I mistaken on that?
Both 14s and 15s had trigger stops. Some owners removed them so any particular specimen may or may not have it. I’ve heard lots of law enforcement preferred to remove them to remove another thing that could fail at the wrong time.
Back in "The Day" qualifications were at 3, 7, 15, 25 and 50 yards.
50 yards was from the prone position. We found that a six inch barrel gave better accuracies than a four inch barrel at 50 yards. thus the "Shooters" carried six inch barrel service revolvers.
50 yards was from the prone position. We found that a six inch barrel gave better accuracies than a four inch barrel at 50 yards. thus the "Shooters" carried six inch barrel service revolvers.
That is simply due to the longer sight radius of the 6 inch barrel.
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