Combat Masterpiece!

[Frank46]

Been to more than a few gun shows and very rarely do I see model 15's up for sale. When I did they went for what I feel is overpriced and not exactly in the best of shape. To sum it up "them that has then aren't going to let them go anytime soon" 'Nuff said.And yes I have one. Frank

 

[Jim NNN]

Just ordered a 15-2...numbers to about 1964. We'll see how it works when I get it. I think they're cool.

 

[Jaymo]

I disagree about the 10s and CMs being the quintessential S&W .38 revolvers.
I'm a lifelong Colt fan and find the Smith K frames to be the quintessential .38 revolvers, PERIOD. Regardless of make.
For me, they are the perfect size and are perfectly balanced.

Hell, I'd go as far as to say the CM is the quintessential DA revolver.
It's just so perfect. It's equally at home as a duty gun or a target gun.
Usually, there are compromises. Better at one, not so great at another.
With the CM, there seem to be no compromises.

I got lucky. Somebody had traded what became my 15-3 in on a Glock (BARF).
I got a good deal on it.
I ain't letting it go.
Damn sure, not for a stinking Block.

 

[Engine49guy]

I grabbed a k38 combat masterpiece 4" and a k38 target masterpiece 6" barrel. These are my pride and joy older s&w revolvers there both pre model numbers.

What other barrel lengths did these come in?

The tapered barrel guns were only made in 4", 5" and 6" lengths although we have seen one special order 3" Pinto posted.

There was also a wide rib 2" HB Model 15 as well as wide rib 4",5",6" and 8 3/8" versions after the dash 4.

 

[ben1]

Great photos. Beautiful guns. Today I saw a 15-3 nickle that was in fantastic conditon. They were asking $450. I resisted today but thanks to all you enablers I will be there when he opens in the morning. It was a 2 inch. Love my 19-3s my 13-3 and my 686 but this 15-3 is calling me.

 

[highpower3006]

I wish mine was in that condition. Mine dates from 1954 and has been rode hard and put away wet. BUT, it still shoots great and has that smooth trigger pull that come from being shot a bunch.

 

[Old Corp]

Yep, picked up a very used 15-3 a couple of years ago when I was working p/t at a different LGS.
Mechanically perfect, but had obviously been a 'working gun' for many years.
Boss made me pay $150 for it.

 

[7shooter]

I gave a beautiful Model 15 to my son when he graduated from law school. I got it cheap at a gun show because someone had messed up the trigger which my gunsmith did a great job fixing.

He is one lucky attorney.

 

[glenncal1]

This one has had a total of 6 shots fired through it. I don't usually buy safe queens but got this at a good price and decided to keep basically unfired. They balance great in the hand:

 

[Moe Mentum]

i am blessed to have not one, but two of these fine pistols....

 

[tlshores]

Wow. Thanks for the memories guys.
The Model 15 Combat Masterpiece was the first handgun I ever owned.
I bought mine new in 1973. I later turned my attention to Model 19's and eventually L frames but I always loved that 38.

 

[charlie sherrill]

I've got two. Both are nickel. The real nice one my Mom bought new back in the 60's. It's got box, papers, sales receipt ($67.00) and tools. She shot it just enough to win a first place trophy in a local police citizens match. The other was owned by my wife. I bought it for her from a New Orleans LEO when she first became a LEO in 1973. He was headed to the door of a gun shop to trade it for a magnum. He was miffed because he had emptied it into a guy the night before and the guy was still able to get another shot off at him before he died. He missed. It has an action job and is butter smooth. I tool first place at a refresher class against a bunch of rookies with bottom feeders in 1999. One goes to my son and the other my daughter one day.

 

[FPrice]

My LGS just got a used Model 15-3. Serial no. 1K144xx (early 1971?). Half a blue box (the bottom half) with instruction sheets for the Model 15, Model 37, and Model 64. The gun is in good cosmetic shape, good blueing and barely discernible drag line on the cylinder, narrow grooved trigger and wide target hammer. The DA trigger pull is SMOOTH! Worst part (next to the price) was it was wearing those godawful Hogue grips that screw into a collar on the bottom of the grip. No wood grips included.

But at $600 I just can't pull the trigger (pun intended) on this. Sad.

 

[ikor]

Just bought a like new 4in blued M15-4 with box and papers today. Bonus is it has a factory Target hammer and trigger (box marked as such). I am more of a M19 / 66 guy usually but I figured it might be a long time before I found another pinned barrel M15 in this condition for the price. I have another, a M15-3, as well as a M15-3 snub, but I do loves me some K frames.