Found another old hero

[pluggednickle]

I came across this old fella this afternoon in one of our local gunshops. A "no dash" model 15. No holster wear that I can see, almost no gas markings on the frame, and a barely noticeable turn ring on the cylinder. But, it's not flawless though. It has some blemishes on the frame that look as though a few drops of something? my have been splashed on it at one time or another. And what I thought at first was handling wear on the grips now looks more as if someone has sanded the checkering down. (not certain, but just doesn't look like normal wear). I paid $399 for it, plus the usuals, which is probably too much...but I just like the way the old soldier felt.

 

[jimmib]

nice 15 for sure...I have a 15-3 that I have had for years and wouldn't trade it for anything

 

[BoltThrower13]

That's beautiful. 399 is a decent price considering all the old guns have been skyrocketing. My Model 10-5 was $275 in 2012, now they're going for over $400.

 

[jmark1651]

Nice weapon. It really does not get any better than a model 15. Such a great balance on a revolver. Enjoy.

 

[Iggy]

That's a winner. The grip looks like it belonged to a right handed cop and got banged around on the seat belt and console in a patrol car to me.

 

[Peak53]

That is a nice looking Model 15. I have 2 which I enjoy shooting very much. The grips seem to have more wear than the finish on the gun. It is possible they came from another gun or that this one has been reblued. Still a fine piece, though, and at a fine price.

 

[canvsbk]

Nice stuff right there. Good job.

 

[SLT223]

Good pull. I definitely would have lifted it.

 

[oldafsp]

Nice find. The wear is consistent with someone who spent alot of time getting in and out of car or chair.

I have a early 10-6 worn on the right stock in the same manner that dates to 1964.

Honest wear on a working gun is not a bad thing. Take it for a walk on the range. I'm sure it will do just fine.

I took a retired 15-3 and use it in IDPA 2 weekends a month. Holster wear and all.

 

[sac-gunslinger]

The grip looks like it belonged to a right handed cop and got banged around on the seat belt and console in a patrol car to me.

Back in the mid-70's I saw lots of older wood grips that had this appearance from normal wear. This was just before the great move to mounting Goodyears on revolvers (note to collectors: we did it to gain better control when shooting, the old Magnas were not the best for controlling K-frames). The older wood may have been softer than what was used in later years, this type of wear disappeared on wood-gripped guns in the 80's pretty much.

 

[sac-gunslinger]

Honest wear on a working gun is not a bad thing. Take it for a walk on the range. I'm sure it will do just fine.

I prefer guns with a good amount of honest wear on them. The triggers are usually very smooth from years of qualifying and practicing (but not abuse as most officers do not spend much time shooting). I will let the collectors purchase the pristine examples they desire. For me, beat-up and ugly wins the day. (no comparisons to my current conditions, please )

 

[LaVistaBill]

That's the kind of sixgun I prefer, no "Safe Queens" for me. Good honest wear, but a nice bore, chambers and lock-up. I had a real nice Model 15 I found in a hardware store in Versailles, Kentucky in 1986...wish to heck I still had it!

 

[pharmer]

I paid $399 for it, plus the usuals, which is probably too much...

Next week that $400 would be gone. In 20 years you'll still have a nice revolver. I think that's worth more than $400, not many "durable" things in this world anymore. Enjoy.

 

[pluggednickle]

I took the new/old Model 15 and a couple of it's new friends to the range today. The old guy gave me a couple of surprises. I was almost certain that it would do it's best grouping with 158 grn LRN, the "in vogue" load of the day when it was built. Not so. It shows a clear preference for 130 grn jacketed, both FMJ and HP. And 2, the heavier the bullet, the higher it seemed to impact. I used everything from Hornady's 90 grn CD Lite up to RP 158 grn LRN, with very similar results bottom to top.

For example, first photo is a 10 yard string, the lower group (white) was with Hornady's 110 grn Critical Defense standard velocity (non +P), while the higher group (orange) was RP 158 grn LRN.

Then closed the distance to 7 yards and did some slow fire comparison. The orange pasties are a 5 round group from the S&W Model 15, using 130 grn FMJ...seems to be it's favorite.
The white pasties are a 5 round group from a S&W Model 638, using 110 grn Hornady CD HP.
The unpatched holes are a 5 round group from a Sig P938, using 115 grn FMJ.

I think any one of the 3 would serve me well...but the old M15 sure is a joy to shoot. Where as the two little guys are kind of "snappy", the M15 just kind of yawns and rolls around.

 

[beagleye]

Nice shooting. I have frequently found faster hits lower out of a revolver, even with equal weight bullets. I have heard it's from less time in the tube while the recoil tips the gun up, but I don't know if that's why it is. Regardless of why, it happens.

 

[j38]

Good shooting and thanks for the post. I love it when a nice old working gun finds a worthy home - congratulations & enjoy,

Jerry

 

[Engine49guy]

Sweat Model 15, There has been alot of interest in the CM lately ,

A friend and I just went to the range 2 days ago with a Models 29-3, 629-2 MG, 686-4, 17-4, 15-2 , a Pre 14 and a Pre 24 and surprise the K38's were my favorites to shoot !
Also surprised the Pre 24 in .44 special was more enjoyable than the Magnums.