Going to miss my old friend

[Jimrn]

In the early 90's I was looking for my 1st handgun. At the lgs I found a well used model 15-3 police trade in in a box with many others. Finish was a little rough but the gun locked up tight and the price was right at about $100 so I took it home. This gun was my do all handgun because it was the only one I owned. Home defense, plinking, truck, farm/woods, atv gun. Never felt under gunned with hand loads of 158 gr swc at about 1050 fps in the woods. This gun was used to teach my wife and 3 girls about the joys of shooting, self defense, and gun safety. Oldest daughter is getting ready to move out and wants to take it with her for a house gun. I guess this old police trade in will find yet another use. I guess I will look for a new do everything handgun. Any ideas? Sure will miss my old friend.
James

 

[Bosquebass]

IMO the only way to replace a model 15 is with another model 15. Or if you want to get a little fancy a model 67. I have one of each and wouldn't part with either one. Best shooting .38s ever made.

 

[sandspur6]

IMO the only way to replace a model 15 is with another model 15. Or if you want get a little fancy a model 67. I have one of each and wouldn't part with either one. Best shooting .38s ever made.

Yeah. What he said. No brainer.

 

[snowman.45]

Yep, another 15 or a 67. If you want to add another layer of usefulness, you might try a 19 or 66 to have the magnum capability. Those are getting a little hard to find, so I'd also have to consider a 681 or 686.

 

[Doug627]

You won't get a replacement for $100. Why not a Smith Model 14? I do prefer the 19 or 66 over a straight .38.

 

[AlHunt]

My suggestion? Keep it and let her buy her own gun. If you're absolutely bent that you have to fund it, buy her a different gun and keep yours.

 

[Jimrn]

Price is the problem i guess. Not only is the 15-3 a great gun the low price and condition kept me from being concerned about loss or damage too much. The wife has a model 64 dao that she now uses as her everything gun, might have to look for something like that. She got hers for under $300. No adj sights, but does have a very nice dao trigger. She loves it.
James

 

[Jimrn]

Al the 15 is the gun she has shot the most because it was always with me on farm and range trips. And she asked if she could use it. She feels very comfortable with it and shoots it well. I do have other guns, but want something that if I lose it or it gets damaged I wont be too sad about. Funny thing is I am feeling very sad about loosing the model 15. It was never supposed to be that kind of gun. What do you think of the 64 seems like there are alot of them around at good prices.
James

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...as others have said...they didn't call it the Masterpiece for nothing...

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrp8VffszbQ[/ame]

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

I don't have children yet but if I did I'd tell them what my dad told me right before I turned 21, to work hard, save up, and purchase my very own firearm (and I did). I now own a model 15 but the day it leaves my house will be after I am gone. If you decide to let her have it, I'm sure you know most women don't take care of anything that is considered a tool or machine. It will most likely never be oiled or cleaned ... Maybe she's different. Yes you could replace it but that'll cost you and you'll always be comparing it to the first.

 

[AlHunt]

Al the 15 is the gun she has shot the most because it was always with me on farm and range trips. And she asked if she could use it. She feels very comfortable with it and shoots it well. I do have other guns, but want something that if I lose it or it gets damaged I wont be too sad about. Funny thing is I am feeling very sad about loosing the model 15. It was never supposed to be that kind of gun. What do you think of the 64 seems like there are alot of them around at good prices.
James

I've never owned a 64 but it's a k frame S&W so it's a pretty well known commodity. I prefer the utility of fixed sights and stainless steel, so between the 15 and 64, I'd opt for the 64.

Maybe daughter will like a 64 better and you can keep the 15.

 

[jimmyj]

Replace with another used Police trade in Model 15

 

[clang444]

What are you going to give the other 2 daughters when they ask for it too?

 

[JohnRippert]

When old friends go, it is time for a new friend.

 

[muddocktor]

Jimrn, I gave my daughter a 50th Anniversary of the 357 Mag 27-3 for self defense when she moved out and got married, so I know where you are coming from. Since I have several other 27's, I wasn't hurting to let it go. But I am replacing it with a long tube 27-2 I just bought off GunBroker as it was a barrel length I don't have. The 27-3 was a duplicate barrel length to my first pistol buy, which is a 5" 27-2 I bought back in 1974.

 

[TNZ71]

Replace with another used Police trade in Model 15

This or a PD trade Model 10 or Model 64. Price around $250-$300

 

[cadmike]

IMO a 10 or a 64 is a downgrade from a model 15. I think you, as a father who has now raised a daughter to be on her own, deserve to go out and buy yourself a shiny new gun. An upgrade from the 15. Maybe a model 66 or one of the new Ruger Redhawks in .357.

Good luck with your shopping sir.

 

[Dillyp]

IMO there will be no replacement for that m15. The closest you can come to is another m15. The k-38 combat masterpiece is the single best .38 special revolver ever. My first handgun was a m15 and its still my go to gun. Buy your daughter a new gun and keep the ol' gal for yourself.

 

[BUFF]

Buy a Llama or some other Spanish-made "clone" and give THAT to your daughter. If she looses that or it breaks, you won't be hurt much!

A good, clean, used Model 15 is one of the best, most useful handguns available. Portable, heavy enough to handle the recoil of anything you want to shoot yet light enough to not be a burden to carry. Easy to see sights that can be dialed in perfectly to fit YOUR eyes and ammunition. K frame actions wear in to be S-M-O-O-T-H, but then you already know that.

 

[JohnRippert]

If I had a daughter and she wanted the Model 15, she would get the model 15. Especially if she was used to it already and could shoot it well. Would rather she had something she was familiar and good with than one she would have to learn, just in case.