I got me a "NEW" shooter!! Model 15-6

[EK2944]

I've been eyeing this little beauty for a few weeks at the local gun and pawn. I finally decided to try and do some horse trading. I had a pretty good guitar that I just could never get the hang of playing. Since I love shooting a lot more than struggling with a guitar, I worked up a trade and brought it home. Besides the minor ring around the cylinder from normal cocking and handling. There isn't any other marks or wear on it. The front of the cylinder has no type of powder burns or blueing wear. Top strap has no evidence of firing either.

Who ever had this before me don't look like they even fired it. That will change though. I fell in love with revolvers in the late 70s' as a kid while reading ever article from Skeeter and Elmer I could get my hands on. This is my first .38 after all those years of owning 44s.

Not sure the year of production but Wikipedia says made from 1988 to 1994.

Serial #BFM0xxx Is that enough of the serial number to get a mfg year?

Thanks

 

[rjm6120]

I would say you made the right decision...that 15 is in very good shape. Enjoy!

 

[Inusuit]

I have a serious love for the Combat Masterpiece. One was my first centerfire handgun. I currently own a 15-3 ANIB and a worn 15-6. Two of my favorite Smiths. You got a nice one. Hang on to it.

 

[Safetybob]

Oh My... OOOOh my...
It is awesome...
You are a lucky man....

 

[skypilot1941]

Man I wished I had kept the beautiful model 15 I bought new in the box in 1973. Because I thought I just had to have me a "magnum" I traded it for a Ruger Blackhawk .357. I could just kick myself. Just didn't know what I had.

 

[paragain]

That's a beauty! Enjoy.

 

[Engine49guy]

Nice Model 15-6 !
Very interesting it came in a blue 2 piece box Does it have an end label that matches the guns serial ?

I would guess a BFM prefix is somewhere between 1991 and 1993...

 

[Jagrmaister]

15s are helluva nice shooters. I've gone through a lot of Smiths, but won't let go of my 15. It's a special treat at the range. Enjoy.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

......Serial #BFM0xxx ....

I've seen a number of these s/n prefixes. Most shipped in.....

October of 1990.​

Some trickled out over the months that followed. Blued guns in this era are often seen with ship dates that trail the more popular stainless models.

 

[9mmsubgun-m11]

Nice find! I just dug my 15-7 out of heavy metal storage to do a little shooting for the first time. Bought it used around 2003 or 2004 and put it away and forgot about it. Getting ready to make up for years of neglect.

 

[Bill In Texas]

Very nice! Congratulations!

 

[StakeOut]

EK2944,that is a beautiful looking 15-6.Shoot it often.

I bought one a month ago for $175 that didn't see much TLC from it's previous owners.

I've replaced the grips,ejector rod,all the buggered screws and rear sight parts.I've removed the yellow paint that was slopped on the front sight blade.

Next up is some cold bluing where bubba used some emery paper.

Even looking ugly it shot excellently from all 6 cylinder holes.

I'm in negotiations now for a 98% 15-3

 

[BC38]

Let's see, a guitar you can't play or a near pristine Combat Masterpiece, hmmmn, what to choose?
You DEFINiTELY made the right choice IMO.
I have a 15-5 that isn't nearly as pretty as your 15-6, but it's still a fabulous shooter. All the M-15s are great shooters, and yours is a really nice looking one too. Congratulations on your new acquisition!

 

[EK2944]

October of 1990.​

1990..That's cool. My son was born in 1990. When he gets back from over seas and gets a little down time we'll take this out for the inaugural firing.

I've got a couple of loads that I'm going to start with.

( Classic target load ) 2.7 grains of Bullseye with the 148 wadcutter
( Classic general purpose load) 5.0 grains of Unique with some flavour of a Keith SWC

 

[BuckeyeS&W]

Beautiful 15 ! The model 15 is one that is on top of my must have list. Shot it in good health.

 

[bananaman]

Good JOB!!! Those are the kind of trades that are cool! Besides, people stare at you when you take a guitar to the range! I don't have a 15, but have a 67 no dash. Just a different flavor. Enjoy your 15! Bob

 

[fpuhan]

Oh, wow. That would be a tough trade for me to make. My three favorite things are guitars, cameras and guns.

What kind of guitar did you trade? Oh, never mind. I'd probably weep in public if I knew.

 

[StakeOut]

I took the cylinder out of my Model 15-6 serial #BES8215 and dropped Hornady 158gr LSWCHP down each hole.The bullets were exactly 158gr each and measured .358 in diameter.

As you can see in the photos none of the six fell through but 2 of the 6 protruded past the cylinder face.

Next time at the range I will fire 6 rounds from each hole at 6 different targets from a sandbag to see if it makes much of a difference.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

....dropped Hornady 158gr LSWCHP down each hole......

Just to be sure (cuz you probably did)..... did you try each bullet in each chamber? Just to eliminate any discrepancy with the bullet. Basically, was your finding repeatable?

It's going to be an interesting experiment.

 

[StakeOut]

Just to be sure (cuz you probably did)..... did you try each bullet in each chamber? Just to eliminate any discrepancy with the bullet. Basically, was your finding repeatable?

It's going to be an interesting experiment.

I actually tried 18 different bullets in each cylinder hole that were weighed and measured with the same results.

I don't have a small hole guage handy or anything that measures finer than one thousandth of an inch.

The cylinder throat variance is probably less than one five thousandth