Is there anything special about a 2" model 15?

[winchester1]

Stopped by a shop today and found several nice Smiths on consignment. A model 34, a 32, a Victory and a M&P in the gold box that looked unfired. All very, very nice. But the one that caught my eye was a 2" (not 2.5", I measured) model 15-3. The gun had been fired but would rate at least 95% and probably closer to 98%. The price was 469.00, seems a little high right? The dealer tried to call the owner for me, but could not reach him, I was thinking closer to 400 would be more appropriate. The dealer left the owner a message to call to discuss dropping the price, as I was interested. They are closed tomorrow and Monday, so we'll see what happens Tuesday. Should I have brought it home?

 

[Texas Star]

Keep in mind that the dealer will get some of the money paid on a consignment gun, so the owner can't go too much lower. If any...

There aren't a whole lot of snub M-15's out there. The USAF never released their M-56 version, and I've never personally seen a snub M15. They can't be too common.

On the other hand, that's a big frame for that short a barrel, and the gun doesn't balance as well as the four-inch version. Still, some shooters like them, and they're probably collectible.

I feel sure that $469 would be a good, if not exceptional, price in Texas.

T-Star

 

[Swabby]

There are at least three snub-nosed M15's on gunbroker right now and the bids are up to $470, $480 and $520. So the asking price for the one you are looking at doesn't seem way out of line, but it doesn't hurt to ask. Maybe split the difference and go $425. I have never had one in my hands, but they look like nice "little" carry guns. Other members have posted pictures, recently, of M15 snubbies. If you do a search, maybe you can get some idea of the prices they paid. Central PA is a great place to look for used guns, isn't it? Hope this helps.

 

[mp357]

Yeah, that's a good price. What did he want for the rest of them?

 

[bamabiker]

Some around here may get tired of looking at mine but I don't. Love it.

 

[diamonback68]

It wouldn't do much for me, I like 4" guns, but a 2" would be okay if it had fixed sights and preferably was a J-frame. Adjustable sights on a hideout gun is something else to get hung up on. That's just me.

 

[panamajack310]

Hey, go jump all over that 2" 15 you will love it. I have one that is undergoing a trasformation and it is an awsome little gun I shot it before it was sent off and it is very very accurate for a snub nose.

 

[Lt JL]

Here's another nice one. The adjustable sights pretty much make it a holster gun. A Model 10 is slicker to handle. Even so, I have 2 of the 2" model 15s and I just love the heck out of them.

 

[winchester1]

Maybe I should jump, found out in another thread that a fellow member looked at it as well and said the timing was off. If thats the case I still would like to see it be closer to 400. We'll just have to see what happens. It is a cool looking handgun, I'm very fond of model 10s and 19s, and this little guy kinda fills the gap between them.

Swabby, We are blessed in this area with a lot of shops. Most all of them with good honest folks that run them. Glad to live in good old gun friendly PA!

MP357, The model 32 and the model 34 were both in boxes with papers and tools, I think they were both around 550. Can't remember what the Victory model was, it didn't have US Property on it, but did have the European proof marks. The 5" M&P was absolutely beautiful, mint with the gold box that still had the original price of 50 some dollars on it, The price on it was 600.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Hey Winchester 1, if that 15-3 was ATC in Duncansville I did look at it yesterday. If you slowly bring the hammer back to full cock you have to rotate the cylinder a bit to get it to lock, same thing in double action.It's not hard to fix but at that price I took a pass. The 34 is a nice gun, the box for it is for a nickeled gun and has been white outed and the new info wrote on it. The Victory model was a lend lease to the British and is in .38 S&W. I stopped by at Campbells on the way home and scored some of the blue plastic S&W props and some ammo. Sorry I dident bump into you!

 

[S&W-Keeper]

Not a bad price for the snubbie.You don't see a lot of them around.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Hey Winchester 1, if you go up to the shop on Tuesday give me a shout at [email protected] and we can give the secret forum handshake! I need to pick up some .41 bullets that I couldent haul on my bike the other day.

 

[winchester1]

Bob,
Sounds Good!
Still don't know for sure what I'm going to do. The price is too high for me as it is and the timing deal concerns me. If thats not enough I have a model 29 Bounty Hunter I'm "up in the air" about. I'd really like to have it but we just haven't met on the price yet.
Next week should be a fun week!
We definately have to get together!

 

[panamajack310]

Winchester, Go up to the shop and tell the owner. " Look I want to b uy this gun from you but the timing is off and will need to be fixed. I will have to have the gun fixed so would you take $375.00 out the door. That would sell you a gun and I will pay to have it fixed my self."

Then if he says ok buy it. If he says I can't do that. then walk away....

 

[Happy Hunter]

Winchester1,
I saw this the other day and thought you might like it. A video tutorial on how to fix timing on a Smith.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...SUBE&feature=related

Someone who knows what they are doing can make anything look easy.

I live in South Central PA. I have been seeing a lot of 2" 15s on this forum lately. I think they look great. I agree $469 seems high if it has a problem. I have seen this problem on many S&Ws over the years of looking at them. I would like to be able to fix it.

 

[winchester1]

Happy Hunter,
Thanks for the video, very informative.
I'm going to wait and see what happens on Tuesday, the dealer should have talked to the owner by then. But even at the 400 I offered, I'm not sure I want if If I have to fix it.
Thanks again!

 

[chriske]

I just recently bought a 2" mod 15-3 for 350 Euros as a companion piece to my 4".
At first I thought I had been "had" by the seller, because after the first shooting & upon closer examination it seemed to have been "frankensteined", i.e. the yoke didn't fit like it should (possibly came from another gun?)& the cylinder dragged against the barrel.
A gunsmith fixed it for 20 Euros & now it shoots like it should.

It's a great gun. Much much easier to shoot than my 2" 640, way more fun & challenge than my 4" and, I suspect (haven't shot it long enough to know for sure) just as accurate.
As to handling : those mere 2 " less barrel give it such a different balance that it actually feels heavier than the 4" version.

 

[Stranglehold]

Is there anything special about a 2" model 15?!!

I'll let you be the judge...

Roe

 

[Plumbata]

I have 4 of them. (I really should whittle that number down a bit, but damn they are fun.)

It's a very accurate revolver. Easier to shoot than you would think with that short barrel. 148gr wadcutters are a joy and the it's the wife's favorite gun. I would pick it over a J-frame just for the trigger.

The price seems in line locally with a pristine specimen. I've seen the nickel ones slightly higher. I've bought them for as little as $120, but for some reason prices have really jumped the past couple of years.

 

[mikepriwer]

2" model 15's are not rare, so you don' want to pay up for one.

There is more than one thing that can cause timing problems. The video talks only about
replacing the hand, IF the hand is worn. The other things that can affect timing are the
ratchet itself, on the rear of the extractor star, and the positioning of the cylinder.

If the ratchet is worn, the hand simply can't push the cylinder far enough. If the cylinder
has moved forward, or is moving forward as the hand comes up, the hand can not get the
cylinder to turn far enough. This is usually fixed with a shim set in the cylinder bearing
hole, so as to move it rearward. If the ratchet is worn, then the extractor has to be
replaced.

The video made it look simpler than it can be !

Later, Mike Priwer