Just picked up my first 15-3

[Kingmedicine]

I believe its a pre 80's, SN 6K53XXX. Was brought brand new by the last owner and only has a cylinder ring on it. Past that it is as clean as i can get. Any idea of value? I picked it up for 350, no box. But damn will it look good next to my 586. It looks like its little brother. Any info that i need to know on these?

 

[bamabiker]

Looks good and you got it at a good price. Serial number puts in1974

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Nice one! Very nice fifteens are hard to find,it seems the majority of them are ex police guns that saw a lot of service use. Nothing you really need a heads up on your fifteen they are a great revolver. I have three dash threes and all are tack drivers, enjoy yours.

 

[rags]

Congratulations on your find. NICE!! The M15 4" is one of my favorites. Oh, and welcome to the Forum!

rags

 

[TAROMAN]

Great find, I am sure you will enjoy it greatly. My Model 15 is one of my all-time favorites and was cheap (ex-cop gun) to boot.

I'll show mine if you show yours.

 

[CajunBass]

I'll show mine if you show yours.

Here's mine. Another old cops gun.

They are great guns.

 

[redlevel]

15-3. I traded a Remington 870 Deer gun + cash for it with another forum member a few years back. Not as nice as the one in the OP, which looks like a real beauty. Nice'un, Kingmedicine, and welcome to the forum. The only info you need to know is that they are one of the premier .38 special revolvers ever made. A true "Masterpiece."

 

[Wingmaster]

Dang, Those are really in good shape for old cop guns.

Wingmaster

 

[CajunBass]

Dang, Those are really in good shape for old cop guns.

Wingmaster

You should have seen mine when I first got it. I thought it was Parkarized. The more I looked at it, I came to realize it was just fine rust all over it. A few minutes with some Flitz and it came to life. This is what it looked like when I got it.

 

[pennlineman]

Congrats on the new M-15. Mine makes more trips to the range than any other gun I own.

Enjoy!

 

[blazer]

Just got my 15-2 this past summer and it fast became my favorite. I'm sure you well love yours as well.

 

[Jerry Buckner]

I have 2 questions about the 15 – 3:
1) is the frames strong enough to handle it 357 Magnum load, if the cylinders are bored out?
2) can't handle plus P 38 specials?
Jerry

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Jerry-
First, welcome to the forum. In answer to your questions, I would never attemp to fire .357 ammo from your cylinder even if you had it rechambered. I don't believe the cylinders were heat treated to the same levels, and you may end up with a miniature bomb in your hand. You may be able to fire a few rounds without mishap, but it doesn't make it safe or wise to do.

The 15-3 will handle +P loads all day long, with no trouble.


I picked up this 15-3 shipped in May of '69, last year at a gunshop for $239.

 

[HOJO]

Hello to all on the forum. I am a newbie here and have a question as to the date of manufacture and value of a 15-3 that I own.

The serial number is 3K 21996.

I purchased it new in Guam in 1975 while serving "Uncle Sam". The owner had it listed for sale in the base newspaper for $80 NIB, un-fired--it was either him or the pistol that was going to be evicted from the house by his gun-fearing "significant other".

Because it had to be returned to the States clandestinely, the box and accessories were not retained.

It has had about 200 rounds fired through it in its lifetime and resides in a softcase; loaded and ready for an emergency.

I'm just curious as to what I have.................Thanks.

 

[Engine49guy]

m15

CONGRATS Kingmedicine ...LOVE the model 15 with the football cut target grips!

Jerry Buckner , Do NOT alter your 15 as it cannot stand the extra pressure .
You can easily sell your Model 15 and buy a nice model 19 or 586 in 357 magnum for about the same money ,
shooting .38 special +P ammo is fine.

HOJO your guns DOB is about 1971 and while Its difficult to estimate its "value" without seeing pics ,
I Paid about $400 for this 4 screw 15-1 from 1959 one year ago (no box or docs) but its a more rare gun than a 15-3 .

In comparison A local seller has been advertising a 4" nickle 15-3 like new in box for several months at $500 with no takers.

While I think some older 5 screw pre model 15's have sold here as high as $600 ...( I may be wrong?)
I found this snub nickle snub 15-3 at a local GS in EXC condition for $300 (no box or docs).

Model 66-1 357 magnum (left) , 15-3 (middle) 12-3 airweight (right)

 

[glenncal1]

Picked up this ANIB 15-3 last month with box and all docs and tools. TT and TH.

 

[Casehardn]

Classic gun!

I have a 2" 15-3 that shoots like a 4 inch gun..believe I paid around $450. Sounds like you got a real good deal on a like-new gun. Model 15 is very accurate. Mine loves 148 gr wadcutters. Good luck with yours.
Would love to see a range report after you get out to shoot it.

I believe its a pre 80's, SN 6K53XXX. Was brought brand new by the last owner and only has a cylinder ring on it. Past that it is as clean as i can get. Any idea of value? I picked it up for 350, no box. But damn will it look good next to my 586. It looks like its little brother. Any info that i need to know on these?

 

[Pilgrim]

Here's my factory fired only 15-3. It definitely was NOT a cops gun!!!

 

[HOJO]

HOJO your guns DOB is about 1971 and while Its difficult to estimate its "value" without seeing pics ,
I Paid about $400 for this 4 screw 15-1 from 1959 one year ago (no box or docs) but its a more rare gun than a 15-3 .

In comparison A local seller has been advertising a 4" nickle 15-3 like new in box for several months at $500 with no takers.



Thanks for the info. I have no intention of selling it but was curious as to the DOB most of all.

If I find a 3" I will probably have to adopt it as well........

Thanks again.

HOJO

 

[WVfishguy]

Got this 15-2 (DOB 1963) for $350 out the door on 3/2/09. It's pristine, and such a great gun the wife has designated it a "safe queen."
The grips shown here are after market Herrett cocobolos - the original grips are in the safe.

One of the best revolvers ever produced, well balanced and very accurate. I'd feel very well-armed with "just" a .38 Special, especially if I could use my own hand loads (using those nasty-expanding hollow-point plated Berry bullets).
Modern store bought +P hollow-point ammo is very effective, no reason to damage a great revolver with .357 mag. ammo.