K38 Model 15

[pmhayden]

In the last couple months I have purchased two pinned barrel Model 15 revolvers in 38 special, from Gunbroker. One is an excellent shape, with only a little bit of holster wear on the muzzle. The other one looks unfired. Both were purchased for under $450. Of course there are additional shipping and FFL costs.

I am amazed that I can buy these for under $500. I don’t think they could be made today for that price - they are beautiful, in excellent shape, and classic examples of pre 1980 Smith & Wesson revolvers. I see plastic guns selling for twice the cost, and cast metal pistols selling for three times the cost. I assume 38 special is not a caliber that is very popular, because it is not perceived as a powerful cartridge. But I am buying a pistol that can be used for light 22 level loads, or 170 grain Keith Bullets. That is a broad range of versatility. These revolvers seem like a steal at this price. They lack the whiz bang qualities and hyperbole of more modern pistols. But they are timeless. I am just amazed at the very reasonable going price for these like new pistols. I assume 38 spl revolvers are viewed as less desirable. Photos are of the more worn pistol. (Sorry for the upside down photos.)

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

In the last couple months I have purchased two pinned barrel Model 15 revolvers in 38 special, from Gunbroker. One is an excellent shape, with only a little bit of holster wear on the muzzle. The other one looks unfired. Both were purchased for under $450.

I am amazed that I can buy these for under $500.

I still have my 1966 M15. I remember when they were $99 and one cop I worked with says his was $49. I asked how he remembered that and he said because his M15 was stolen and the Police Department billed him $49 for it.

 

[VaTom]

Looks like you got a good buy on top drawer revolvers. Many of us carried .38 special Model 10s, Model 15s or Model 64s as law enforcement officers. I have all three in my “collection”. These revolvers are reliable, tough, and with proper care will still be functioning for many years to come. All of mine are from the 1970s and are tight, smooth, and accurate as the day they came out of the factory.

 

[dobegrant]

Very nice set of revolvers

 

[pmhayden]

I am still experimenting with loads. The shown pistol shot well with a variety of loads, but I am going to focus on 4.0 gn of W231 and 158 gn cast, coated or plated for now. (I have a .44 special for hiking, and a 1911 for anything more serious.) I think that is a mid to less than +P load. I know these will handle a conservative amount of +P or similar loads, but I bought them to shoot paper and pop cans.

 

[glenwolde]

If you search for .38 Special reloading threads you'll find that 4.0gr of W231 under a 158gr cast LSWC gets mentioned a lot. I've used it for over 40 years.

In a lot of modern manuals that load is a touch over max for a standard .38 load. Older data shows 4.5gr as the max usually. I've shot many tens of thousands and they have performed very well.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

pmhayden,

Your thinking is entirely correct IMO, and, indeed, clean used S&W revolvers are often exceptional values. In your case, they are a little more exceptional because AFAIK you paid at least $100 or $150 less than what such revolvers generally go for these days.

Perhaps others more knowledgeable will support or correct my estimate.

 

[TJm15.38]

If you search for .38 Special reloading threads you'll find that 4.0gr of W231 under a 158gr cast LSWC gets mentioned a lot. I've used it for over 40 years.

In a lot of modern manuals that load is a touch over max for a standard .38 load. Older data shows 4.5gr as the max usually. I've shot many tens of thousands and they have performed very well.

You are using the same load I have been shooting for years. 4.0 grains of W231 gives a very consistent performance in all my revolvers with the 158 grain LSWC.

 

[saemetric]

My 15-2 is my favorite revolver. Beautiful blue and case color..Rosewood stocks

 

[murphydog]

You are correct, an all forged steel, hand fitted and polished revolver of this quality today would be 3-4 times the cost of a nice used one, presuming you could source the materials and find the labor force to do the work in the USA. Witness the blued Colt Python as a close example.

 

[Shoebox1.1]

I am still experimenting with loads. The shown pistol shot well with a variety of loads, but I am going to focus on 4.0 gn of W231 and 158 gn cast, coated or plated for now. (I have a .44 special for hiking, and a 1911 for anything more serious.) I think that is a mid to less than +P load. I know these will handle a conservative amount of +P or similar loads, but I bought them to shoot paper and pop cans.

My 148 DEWC Berrys plated load is 3.8g of w231/hp38 and it’s perfect. Good amount of pop but not snappy, nor is it sleepy. 1.200 oal

 

[Nightowl]

I have loaded and shot many, many thousands of loads of 3.0 grains of Bullseye under either 148 grain wadcutter or 158 grain semi wadcutters over the last 50 plus years. One pound of Bullseye will load 2333 rounds of ammo! I used that load in PPC competition for several years. Great for just fun shooting also.

 

[Clayguy]

I have loaded and shot many, many thousands of loads of 3.0 grains of Bullseye under either 148 grain wadcutter or 158 grain semi wadcutters over the last 50 plus years. One pound of Bullseye will load 2333 rounds of ammo! I used that load in PPC competition for several years. Great for just fun shooting also.

I have used that load in my K-38 since 1959 using the semi wadcutter bullet that I cast. It's not a hunting load, but plenty of power for paper, cans, lizards and rattlesnakes that interfere with my activities. I know 38 special is not a "man stopper", but I did carry it as a rookie cop (a fairly small dept that did not furnish firearms, thankfully!) until I went to .357 then 45 Colt (S&W mod 25 5") then to 45 auto. Still own the K38.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I am still experimenting with loads. The shown pistol shot well with a variety of loads, but I am going to focus on 4.0 gn of W231 and 158 gn cast, coated or plated for now. (I have a .44 special for hiking, and a 1911 for anything more serious.) I think that is a mid to less than +P load. I know these will handle a conservative amount of +P or similar loads, but I bought them to shoot paper and pop cans.

Good recipe indeed. With a 158 LSWC I go 3.5 grains of W231.

With a X-Treme Bullets plated 158 SWC I use 4.1 grains of W231.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

My 15-2 is my favorite revolver. Beautiful blue and case color..Rosewood stocks

Yours is gorgeous my 1966 production is well worn being holstered for 20+ years.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I know 38 special is not a "man stopper", but I did carry it as a rookie cop

When I was a rookie cop we were issued the .38 Special 158 grain LRN. It did put down bad guys pretty good as I recall. Of course .357 Magnum and .45 Auto were better choices.

 

[27 Man]

For walking the fence line of a pasture, a model 15 loaded with 5.0 grains of Unique with a cast 158 grain SWC will handle about anything that might pop up in rural Oklahoma.