Model-10 vs 15...
- Thread starter EJO
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Not really. The fixed sight mod 10 came in both RB and SB grip frames
while the mod 15 only came with the SB as far as I know. The
adjustable sights on the 15 give you the advantage of zeroing your
gun with ammo of varying bullet weights. 2" 15s are not common and
likely to be pricey. My favorite is the RB mod 10, the 2" SB 10s don't
look right to me and the 2" 15s look even worse. The 2" RB 10 is just
a really neat compact and solid revolver to me and I have three of
them. I got this 10-7 a while back on GB for a very good
price. It has some light freckling due to improper storage but
is in almost unfired condition without even a turn ring.
while the mod 15 only came with the SB as far as I know. The
adjustable sights on the 15 give you the advantage of zeroing your
gun with ammo of varying bullet weights. 2" 15s are not common and
likely to be pricey. My favorite is the RB mod 10, the 2" SB 10s don't
look right to me and the 2" 15s look even worse. The 2" RB 10 is just
a really neat compact and solid revolver to me and I have three of
them. I got this 10-7 a while back on GB for a very good
price. It has some light freckling due to improper storage but
is in almost unfired condition without even a turn ring.
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Snubby Model 15s, as you noted, have adjustable sights; they're also square butt only.
Snubby Model 10s, with their fixed sights, can be found in round or square butt configurations, as well as nickel or blued, whereas a factory nickel Model 15 is uncommon unto rare. (By the way, if you like stainless, the snubby Model 64 is the Model 10s stainless twin, though you can only find it in round butt.)
I believe the barrel profile on the snubby 15 might also be a little thicker than the 10.
All told, very similar defense revolvers with a couple key distinctions.
DocB
Member
The early M10 snub had the tapered barrel which appears tiny when compared to the M10 I have from the early 1970's. I prefer the later gun. It has better proportions. Got a picture here somewhere. Here it is. My real preference is the later gun with the RB. . .haven't found one of those yet.
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Targets Guy
US Veteran
What a decision. Can't miss.
Remember on a j frame round butt you can buy grips to make it feel like a square butt.
Remember on a j frame round butt you can buy grips to make it feel like a square butt.
Engine49guy
Member
Other than the things stated the other difference is the Model 10 has smooth "Tangs" where the 15's are serrated.
On another note while 4" Model 15's are uncommon in nickel the snubs do not seem to be.
IMO if your intention is to CCW the 10 is better suited for that purpose, then again the Model 12 is the same size but lighter and the Model 37 lighter and smaller.
IMO the snub 15 is kind of conundrum with its Square butt grip frame and 2" Heavy Barrel with non shrouded ejector rod (BTW the 15 snub frame and rear site are different than the 4" version) ,
On the other hand there was a K target snub available with a Round butt grip frame in 2.5" and 3" barrel lengths available in blue nickel or SS that also fires .357 Magnum...
Its called the Model 19 and 66 "Combat Magnum" and can be had for around the same selling price as the Model 15 snub.
(L to R Models 66-1, Nickel 15-3, 12-3)
On another note while 4" Model 15's are uncommon in nickel the snubs do not seem to be.
IMO if your intention is to CCW the 10 is better suited for that purpose, then again the Model 12 is the same size but lighter and the Model 37 lighter and smaller.
IMO the snub 15 is kind of conundrum with its Square butt grip frame and 2" Heavy Barrel with non shrouded ejector rod (BTW the 15 snub frame and rear site are different than the 4" version) ,
On the other hand there was a K target snub available with a Round butt grip frame in 2.5" and 3" barrel lengths available in blue nickel or SS that also fires .357 Magnum...
Its called the Model 19 and 66 "Combat Magnum" and can be had for around the same selling price as the Model 15 snub.
(L to R Models 66-1, Nickel 15-3, 12-3)
GyMac
US Veteran
I like both the 10 and 15 snubbies, but if l were thinking about actually carrying the gun, l would get a 3 inch, round butt Model 10.
Engine49guy
Member
The advantage of a 3" barrel is a full length ejector rod ,
Another advantage of the Combat Magnums made prior to 1982 is they have recessed cylinders .
Another advantage of the Combat Magnums made prior to 1982 is they have recessed cylinders .
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govt 380
Member
i have a 2" 15 in excellent shape. it has a 1 inch very narrow scratch from the back screw, mostly hidden by grips. otherwise the blueing is perfect. the scratch will disappear with a blueing pen. last year i bid on three revolvers, and woke up having won all three. $675 shipped.
I was fixing to write that you'll probably pay $200 more for a snubbie M15 than a M10, in the $650 range, and there is govt380 proving my point! Good job govt (when do I ever get to say that to the government? 
).
I have one M 15 2" and it's gorgeous but I carry a M10-7 round butt for several reasons, one of which being that it conceals better, another that as a longtime cowboy action shooter the fixed sights come naturally to me, and another because I have my first M10 a very long time, many decades, and I'm very good with it (or it's just good with me, hard to say).
I'm pretty sure you can find stocks for a round butt K frame that make it appear square. Ahrends for sure make those.
If I didn't have a M15 2" I'd buy govt380's right out from under you but, since I do have one, I'll be nice and let it go. I had a nickel one like that, too but, sadly, it was stolen some years back.
).I have one M 15 2" and it's gorgeous but I carry a M10-7 round butt for several reasons, one of which being that it conceals better, another that as a longtime cowboy action shooter the fixed sights come naturally to me, and another because I have my first M10 a very long time, many decades, and I'm very good with it (or it's just good with me, hard to say).
I'm pretty sure you can find stocks for a round butt K frame that make it appear square. Ahrends for sure make those.
If I didn't have a M15 2" I'd buy govt380's right out from under you but, since I do have one, I'll be nice and let it go. I had a nickel one like that, too but, sadly, it was stolen some years back.
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Pictures 2 and 3 in my last post are the same gun. Sorry. I can't tell when I'm looking at an index. Even with thumbnail pix.
The gun pictured here is the gun I carry with new stocks. The S&W album picture is the same gun with the wood stocks I had on it for years. The original stocks are long since traded away; I wasn't collecting S&Ws way back when.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/members/iscs-yoda-albums-s-and-w-revolvers-picture12606-m10-7-a.html
As an aside, I have not bought a Model 10 2" VERY recently but I think the going price is $400 to $450, and they're not easy to find. If you want to carry a 2" snub I'd be jumping on that M15.
The gun pictured here is the gun I carry with new stocks. The S&W album picture is the same gun with the wood stocks I had on it for years. The original stocks are long since traded away; I wasn't collecting S&Ws way back when.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/members/iscs-yoda-albums-s-and-w-revolvers-picture12606-m10-7-a.html
As an aside, I have not bought a Model 10 2" VERY recently but I think the going price is $400 to $450, and they're not easy to find. If you want to carry a 2" snub I'd be jumping on that M15.
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If you are intending on making this a carry gun - I'd give the nod to a M10 2" RB. No sights to catch, RB is a little easier to conceal and carry, and just a tinge lighter as well.
If this is going to be primarily a Range gun, then I's opt for a 4" M15 (not a 2").
If this is going to be primarily a Range gun, then I's opt for a 4" M15 (not a 2").
If not constrained by "Department Policy".....like Engine49 I'd opt for a 2 1/2" 19/66 for versatility and round butt.
I don't own a 2" 15 but do have a 2" round butt 10 and 2 1/2" 19/66s....... but when I conceal carry a revolver.....it's a 3" 66-4
I don't own a 2" 15 but do have a 2" round butt 10 and 2 1/2" 19/66s....... but when I conceal carry a revolver.....it's a 3" 66-4
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bananaman
Member
I have been wanting a K snub for years. 15, was #1 on the list. Could not find 1 that fit my condition/ price range. SO...... I won a 10-5 on GB. Picked it up on Monday. Fired very LITTLE, but definitely carried. $329 shipped. It is a round butt, and I added the laser grips. Have not shot it yet. Bob
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roaddog28
Member
I would buy both. But I love K frame 38 special revolvers
Etalksalot
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I don't know if I'm too late or not, but I have a model 15 snub, blued and I originally didn't like them, until a few weeks before I got mine and I started liking them. As it happens that ended up being my first Smith, it's a 15-3, with the pinned barrel and it's unbelievable. I wanted a model 10 snub round butt, but I traded 2 guns for the 15 snub and it has since become my favorite 38 special ever. I really hated the square butt guns too, but since I bought it, I love it and though I still want a RB 10, I really want a SB 10 also pretty bad. I fell in love with the 15, and still didn't like the SB 10 because it looked weird to me with the tapered snub barrel and fixed sights, but I love them now. There is a gorgeous 15-3, blued snub for sale on Guns International website right now in mint condition for a good price and I believe it has the box/papers/tool too.
