Model 15-3 Revolver

[PoppyJ177]

Got a model 15-3 4" barrell .38 revolver. Serial number 3K559XX

Finish on it is pretty bad. Lots of bluing worn off and cylinder finish looks pitted. I don't know any history on this gun. It is tight and shoots great. Just curious as to what something like this is worth? Would it be worth having it totally factory overhauled?

Thanks

PoppyJ177

 

[mh51]

Just my opinion.....having it refinished would be more expensive than its worth. One nice thing about having a Smith that shows some wear is that you don't have to worry if you put another mark on the finish!

 

[ISCS Yoda]

It's a tool. Don't waste time or money on it for aesthetics. If it shoots well for you then it's doing its job.

 

[.38SuperMan]

I bought a 15 about thirty years ago that was worn and had it electroless nickel plated and the front sight changed. I don't remember the cost but feel it was worth it. It looks great and the finish has held up for decades.

 

[DGNY]

PJ177, this is a classic question that you have asked. There is no one answer, as it depends on your preferences and your pocketbook. Every once in a while, many of us get the urge to refinish something because we really like it and it looks a little too worn for our taste.

Of course, the understanding is that it will never again be original, nor factory pristine, and yet a veteran revolver freshened brings a smile, after the use which obviously your revolver has seen. So we pay our money and take our choice.

Years ago I had a flattop Ruger 44 Mag refinished, after I discovered a prior owner must've used an over pressure reload and cracked the cylinder! Nothing lost, except my innocence in examining revolvers! What was gained was a new cylinder, and new blueing....a quite acceptable, decent look for field use.

I have not had a revolver done at Smith and Wesson, but here is a link, which I hope is OK to insert.
Performance Center(R) Precision Gunsmithing | Smith & Wesson

Wishing you best of luck, whatever your choice. I know that I enjoy my brace of 4 inch model 15's.

 

[PeteC]

@.38SuperMan: That plating looks awesome!

@DGNY: Has anyone here posted about how those finishing packages from S&W turned out?

I think that if you already own a firearm that you like to shoot, and often, then it makes total sense to spend extra money on a finish or coating that you will like, or better grips. The money you have in the gun is sunk cost, and finding one that looks perfect might be a lot more expensive than an overhaul or a trip to a professional that will put the coating of your choice on the gun. Professionals can do a lot for a couple hundred $$.

As for what something is worth, here is a Model 15-5 police trade-in that sold for $325 +shipping on an auction site a few months ago. Similar guns were being sold for $300~400 at the time by online stores that resell police surplus, sight unseen.

I personally have a little trouble with the "unseen" part, but maybe that's just me,

 

[Art Doc]

Pitting is a killer. Not sure if factory would work on one this old. Cost would be prohibitive. Just get it? Did you buy it? Worth what you paid. If was was shopping it's a $250 gun to me in that condition.

 

[PeteC]

@Art_Doc, do you know what exactly the factory includes in their "package" for blued guns?

 

[Narragansett]

Pitting is a killer. Not sure if factory would work on one this old. Cost would be prohibitive. Just get it? Did you buy it? Worth what you paid. If was was shopping it's a $250 gun to me in that condition.

If you want it to shoot, buy it. It is not a fixerupper. Pitting turns me off. If you want a real nice 15-3, all original low mileage, 500 will do it. You cannot buy that gun and fix it for that

 

[PeteC]

Pitting is a killer. Not sure if factory would work on one this old. Cost would be prohibitive. Just get it? Did you buy it? Worth what you paid. If was was shopping it's a $250 gun to me in that condition.

If you mean the pic I posted above, I am not the one who actually bought this gun few months ago. I did buy a model 64 I posted about in another thread here. The 15-5 was purchased by someone I planned to spend time with at the range. Unfortunately he will not be doing that because of the current circumstances, so I will most likely be shooting one or the other, or both, and purely for fun.

(I asked asked about the Smith & Wesson service out of curiosity because it came up in this thread, and seemed relevant here)

 

[PeteC]

I have not had a revolver done at Smith and Wesson, but here is a link, which I hope is OK to insert.
Performance Center(R) Precision Gunsmithing | Smith & Wesson

Out of curiosity I called the factory, and after stitting on hold for a long time, I got a fairly knowledgeable person to answer a few questions about their refinishing service. For anyone else who may be interested:

They ask for the serial number of the gun. I used the Model 15 in the pic I posted above as an example. They look the serial number up in a database, tell you what year your gun was made, and determine if they can work on it. This one was made in 1988, and they do.

They offer three different kinds of finish, including high gloss, standard, and matte. This includes polishing or grinding away scratches, superficial pitting and inventory marks scrawled on the gun by police departments, polishing and re-bluing.

In general there is a base charge and additional work is $90/hr. Guns are test fired and checked for function and safety before they leave the factory. I got a couple other unrelated questions answered, so it was a worthwhile wait on hold.

They do not accept any new work until October of 2020, due to the current situation with Corona Virus.

 

[DGNY]

PC, thank you for initiating and reporting your inquiry to Smith and Wesson re important details, including levels of finish and polishing in particular.

Though many differ, I think a factory mothership refinish can add owner-value (vs resale value) to a revolver that is somewhat worn - particularly if it is a sentimental favorite or is destined to be. Obviously that depends on the facts, and the owner.

 

[jeffrefrig]

I recently purchased a 15-3 off a forum member, I believe $500, and he said the gun was made 1973. The metal finish is nicer than my 1988 model 10-8. I think my deceased gun buddy said the 10-8 looked like it was carried when he checked it out for me but no rust and honest wear. (That was in '98). This 15-3 I bought has a much deeper blue finish and original stocks. If the finish is original, which to ME it looks like, then they really put a lot of care into their finish process. Back to the OP, I thought about re-blueing my model 10, just to have a nice revolver, but I'm 63, retired, and spending +/- $300 on a $225 gun just doesn't make sense, as it's just a darned good shooter. The couple scratches on the 15 and the little nick on one stock are gonna stay there as long as I'm alive!
OKAY, I know...PICS! Presently my phone and computer are on non-speaking terms. I can't get the pics off my phone into this old computer.

 

[jc2721]

Just my opinion.....having it refinished would be more expensive than its worth. One nice thing about having a Smith that shows some wear is that you don't have to worry if you put another mark on the finish!

+1 ever notice that a lot of people are looking for "shooter grade" guns? That's what you've got--keep it simple and just shoot it!

 

[Narragansett]

Hint, New cpmputers are being made every day

OKAY, I know...PICS! Presently my phone and computer are on non-speaking terms. I can't get the pics off my phone into this old computer.
__________________

 

[Narragansett]

Hint, New cpmputers are being made every day

""""OKAY, I know...PICS! Presently my phone and computer are on non-speaking terms. I can't get the pics off my phone into this old computer.""""
__________________

 

[PeteC]

+1 ever notice that a lot of people are looking for "shooter grade" guns? That's what you've got--keep it simple and just shoot it!

I plan to. That was the point of a used police trade-in in the first place, having a couple .38 revolvers that can be taken to an outdoor range and not worry about scratches and dings.

I used this gun as an example to find out what the factory had to offer as far as refinishing goes, and just passed it on. Sorry if that took this thread off-topic,

 

[jeffrefrig]

Yeah, a new computer is my next purchase in the near future! Heck, my phone needs to be new, also. It's an I Phone 6S. My computer is one of the first IMacs that came in 27" screen...it's old! I've bought 7 guns this year. I suppose a new computer & phone could be worked out! Thanks, Narragansett, I have seen the light that I feared head on and I fear it no more!!!

 

[Brentp311]

Out of curiosity I called the factory, and after stitting on hold for a long time, I got a fairly knowledgeable person to answer a few questions about their refinishing service. For anyone else who may be interested:

They ask for the serial number of the gun. I used the Model 15 in the pic I posted above as an example. They look the serial number up in a database, tell you what year your gun was made, and determine if they can work on it. This one was made in 1988, and they do.

They offer three different kinds of finish, including high gloss, standard, and matte. This includes polishing or grinding away scratches, superficial pitting and inventory marks scrawled on the gun by police departments, polishing and re-bluing.

In general there is a base charge and additional work is $90/hr. Guns are test fired and checked for function and safety before they leave the factory. I got a couple other unrelated questions answered, so it was a worthwhile wait on hold.

They do not accept any new work until October of 2020, due to the current situation with Corona Virus.

Thanks for the info about finishes. I emailed them several weeks ago to inquire about getting my nickel model 19-4 refinished. A gentleman name named Frank responded and said they are no longer doing nickel finishes on firearms. Maybe he meant during COVID? Maybe permanently? I'm not sure. He recommended a company called Turnbull Firearm Restoration.

But, I did recently acquire a Model 15-3 (a whole other post), that I can tell was hardly used and rarely carried. The downside is that it was kept in an old briefcase in a storage shed for many years. It had some bad rusting and minor pitting. I want to keep it for years to come, and I might have it refinished. I'd love S&W to do it, but I understand that their bluing no longer looks like the originals of that era. Oh well...I might give them a call anyway. It seems like they must've been very helpful on the phone.

 

[Jersey Doug]

Polished

Have build custom guns since the early 70s,, there is another option to an expensive refinishing. I polish mine as would be one of the re-bluing steps and retain them that way. Takes lots of time and a bench buffing wheel, photo show the results, but like salvaging those considered hideous prior. The polish impregnated into the metal helps resist rusting so no more maintenance than a blued gun, only difference is,, it's naked lol.