model 15-3

[Allen in MT]

Found a Model 15-3 4" at the GS today and from the SN it looks to be a 1970 model. Has some blueing loss at the muzzle and more so on the cylinder but looks to be around 85% maybe more. Barrel is pinned but cylinder is not recessed. Looks to be the standard K frame grips. Any Idea as to what the fair market value should be on one of these. I haven't brought it home yet.
thanks for the info

 

[oldafsp]

With rocketship take off in prices as of late here is my take on it.

A 15 as you described would be an excellent shooter. Carried much and
probably shot little...unless there is a problem such as the hammer pushing off
or poor action,timing ect.

If it's a tight well cared for piece that just has worn finish- $425 to $475

There are pristine 15's coming out of the woodwork all the time, ANIB or very close to it. Expect to pay for it though...a friend just bought a test fired only from the factory 15-2 (1964) in nickle and paid $675 for it.

The days of "cheap" .38 caliber Smiths are gone. You may find a real beater out there for $350...but not everyday. Not anymore.

When I see good (85-90%) condition Model 10-5's bring $400 and up all day long, that's where we are today.

You will never regret the purchase of a good Model 15. I own 4 of them and two are shooters that see hundreds of rounds a year.

Just my .02 worth..good luck to you.

 

[blue70chevelle]

Barrel is pinned but cylinder is not recessed.

Cylinder will not be recessed. S&W only recessed cylinders on Magnum guns. the 15 is a dedicated .38. a Model 19 or a 13 would have a recessed cylinder

 

[JP@AK]

Hello
The Model 15 is a great gun in all its variants, and I congratulate you one for picking up what sounds like a nice shooter grade dash 3.
I agree with oldafsp about the current prices. It seems like only a year or two ago that model-marked .38 K target frame guns were selling for peanuts, with the higher prices being paid for the .357 models. Now that has all changed, at least for the most part. Bargains are still out there, but they are getting harder to find.

Barrel is pinned but cylinder is not recessed.

This is normal. Only the magnum calibers had counterbored charge holes. The .38 Special revolvers never did.

Jack

 

[Allen in MT]

Went back and looked at it again. It comes with the black duty holster and belt (to small for me). The wood is not the greatest and should be replaced in my opinion. They are asking $349.00 for gun and leather. I offered 300.00 but no go, so will sleep on it tonight and look again tomorrow. Do I need it? NO! but thats not the point
thanks
Allen

 

[Scotter260]

Good Gravy!!! Just go get it for that price, see if they'll cover the sales tax just so you can say you didn't pay asking price IF they'll agree, if not, take it anyway. If there's something wrong with it, S&W can fix it and would probably cover it for nothing.

If I could travel back just a year or two I'd be darn sure to have bought an NY-1 Model 64 and DAO Model 67 from J&G but those days are gone and I'm still kicking myself.

Get on that 15!!

 

[jsfricks]

Here's mine I bought two weeks ago for $315 OTD at my LGS. Zero wear with aftermarket grips. Yea, those deals don't come around too often. Smoothest double action pull I've ever felt!

 

[arjay]

It's a good price.I'd buy it.

 

[oldafsp]

Good grief....a shooter grade 15 at that price is a bargain. Sell the leather if you don't need it.

Spare gun, backup gun, house gun or clean it up and take it to the next gun
show.

That lonely 15 needs a home.....

 

[Clovishound]

I picked up this model 10 about a month ago at a LGS. A little light surface rust, a fair amount of holster wear. Slightly ratty Hogue grips. Lock up is good. Trigger is very smooth. Very accurate.

My buddy did a little touch up on the bluing. I made a set of grips, not happy with them, going to pick up a new set of Hogues.

$260 pre tax.

 

[H Richard]

I found this one in 2009 on Gunbroker at a pawn shop in Vegas. It was literally unfired, and a 2", but I didn't hesitate at $400. Yes, they shoot great.

 

[Allen in MT]

Well I went back this morning and it was still there, and now it is here. Cleaned up prety good and the grips are numbered to the gun. Guess I will try and sell the leather as I don't need it. Some muzzle wear and also on the cylinder and the rest is nice.
enjoy
Allen

 

[jasperbob42]

One of the few 'smart buys' a few years ago was to buy NITB 4in and
subby versions of the Mo-15. Great guns. Leaving both unfired for the
time being.

 

[oldafsp]

Congrats!

Now shoot it and tell us how you like it....

BTW, that appears to be a Don Hume holster for K frame 4inch. Great piece
of history.

 

[Scotter260]

Oh wow, good for you sir!!!

 

[Parker357]

I found this one in 2009 on Gunbroker at a pawn shop in Vegas. It was literally unfired, and a 2", but I didn't hesitate at $400. Yes, they shoot great.

I found one of those this past weekend at a gunshow and was wondering if $475 was a good deal? You have given me new hope in finding it at the next gunshow next week.

 

[WILDPIG]

Here's mine I bought two weeks ago for $315 OTD at my LGS. Zero wear with aftermarket grips. Yea, those deals don't come around too often. Smoothest double action pull I've ever felt!

Those are sexy grips! Any idea what they are?

WILDPIG

 

[jsfricks]

Those are sexy grips! Any idea what they are?

WILDPIG

Thanks! They're sitting in the safe as I put some diamond targets on it that I had. I believe they each had the number 3 stamped in them but no name. But very comfortable.

 

[Tom Kent]

That is a nice revolver. When you shoot it you will think it had a trigger job by a master smith. All the M-15s I have ever shot came from the factory like that. Keep the leather, too. It belongs to the gun, even if it is "too small". The leather I wore for years is too small, too.