Model 15-3

[cool breeze]

I recently traded for a nice S&W Model 15-3. Can someone tell me the year was produced? S/N 16K140x

I'll post some pictures soon.

Thank you!

 

[JP@AK]

Produced in 1977, the only year the 16K numbers were used.

 

[cool breeze]

Much appreciated!

 

[shouldazagged]

My all-time favorite handgun. You'll love it.

 

[CajunBass]

My all-time favorite handgun. You'll love it.

Mine too I believe, although it goes back and forth between it and my Model 19. Since this is about the 15, the 15 is my favorite now.

And we need a picture.

15-2, target hammer, trigger, trigger stop, and target grips.

 

[cool breeze]

I made a fairly bad trade for it but it I wanted a nice "early" S&W revolver and this was it. Minty in the original box but no original grips. It came with Hogue wraparound grips. I have two sets of grips on their way. A set of Factory service grips and a set of Eagle Secret Service grips. Pictures coming when I get the grips.

 

[cool breeze]

Here it is naked.

 

[gmborkovic]

Its a M&P with a rib and some sights. What is all the excitement.
If some of you guys learned to shoot on a Pre-10. there would be no excitement. Its the same frame and all the parts are same. Plus they were all fitted the same. Mod-15 still a great gun. Best, Wink.

 

[Jaymo]

It's a gorgeous revolver with ribbed barrel, target sights, and wonderful accuracy.
That is the source of my excitement over 15s.
I'd give an internal organ for a 15 snub.

For now, I'll have to make do with a 15-3 4", a 15-5 4", and a 10-5 2".

 

[Club Gun Fan]

I recently traded for a nice S&W Model 15-3. Can someone tell me the year was produced? S/N 16K140x

I'll post some pictures soon.

Thank you!

I don't know when it was produced, but, it was shipped in either 1977 or 1978.
Don Mundell
Assistant Historian
SWHF

 

[cool breeze]

Thanks Don!

 

[cool breeze]

I'm excited because this 15 is sweet. Plus it's been a while since I've had a nice S&W Revolver.

 

[loeman]

Congratulations! I hope you will find some original magnas for it. I really like the look of the 2 inch Md 15 with the square butt. My 2 inch Md 15-2 is a tremendous shooter. I would wager that yours is too.

 

[cool breeze]

 

[Engine49guy]

AS a side bar the snub version of the Model 15 had a different frame and barrel profile than any other Model 15 variant,
The barrel is thicker with a rib more like the Model 14/19, frame does not step down to the barrel as well as having a long rear site leaf like the Model 19 snub.

Never understood why these were only sold with a SB grip frame and 2" snub barrel as a 3" round butt would have likely sold better,
The snub Model 15 is a bit of a conundrum when considering the 2.5" Model 66 snub is about the same size weight and about the same price and the snub Model 12 is a fraction of the weight sans target sites which are really not needed in a CCW snub.

(L to R Model 66-1, Model 15-3, Model 12-2).

 

[cool breeze]

Out of those three I like the 15 most. I've always liked the look of the RB snubs better but the SB is growing on me now.

 

[Jaymo]

I used to like RB revolvers better, but S&W SB Magnas really grew on me.

 

[cool breeze]

 

[BUFF]

My department issued the Combat Masterpiece/Model 15. My issue gun was a M-15-2, I think a -2, S/N K522975. Uniform deputies got 4 inchers, plain clothes folks got 2 inchers, if they had any. Lots of the 2 inch guys kept them when they rotated back to uniform duty and just carried them in 4 inch holsters on their Sam Brownes! I never shot or carried mine because it was so badly used and refinished before I got it and preferred a .357. Turned it back in 1992.

Yours is in much, much nicer shape!

 

[m1gunner]

I'm excited because this 15 is sweet. Plus it's been a while since I've had a nice S&W Revolver.

Good looking Smith. It still has the trigger stop installed.