model 15 help please?

[lrrifleman]

Suzie, when you are ready to take your Combat Masterpiece out to shoot, I would suggest that you start out shooting it single action. Shooting with the sights single action is the best way to get shooting accurately. 99% of the time, I shoot all of my revolvers single action, rarely do I shoot double action unless I am shooting a PPC type match.

Also, while your Combat Masterpiece can shoot almost every flavor of 38 Special, I would strongly suggest that you try shooting 38 Special wadcutters until you get a good feel for your revolver. Make certain to save your spent brass, because there is a very good chance that you will start reloading your own target ammo.

 

[susieqz]

YAY ! I GOT MY ADORABLE GUN !!
driving to town hurt my back so i only fired 6 rounds so i could dry fire, but i can give you my thots so far.
i'd love to post a pic to show off but it's beyond my capabilities.
but, i could email a pic to one of you who could post it for me.
this would be a great kindness. see, the grips are a problem. they are checkered, which i don't like n they are plastic, which i hate.
but, they are plow handle grips. .they fit me perfectly n that's what i want. the exact same grips in pretty wood.
but, no one sells those. maybe, if people see these, someone might know where i could get them.

now, to the m15.
the barrel n cylinders are perfect. looks unfired. it has more holster wear than i've ever seen, but no rust.
if it bugs me, i have naval jelly n i can just eliminate the bluing.
burnished steel is nicer than stainless anyway.
i was worried about rust because the gun comes from florida. it was a turn in from tomoka correctional institution in daytona.

here's the amazing thing. it has the best trigger i've ever tried.
i've read the term ''like breaking glass'' but now i know what it means.
this may be the best trigger in this state.
are all s&ws like this? or just old ones?

anyway, with this trigger my gun is worth investing in.
i had intended to get the pull lightened n maybe find a longer hammer so i could thumb it better, but now i won't.
i will do nothing that might disturb this perfect trigger.

sunday is my gun play day so then i'll tell you about accuracy, but my results won't be definitive.
see, i screwed up.
everyone told me that wadcutters are most accurate, but i can't afford them. so, i bot every single type of affordable ammo i could find.
i was gonna test to find one brand that gave me precision.
but now, i can't. i spent more on ammo than the gun cost.
now i can't afford a mount n red dot. midway has one that fits, they say.
i can't hit anything with iron sights. i gotta have a dot,
their mount accepts a fastfire. it's not my fav, but i can work with it n it lets me use a holster.
anyway, i won't be able to tell you how accurate this gun is for months, but with this trigger it's gonna be match quality unless there's something wrong with the barrel i can't see.
thanks tons for your help in getting me this wonderful weapon.

 

[lebomm]

Susie;
I'll add my welcome to our forum, and my congratulations on your acquisition of one of the finest .38s the world has ever seen. Lots of good advice above, please do keep us updated on your progress with it. Pictures and a range report are musts !
Oops, looks like you came back just ahead of this post. Thanks again !

Good shooting,
Larry

 

[susieqz]

no pics unless somebody helps me.....

 

[rustythread]

SuzueQ:
Once you've gotten used to shooting a Model 15, you will be permanently spoiled for any other brand, or for many other Smiths. Since yours has a good trigger, don't mess with it.
You might look at eBay for grips, at least to get an idea what's out there, and look at the classifieds on this site for good pics and descriptions of grips so that you get a good idea of what you're looking for and and how it is described. E.g., " k frame square butt target, etc..."
Do save your brass for potential reloading. Also check around in whatever groups / ranges you shoot with. There may be somebody trustworthy who will reload for you, with you providing the powder, brass, and projectiles and a couple cents a round for the labor. Be careful there, tho, to get somebody really careful and trustworthy.
You have a really fiine revolver--enjoy it!

 

[susieqz]

ii thot i found a reloader but he can no longer afford the insurance.
no clubs nearby. this area is very rural. nontheless, i'll save the brass..
is it only the older guns that have great triggers?

i've looked all over at grips but it seems plow handles aren't popular.

 

[StakeOut]

Model 15s are great

well, i just talked to the ffl guy. since the feds have done nothing, he can't gimmie my gun til thursday. grrr.
now i wish i had waited for the gunshow.
i could've got a gun in minutes with no govt messing me around.

Check to see if you're name is on the "No Fly List"

Which version of the Model 15 are you looking to buy?

I recently bought a 85%+ shooter grade 15-6 for $175.

After replacing the buggered screws,tool marked 0% bluing ejector rod plus replacing a pair of worn out Pachmayr rubber grips with Super Rosewood Altamont combats for less than a $100,I can now shoot it proudly at my local gun range.

Oh,I also replaced the filed down rear sight blade and removed the yellow paint that covered the front sight.

Here's to good shooting when you get yours.

 

[Inusuit]

The wood grips you are looking for, which would be the correct originals for an early Model 15, are called Magnas for a square K frame revolver. They are available everywhere including Ebay, Amazon, and from Smith and Wesson.

 

[Skybull]

SuzieQ-
I too recently purchased a Model 15-4 that was a turn in from Tomoka Correctional Institution. We probably bought it from the same place. Mine came very clean on the outside with the barrel and cylinders spotless. It had rubber Hogue grips which I replaced with Pachmyr Presentation Grips. They fit my hand better.
I took off my sideplate for a cleaning and lube not knowing what if any maintenance had been done to it. I found that they had used a lot of grease to lubricate the inner workings. It was clean and appeared fairly fresh. I cleaned all the grease out and lubricated everything with CLP. That probably wasn't necessary but was my preference just to know everything was perfect. Just like yours, my pistol has a trigger that is amazing. I have only shot 50 reloads through it so far but it is very accurate and a joy to shoot.
I hope you enjoy your new pistol!! Congrats!

 

[susieqz]

thanks, guys. i'll get new grips because this gun deserves them.
today i learned that i can shoot 38s from an all steel gun without hurting my elbow, duelist stance.
the same is not true for 9mm from a plastic gun.
that one i sold.
i also tried snake shot. got a 6'' circle at 6'.
this is great. 22lr shot shells are worthless.
i've spent 2500 rounds trying to learn point shooting but i still can't hit a snake head 10 out of 10, from the hip.
this 15 is great.
wayne says he's gonna post a pic of my gun for me. i emailed it to him.

 

[shouldazagged]

Susie, that wonderful trigger is not an anomaly. The sweetest trigger I've ever encountered on any firearm was on a 1970 15-3. Absolutely splendid revolver.

 

[susieqz]

does wonderful- triggeritis extend to model 14s too?
i' thinking all my future purchases should be older s&ws, if i can get this kinda trigger.

 

[StakeOut]

does wonderful- triggeritis extend to model 14s too?
i' thinking all my future purchases should be older s&ws, if i can get this kinda trigger.

I like the 6" Model 14-2 and 14-3 6" guns Target Masterpieces almost as much as the 4" Model 15 Combat Masterpieces.

The K frame Models 14 and 15 are excellent shooters but next you should try an N frame.

 

[susieqz]

which n frame?

 

[PatriotX]

Here's a pic of Suzie's gun:

 

[susieqz]

thank you patriot.
i am still not finding wood grips in this shape.
s&w has something like them, but $82 n it looks like plywood.
kinda high for plywood.

 

[Groo01]

grips

Groo here
Sue,
If you really are serious about target shooting and you like the shape of the rubber grip look for Roper grips.
One of the best is Herrett [http://www.herrettstocks.com]
You send them a drawing of your hand and the grips are made to fit YOU.

 

[susieqz]

groo, i went there but got a CORRUPTED FILE message.
if you look at my pic, those are really like SAA plow handle grips, i think.
i'd like to duplicate them exactly, but in pretty wood.
a gun with a great trigger deserves wood, but i'll keep the ugly rubber if i can't get the same shape.
i can sand off any checkering if i have to.

 

[rwsmith]

The empty chamber thing...

The keeping the empty chamber applied to single action guns. Modern, good quality double action guns have safety features built in. Even newer single actions have some hammer stops to prevent the firing pin from hitting the primer if the gun is dropped.

Beat up doesn't matter, it's what's inside that counts.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Smith and Wesson revolvers. I'll wager that you won't stop here.

 

[susieqz]

i doubt i'll stop.
this isn't the most expensive gun i bot, but it is the finest quality.
i'm in love with this trigger.

 

[rwsmith]

The empty chamber thing...

The keeping the empty chamber applied to single action guns. Modern, good quality double action guns have safety features built in. Even newer single actions have some hammer stops to prevent the firing pin from hitting the primer if the gun is dropped.

Beat up doesn't matter, it's what's inside that counts.

I'll also bet that it's one of those 'carried a lot, used little' guns and the problems are only cosmetic. I'm not sure what qualifications are for guards, but shooting an S&W only makes it better.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Smith and Wesson revolvers. I'll wager that you won't stop here.

 

[susieqz]

i just found out my cute gun is almost new!
it was built in 1980.
now that i have empty shells i'm dry firing it.
this trigger almost makes me swoon.
this is one quality machine.
i've been just shooting 6 rounds/day, mostly to have empties.
i haven't sighted it in on paper, but i'm hitting the 4' gong at 25 yards
tomorrow i sight it in n test ammo.
what is this thing about not shooting plated n lead?
i have both.
should i clean it after shooting copper?
or after lead?
tomorrow i can tell you about group size but don't laugh. i already told you i can't do iron sights.

see, i shoot a few rounds every day but sundays are for fun. that's when i shoot til i tire.
by the way, this cylinder turns backward.
that surprised me.

 

[susieqz]

well, i wanted to give you guys a range report, but i can't. too much shooter error to evaluate the gun's accuracy or the test ammo.
i was all over the paper at 25 yards.

i couldn't move to 15 yards because my rest is a rain barrel n i had it full of irrigation water so i couldn't move it.
i'm not weeping n gnashing my teeth tho. the same thing happened with my super accurate 22/4, til i got a red dot.
i just can't use iron sights.
i sure wish somebody would explain to me this thing about mixing jacketed ammo n lead.
which one can't follow the other?
what happens if i mix them?
i have some of each.
i painted my front sight with red nail polish. that didn't help.
any other tricks to let me use iron sights til i can afford a dot?

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Hi Susie:

Here are a few ideas for you:

* if possible, have an experienced shooter fire your revolver to see if the sights are regulated, or need adjusting.
* If I recall correctly, the revolver left the factory regulated for standard velocity 158 gr. bullets. You should be able to find practice ammo with that bullet weight fairly easily, and you should try and stick with at least one bullet weight/type until you gain proficiency.
* Firing just 6 rounds per day is a very slow way to learn how to fire your revolver proficiently. But, if that's what's available, then I would advocate firing each shot slowly, and single action (cock the hammer) only. Try for quality for each shot...as if that shot was the most important one in the world.
* I'd recommend shooting much closer to your target - even if it means you don't get to use a rest. I'd suggest shooting from about 3 yds. to begin with, and then moving to 7 yds., and then 10 yds. Once you can make good hits on the target at 10 yds., you should be ready to move back to about 15 yds.
* If possible, try to find a local gun range or club and become a member. I'm sure they either have programs for new shooters, or you could find a member who would be willing to help you out.

Best of luck,

Dave

 

[susieqz]

thanks, double o. it never occurred to me that i should stay with one bullet weight.
i don't know any shooters to work with. no range, club or gun store closer than 90 miles one way.
the only help i'm gonna get is from this site.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Hi Susie:

It may be a bit early for this, but the enclosed diagram might help you diagnose your shooting errors once you can consistently group your piece.

Also, I used to shoot competitively, and shot boatloads of 148gr. wadcutter bullets. That was once upon a time, when wadcutters were cheap and plentiful. Nowadays, that doesn't seem to be the case. My bullet design of choice has become the standard velocity 158 gr. SWC (semiwadcutter):

HSM .38 Special Bulk Ammunition – 158-gr. SWC with Dry-Storage Box : Cabela's

It is a good all around bullet design, and is suitable for informal target and small game hunting. The design of the bullet also makes it much easier to load than the wadcutter design. If you were closer to Austin, TX I would love to help you out.

Best of luck,

Dave

 

[Groo01]

Sue
Groo here
Try this Revolvers.

 

[susieqz]

double o, i'll try that ammo.
groo, i bookmarked that page, but i'm hoping for a rail that sits lower. these are high to allow use of iron sights. i have zero interest in using iron sights.
for emergencies i've shot 3000 rounds to learn point shooting.
i can pretty much hit big targets close by without sights.
past 10 yards, i just gotta have a dot.
the most common emergency here is the rattler.
i bot some shot shells. they are great. i get a dense pattern 6'' across at 6'. no way i could miss.
22lr shot shells are worthless but these work fine.
if a snake is further than 6; i can retreat.

 

[pittpa]

well, i wanted to give you guys a range report, but i can't. too much shooter error to evaluate the gun's accuracy or the test ammo.

i just can't use iron sights.
I painted my front sight with red nail polish. that didn't help.

any other tricks to let me use iron sights til i can afford a dot?

Personally, I find it easier to get a sight picture if the sights themselves are in the dark and the target is bright. That way I see a sharp silhouette of the sight picture against the target. Inside we accomplish this by turning off the lights over the shooting line. Outside you might shoot the gun from a small box in the shade. Some people use lamp black to darken their sights.
Additionally I use a Merit optical aid, an adjustable aperture that sticks on my glasses and gives me more focus, to put it simply. Similar to the reason people squint to see better. You sound resourceful-You can get the same effect by drilling a small hole in a piece of plastic and clipping it to your glasses and sighting through it. Smaller hole = less light so there is a point where you get diminishing returns. I even use it to make my red dot more crisp. Floaters in my eyes seem to have caused my red dots to look more like grape cluster. The aperture cures that.

 

[Jimmy1973]

Susie,
I am new to K-frames also.Have a pre-17,48,and an 18-3.My 18 has a Fl doc sticker on the bottom of the grips.So we both have prison pistols.
I have huge hands and have struggled some to find grips to fit me well
Try altamont or midway-usa.com for a good variety of grips.
Might also look at herrets or Craig Spegel