Questions about my first model 15-7

[JmeFL]

Hello,

I just put money down at the local gun store for a used s&w model 15-7. Apparently the state of florida corrections officers handed over a bunch of these that their officers use to carry. They were asking $349 per gun. I picked out the one that looked to have the best finish and the least amount of cylinder play. Cylinder to bore gap looked good too.

They ended up selling it to me for $299.

This is my first s&w gun and first revolver. I'm fairly new to gun collecting. This is my 3rd gun. I was looking for a good revolver that is fun and accurate for the range.

I have a few questions and would appreciate any feedback!

1. Is $299 a good price?

2. Does this gun hold any value. Will I see the value over time go up on this?

3. The reason for question number 2 is this gun is a bit beat up. Has some scratches and the blueing is worn in a number of areas. I was thinking about restoring it. New grips, removing scratches and reblueing to make it look nice again. Is it worth doing this? I've read, depending on the gun, it's better to leave it in it's original condition (no matter how beat up or worn).

I appreciate your help!!

 

[jinx]

I think you got a great deal.

 

[JmeFL]

Thank you jinx! -And I appreciate you responding.

I ended up calling Smith & Wesson and inquiring about restoring the gun. They said I can replace the grips but to leave everything else as is. Dings, scratches, and worn blue finish.

They show it was shipped directly to the correctional facility in 1995. They asked if it was engraved with the correctional facilities stamp (which it is). They said reblueing would remove that stamp and devalue the gun/history.

I am learning! lol

I still would like feedback from seasoned collectors though!

 

[jinx]

You will find that most of the folks here will recommend never refinishing. The bluing wear, scratches, dings, and what not, show honest use and are the "character" of the gun. If the gun could talk, all of those different wear marks may tell an interesting story.
I agree with them and leave it as is.
Enjoy your new gun.

 

[howiema]

First of all the model 15 I believe is one of the must haves on the s&w list, I have some "crunchy specimens" and some pristine pieces but the "natural patina" just cannot be bought. When I get them with the lived in look I like them even more. I have a 15-8 and it is one of my main carry guns. Great find great price. If it was a pre-model maybe a refinish would be in the future, but just enjoy it and shoot it.

Pete

How about some pics

 

[Engine49guy]

First off welcome to the forum and to S&W revolvers !

The 15-7 is a neat gun and interesting because it has a wdie rib barrel that is heavier than the 15-4 and older versions.

Your gun will make a fine shooter but for collectability Condition and originality of the package is the key.

I do not agree that the corrections stamps add any value but IMO if you want a collectable high condition Model 15 it would be wiser to find a LNIB gun and spend an extra $250 (totaling $550ish) rather than spend another $300 to refinish your gun as a refinish will not add any value IMO.

 

[JmeFL]

Thanks Pete!

I can't wait to pick it up and take it shooting! I will post pics as soon as I do!

 

[JmeFL]

Thanks Engine49Guy!

Great advice. When I have the extra cash I will start the hunt for a LNIB.

For now I just wanted to see if this was a decent price for a used fairly beat up model.

 

[Engine49guy]

Thanks Engine49Guy!

Great advice. When I have the extra cash I will start the hunt for a LNIB.

For now I just wanted to see if this was a decent price for a used fairly beat up model.

Any shooter grade Combat Masterpiece with minor cosmetic issues from carry use that is in otherwise good mechanical condition is worth $300 IMO.

 

[JmeFL]

Okay that's good to know. The only problem is...they don't let you shoot it before you buy it. lol So you just have to go on how it looks to the eye and how it feels in your hands. And I am a novice. I watched some YouTube videos to get an idea of how to inspect a used revolver and get the best idea visually. I guess I won't know fully until I take it to the range!

 

[JmeFL]

Another question. What's the best ammo for this model for range shooting? Brand and grain? Cheapest place to purchase?

 

[JmeFL]

Picture

Here it is. I ended up going with an older model 15-3 because it was actually in better shape than the 15-7. Definitely has holster wear but mechanically it's in GREAT condition. It's extremely accurate and a lot of fun to shoot!

I ordered a set of bonded ivory grips from Altamont. I've read both good and bad reviews regarding Altamont. So, I thought I'd take my chances. Opinions?


http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk252/JmeFL78/IMG_20150415_130229.jpg

 

[kbm6893]

You will find that most of the folks here will recommend never refinishing. The bluing wear, scratches, dings, and what not, show honest use and are the "character" of the gun. If the gun could talk, all of those different wear marks may tell an interesting story.
I agree with them and leave it as is.
Enjoy your new gun.

I disagree. The dings and scratches on this gun were put on there as shifts of guards threw the gun into an arms locker, not as somebody stormed the beaches of Normandy. The Model 15 is one of the most common revolvers out there. There is no historical significance to it. There were MILLIONS made.

If you like a beat up Model 15, then enjoy it. It's a working gun and fine for that. A friend of mine is a retired NYS Corrections officer. Told me guys he worked with routinely sold their Model 10's for 75 bucks.

 

[stantheman86]

I have a trade in 15-7, I don't know if it's from the Florida DOC but it's beat to all heck. It's stamped SA252 whatever that means. I got it off GunBroker for $300, plus shipping and transfer I was at $350 for it, pretty good deal. I want to get a nicer one, they are all over GB, I don't buy off GB anymore but no doubt these will be all over gun shows, just like when the Ohio DOC dumped thousands of 64's and I saw a guy with a table full of them at a large gun show.

I went for it because I like the Heavy Barrel, it's kind of like a Model 10 HB with target sights. I can hit the 10" polymer swinger in my backyard at 50 in single action with it, that was with the stock springs.

It's not worth refinishing these, just let them wear the dings and scrapes of careless handling to show their past life as "tools"

I just put a set of Miculek springs in it and added the Pachmayr grips, it will basically be a neat range shooter. It used to be some kind of duty gun but now it's on duty with me I like Jerry Miculek and his support of the shooting sports, so I figure what better gun to put his springs in than a working man's Model 15 that's seen a lot of use.

I am a PA Corrections Officer and we use 65's, I can say these guns spend 99% of their lives in a locker in the arms room. They are handled roughly by staff members, in some cases , as you'd expect a gun that doesn't belong to them will be handled and most of my coworkers could care less about guns. At the academy we qualified with 64's and 65's, they kept the guns piled up on top of each other inside a wooden box.

They are just tools that have to be carried for hospital trips and by the outside patrol, more or less they are just used guns. They have neat "history" for what they are, working guns and tools, that play a small part at least for public service.

The PA DOC used to use Ruger Service Six .38's, I was able to buy one. It looks like it was dragged behind a truck down 10 miles of gravel road......it has a surprisingly nice action.

 

[murphydog]

Another question. What's the best ammo for this model for range shooting? Brand and grain? Cheapest place to purchase?

For practice, several companies make 130 gr FMJ or 158 gr RNL at reasonable prices. Have a look at the major online sporting goods sites that buy in huge quantities, and there are also ammo specific websites that can have good deals.

 

[JmeFL]

Thanks for the replies! I love this gun already. It may not be the prettiest, but it's great at the range. Also a nice gun in the nightstand for home defense. I'll post another pic of the gun with bonded ivory grips when they arrive.

 

[jtcarm]

Is that shop in TX, by chance?

I think I would've left with at least 2.

 

[adwjc]

JmeFL,

Congratulations on your purchase, the Model 15 is a nice revolver and even though it didn't storm the beaches at Normandy, it still has its own cache. You will find that it is a step up from the common Model 10.

Yours looks to be in better shape than you described in your earlier posts, those Altomonts should show nicely on it.

Be sure and report back after you get it out to the range.

Tony

 

[stantheman86]

It's a great buy and you'll grow to love that gun.

These are shooter grade utility guns, but I find that my "shooter grade" guns often become my favorites. I have a very well worn Ruger Service Six that is a great shooter, it just looks beat up.

4" .38 service revolvers with holster wear will never really go up much in value, especially the later non-pinned versions. It has nothing to do with shootability of the gun, but buyers tend to think of the older S&W's as "better" and more desireable. You can still get the pre-15 K-38's for $400 in fair-good condition, they aren't really investment pieces but are awesome shooters.

I always prefer stainless revolvers, my first "big boy" gun was a 67-1 that I still have, I would love to find a later model pre-lock 67 with the heavy barrel.

 

[JmeFL]

lol JT it's in Florida. So, a bit of a drive.