S&W 15-3

[312_Main]

Has anyone ever heard of a 15-3 with a 4.5" barrel? Just bought one and if it is rebarreled or cut down it must be a good job. When I take possesion I will post pics.

Mike in Vancouver

 

[BUFF]

Make sure you measure from the front face of the cylinder to the tip of the muzzle. Pardon me if you know that already.

I have ever heard of a factory 4-1/2 incher but the factory made 5 inchers on special order for a few police agencies.

 

[Art Doc]

Canadian? Doesn't the law up north require 100mm barrel length on handguns for import? Works out to about 4.5" for us not sophisticated enough to dig metric measurements. Maybe S&W made 4.5" models for export to Canada to comply with your silly law? (As opposed to our own many silly laws.)

 

[Targets Guy]

Just love the metric system.

 

[312_Main]

The barrel measurement was done correctly and the rule here is 107mm or 4'2" minimum barrel lenth. That idiotic rule came into effect long after this 15-3 was made. There is a newer S&W stainless "Canadian" 686 at 4.2". I will take good pics when it comes to me next week and post so I'm sure we'll figure it out.

Mike in Vancouver

 

[Art Doc]

OK, then I have no other suggestions except a longer barrel was cut for some reason to 4.5" or someone at S&W was really hungover the day they made the barrel.

 

[dawggunner]

Pics

Yes, please post photos!

 

[312_Main]

I have the gun now and it appears to be a cut down & crowned former S&W 6". Measures 4.25" from front face of cylinder to tip of barrel. Probably after market front sight - shaved down and looks like tapped, threaded and screwed on. May have been stainless and painted flat black. Feels nice but not original. A few pics.

 

[BUFF]

I think you are correct, a cut-down K-38 barrel. The Model 15-3's barrels were tapered noticeably. Should be a great shooter anyway.

 

[Art Doc]

Although the gun was made before the Canadian law was in effect maybe it wasn't imported until after? No other explanation comes to mind for cutting a Model 14 barrel to such an odd length and putting it on a Model 15 frame.

To be honest, it doesn't look right to my eye. These look great due to the tapered barrel and ramp front sight.