S&W Model 15 .38 as USAF Commemorative

[MOONDAWG]

BTT...and I "STILL" want one...o{)

 

[tjpopkin]

Model 15 Performance Center

In 2001, the PC made some Heritage guns in the Model 15. The finish and workmanship were stellar. I bought one in 4" and was disappointed, since the rest of the Heritage series had 6" barrels and I wanted them to match. I sent the gun back to S&W and they fitted a 6" barrel. My guns were all case colored and a beautiful set. I liked the gun so much, I bought another, in 4", but in Nickel. Even though I have had this for over 10 years, I seldom shoot it…..so it might be for sale.
email me if any interest….
[email protected]

 

[gatekeeper]

Was a Law Enforcement Specialist, carried both the 4 inch and 2 inch version of the 15 Combat Masterpiece. A USAF commemorative with the shields (AP & SP) would be great.

 

[MOONDAWG]

BTT...........

 

[MOONDAWG]

BTT...the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Maybe it'll catch on...again!

 

[Gatofeo]

Hard to believe that it has been 8 years since I created this thread, proposing that Smith & Wesson issue a tribute Model 15 Combat Masterpiece to honor U.S. Air Force veterans who carried this .38 Special revolver as police, guards, aircrew members, investigators, survival instructors, missile techs, etc. -- all protecting America and its interests.
Smith & Wesson still shows no interest in doing so.
The note in this thread that military insignia is copyrighted is, I'm certain, quite wrong. Uncle Sam cannot copyright material. He can control some things because of security reasons -- photos, documents, videos, etc. -- but certainly not the vintage USAF roundel and Security Police badge.
These would be so nice to have engraved on the pistol's frame or cylinder.
A few years ago, I picked up a like-new S&W M15 with 4" barrel, made in 1977 -- one of the years I was in the Air Force as a Security Policeman, Law Enforcement Specialist. It's nickel-plated, so it's not authentic to what was regularly issued, but it sure is a beauty. Shoots accurately and rides nicely in a vintage like-new USAF holster I found on the net.
Pleassseeeee ... Mssrs. Smith & Wesson, may we have a lightly engraved M15, in remembrance of those in blue who carried it to keep the peace and protect each other?

 

[Mistered]

81152 LE here from 83-87 - Lowry AFB, CO, Comiso AS, Italy and Tinker AFB, OK
Airman of the year at Lowry AFB, and Airman of the year at Comiso, AS

 

[Kevin J.]

On my right side you can see my model 15, handle hidden by my elbow. Osan 1978-81.

 

[michael1000]

wow! i just found this thread and am wholly on board.
i worked as a small arms specialist in the af (76-80) and dealt with the model 15 daily. i have nothing but good to say about these classics.
part of our job was an annual inspection of every handgun and rifle on base, and i can remember seeing crated firearms in the 100's, unfired, new and waiting to be issued to flight crews. i'm sure the disposition of many or all of them was to never be used, just stockpiled. too bad if they were destroyed.

 

[jeeps]

A lot were unmarked from Late 1969 -1970 period. Model 15-3's. High polish blue 4". My Bird Colonel had one,no marks and seen a lot of others no marks.

 

[CapnB]

A lot were unmarked from Late 1969 -1970 period. Model 15-3's. High polish blue 4". My Bird Colonel had one,no marks and seen a lot of others no marks.

Haven’t seen this thread in a while. I’m glad to hear you say there were unmarked Model 15s in use. I’ve been reluctant to mention this, but I worked in the squadron armory, handled these daily and for the life of me don’t remember the USAF roll mark. I was even a S&W collector back then and owned my own Combat Masterpiece, among others. I wonder if any of the firearms training and maintenance guys from that era can chime in on this. Good shootin’,
Doug

 

[AimHigher]

I also was USAF Law Enforcement Specialists / Security Police, 1974-1978. Full tour (unfortunately) at Richards-Gebaur AFB, MO. I carried the M-15 every day on patrol and entry control. It was an excellent sidearm. (Although the canvas bullet loop thingakabobs we had to carry our extra rounds were essentially useless. A few of the guys carried unauthorized speed loaders in their MA1 pocket.

I would love to have a commemorative M-15 with a small SP Badge engraved on a side plate OR maybe a mini badge embedded into the stock?

I also wonder about what was done with the thousands of M-15's when they switched to the 9mm? I suspect the AF had at least 30,000 M-15's. Would be great if there were still several thousand in storage somewhere and they could sell them surplus to those of us that carried them on duty.

After the AF, I went into Civilian law enforcement and started with a Colt, but eventually acquired a brand new Model 19, which fit like a glove - still have it - loaded and ready to go!

 

[AimHigher]

Since posting this a few years ago, I've sent three letters of suggestion to Smith & Wesson.
Given the interest this has generated, I think it's worth Smith & Wesson's consideration.
Anyone have a name at Smith & Wesson to whom I might address this suggestion directly?
I believe a USAF Model 15 .38 revolver commemorative would sell well. And Model 10s in Army, Navy and Marine commemoratives.
But it's important to keep them somewhat affordable, and useable: leave them blued, with the service engraved on the side, its own serial number (F, N, M and A can precede the serial number to designate which service) and perhaps the name of the service written out along the backstrap.
They should be so fancy that you'd agonize to fire one. These should be holster guns, carried by veterans who served.

Anyway, who might I write to specifically on this suggestion? Send me an email if you'd rather not advertise the recipient's name.

I hope Smith & Wesson will consider this. The .45 gets a lot of fame, but the .38 protected and reassured a lot of service men and women since World War II, and did so until the early 1990s.

Write to the CEO and cc the VP of sales and marketing. I think I'll do the same. I doubt that the crew at S&W actually understands that Security Police was/is the AF's largest career field and there are literally tens of thousands Air Force veterans who carried the M-15 in either 4" or 2".

 

[torrejon224]

Started in 71 as a K9 handler and after returning from SEA went straight LE, retired as SP Superintendent. Would definitely be in for one or more of these if it ever happens. Currently own two Model 15s, one with USAF roll marks I bought off Gun Broker and for all practical purposes it's twin with target hammer and trigger. Loved these and carried nothing else my entire career. Would either use Target Grips or Pach Rubber Grips depending on where I was stationed. Lots of guys used Tyler T-Grips as well. Good times and great weapons. Stationed Danang, CCK, Griffiss, Torrejon, Mannheim, Elmendorf and various "locales" in Oregon and Nevada.

 

[Don89044]

Gatofeo, I was at Lowry AFB from January 5th, 1973 to September 17th, 1976. I was a member of the 3415th S.P.S..
I bet you issued me my weapons at the checkout/in window. Small world!
Stay safe!