S&W model 15 barrel profile

[rug357]

I just noticed that the 4" model 15 had two different barrel profiles.
Mine has the "standard" (pencil) barrel profile while surplused Florida corrections dept. model 15 had "heavy barrel" like model 19.
When did this change occur or did they always offer both profiles?

 

[JP@AK]

The Combat Masterpiece revolvers for the Florida Department of Corrections were produced in 1992. That was after the Model 14 line was discontinued and rolled into the Model 15 line. And by that time, the Model 15 no longer had the tapered barrel.

Prior to 1982, the Model 15 .38 Combat Masterpiece only had the tapered barrel, except on the 2" units (beginning in 1964).

 

[Matt_X]

Jack,
So is this a heavy barrel? I ask because I would call this a heavy barrel and I thought that was the norm. But maybe it only seems heavy because I'm comparing to my Victory's barrel?

 

[Thiokol]

No, that is not the heavy barrel. Here are pictures of my 15-2 & 14-2. You'll notice that the model 15 barrel is tapered while the model 14 barrel is straight. What you refer to as the heavy barrel would be like the barrel on the model 14. The barrel on your Victory doesn't have a top rib. That may be where the confusion is.

 

[JP@AK]

The picture is dark enough that it is difficult to see the barrel profile, but I'm pretty sure it is tapered. At 19K, it is a late Model 15-3 from 1978 production. That just about guarantees that it has the tapered barrel. Besides, one thing I believe I can see in your picture is the side-sloping edge of the forward frame bridge. That was used with the tapered barrel Combat Masterpiece. That point on the frame of a K-38 Masterpiece with the straight side barrel would be flat.

The thing to keep in mind when doing a comparison is the M&P barrel lacks the rib; hence it would have a thinner cross section.

Here is a photo of two Combat Masterpiece units. The one on the left is a Model 15-2, while the one on the right is a special order 5" Combat Masterpiece from 1952. Both have the tapered barrel.

Here's another picture of the same Model 15-2:

 

[Matt_X]

Thank you both for explaning the differences!

 

[JP@AK]

That picture shows it a lot better. See the flare on the barrel just before it enters the frame? That's how you identify the tapered barrel.

 

[Matt_X]

Yes. Thank you.