S&W Model 15 Heritage Series

[prescobd]

A LGS has a slightly used Heritage Series Model 15 for sale that I have been eyeing. It is a 15-8, it has the "floating firing pin" and I'm assuming MIM parts and it does not have the IL. I have a couple questions.
What would this gun be worth, I would estimate it to be at least 95 percent?
It is stamped Performance Center, did the PC do any internal work on the Heritage Series?

I have also been considering a new Classic series model 15. Any advantage of one over the other? The Heritage Series actually is more "classic" than the Classic Series. The Heritage Series has the original model 15 barrel as opposed to the underlug (model 19 style)barrel on the new model 15 "Classic Series." Although it doesn't bother me, the newer "Classic Series" has the IL.

Thanks.

 

[fyimo]

I just bought this Model 15-4 with pinned barrel and target grips for $389 and it's a solid 98% revolver.

 

[stantheman86]

Since it doesn't have the IL, and it's a "Heritage" series and also a PC gun, and not a newer"Classic" it's probably worth a little more. Are you sure the parts are MIM? I had thought PC guns use forged parts.

I can't put a price on it, since S&W prices vary so much according to different factors and I haven't written any price guides and so I am not an authority

If the gun times up right, looks good, I would pay no more than $450-500 for it, just my opinion since I don't have any PC guns and a PC marked Model 15 would be neat. S&W prices run high in my area though.Some may say $500 is too high,but I'm sure for $500 someone would snap that up at a PA gun show.

 

[Elmer]

I have several of the Heritage series guns, including a couple of the 15's in nickel. Unfortunately, they haven't seemed to get much collector interest, even though they made relatively few of them. They don't seem to bring much more, if any, than any other no lock gun. With it being a used example, I wouldn't buy it unless you want to keep it.

 

[18DAI]

I paid $600 a few months back for the bright nickel version PC 15-8.

Ugly MIM hammer and trigger. The hammer showed a trough in the side when at rest.

The trigger pull was lousy. I've shot a Rossi with a better trigger.

I owned it for 48 hours and traded it for a nickel 3" 13-3. I haven't looked back.

Mine was an overpriced ***. Good luck with yours. Regards 18DAI.

 

[HOGSTR]

I sold mine for just over $500, right about where I bought it. The gun your talking about should be case hardened, right? Pretty gun, I just didn't want to shoot it much.

 

[.357magger]

I previously owned one, nickel, and the only good thing about it imo was the brass front sight. Don't get me wrong, it LOOKED awesome, and it was accurate enough, in single action, but the DA pull needed a Mack truck and a dozier to get it moving. Was not due to "goo" in the innards either, just poor machining. IIRC, the rollmarks on the barrel also left much to be desired as they were very weakly struck. Paid at the time about $800 for that gun, and I did get my money back out through GB.

If it were me, I'd shop for a pre lock Mod 14 (any dash) in 6" barrel and consider that I would be waaaaaay ahead. Or...if your LGS is asking in the $800-900 range (this is what I see them for on GB), you could find a gun that McGivern did own, the 1905 Target for that money.

Just my .02 but my experience with it was not the most satisfying.

 

[stantheman86]

If you can get a hands on with it, and if the price is reasonable I would say go for it if you like it.

 

[alenworn]

I just bought this Model 15-4 with pinned barrel and target grips for $389 and it's a solid 98% revolver.

your guns always look great, do you shoot them much

 

[random_rest]

I have one of the earlier 15-8 models with the MIM parts. I got mine for about $425, but then spent some money on an action job as the pull wasn't great. It's still not as pleasant as one with forged parts, but acceptable. Mine had an excessive cylinder gap. I sent it back to S&W and they said it was within specs. I sent it to Cylinder and Slide for the action job, and THEY sent it back to S&W to have the barrel turned back. That time S&W listened, since it's harder to tell Cylinder and Slide that it meets specs when it doesn't. It came back a very good shooter. I like the round butt. I wouldn't carry it in a holster though, too pretty. The blueing is amazing. Deep black. I would pick up another if I found one.

 

[Dpris]

The Heritage Series guns didn't have MIMs.
My .45 ACP 1917-alike is quite nice. One of only 200 made & I'll be keeping it.
Denis

 

[johnwist]

I just looked at the heritage series revolvers. What the list as the model 15 looks to be the model 19 just chambered in 38 +P insted of 357. Am I wrong?

 

[18DAI]

Actually the 15-8 Heritage series revolvers did indeed have MIM parts. There is a bright nickel 15-8 Performance Center Heritage series revolver up on Gunbroker this minute.

The MIM trigger with the ugly trough in the back is clearly visible, as is the MIM hammer.

The Heritage box is present in the photos as well. Regards 18DAI