S&W Model Help??

[scotty14]

Hello! New to the forum and a proud new owner of a Smith and Wesson Model 15-3. I picked it up today at a local pawn shop for $300. It seems to be in great condition even though I read that this model is an older gun. Can anyone give some info on this revolver? I have been told that this may be a unique model.

It has a K80#### serial number stamped on the yoke with "Mod 15-3" below it. I am confused about the finish. It seems to be Stainless, but after reading up on this model, I thought it was only manufactured in a Blued or Nickel finish

THANKS!

Scotty

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Welcome to the forum!

The serial dates it to 1968 for date of manufacture. It is a very nice looking gun. It should be a great shooter.
at first, I thought it was a mismarked 67, but........

I just checked the book, and I see I was wrong about. They weren't out yet in '68.

 

[opoefc]

Scotty, Welcome to the Forum. You are in the right place to get the right answers about S&W questions. Judging from your pics, of what is a very nice Model 15 to start you collecting & shooting S&Ws, it looks to me that you have what is called a "Brushed Nickel" finish on your gun. It's a duller type of plating than the more commonly seen bright nickel finish, and is often confused with stainless steel finishes. Others are more informed than I on the newer guns ( Being a Dinosaur, I consider any S&W with a Model marking, a shooter, not a collectable! ) and if my guess on your finish is incorrect they will let us know! Good luck, Ed. SWCA 315

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Scotty, Welcome to the Forum. You are in the right place to get the right answers about S&W questions. Judging from your pics, of what is a very nice Model 15 to start you collecting & shooting S&Ws, it looks to me that you have what is called a "Brushed Nickel" finish on your gun. It's a duller type of plating than the more commonly seen bright nickel finish, and is often confused with stainless steel finishes. Others are more informed than I on the newer guns ( Being a Dinosaur, I consider any S&W with a Model marking, a shooter, not a collectable! ) and if my guess on your finish is incorrect they will let us know! Good luck, Ed. SWCA 315

I thought all factory nickel guns had the casehardened trigger and hammer, so would that mean that it was an aftermarket finsh?

Scotty14- Is there an N on the rear face of the cylinder ( I can't see one in your photo), or on the gripfame on the lower left side? (Under the grip panel)

 

[scotty14]

I thought all factory nickel guns had the casehardened trigger and hammer, so would that mean that it was an aftermarket finsh?

Scotty14- Is there an N on the rear face of the cylinder ( I can't see one in your photo), or on the gripfame on the lower left side? (Under the grip panel)

Gun 4 Fun--I will have to give it a closer look. i will check it tonight before going to the range.

Thanks so far for the responses!

 

[Art Doc]

It looks refinished in some sort of "hard chrome" aftermarket finish.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

It looks refinished in some sort of "hard chrome" aftermarket finish.

That was my very first thought, until I looked at the picture of the cylinder. I have never seen hardchrome with a brushed appearence like that.

 

[peyton]

That should be fun to shoot.

 

[scotty14]

Many thanks guys--I have another question.....

Can I shoot .38 special +P rounds out of it??

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Yes. It'll handle them just fine, as long as it is mechanically sound.

 

[BruceM]

That finish is probably hard chrome. Surface prep of the steel before plating determines what the finish will look like when completed. I've seen hard chrome offered in matte, brushed or high polish.

Bruce

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

It's interesting that the trigger and hammer are silver finish, but the rear sight and the ejector star aren't. If they went to the trouble of having this gun chromed, including the trigger/hammer, I wonder why they bothered not to do the star, and rear sight?

 

[scotty14]

I shot about 75 rounds out of it at the range. I did alot better than I thought I would. The model 15 was easy to shoot and was very accurate.

25 of the rounds were +P and I did not even notice much difference in the recoil. I then loaded the cylinder with random 38s and 38+Ps. I could not discriminate any difference between the two

Is it normal to clean your revolver after every trip to the range? the face of the cylinder was BLACK after 75 rounds.

Thanks for all your input and comments. You guys really know your stuff.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Too many guys worry needlessly over the carbon rings left on the face of the cylinder. They just come back each time you shoot, so why bother? If the gun is just a collectable then keep them cleaned off.

You can't tell much difference between regular and plus P loads because they are only a couple thousand PSI apart in pressure.