The Combat Masterpiece Appreciation thread! (Pics welcome)

[Nframe_is_no1]

I have long thought that the .38 Combat Masterpiece is one of the best all-around carry guns of all time. The slim, tapered barrel makes it feel much lighter than a model 19, and the .38 special, with +P loads, has adequate power from a 4" tube. After getting a nice deal last week on a slightly holster-worn model 15-3 with period-correct football targets for $199 OTD (see earlier thread), I took stock of all the Combat Masterpieces in the stable for a pictoral essay. Enjoy and feel free to add your own!

First up, 4 screw pre-15, shipped 1956, shows holster wear, but has original diamond magnas numbered to gun and grip adaptor with S&W logo (I added the later speedloader-cut target stocks to fit my hand):

Model 15-3, shipped 1971

Model 18-3 - .22 Combat Masterpiece (a .22 conversion unit for inexpensive practice) pristine, also shipped 1971, same year as 15-3, great coincidence, huh?:

Model 15-4 2", has box & papers, shipped 1982:

Model 67-1 - the stainless Combat Masterpiece, came with the target stocks, shipped 1980:

 

[mtime7]

this is my Mod 15-2 and 18-4 (the 18 is on top), I have alot of smiths in J,K,L.and N but I think the combat master pieces are finest pistols of them all

 

[CajunBass]

Here's mine. A 15-3 from 1971

 

[GyMac]

I share your appreciation for the Combat Masterpiece and would never part with mine. But, I'm afraid that my favorite gun is a Model 10 with a 5 inch barrel.

 

[redlevel]

Here's my 15-3 with a slightly dull looking frame and plum colors on the cylinder and barrel. Somebody said some Flitz or car polish would brighten up the frame, but I never got around to it. "Pretty is as pretty does," I guess. Or something like that.

The plum colors on the barrel and cylinder show a little better in this picture.

 

[PeterCartwright]

Just read a Dave Spaulding article on "stopping power". Spaulding wrote a master's thesis on the subject, gathering data from various agencies across the country. His conclusion: there are no magic bullets. Once you get to the .38 spl. threshold, shot placement pretty much trumps all. I don't mean to start an argument about cartridge effectiveness. (Don't have ANY expertise on the subject). I'll simply observe that K frame .38 spls., like the venerable Model 15, are easy for most people to shoot well. My first Smith was a 4" 15-3 with slight holster wear and a few freckles. It's set up with original stocks + Tyler T's. The combo fits my hands well. I have a 4" 10-5 set up exactly the same way and yes, I actually choose to carry one or the other from time to time.

PC

 

[MAG-NUM]

I'll have to work on acquiring the model 15 yet but for now here are a couple of shots of the pre 18 CM I have from 1957. Bob

 

[rags]

Man, I love my 15-3 (1975). see avatar.

rags

 

[fyimo]

Here's my 18-3 & 18-4

 

[bgrafsr]

Model 18-3 & Model 15-2:

 

[ColdBlueSteel]

Wow, no wonder their dubbed combat masterpeices, some very nice peices here.

Bob, that pre 18 is very nice, and would make a perfect companion to my '55 pre model 15. I just aquired this one a few months ago and only shot a few rounds through her, but quickly realized these CM's are nothing short of sublime shooters.

 

[bobf]

15-3 from 1971

18-3 from 1971 I bought it new that year.

 

[Nevadadvx]

Here's my 15-2 from 1965 I believe. No safe queen, but a great companion.....

 

[Bat Guano]

There's a lot to be said for the K frame .357 (I carried one long enough) but these days I could get along quite nicely with a M15. As luck would have it the one I did get was snagged by my son about 20 years ago. Even at age 15 he had a good head on his shoulders.

He didn't get my M18, though.

 

[Combat]

A pic of my 15-2.I need to get a group pic of all of mine together.

 

[mtime7]

Just read a Dave Spaulding article on "stopping power". Spaulding wrote a master's thesis on the subject, gathering data from various agencies across the country. His conclusion: there are no magic bullets. Once you get to the .38 spl. threshold, shot placement pretty much trumps all. I don't mean to start an argument about cartridge effectiveness. (Don't have ANY expertise on the subject). I'll simply observe that K frame .38 spls., like the venerable Model 15, are easy for most people to shoot well. My first Smith was a 4" 15-3 with slight holster wear and a few freckles. It's set up with original stocks + Tyler T's. The combo fits my hands well. I have a 4" 10-5 set up exactly the same way and yes, I actually choose to carry one or the other from time to time

PC

+1 on this, I have no experience in shoot outs but I have been hunting along time, and to me its not how big your cannon is, its where you hit them at.. You gut shoot them with +P expando wonders, it will probaly have the same effect as a gut shot with RNL

 

[Engine49guy]

CM's

Love the 4" barrel CM in .38 but even more in .22lr.

 

[mstuhr]

Howdy

Howdy,

What more could a guy ask for out of a .38?
They are nice guns.
This one is around for boat and kayak duty.
I keep it stuffed with 148 hbwc and it is a great small game getter.
Thanks
Mike

 

[cptdco]

My 15 and 18, both dash 3s, I think.
Local shop has a nickel 15 I keep looking at. I have a sense that there weren't a lot of those produced??

 

[cptdco]

And not Combat MPs but happen to be the next picture I had in Photobucket.