The gun that turned me from a Colt guy to a Smith guy

[DCWilson]

Even though I don't have one at the moment, I am a huge fan of the Combat Masterpiece and its Model 15 descendants. I have long thought that a medium-frame .38 Special with adjustable sights on a four-inch barrel is perhaps the best general purpose revolver anyone could design. And that's a nice one. Congratulations on refreshing your acquaintance with an old friend.

 

[Tom K]

Even though I don't have one at the moment....

Shame, shame!

 

[Autococker07]

the M15 won me over too..... I fell in love with the target hammer/trigger, and every one i shot felt like buttah! I loved the 1911 also, and hated the m9 (they shot well, but didn't fit my hand well), but the M15 really made me giggle.

 

[03clyde]

Tell us about the shooting medal? Not the common Air Force example, is it?

I've got one in the pistol category (using an M9). I've seen the gold version out there as well.

 

[shouldazagged]

The sweetest, smoothest revolver I've ever handled, bar none, was a 15-3 I bought unfired from an estate consignment. I didn't have the money to buy its identical twin, which is too bad. I gave mine to my son a few years ago. He and his three boys (15, 12 and nine) all shoot it regularly. It was worth it to me to get two more generations hooked on Smith revolvers before I croak.

 

[Art Doc]

No military or LE experience but I do like the Combat Masterpiece a lot.

Have a set of pre-model guns in 22 and 38.

And a Model 15-3 that was shipped to a university's campus police department.

Um, I added the polished stags.

 

[lowhog]

My wife's police model 15-3 Box is numbered to the revolver.

 

[mogwan]

I have very mixed emotions about giving up my Colt Pythons. I've had two in the safe since 1999 and I think production guns were made to shoot-not collect. I get more enjoyment from a day at the range punching wadcutter holes with them than I would- blithely drooling over them a few times a year while checking up on their well being.

Parts are another issue. With almost all 'consumable' parts now gone, they could become unshootable if they needed a new, uncut ratchet, hand, rebound lever, etc. Also, without a large box of new 'try' parts, the odds of your one part fitting easily is a pipe dream. Peening or filing is more the norm for a good fit, as these guns were pretty much hand made.

I bought the 4" Python LNIB for $600, put about 5,000 rounds thru it, kissed it goodbye and sold it for plenty.

My first Smith was a solid, used Mod 17 with the pretty scarce 4" barrel. The repairs and modifications, not to mention parts availability are a dream compared to the Colts.

My next two Smiths were a 'new no box' 1983 matte SS 686 snubby and a lovely 'new no box' Model 15. The 686 is a precision tank and overall, the 15 is better than the Colt. And I don't see many 'nice' ones around now.

The super-talented John Culina (Kurac) made me two Signature sets for the Pythons; as the original take-offs were lost between Arizona and Australia. I also have a K frame set still in the wrapping. All were bookend cut from one block of super dense Queensland Red Oak I hand carried from Sydney. (The wood is so exotic, John made a 4th set and kept them.)

The Model 15's grips i've never seen. If anyone knows what style they are, I'd appreciate a note?

So that's my Colt to Smith story and i'm sticking to it.

 

[Colddeadhands61]

Nice find ! I love older guns that show "character". Colt vs S&W, is like Ford vs Chevy (back in the day). I love Colt 1911's, just bought a new s/s govt. model. I also have a 1969 Det. Spl., actual police issue.
As far as S&W, I love my 66-1 and 649-2. Not a big fan of my M&P9, and I had an Airweight, 637? that was a total p.o.s.
I think both companies have their pros and cons.
Anyway, enjoy your 15 !!

 

[ACP230]

In the 1980s I used to shoot NRA Hunter's Pistol Silhouette at the K.I. Sawyer AFB outside Marquette, MI.
M15s were carried by the guards at the gate.
One long-barreled one was quite rusty but the rest looked pretty good.

Never got a four-inch M15 but have two snubs. Both shoot real well.
If this winter ever quits I plan to put some more of my .38 reloads
through both.

I have a short M19 and a short M66 too. Like both but the snub M15s
feel a hair better to me than either of the .357s.

 

[D1911]

The revolver in the attached is an OSI Style M-36.

That brings back a lot of fond memories. When I first went in the USAF as an aircraft maintenance guy, I was on Mobility and would qualify with the M-15 yearly (I think). It was a great shooting gun. I went to the OSI Academy in 1981 and qualified with the 3" M-36; didn't really care for it but it shot ok. I went through the transitions from the M-36 to the cut-down 1911, Beretta M-9 and eventually the Sig M-11. All great guns (Even though the 1911 was a bit rough, it was my favorite). I'd like to someday find a nice clean 3" heavy barrel M-36 just for fun. Model 15s in my area don't come up for sale very often and when they do, they go quick. But, I was lucky enough to recently add a 4" blued heavy barrel Model 10-6 to the collection.