Will a model 19 barrel fit on a model 15?

[alping45]

I foolishly forgot I had a bullet lodged in my barrel from a previous shooting session of handloads with bad primers, and ended up blowing up the barrel on my model 15-4. I called S&W and they said they did not have any barrels for a model 15, but if I could locate one they would put it on for around $60. Sounds very reasonable to me. I did not think to ask them if a barrel from a model 19 would fit? They are both K-frames, do the 19 and 15 have identical frames?
My original barrel was a 4", I'de like to find a 2" for it, but even better would be a 2.5" model 19 barrel if it would fit

 

[BruceM]

I do believe that the barrel threads for all K Frames are the same. As long as you're not swapping a barrel which uses a standard length extractor to a gun which uses a short extractor or vice versa, it should be a straight forward change. If not, then the extractor rod assemblies need to be changed out also. In your case, I believe that you will end up doing the extractor rod also.

Bruce

 

[alping45]

Oh yeah, I forgot about the extractor rod, but that shouldn't be any biggie, right?
A square but 2.5" model 19, how cool would that be? Of course it would still just be a .38 unless I reamed the chambers deeper.

 

[alping45]

Crud, I just noticed that the frames on the 4" model 15's are different than the 2" 15's. The top of the frame where the barrel shoulders up against it is beveled down to match the smaller countour of the 4" barrel. This would make it look rather goofy if either a 2" 15 barrel or any model 19 barrel were mounted on it.

Sigh

 

[jimmyj]

Will a Model 19 Barrel fit on a Model 15?

Hi:
Have you checked "Numrich Arms" for a replacement Model 15 barrel?
Model 15 4" stainless barrels good to very good condition $78.75-parts #1088060
Jimmy

 

[john traveler]

As you noted, the upper frames of the M19 are different from the M15 to match the different barrel ribs.

The barrel shank on an M15 is also shorter than that of the M19 barrel.

The answer is YES, an M19 barrel will fit up on an M15 frame (assuming you can live with the barrel rib-to-frame mismatch, but you have to cut forward the barrel shank, and clock it correctly so the front sight indexes vertically. Barrel-to-cylinder gap must be fitted, and the forcing cone recut. The front locking bolt and extractor rod must also be fitted.

I made a 2 1/2" M19 square butt years ago. Quickly got tired of the odd bastard, and converted it back to 6" in a couple months.

 

[bgrafsr]

Alping45, I sent you a PM.

 

[mnrivrat]

"Of course it would still just be a .38 unless I reamed the chambers deeper."

Not a good idea. The cylinder may not take the extra pressure of the .357 magnum loadings. Perhaps changing the cylinder and the barrel would work , but I wouldn't assume the .38Spl cylinder to be strong enough to just ream its chamber - there may also be a length issue.

If nothjing else I would look at putting a model 10 (M&P) barrel on it. They are readily available at low cost.

 

[tennexplorer]

Also if you are patient, and check places like gunbroker.com you may find a Model 15 barrel or parts kit.