My new favorite handgun- S&W Model 15 Combat Masterpiece

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mdrisc85

mdrisc85

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After about a year of research, thinking and looking I acquired this much used, but not abused revolver and have had it for about a month.

It's incredibly comfortable to shoot and more accurate than my marksmanship allows. I'm pretty conservative when it comes to handguns and typically carry one of the four shown in the "family" photo below. The worn bluing, slight nicks and chips in the grips just seem to give it more character to me.

M15 Range Day.jpg Family Shot Range Trip.jpg

It's a lot of fun, and I know understand the love for these guns that I've heard and read from others when the subject comes up.

Whats been others experience with the Model 15?
 
I discovered the model 15 about 2 1/2 years ago. A bunch of LEO trade-ins at a local gun range for $279.00. They were beaten up on the outside, but locked up tight, had clean bores and cylinders and smooth triggers. Best of all, some had factory wood (would not touch them), others had PACHMYR rubber grips in several types and the one that caught my eye had a set of HOGUES and 4 inch barrel.
Wow, is it a good shooter and when loaded with standard pressure ammo, a very easy to shoot gun. With +P, it kicks harder and will wear faster, but I reserve the +P for home defense.
I liked is so much, I went back and bought a 6 inch model!

Jim
 
I'm a fan of the Model 15 myself. I've got one, a 15-2, from 1966, that I got a few years ago. It's got some wear and a few minor scratches, but the target hammer, trigger, trigger stop and diamond target stocks are on the positive side.

100_0730_zpsms8ovsku.jpg

100_0733_zpsykeztvdo.jpg

The Model 15 I believe has about perfect balance. They just seem to point naturally for me.

I also think "Combat Masterpiece" is about the best name for a handgun ever, rivaled only by the Colt "Peacemaker."
 
The wife has the stainless version, the Model 67. Great gun! I love K frames. Actually, I also love N frames as well. My all time favorite for target work is the M14-2 Masterpiece. Mine has the single action kit installed.
 
Driftwood Johnson said:
Howdy

Mine is just a little bit too old to be called a Model 15.

It is a K-38 Combat Masterpiece. It shipped in 1954. In 1957 the name was changed to Model 15.

I can't say it's my absolute favorite revolver, but it does rank way up there.
Click to expand...

I've got your K38's cousin - a 1954 K22 Combat Masterpiece. I've read that the K22 was used by police departments as a training weapon identical in size and function to the the K38/Model 15, but using much cheaper ammo.
 
GoPappy said:
I've got your K38's cousin - a 1954 K22 Combat Masterpiece. I've read that the K22 was used by police departments as a training weapon identical in size and function to the the K38/Model 15, but using much cheaper ammo.
Click to expand...
Im thinking real hard on picking up a '47 K22 my LGS just put on the shelf. They want $750, not a bad price, but its still alot of money.:confused:

It would go nicely with my 15-2 though!
index.jpg
 
I picked up my model 15-2 2 years back for $200. It was a gunsmith special with pitting on the tip of the barrel, the cylinder, the yoke, and a little on the frame. It must have been lying somewhere and get wet on the parts touching the surface it was lying on. The rust however doesn’t have any effect on shooting it. It’s got a sweet trigger and is very accurate. Best $200 gun I’ve ever seen!
 
My 1954 K22 was $460, which I thought was a fair price but not a screaming deal. But it is in fantastic shape for its age, and I just had to have it.

I'd love to have a K38 or Model 15 to go along with it.
 
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There is something special about shooting 38 Special ammunition in a gun chambered for 38 Special.

I enjoy shooting my S&W Model 14's and Model 15's with barrels from 2" to 8-3/8".

My ammunition of choice is 38 Special wadcutters.
 
Neat! :thumbup:

All of my K-frame sized centerfire guns (M-13, M-19, Dan Wesson 15's) are chambered for .357. I have a 7-shot L frame 686+ with a 4" barrel, but it doesn't have the svelte look and nimble feel of the 4" 15/67 series.... as was posted, there is something about shooting .38's in a .38!

One of these days I'll find one that I can't pass up. ;)

Stay safe!
 
GoPappy said:
I've read that the K22 was used by police departments as a training weapon identical in size and function to the the K38/Model 15, but using much cheaper ammo.
Click to expand...

Howdy

On the advice of Roy Jinks, the official S&W historian, I lettered this K-22 Outdoorsman a few years ago. It was shipped to the Providence Rhode Island Board of Public Safety July 25, 1932.

Roy thinks it was probably used by the Providence Police Department pistol team.

This one is a bit earlier than the ones that were the same weight as a K-38. Notice the tapered barrel and lack of a rib on top of the barrel. As a matter of fact, the K-38 did not exist until 1946 after S&W was finished building Victory Models during WWII.

This one sports incorrect Magna grips, and the frame shows that somebody's finger was touching the frame above the finger guard a lot. Enough to wear away the blue.

Because of the incorrect grips and the condition of the finish I got this one for $500. I got it so cheap (yes, I consider that to be cheap for a K-22) because none of the serious collectors were interested in it. I was at a live auction, and when nobody was interested to raise it above $450 I raised my card and grabbed it. Despite its appearance, it is the most accurate 22 revolver I own.

K%2022%201932%2001_zpsvyvgivt0.jpg




This K-22 Masterpiece from 1950 is the configuration that weighed the same as a K-38. Notice the barrel is only slightly tapered, and there is a rib on top of the barrel. The Magna grips are correct for this one.

k22%20masterpiece%20pre%20model%2017%2002_zpsgvbmj6f3.jpg




This K-22 Combat Masterpiece from 1953 would make a good companion piece to the OP's Model 15. Notice the extended spur on the target hammer.

k22%20combat%20masterpiece%2002_zpspn9uhwgq.jpg




Notice how similar the K-22 Combat Masterpiece is to the K-38 Combat Masterpiece I posted earlier. Both are 'five screw's, but this one has a 'speed hammer'.

K-38%20Combat%20Masterpiece%2002_zpsjjvbi9gx.jpg
 
Driftwood Johnson said:
Howdy

On the advice of Roy Jinks, the official S&W historian, I lettered this K-22 Outdoorsman a few years ago. It was shipped to the Providence Rhode Island Board of Public Safety July 25, 1932.

Roy thinks it was probably used by the Providence Police Department pistol team.

This one is a bit earlier than the ones that were the same weight as a K-38. Notice the tapered barrel and lack of a rib on top of the barrel. As a matter of fact, the K-38 did not exist until 1946 after S&W was finished building Victory Models during WWII.

This one sports incorrect Magna grips, and the frame shows that somebody's finger was touching the frame above the finger guard a lot. Enough to wear away the blue.

Because of the incorrect grips and the condition of the finish I got this one for $500. I got it so cheap (yes, I consider that to be cheap for a K-22) because none of the serious collectors were interested in it. I was at a live auction, and when nobody was interested to raise it above $450 I raised my card and grabbed it. Despite its appearance, it is the most accurate 22 revolver I own.

View attachment 823701




This K-22 Masterpiece from 1950 is the configuration that weighed the same as a K-38. Notice the barrel is only slightly tapered, and there is a rib on top of the barrel. The Magna grips are correct for this one.

View attachment 823702




This K-22 Combat Masterpiece from 1953 would make a good companion piece to the OP's Model 15. Notice the extended spur on the target hammer.

View attachment 823703




Notice how similar the K-22 Combat Masterpiece is to the K-38 Combat Masterpiece I posted earlier. Both are 'five screw's, but this one has a 'speed hammer'.

View attachment 823704
Click to expand...
Wow!

How tight is the lockup on the .22 Masterpieces? I am currently thinking about picking up a '47 with speed hammer. It is in overall good condition, but there is a some slight cylinder rotation (wiggle, not endshake) at full lock. Not enough to be dangerous, but Im concerned about it effecting accuracy- and the gun is not cheap. If it were a Colt, I would say it was excessively worn, but Ive seen new Rugers with as much play. Just wondering if this might be inherent to the .22- my bigger Smiths seem a bit tighter.
 
If your going to get a service sized .38 only revolver, the Model 15 is the very best in my opinion.

I shot one for a while in a revolver only league for over a year. Bone stock. Was a real gem.
 
Did someone mention the 22 Combat Masterpiece?

I've kept this one, a 1954 model. I found the diamond targets at an LGS at what I thought was a steal price. I've also got the numbered to the gun, Magna's. I just like the targets better.

K22NG_zpsathclnve.jpg

K22NGa_zpsirxbcifp.jpg

A pretty good companion to the 15-2 shown above.
 
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