S&W 4" Combat Masterpieces.....
- Thread starter slick6
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Yes it is a 5 screw model.
Yes the pre pre model 10 and model 64 are nice and good shooting K frames! I believe I might have a pre-10 and a model 64 in my collection? If I find them I'll share some pictures here.
Old Dog
Member
Unfired 15-3 ... so tempted ...
bannockburn
Member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2007
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- 26,294
Old Dog
You have far greater resolve than I do! I would have shot that fine looking revolver long ago!
You have far greater resolve than I do! I would have shot that fine looking revolver long ago!
CajunBass
Member
I THINK the Model 15/67 with a 4" barrel, is my favorite Smith&Wesson. I says "I THINK" because it sort of touch and go with the Model 19/66, but since we're talking about the Combat Masterpiece, I'll go with that one. 
I've got two these days. Both are sort of "finish challenged" but work like new.
1953 "Combat Masterpiece." Picked this one up a few weeks ago, but haven't had a chance to shoot it. The finish is worn, but the action is as good as the day it left the factory. The diamond magna's number to the gun.
The other one is a 1966 Model 15-2. Target hammer, trigger, trigger stop, and Diamond Target stocks. This one has either been fired a million rounds, had the trigger worked, or both maybe. Either way it has the best trigger I've ever felt. This one is the last gun I'll sell, so I guess that settles the question of which I like more.
I've got two these days. Both are sort of "finish challenged" but work like new.
1953 "Combat Masterpiece." Picked this one up a few weeks ago, but haven't had a chance to shoot it. The finish is worn, but the action is as good as the day it left the factory. The diamond magna's number to the gun.
The other one is a 1966 Model 15-2. Target hammer, trigger, trigger stop, and Diamond Target stocks. This one has either been fired a million rounds, had the trigger worked, or both maybe. Either way it has the best trigger I've ever felt. This one is the last gun I'll sell, so I guess that settles the question of which I like more.
If I owned your beautiful M15-3 I'd be very tempted myself....it's a "Keeper".......congrats on finding that premium specimen!
Panzerschwein
member
The 15s and 67s were some of the best fightsman's pistols in history.
I fancy the 67, silver finish it gewwwdddd.
I fancy the 67, silver finish it gewwwdddd.
Twiki357
Member
Nice. I have a 1950 vintage Pre 15 and a pair of 15-2s, one blue and one nickel. Still looking for a reasonably priced 67 to go with them.
John G C 1
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- Apr 9, 2013
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- 314
WOW. Thank you so much. I have been giving a lot of thought to getting a blued 4 inch S&W target revolver in 38 special. I am hemming and hawing between looking for an old one or just getting a new one. I am no firearm expert and hesitant to buy a used one.
Are the SA triggers on the old ones significantly much better than the current S&W revolver triggers, as in night and day difference?
Thanks again for the photos. I really enjoyed seeing them.
Are the SA triggers on the old ones significantly much better than the current S&W revolver triggers, as in night and day difference?
Thanks again for the photos. I really enjoyed seeing them.
If1HitU
Member
Those are awesome revolvers.
Panzerschwein
member
Gunbroker is your friend.
I'd rather have a gently used 67 over a new one ANY DAY. Look for one with no internal lock.
Also with a good +P load like the well respected FBI load (158 grain LSWCHP) you don't need a .357 magnum. The .38 will do great with much less recoil, muzzle blast, flash, and noise.
aarondhgraham
Member
Maybe it's just nostalgia for me,,,
As the Model 15 was the handgun I carried in the USAF.
But I can honestly say that it's my favorite handgun ever.
I own a 15, an 18, & a 67,,,
They all get lotsa good range time.
Aarond
.
As the Model 15 was the handgun I carried in the USAF.
But I can honestly say that it's my favorite handgun ever.
I own a 15, an 18, & a 67,,,
They all get lotsa good range time.
Aarond
.
Well the trigger pull is pretty good on the classic Smith revolvers...but since I mainly prefer these I haven't compared the trigger pull on the current Smith revolvers because I have no interest in the newer guns.
bullseye308
Member
Last year I picked up a slightly used 67 no dash just like yours. The seller bought it new in 74 I believe and fired 200 rounds through it and put it away. It has the best trigger I have ever fealt and is everything I could have asked for in a 4” target revolver. Best $500 I have spent in quite a while.
I THINK the Model 15/67 with a 4" barrel, is my favorite Smith&Wesson. I says "I THINK" because it sort of touch and go with the Model 19/66, but since we're talking about the Combat Masterpiece, I'll go with that one.
I've got two these days. Both are sort of "finish challenged" but work like new.
1953 "Combat Masterpiece." Picked this one up a few weeks ago, but haven't had a chance to shoot it. The finish is worn, but the action is as good as the day it left the factory. The diamond magna's number to the gun.
View attachment 775279
View attachment 775280
The other one is a 1966 Model 15-2. Target hammer, trigger, trigger stop, and Diamond Target stocks. This one has either been fired a million rounds, had the trigger worked, or both maybe. Either way it has the best trigger I've ever felt. This one is the last gun I'll sell, so I guess that settles the question of which I like more.
View attachment 775281
View attachment 775282
Well regardless of any finish wear those are still great pre model and model 15-2 revolvers to own! Thanks for showing the pictures!
Hoppes Love Potion
Member
I picked up a 67 no dash a few years ago. It had a few small scratches but a little Mothers Mag polish fixed it right up. I like blued revolvers but stainless sure is practical, and the 67 shoots like a dream.
Back in the day whenever the model 67 first came out all of the gun magazine writers were raving about the accuracy of these revolvers and they proclaimed that they were the best of the best .38 Special revolvers!
GooseGestapo
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2003
- Messages
- 6,149
The M15/67 are easily my favorite S&W's. If I were buying one, I'd get the 67, but my first issue duty gun was a M15. When I was able, I replaced it with a personal owned M19 Nickle, but now, 40yrs later, I'd stick with the M15. After a double shift on patrol (24hrs), a M686 or a G22 that replaced it are TERRIBLY heavy!!!
I never needed more than a cylinder full, so the two speed loaders were more than enough. I'm partial to the 158gr LSWC +P loads.
My older brother carried one while in the AirForce security police. He was fond of the 130gr PGU88-B load; a +P+ 130gr FMJ load. He once put one completely through a cow moose skull that had been hit by a truck on Loriing AFB, Maine. He also witnessed it done at Elmendort AFB, AK. I saw it chrono'd at over 1,200fps from his personally owned Ruger 6" Sec-6. Pretty close to .38 Super performance. Also close to 9mm NATO from a 5" Beretta.
I once got to shoot his M15 that he used on the AF Security Police pistol team. It had been match "conditioned" by Jim Fish, a long time S&W regional S&W repair center gunsmith in Tampa, Fl.
It is/was the standard to which I built/tuned my PPC revolvers (M10's). Shot a couple of tied national records with those... Those M15's would SHOOT!
I never needed more than a cylinder full, so the two speed loaders were more than enough. I'm partial to the 158gr LSWC +P loads.
My older brother carried one while in the AirForce security police. He was fond of the 130gr PGU88-B load; a +P+ 130gr FMJ load. He once put one completely through a cow moose skull that had been hit by a truck on Loriing AFB, Maine. He also witnessed it done at Elmendort AFB, AK. I saw it chrono'd at over 1,200fps from his personally owned Ruger 6" Sec-6. Pretty close to .38 Super performance. Also close to 9mm NATO from a 5" Beretta.
I once got to shoot his M15 that he used on the AF Security Police pistol team. It had been match "conditioned" by Jim Fish, a long time S&W regional S&W repair center gunsmith in Tampa, Fl.
It is/was the standard to which I built/tuned my PPC revolvers (M10's). Shot a couple of tied national records with those... Those M15's would SHOOT!
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Thanks for your great write up revealing your praise for M15/67 and your experience with them! Great guns!
Panzerschwein
member
Oh but they're not .357s! The 19s and 66s are SO much better!.... right?
(PS: I'm a bigger fan of good .38 +Ps, more controllable and less blast/noise and recoil)
fallout mike
Member
How many different models are called "Combat Magnums" and "Combat Masterpieces"?
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