Goldilocks S&W M 15

velocette

velocette

Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2008
Messages
1,015
Location
Ft. Lauderdale Fla
A post below asked about having the $ to have any revolver you could dream up. As I sat there thinking about it, I came to the conclusion that I already had that revolver. My well worn S&W model 15-2. Not too big, not too small. Not too heavy, not too light. Not too powerful but powerful enough for me.
I have or have had L frame, J frame S&Ws 5 other K frame Smiths and at least two I frames. Colt large frame & Colt medium frame. A pair of Ruger SA .45 Colts. Plus a bunch of elderly Smiths & I Js.
That M15 is just right for me. Might not be for others, but for me and my shooting, it fits my needs and abilities just right. It has wood stocks from Thailand that I cut & formed to fit MY hands and is nicely comfortable. With 148 wadcutters it is more accurate than I am and with Buffalo Bore 158 soft lead SWC HPs it is controllable and powerful enough to annoy the miscreants.

Roger
 
When I quite competing in PPC, I sold all of my competition revolvers except the Model 15 and the Model 36-1 (and I am not sure why I kept the 5 shot). Now, as much as I enjoyed the Model 15, it has become my wife’s revolver of choice. I still shoot it every now and then and it still does a Yeoman’s job even out to 100 yards.

Kevin
 
velocette said:
A post below asked about having the $ to have any revolver you could dream up. As I sat there thinking about it, I came to the conclusion that I already had that revolver. My well worn S&W model 15-2. Not too big, not too small. Not too heavy, not too light. Not too powerful but powerful enough for me.
I have or have had L frame, J frame S&Ws 5 other K frame Smiths and at least two I frames. Colt large frame & Colt medium frame. A pair of Ruger SA .45 Colts. Plus a bunch of elderly Smiths & I Js.
That M15 is just right for me. Might not be for others, but for me and my shooting, it fits my needs and abilities just right. It has wood stocks from Thailand that I cut & formed to fit MY hands and is nicely comfortable. With 148 wadcutters it is more accurate than I am and with Buffalo Bore 158 soft lead SWC HPs it is controllable and powerful enough to annoy the miscreants.

Roger
Click to expand...
Great Post! Next year… Lets focus on what we already have and not what we want.

Dust out that safe queen and let her breath!
 
USAF marked Model 15s are much sought after by Air Force veterans
and collectors. But beware, many fakes exist. The Model 15 was the
official sidearm of the USAF from 1963 until 1993.

My boss in the Army, a major, once remarked to me that he wished
the Army also adopted the revolver. He was not a fan of the 1911
and his background was Army Military Police.
 
Like you @velocette, I do really, really like my Combat Masterpiece. It is a well balanced, easy shooting, accurate revolver that does 90% of anything that I could ever want a revolver to. Also like you, the Thai grips seem to work well for me and my mitts.

IMG_0594.jpeg

My Model 67 stainless does it juuuust a bit better, adding some corrosion and wear resistance to an otherwise well-named masterpiece.

IMG_0590.jpeg

You just can’t go wrong with either one. :thumbup:

Stay safe.
 
First, I think "Combat Masterpiece" is the greatest name for a gun ever.

Next, and I have said this over and over I can't decide which I like better. The "Combat Masterpiece" (Model 15) or the "Combat Magnum" (Model 19). It usually comes down to which I'm talking about, and since this is about the "Combat Masterpiece" that's my favorite (along with it's SS cousin the Model 67). The tapered barrel, the slightly shorter cylinder, the lack of an ejector rod shroud, make it just a tad lighter and more svelte than the Model 19, and seem to give that "just right" touch the OP mentioned. It's 38 Special chambering is powerful enough for probably about 99% of what I would need a handgun for anyway. Even with it's 4" barrel, it's a reasonable size for concealed carry, and is a delight in a duty rig. The adjustable sights, while maybe not really "necessary" for it's intended use, the Model 10 seems to do just fine without them, are just that little extra touch that finishes off the, well, "Masterpiece." You really need to handle/shoot one to really appreciate it, IMHO.

I've owned a half dozen or so over the years, but this is the only one left. A 15-2 from 1966 IIRC. It sat in the case at the LGS staring at me, like a lost puppy just waiting for me to take it home. I ignored it, I put on layaway. I took it off layaway and put it back hoping someone else would buy it. Nope. It just waited patiently until I cracked and said "OH...OK...I give up. You can come home with me."

image_50405121.JPG


image_50349313.JPG


It was those Eagle "pearl" grips that did it. I don't care what Patton said about pearl grips, I kinda like them. I put a BK on them before I took the picture, but didn't like it on this gun, so I took it off. It shoots just fine without it. I've never fired anything buy wadcutters in this one. It really likes them.

You can carbon copy everything I just said and apply it to it's fraternal twin, the Model 67, and it's little brother the K-22 Combat Masterpiece.
 
As much as I like the Model-15, I like the “Combat Magnum” a little “more better”!
My first issue revolver when employed at my first L.E. I was teased by my training officer because I was carrying.38 158gr semi wadcutters reloads. At the time, I couldn’t afford to buy factory jacketed ammo at the time. (Most.38spl jacketed ammo doesn’t expand any how so I wasn’t poorly equipped).
All the other officers carried their own .357’s, so as soon as I could, I got me a Model 19 Nicklel. I’ve still got it, but it wears new grips.
I despise the Model 10, 13, and 65 because of the lack of adjustable sights. For the first 12yrs of my game and fish career I was issued a series of Mod-65’s. (When promoted, I moved to another district and equipment stayed). The first thing I would do is take a Babbitt lead ingot to the barrel to regulate them to shoot near POA/POI with the issue ammo. I was thrilled when we went to the M686, but prefer to “carry” a M19.

My older brother was Airforce Security Police. He carried the Model-15 his entire career. (‘76-‘98) except when he was in OSI. Then it was what became the Officers Model M1911. The PGU-88B 130gr FMJ is no slouch. It runs 1,150fps from the 4”bbl. He once put down a spike bull moose that had been hit by a vehicle. It penetrated the moose head and imbedded in the asphalt. The responding Alaska Game and Fish officer was impressed. My brother slipped him a box for Christmas! (Officers wife was a secretary in the AF security police office…).
The only thing “wrong” with the M-15 is that with the factory Magna grips, it needs a grip adapter. I’ve still got my Tyler grip adapter… image.jpg
 
Last edited:
GooseGestapo said:
As much as I like the Model-15, I like the “Combat Magnum” a little “more better”!
My first issue revolver when employed at my first L.E. I was teased by my training officer because I was carrying.38 158gr semi wadcutters reloads. At the time, I couldn’t afford to buy factory jacketed ammo at the time. (Most.38spl jacketed ammo doesn’t expand any how so I wasn’t poorly equipped).
All the other officers carried their own .357’s, so as soon as I could, I got me a Model 19 Nicklel. I’ve still got it, but it wears new grips.
I despise the Model 10, 13, and 65 because of the lack of adjustable sights. For the first 12yrs of my game and fish career I was issued a series of Mod-65’s. (When promoted, I moved to another district and equipment stayed). The first thing I would do is take a Babbitt lead ingot to the barrel to regulate them to shoot near POA/POI with the issue ammo. I was thrilled when we went to the M686, but prefer to “carry” a M19.

My older brother was Airforce Security Police. He carried the Model-15 his entire career. (‘76-‘98) except when he was in OSI. Then it was what became the Officers Model M1911. The PGU-88B 130gr FMJ is no slouch. It runs 1,150fps from the 4”bbl. He once put down a spike bull moose that had been hit by a vehicle. It penetrated the moose head and imbedded in the asphalt. The responding Alaska Game and Fish officer was impressed. My brother slipped him a box for Christmas! (Officers wife was a secretary in the AF security police office…).
The only thing “wrong” with the M-15 is that with the factory Magna grips, it needs a grip adapter. I’ve still got my Tyler grip adapter…View attachment 1185623
Click to expand...

I am blessed to have my father’s model 19. It was his favorite 357 and he carried it through most of his time as an LEO.
 
But, but, but...

You are sure be outgunned by that ex-Spetsnaz Narco Operator Team at your local Quikie-Mart.

[INSERT PROFESSIONAL GRADE EYE ROLL]

I love my well used 15-3. I keep it regulated for 125-135 gr +P loadings, using the warmish Federal AE 130 gr FMJ as general purpose load.

Noting wrong with it being a sole sidearm for pretty much anybody involved with normal daily civilian duties.
 
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