Model 15 advice needed

[high country]

I am starting the search for my grail gun - a S&W model 15 made in the same year I was born, 1977. I like my model 18-3 so much, I decided that I need that gun in .38. I have been a fan of .38 since I got a GP100 several years ago and started reloading for it. It was not until recently that my search for the perfect .22 revolver ended up in the acquisition of a well used model 18-3, and I discovered the true appeal of these older S&W k-frame revolvers. The 18-3 is a 1975, and I decided that I am going to put in the effort to find its companion, the model 15, that was manufactured in 1977.

The trouble that I am encountering in my research is that 1977 is apparently a break between the 15-3 and 15-4. I am not sure what the physical change is between those two model numbers. I am also not sure when in the year that change occurred.

Can you folks that know a lot more about these great revolvers give me some tips about the differences between the 15-3 and 15-4, and when that change occurred? Even better, can someone give me an idea of what serial number range I need to be looking for? Thanks in advance!

 

[nitesite]

I'm at work right now but will check back in the morning to see if anyone with a Standard Catalog of Smith&Wesson has provided you the information. If not I'll check mine and post it up.

 

[PabloJ]

15-5. K-frame 1977 10K0001--24K9999.

 

[high country]

Huh, I thought the 15-5 started in 1982? Man, I was way off! I need to order the catalog. I think it is safe to say that this will not be my last S&W revolver purchase, so I need to just order up a copy...

Is that still a pinned barrel, or did they discontinue the pinned barrel by then?

Thanks for the info

 

[Radagast]

K38 Combat Masterpiece: 1949-1957.
Model 15 1957-1959.
Model 15-1 1959-1961. Change extractor rod thread from eight hand to left hand.
Model 15-2 1961-1967. Delete trigger guard screw, change cylinder stop.
Model 15-3 1967-1977. Relocation of rear sight leaf screw.
Model 15-4 1977-1982. Change gas ring from yoke to cylinder.
Model 15-5 1982-1988. Delete barrel pin.
Model 15-6 1988-1994. New yoke retention system, radius stud package, hammer nose bushing.
Model 15-7 1994-1997. Synthetic grips, drill and tap frame, change rear sight leaf, extractor.
Model 15-8 1997-1999. MIM hammer, floating firing pin, eliminate cylinder stop stud, serrated tang.

The Model 18-3 was produced 1967-1977.

 

[high country]

Thanks for the info guys. I went ahead and got the Standard Catalog (only $18 bucks right now for the ebook for those of you that have been considering it and have a smart phone).

I am still confused about the 1977 break between 15-3 and 15-4. I see that the change is that the gas ring was moved from the yolk to the cylinder. But when in 1977 did that happen? Maybe there is no answer to that, but if someone happens to have a 1977 15-3 or 15-4 and wouldn't mind posting up whether the gas ring is on the cylinder or the yolk, that would at least give us an idea of approximately where in the serial number range of 10k0001 - 24k9999 that change happened.

One more question. I feel like I have seen some model 15s with recesses in the cylinder for the rim, but don't see in the Catalog when that would have been discontinued. I am going to keep reading to see if I can figure that one out, but if someone knows, I would appreciate the input!

Thanks again guys for your help with this

 

[Old Fuff]

Maybe I'm going to ruin your day....

It was Smith & Wesson's practice to make, serial number frames, and then store them until they were ready to make a production run. When frames were pulled out of inventory (sometimes to make more then one single model) they weren't necessarily taken in numerical order, so a particular revolver might have been made sometime later then the serial number would indicate.

You can also find a mix of features in various revolvers that were made after the particular feature was supposed to have been discontinued, or added as the case may be.

If you find this to be confusing... well it is. :banghead:

The only way to confirm when a particular revolver was shipped from the factory, (that may be different then exactly when it was made), is to pay a $50.00 charge to have the original shipping records researched. S&W doesn't have any actual production records - at least any that are complete. They can roughly determine what was made during a certain time period vs. a serial number range, but several different models may be included within that range.

So I have examined a fair number of S&W handguns that have, or don't have, the feature(s) the dash number following the model number indicate should or shouldn't be there.

The model 15 Combat Masterpiece is a splendid all-around revolver that can well serve many roles, but I suggest that you concentrate on getting the best possible gun that’s within your budgetary limits and not worry about finding one made during a specific year. If this is a very important goal, look at Colt’s where the serial number vs. production dates are usually more on target.

PS: None of the model 15's had recessed chambers. This feature was limited to rim-fire and Magnum center-fire revolvers.

 

[Hoppes Love Potion]

I guess it depends on how important it is for you to have the birth year gun. If you are determined to get a 1977 M15, I would first learn about the gas ring change and decide if you want the gas ring on the yoke or cylinder, then you will know whether to look for a 17-3 or a 17-4. Then you have to think about the probable serial number range for that year and look for guns only in that range.

You might be able to streamline the process by posting on the S&W forum's Wanted To Buy section. Somebody might have exactly what you're looking for.

 

[high country]

Nope, my day is still just fine Thanks for the great info though! And thanks for clearing that up for me about the recessed cylinders, I must have seen that on a .357 k-frame.

It really isn't all that important for me to know for sure 100% that it was made (or I guess more accurately, shipped) in 1977. But, a model 15 is high on the list of guns that I want to add to the collection, and I just think that it would be neat to have one that was "probably" shipped in 1977. So, I am just going to keep my eyes out for a nice example of a model 15 for a decent price, and if it happens to fall in that serial number range, I might pay a little more for it just for grins. I am not in any sort of a hurry, I can get my .38 fix with my ruger, and I can get my S&W fix with my model 18 in the mean time. I just wanted to make some mental notes of what to be on the lookout for.

So, the gas ring thing. Did the change of the gas ring to the yolk cause any functional issues with the cylinder binding on these?

 

[Old Fuff]

So, the gas ring thing. Did the change of the gas ring to the yolk cause any functional issues with the cylinder binding on these?

I don't think that cylinders binding was an issue on .38 model 15's so much as .357 Magnum model 13 and 19's. Consider that the .38 Military & Police model, on which the model 15 was based (the only difference being the addition of an adjustable rear sight, serrated front and back straps and a trigger stop) had been in production for decades and apparently didn't have cylinder binding issues. I think the greater thing to look for is excessive cylinder end-shake (back and forth movement of the cylinder, as opposed to rotational movement) that is not uncommon on police trade-in's, but in any case easily corrected.

 

[rswartsell]

List of "Dash Change Numbers" and the changes found at bottom here;

http://www.handloads.com/misc/Smith.Model.Changes.asp