My first Handgun with Questions: S&W 15-3

[scotty14]

Hello all--I am new to the forum and recently purchased my first gun.

I came across this Smith and Wesson 15-3 .38 Special:






I purchased this gun at a pawn shop for $300. I did some research before buying and came across very limited information. I suspect this is an older gun that seems to be in great condition. I just have a couple questions:

1. What are the best rounds to fire for Target Practice?
2. What are the best rounds for Home Defense?
3. Can anyone give me a year on this revolver?
4. Has anyone have any good/bad experiences with this model?
5. Did I make a good selection for Home Defense?
6. I plan to change to rubber grips...any suggestions

Thanks in advance! This is a great forum with awesome info!

Scotty

 

[harmonic]

My first Hangun with Questions

Yeah, I'd have questions too. Like, what did he do to deserve hangun? Isn't there a more humane way to execute him instead of hangun? Finally, what can I do to avoid hangun?

 

[harmonic]

Kidding aside.

1. What are the best rounds to fire for Target Practice?
38 special wadcutters are mildest.

2. What are the best rounds for Home Defense?
The occasional +p hollow point is pretty good.

3. Can anyone give me a year on this revolver?
It's got a pinned barrel which probably makes it pre 1981. Use the serial number and check the date.

4. Has anyone have any good/bad experiences with this model?
I've owned one. It's an outstanding revolver.

5. Did I make a good selection for Home Defense?
With the right loads and with sufficient practice, you made a fine choice.

6. I plan to change to rubber grips...any suggestions
Pachmayr gripper pros are what I like.

 

[bill larry]

You got a great gun at a good price. Looks like the gun is in the white... kinda odd, pr is in stainless, which makes it a model 67?

Get some 148 grain wadcutters for target practice. 158 grain lead semi wad cutters for carry and defense. Can't go wrong!

 

[scotty14]

"You got a great gun at a good price. Looks like the gun is in the white... kinda odd, pr is in stainless, which makes it a model 67?" (I dont know how to use the quotes)

Bill...There is a K80#### serial number inside the yoke with Mod. 15-3 stamped below it. I was a bit confused about the finish too as I read that they only manufactured this model in blued and nickel finishes. The gun seems to be stainless--but its not marked as "stainless"

 

[bill larry]

You should post a pic of this over at the smith and wesson forum. A very interesting gun you have... maybe a rare one.

 

[9mmepiphany]

my first thought was that it was a M-67 too. maybe it's a M-15 refinished in electroless nickle?

i was issued one as my first duty gun.

we practiced with 148gr wad cutters and carried 125gr +P JHP

mine was very accurate and the action tuned up nicely too

the M-15 was the adjustable sighted version of the M-10. between the two of them they owned the LE market at one time...they were issued by NYPD and LAPD among others.

i used to have Pachmayrs on mine until the Hogue Monogrip became available

 

[scotty14]

One last question....

Can I shoot 38 +P rounds out of it??

Thanks guys!

 

[woad_yurt]

Bang away!

 

[ChlorineTrifluoride]

6. I plan to change to rubber grips...any suggestions

Grips are very personal. If at all possible feel as many different types of rubber grips before deciding on one. Hogue and Pachmayr both make rubber grips that are worth checking out.

 

[bhp9mm]

they did make 20 model 15s in stainless in the early 60s from what the book says but i think they was no dash i think this one was electroless nickle somebody had it done but posted it on the smith and wesson fourm to make sure u don't have a real rare one but anyway $300 is a very good deal

 

[don95sml]

Let me be the first to say "Welcome to the forum!"

 

[Bellevance]

That is one terrific 15-3. And you have acquired it at a terrific price. The 15 has been described by some aficionados as the perfect revolver.

I have two 15-3s, one nickeled, one blued. They have the best trigger of all my wheelguns.

Congratulations on a shrewd and lucky buy.

 

[GRIZ22]

There is a K80#### serial number inside the yoke with Mod. 15-3 stamped below it. I was a bit confused about the finish too as I read that they only manufactured this model in blued and nickel finishes. The gun seems to be stainless--but its not marked as "stainless"

It could also be an older hard chrome finish like Armoloy.

 

[Walkalong]

Either way, it's an excellent choice and the finish, whatever it is, looks great.

Welcome to THR

 

[jad0110]

The Model 15 is a fabulous revolver, for home defense, concealed carry or target shooting. They balance perfectly, the lightweight barrel makes for easy and rapid transition between targets, unlike bulkier guns like the 686 and GP100 that can feel clumsy, IMO. With the right holster and belt, even the 4" barrel guns are fairly easy to carry concealed.

They are an excellent gun for those of us who believe in shot placement and penetration over kenetic energy or the latest fads. Sure, the .357 Magnum is a fine round, but most people I've seen flinch quite a bit when shooting it, so they are honestly better served by the humble 38 anyway. My first Model 15 was a 2" 15-2, made in 1965. Paid $375 for it early this year. Super accurate. My first cylinder full formed a golf-ball sized hole at 7 yds, firing DA two handed (unsupported). I liked it so much I bought another 15, this one a 4" 15-3 made in 1969, for $309 a few months later. Just as accurate as the 2" gun, with the bonus of a full length ejector rod. I carry both often, though prefer the 2" 15 as it is a bit more comfortable when sitting for long periods.

1. What are the best rounds to fire for Target Practice?

Before I started reloading, I mainly shot Wallie World Whitebox or various other inexpensive lead round nose or full metal jacket ammo. I also shot commercial reloads from George Arms, a very reputable and trustworthy source for reloaded ammunition.

2. What are the best rounds for Home Defense?

Whatever is available these days. If you can't find a good hollowpoint, I'd stick to a good quality match-grade Wadcutter load, likely 148 grains. For defense, my favorite is the tried-and-true "FBI Load", the 158 grain lead semi-wadcutter hollowpoint (LSWCHP)+P. Many different companies make it, I prefer the Remington R38S12 as it is supposedly of softer lead, which improves expansion.

But as I said, I've not been able to find any in quite some time.

3. Can anyone give me a year on this revolver?

Probably need more than just the first 3 digits of the S/N, but others can confirm. I think I'd usually post the first 4 or 5. The 15-3 was made from 1967-1977, FYI.

4. Has anyone have any good/bad experiences with this model?

Only good for me!

5. Did I make a good selection for Home Defense?

IMO, you made an excellent choice. Later though, you might also consider a long arm of some type. I like 12 gauge pump shotguns myself. Guns are like potato chips; you can't have just one!

6. I plan to change to rubber grips...any suggestions

Sorry, can't help you there. I prefer wood myself.

Here's a pic of my Model 15s together:






As for the unusual finish, maybe Old Fuff or Xavierbreath will be along shortly. If anyone knows, I imagine they might.

 

[cottonmouth]

Looks like hard chrome to me, nice! I have a 2 inch 15-3 and love it. As far as question #4, I bet there's a lot of people who had bad experiences with a model 15 but are unable to post a reply!

J.B.

 

[scotty14]

IMO, you made an excellent choice. Later though, you might also consider a long arm of some type. I like 12 gauge pump shotguns myself. Guns are like potato chips; you can't have just one!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks! I was considering a pump shotgun, but my wife is 5 ft / 98lbs. I am looking forward to seeing how she does with it at the range. It really has very little recoil.

 

[rklessdriver]

I agree that it looks like a hard chrome or Metal Life re-finish. Probally a good thing as these were popular with armored car companies and bank security for years and the guns got beat around in holsters ect.

I also agree you made a great choice for a general home defense gun. My GF and I keep a M15-7 for the same purpose in our home. It was a security company trade in that I had some custom work and a re-finish done to. I too comtemplated Metal Life for the finish but ended up parkerizing ours as it was so much easier/cheaper. Yours looks very, VERY nice thou.

Our M15-7 is loaded for business with Remington RS3812. 158gr LHP +P "FBI Load".

We practice with my hand loaded 158gr SWC over 3gr of Red Dot. Before I hand loaded for the .38spl, I used WWB 130gr FMJ or the like.

It has been a fine revolver for us as have all of our Smith and Wesson's. I have no doubt your's will be as good for you.

My advice on grips: Try out as many different grips as you can and pick the ones you like the best. Houge, Uncle Mikes and Pacmyre all make good grips. Ours had some Uncle Mikes finger grooves on it when we got it and they are a good fit for my GF's small hands. Your going to be a bit more limited than us because your gun is an earlier "square butt".

Our Smith and Wesson M15-7 with it's "nice" Ahrends cocobolo RD to SB conversion target stocks.



Will

 

[LSWC1]

Congrat's on a great purchase ! The Model 15 is an excellent first revolver, with good handling characteristics. It will prove itself quite capable of defending You & Yours with good +P ammo, & at the same time, with mild wadcutter loads it will supply You with a lifetime of fun shooting !

Enjoy an Excellent buy !!!

 

[scotty14]

Thanks for the reassurance guys--and thanks for sharing some of your pics. I was able to take her for a test drive last night at the range. Very smooth trigger and very easy to shoot...with minimal recoil. Did not notice much difference between .38 and .38+P s though. The sights seem to be accurate.

The wood grips felt pretty good. I think if I were to frequent the range more often, I would change to rubber grips.

I plan to get the tiny/petite wife a try soon as well.

 

[9mmepiphany]

if you want to keep the wooden Magna grips on it, you might consider adding a Tyler T-grip. it stabalizes the gun in your hand