S&W Model 15-3 - How did I do?

[Crawdad]

I was buying ammo Monday and a revlover caught my eye in the used gun case. They had a S&W Mod 15-3 in 4" blued with Pachmeyer "gripper" grips for $179.

The bluing has some holster wear (The cylinder needs to be reblued) but the bore is perfect, rifling is perfect, and the trigger pull was so smooth and crisp that I had to buy it. Checked the timing and gave it a good one over, and everything looked great so I bought it.

Took it to the range yesterday and sent about a hundred rounds through it without any issues, and it's more accurate a gun than I am a shooter (once I adjusted the sights, anyway).

How did I do? I have no idea what I should be paying for older revolvers, but I feel like I didn't get ripped off. I love the gun even if I did.

 

[revolverforums]

Holy cow batman, you did great.

 

[orchidhunter]

I don't think you got ripped off, you got it for about half of its worth. welcome to the forum. orchidhunter

 

[Rio Laxas]

You did very well. Get out there and put as many rounds through it as you can!

There are two sides to the rebluing argument. It doesn't help the value and it usually hurts it, so it boils down to you. If it bothers you that it has finish wear then by all means have it re-blued, if not then spend the money on ammo.

 

[Old 112]

You looked past the complexion, and found a
very desireable and wonderful shooter and carrier.

Without seeing or handling it, the price was on the low side by about 25 to
50.00. - - Mabe more.

I picked up a 15 no dash over a year ago with quite a bit of
holster wear, and The Very Nice holster that had removed it,
for 200.00 plus tax.

I, likewise, am very satisfied.

BTW, I had gone in to this store to check on used 22 boltguns when my
"friend" at the counter said I "needed" this.

I guess he was right.

Regards,
Old 112

 

[Huddog]

I'm not sure how you did but I am very jealous of what you got for that price.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Nice price, just shoot it, with a very good finish it's a $400 revolver.

 

[owlhoot]

Blush, the 15 is a great revolver. I've got three of them.

 

[Storm]

I recently looked very seriously at a Model 15, an ex-police gun (a California department) that was in 97% plus condition with aftermarket grips. It was in good enough condition that it looked unissued. The gun was tight with a like new bore. The gun was priced at just under $300, possibly $289. I hesitated, and when I went back to get it the gun was gone.

I'd say you did well.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

If I didn't know better I would say you used the gun to stick the seller up for it.

 

[Crawdad]

If I had I would have taken all his ammo too, I'm going broke feeding my range habit these days!

I'm sort of relieved to read your responses, I had some serious doubt in my mind when I was driving home from the store. I have quite a few guns, and have shot all my life (I generally get to the range once a week, for the past several years), I haven't really bought many - most of my guns were gifts, purchased new, or were purchased long ago so I have no modern price reference.

Hadn't planned on buying anything but 9mm ammo that day, so I hadn't really researched gun prices! It just called to me from the case....

Thanks everyone, glad to find a firearm community that has its head on straight!

 

[Liberty1776]

OH, man. you did great! And that is an excellent gun, in case you didn't already get convinced of that. I think so highly of it - it's exactly the same set-up I bought my daughter for her gun. Don't know where you live, but that's more than $100 cheaper than you can get one for around here...

 

[Guillermo]

The joy of owning a hi quality gun that has some wear is undeniable.

You can use this great revolver and not worry about the finish like you would a pristine example.

I would buy a nice holster for it and carry that revolver every single day.

 

[Beagle-zebub]

Gun pics or it didn't happen!

 

[Crawdad]

(Click for big)

Pics above. You can see the damage to the finish on the cylinder, but I've decided to leave it alone for a few reasons:

1) It's the factory blue, and anything I do to it is going to the cylinder isn't going to match the rest of the gun.

2) It ain't that bad, and it ain't rusting.

3) I would get slapped if I asked my woman to dye her graying hair, so I won't expect the gun to

4) If I drop it on the gravel at the range, I won't cry.

I've been to the range with it 3 times so far, and it's shockingly accurate at 25 yards I can put all 6 shots in a 2" circle using cheap FMJ ball.

 

[easyrider604]

S&W Mod 15-3 in 4" blued with Pachmeyer "gripper" grips for $179.

I've been to the range with it 3 times so far, and it's shockingly accurate at 25 yards I can put all 6 shots in a 2" circle using cheap FMJ ball.

Sweet!!! You done well, Crawdad, congratulations. I love inexpensive, accurate guns with lots of character, like yours.