S&W Model 15: What should I know?

[Njal Thorgeirsson]

Hello,

I do not own any S&W revolvers, but some S&W Model 15's recently caught my eye at the local gun store. They have about 20 ex-law-enforcement model 15's (for $340 each). As far as I could tell (with my limited revolver experience), they were mechanically exceptional, and the crowns looked excellent. Each had some apparent holster wear (to varying degrees), but little wear otherwise (and certainly no signs of abuse).

1) Is the price decent ($340)? Is this a deal that I shouldn't pass up?
2) What else should I watch out for on these revolvers? Is there an easy way to tell how much a particular revolver has been fired?
3) Other than bore condition, crown, and tight lock-up, is there anything else I should watch out for?

Thanks!!!

 

[murf]

read the "revolver checkout" sticky at the top of this forum.

the combat masterpiece is a fine weapon. if it checks out, the asking price is very reasonable.

luck,

murf

 

[km101]

What is the name/phone# of the guns shop? At that price I would like to get one.

Most LE weapons are carried a lot and shot little. As a general rule the only wear is cosmetic. If the items on your #3 check out the gun should be OK.

 

[Old Fuff]

The Smith & Wesson K-38 Combat Masterpiece (also known as the model 15 after 1957) was nothing more nor less then the company's highly regarded .38 Masterpiece target revolver (model 14) with the barrel shortened to 4 or 2 inches and the front sight changed from a target style to one designed by FBI Special Agent Baughman to facilitate drawing from a holster without getting caught. As a target grade/service revolver it became very popular in law enforcement circles. It is difficult to find a better choice for a general purpose .38 Special revolver.

When checking a used gun with a law enforcement background you will find everything from like new to totally beat. However the most common condition is hardly used or fired, but considerable evidence of holster wear. Always keep in mind that "distressed cosmetics" makes no difference when it comes to shooting.

Start by looking at the various screw heads. If they are dinged up and burred look at something else. Then grasp the cylinder between your thumb and forefinger and see if it can be moved back & forth (as opposed to rotational movement). If it can be careful because it may have a condition called end play, that is easily repairable but usually requires a gunsmith's attention.

Next, look at the frame from the front, and see if you can wiggle the yoke (the part the cylinder swings out on) away from the frame when the cylinder is latched. If so, you may have a sprung or bent yoke barrel. Again the condition can usually be corrected, but if corrections or adjustments are necessary they should be reflected in the price.

Now open the cylinder and look at the bottom of the topstrap at the front and see if they're is evidence of gas erosion or burning as well as the rear end of the barrel. This would indicate extensive use with Plus-P or Plus-P-Plus ammunition loaded with light bullets (around 135 grains or so). If so, again pass.

I doubt that you will find any of the above, and if so the asking price is reasonable but not outstanding. However keep in mind that in the future it's unlikely prices will drop, and at the very least you should be able to recover what you paid - at least in a private sale.

 

[Mike Kerr]

Read the sticky regarding revolver condition checkout. The price sounds OK (for retail); but price is so dependent on location that whats great in Denver may not be great in some other metropolitan area.

One problem you should be aware of is that Smith & Wesson k frame revolvers like your contemplated Model 15 are a slippery slope because soon you may want a model 64 in stainless, then a Model 13 (the FBI basic issue standard for some years), Then a Model 14 with that 6" barrel. In other words they can really be addictive for a mid priced, effective, fun to shoot wheelie.

Oh yeah the part about a Police Service Revolver in 38 spl being shot out or an excessive round count - possible but hardly probable. I'm always suspicious of older revolvers with New replacement grips. Takes a lot of everyday use to wear out grips so that a Distributor or dealer feels the need to slap presentation grips on a gun to make it "one of the gang" of retail guns they've got.

regards,

 

[rcmodel]

Price seems reasonable in todays market.

Do they have the S&W wood Target stocks?

Or after-market rubber grips?
Lots of police guns had the S&W grips changed out because rubber was more durable banging on car doors 24/7.

Rubber grips would devalue them to me somewhat as the S&W Target grips they came with add value.

rc

 

[bannockburn]

A great service revolver at a very decent price. If it were me (and if I could afford it), I would pick up a couple of the nicest ones there (meaning they check out fine mechanically), and feel that I had made out on a really good deal.

 

[tuna]

I'd say it's a good price for a great pistol. I love mine, and find it on my hip more than my 1911. Comfortable to shoot, comfortable to carry concealed and dead nuts accurate.

 

[Comrade Mike]

At that price I'll get one

 

[Hoppes Love Potion]

See if they'll do 2 for $600.

 

[il.bill]

See if they'll do 2 for $600.

Best advice yet!

If you can go through them and get the 'pick of the litter', so to speak, you will end up with a fine firearm and be well on your way to becoming a new revolver convert. The price is reasonable and the S&W Model 15 is one of the best shooters around.

As has been said, be sure to read through the Revolver Checkout 'Sticky' at the top of this forum.

 

[krupparms]

That's a good price for them if in good condition. I shot the M15 as a boy, but really started getting to know them when I went into the A.F.! AS a S.P. we were issued the M15. Later when I became one of the M60 G.P.M.G. guys on the SRT units I was issued one. They were very nice revolvers & alot of fun to shoot! We were issued the 130gr.FMJ loads that no one liked & only 18 rd.s! Most guys kept a box of. 38SPL.+P 158 gr.SWHP. loads for just in case. I loved mine & bought a L.E. trade in some years back. I like to shoot it & carry it sometimes. You can't go wrong with these guns as long as it is in good condition! It will be something you will want to keep!

 

[skoro]

You should know that the S&W k-frame revolver is the almost perfect handgun.

Skol!

 

[CajunBass]

I don't know where these guys buy guns to think that's a good price.

Around here it would be a "Grab it before they change their mind" price. I'd get two and wouldn't bother to haggle.

 

[rcmodel]

Same here.

Any pre-lock S&W with 75% finish still left on it & factory grips has an asking price at least $100 higher.
And don't stay in the display case very long.

People are flipping them for a profit on the interweb auctions at that buying price.

rc

 

[hAkron]

If is saw them, and I had the cash, I'd buy a couple (at least one of every variation available in his lot).

 

[owlhoot]

The m-15 didn't come with target grips. The standard "magna" grip that just covers the grip frame was the stock grip for these revolvers. The models 19 and 66 came with the target grips.

Most cops tossed the stock grips as soon as they were issued the revolver, my guess is that most of the surplus m-15's will have replacement grips. That in no way diminishes the goodness of these revolvers. I have three of them.

 

[Old Dog]

Of course you should buy one ... or two, at that price. I can't think of any .38 revolver I'd rather have. As a previous poster noted, the prices will never go down on these ...

 

[Waveski]

I acquired a K-38 about 7 months ago. I cannot tell you what a sweet shooter it is! I believe it was a LEO carry as it is mechanically sound but the original grips have a thousand little dings , especially on one side. The best 38 I have ever handled , and classy too!

Jump on it.

 

[Lucky Derby]

Congrats. (In other words, you better go grab one quick.) If not, PM me the store info so I can.
I made the mistake of letting my wife shoot my M15. It then became her M15.

 

[stu1ritter]

Yeah, What's the name of that Denver store :~)

Stu

 

[RainDodger]

I have what was my father's 1953 Combat Masterpiece. It is nearly perfect in all respects other than missing the original grips. Back in the 1960's he put on a set of the newest thing... plastic Fitz target grips. YECH! He probably threw out the originals!

Long story short, it is the sweetest shooting .38 Special you'll find. I rarely shoot it at my local indoor range, as I generally only shoot cast wadcutters through it and the range doesn't allow them. They don't make them like that anymore.

 

[Old Fuff]

The m-15 didn't come with target grips.

Actually it often did. The same can be said of other options such as wide target hammers and triggers, and white-outlined rear sight with red insert front blade. Smith and Wesson followed a common practice in the automobile industry where extra options were added to a basic model as "packages". In the same manner production runs of model 15's with extra options were made and the added cost tacked onto the retail sticker.

If you come across one remove the stocks and see if the revolver's serial number is stamped or penciled on the inside. If so they are likely original to the gun.

 

[welldoya]

I stopped in a pawnshop last year on a Friday and they had a nice Model 15 in nickel for $379.
I didn't buy it but thought about it all weekend. Went back up there at noon on Monday but figured it would be gone. It was still there and I asked if they could take $300. Surprisingly they accepted the offer so I walked out with it for $327.50 OTD.
I think a lot of shops have customers looking for the latest in tacticool and tupperware so the revolvers don't sell that well. I believe that was the case at this shop so I just got lucky.
But I think $340 is a really good price.

 

[Jimfern]

Assuming they check out, I also recommend buying 2 if you can swing it. The price is good.