The S&W Combat Masterpeice is the Ultimate Revolver

[Commander Crusty]

I took a retired widow to the range yesterday. She wanted to learn to fire the .38 special only Combat Masterpiece her husband had left her when he died. This woman has arthritis and muscular dystrophy and is 68 years old. I started her using a matching .22 S&W target revolver at 3 yards. After putting about 24 rounds into a "Zombie" target, she told me she wanted to try the .38 before her hands got too sore.

She fired just 12 rounds through the classic S&W Combat Masterpiece. Just for the practice, I had her load and fire most of these one round at a time. Her first shot smacked that Zombie square in the forehead! All other rounds went right where she aimed them! She left the range much more confident of her ability to protect herself in her home.

Her hands aren't strong enough to manipulate an automatic (even a 9mm). They are too frail to handle the recoil of a J-frame .38 special. The full sized, steel frame Combat Masterpiece is heavy enough to soak up recoil, but light enough that she can aim and fire the gun accurately. It is as powerful a firearm as she can handle. This revolver is probably as reliable a firearm as has ever been produced. Perhaps most important, she can load, fire and unload the Masterpiece with confidence. That's why, for her, the S&W Combat Masterpiece it is The Ultimate Revolver.

 

[foghornl]

That revolver does sound exactly like "The Ultimate Revolver" for her. Hard to imagine a better gun for Retired Widow....decent caliber with enough "ooomph" to do the job on the miscreants end, without too much damage to her hands, wrists, etc.

Never owned one, but have shot a "Combat Masterpiece" a few times over the years. Truely a classic revolver. Good job on getting her 'up to speed'.

 

[Ala Dan]

The S&W model 15 "combat masterpiece" could be the ULTIMATE
revolver for an elderly, retired widow with the problems you made
mention of~? If it has a buttery smooth DA trigger, and service
grips; this combination should make an excellent home 'D handgun.

 

[rcmodel]

could be the ULTIMATE
revolver for an elderly, retired widow

It would be the ultimate revolver for a lot of folks, if they would get over the "bigger is better" & "lighter is better" manly man BS and own up to it!

 

[woad_yurt]

I had one a while back and sold it to buy something else and I've been a bit regretful ever since. They are sweet. Someday, I'll get myself another. I do have an old Model 10 on layaway in a local shop, though, so at least I'm not totally out of the K-frame loop.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Commander Crusty...She's not "elderly" at 68...Well seasoned maybe, but not "elderly"...I do, at 66, object...

Another S&W made for women is the Mod 10...

 

[Gordon]

Happiness WAS showing up at a Jim Cirullo training class wearing left and right Model 15s on a Sam Browne with 4 speedloaders , Colt DS BUG and a slide of 12 rounds. This instead of the usual 1911s (like everybody else in the class), put smiles and nods of approval on everybody.

 

[Jim K]

A woman of 68 is a mere child. Maybe when she gets more experience she can handle a Model 19.

Seriously, the worst mistake you can make with any beginner is starting him or her out with a snubby. They experience an awful trigger pull, short sight radius, and a lot of recoil and muzzle blast. They hit nothing, and the result is that they get "turned off" on shooting and become targets for the anti-gun gang.

Jim

 

[KyJim]

I was also going to suggest the Model 19. Same nice action as the Model 15, can shoot .38 specials, and is a bit heavier than the Model 15. Still, I can't quibble too much about the choice of a Model 15. It is a nice shooter.

 

[jaholder1971]

My wife's got a 72 yo female relative I just set up with a Security Six and full bore 125 grain Federal JHP's.

Some background: She's an ex-jailer who quit when she got married to her husband and became a farm wife. The rural neighborhood she lives in is having a rash of burglaries and she wanted more controllable the the .44 MAGNUM REDHAWK of her late husband's.

The feisty little broad (I say with love) can shoot the thing all day with .38 specials and was able to put all 50 rounds of full bore .357 in center mass at 15 yards before it started to bother her wrists.

No joke: She's thinking about trading it in on a Smith M 27. Reason: She shot her husband's duty gun so well...

 

[GunTech]

To be the 'ultimate' it needs to have 5 screws.

 

[calaverasslim]

Back in the late '50s, when my dad became a LEO, his first handgun purchase for the PD was the S&W M15, no dash. When he became a Desk Sgt. he bought a M36, no dash. I still have both.

The M36 has never been fired, to the best of my knowledge and it shows no evidence of being fired. I shoot the crap out of the M15.

I have 44's and 45's and enjoy them, but the gun I really shoot for enjoyment is the M15.

Handload the 146gr RN, (I cast) in front of 4.8 of W231, It is just a fun load.

I still carry the 44 when hunting because the ferrel hogs can get kinda big and I prefer the 44 for them for SD.

 

[BattleChimp Potemkin]

I had a Model 15, was an idiot for giving it up. It was the basis for an idea I have had for a long time: The urban guide gun:

Adjustable, but easy to aquire sights.
Fully size frame, but smaller grip (not boot type) and short barrel.
.38 or .357 (.44s are more of a guide gun, not an urban one ).

Perfect for plinking, compact enough for carry, accurate enough for general target work, and heavy enough to withstand thousands of full house rounds.

The Smith 15 and the Ruger Security Six meet these requirements in my mind.

 

[docmagnum357]

I, too have a model 15-4, with the pinned barrel, 4". Anyone who knows me knows that I love my model 29s, but That little model 15 is defineately a sweet shooter. I also have a model 19, and I like it better for only one reason, and that is the red plastic insert on the front sight. I wished all my concealed carry students would show up with a model 15, or a model 19, either one stoked with 158 grain swchp +p loads. Penetration is better than almost all 9mm loads, and it is far easier for almost everyone to shoot. They are accurate enough to be interesting, and fun to shoot, and very packable/concealable for most people. Mine is nickel, and has a few bad spots, but it is a beautiful gun. My wife will definately be carrying it until she knows enogh to make good decisions on her own, which won't be long. She is doing very well with it now.

 

[gwalchmai]

I keep a M64 close by at night. Anyone who wants to sneer is welcome to, providing they let me have one shot first. I haven't had any takers so far...

 

[Jim Watson]

Cdr Crusty, was your widow woman firing double action or single?

I always wonder, not having a cooperating lady, how is it that a woman who finds it difficult to rack a slide against a 16 pound recoil spring with both hands once per magazine full manages to pull a DA revolver trigger of 10 lbs or so with one finger for every shot?

 

[earplug]

Ultimate Revolver?

As the owner of several K, J and N frames, and this seems to be a self defense thread. While I like my M-15, it is a poor subsitute for the kick ass save my bacon, can handle 99% or the problems that my M-65 will do.
When I can't reach my three moon clipped M 625's, or my three J frames. I would really be upset if my rather stock four inch M65 with 125 grain Golden Sabers was not available.
The M-15 is nice in a IDPA way, The 625's are fine for gun games, the J frmaes are great to carry, I have been lucky not to test the concept.
38 spl. is fine, its just not a .357 Remington magnum.
And that M 15 adjustable sight is always catching stuff on my draw.
If I really had to choose one, it would be the one least shot in fun and games. The M-65.
Kind of like a nice family car, you never see one raced, they just show up when needed.

 

[loneviking]

Like the M65? I do too--mine has a 3" barrel. The Combat Masterpieces are nice, but there's something about the stainless 65's that's even more appealing. BTW, I just picked up this little 65 and it's going to be run hard, just like my other revolver! It's my daily carry and IDPA gun.

 

[Commander Crusty]

You asked about shooting 6 shots with a 10 pound double action trigger pull, versus operating a 16 pound recoil spring once--I have no rational explanation. My guess is that a lot of people don't like the flippy/busy recoil you get with an automatic.

My friend tried a Ruger SR-9 (on an earlier range session) and she told me it hurt her hand (perhaps a grip shape issue). She also looked very awkward trying to work the slide. I didn't dare offer her a .45, although, I find the recoil of a full size .45 kind of slow and comforting.

Just like several of you, I once had a 3" custom model 65. I sold it. My wife is still mad!

 

[Old 112]

Commander,
You deserve a "Well Done" for your wise
and paitient instruction of your friend.
Thank You.

My wife and daughter prefer my 15s.

They will shoot the Blackhawk 45s and
625 S&W, and also the 19s, BUT!!!! they
really really like the Combat Masterpiece.

So do I.

Regards,
Old 112

 

[Jerry11826]

Super power revolvers

Commander Crusty,

Thanks for "saying so". I have been of the opinion, for a long time, that if you can't get it done with a 357 Magnum - you probably need a rifle.

I had a Ruger single action 44 Mag back in the 80's. I was so excited when I got it - I was going to be just like Elmer Keith and Dirty Harry

Fired one box, 50 full charge loads. Took the gun home, cleaned it, put it back in the box and traded it shortly after.

There was a young man at the range a couple of weeks ago that was shooting one of the new S&W X frames.

The blast was so bad I quit shooting and sat on the bench behind the firing line. Figured he would run out of wrist or ammo shortly.

He wasn't hitting a 15 yard target consistently - mostly just punishing the ground and the target frame.

Surprised me when he pulled out a second box of ammo. At the next break I packed up my stuff and went home.

Now maybe if your fishing in Alaska with Kodiak bears around or shooting elk in Montana at 600 yards like Elmer Keith or participating in a long range metallic target match.

What do you do with such a weapon?

Self defense? It looked like that the ammo the young man was shooting would penetrate 10 - 12 sheets of dry wall and maybe the cinder block that houses are built of here in Florida.

Have been afraid to say this before as did not want to anger other forum members.

Now I am not saying you shouldn't have the right to purchase, own and shoot all the high power hand guns you want - I am a strong second amendment supporter - But what do you really use the super power revolvers for?

Jerry