Finally I joined the club, the model 15 club

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Winchester_73

New member
I met a guy at my gun club the other day, shooting pistol. We got to talking and S&Ws get brought up. He states he was selling a model 15 to a guy, but the guy didn't show up and didn't call him. He pulls out this beautiful 15-4, with target hammer and he said it had a trigger job. It felt awesome, like you all say:D. He said that his brother actually won competitions using it (I buy the guns, not the stories). He tells me he wants $350 for it, which was a fair deal I thought, given the nice condition, target hammer, pinned barrel, etc. I tell him "pretty nice, I will have to call you back about it." I said that because I needed to do a quick check of finances because I have bought quite a few recently and also because model 15s are somewhat plentiful. He then says "if you want it, you can have it for $300" and at that point, I said "I will take it!" We met yesterday at the local gun shop (pistol transfers are mandated in PA even between private people).

They are as great as I've heard from you all. This one is a 15-4, SN 96K13XX, making it probably a 1982 gun, possible one of the last to have a pinned barrel. It feels great with this barrel length, and that style of grips in my hand. I look forward to shooting it.

It took me a while to get a model 15, and it took me a while to get a Colt 1903 32 acp, and a S&W 357 magnum and I have never owned a S&W 36. This is because when a gun is common, I either want one that is like new, or one that is a great deal, or both because I always take the odds, and think there is another one just around the corner. This model 15 fit my bill pretty well.

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amd6547

New member
Great revolver at a great price.
My own 15-3 is my favorite revolver. I bought it from a gun show dealer in a FTF deal for $175. At the time, I was looking for a Model 10, and really didn't know about the Model 15.
Mine appears to have been buffed and reblued, but it has the target hammer, red insert front sight, and white outline rear.
It is one handgun I cannot seam to miss with.
 
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aarondhgraham

New member
Well, it's about time,,,

Well, it's about time,,,
That a man with your obvious gun acumen,,,
Obtained what might be the finest .38 revolver ever made. ;)

Now you need a Model 18 to partner up with it. :D

Aarond

.
 
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amd6547

New member
I was at my rifle and pistol club shooting my Model 15-3 one time.
We have 10" round steel plates at 40yds. I was shooting at them and hitting with every shot, when another shooter walks over and says "that revolver shoots pretty good...must be a Smith & Wesson...".
Though I usually rely on a Glock 9mm for HD duty, I would not feel under armed with my Model 15 at all.
Oh, and I did finally find the taper barrel Model 10 of my dreams.
 
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jglsprings

New member
What is this "might" you speak of? It's simply the best handgun of the 20th century.
Click to expand...

Well that about covers it. Lock the thread!

I stumbled upon mine awhile back, it was a turn in gun (armored car company I think) - double action only - not bad shape. I found a hammer assembly to replace the DAO. I was surprised how tight the lock up was. I would have sworn it was a brand new gun - maybe better than new. After replacing the hammer I put it back to the DAO hammer. It was so nice to shoot "as is".

It has become my "training" gun to start out new shooters. Perfect size, weight and balance. Easy to shoot cartridge. Tack driver accuracy.

I can't believe it took me so long to get mine - I'm surprised it took you so long as well.
 
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UncleEd

New member
A new thread asks about learning to shoot double action.

Besides a Model 10 4-inch barrel, I can't think of a better gun than the Model 15 to learn double action shooting. If none is available on the used market, look at Smith's Model 67, older and used or the new one though it has a "bull" barrel.

And the 4-inch L frames aren't bad either.
 
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mordis

New member
I have a m15 question. I have a m15-3, and its my favorite gun. I learned to shoot on that gun.

Now it is my home defense gun, and I have one problem that I have yet to figure out. How do I aim it in less the ideal lighting conditions? The black front sight and black rear sight, seam to disappear on darker colored targets.

I put some shirts up in what I felt are likely break in areas and when the lights are out and all I have is my random night lights on, I find the front sight just disappears.

Now I do practice instinctive point shooting with my martial arts instructor but I need a strategy for finding the front sight in less then optimal lighting conditions. Sure I could get a hand light but, it makes my grip less secure and my recovery from recoil is longer.
 
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SgtLumpy

New member
How do I aim it in less the ideal lighting conditions?
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Consider: You don't aim. If you're shooting torsos at 10 feet, there's not much front sight needed.

You're probably better at it than you think. Put up some full sized paper torsos at very close, living room range, at your gun range or shooting spot. Don't aim. Just point and shoot. You're likely killing the paper just fine.


Sgt Lumpy
 
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mordis

New member
Aye but that can look bad in a court room. They ask did you aim at the intruder and ill no I used instinctive point shooting...

God I need more training.
 
4

4V50 Gary

Staff
The Model 15 is a great gun. It was the first revolver I ever got to shoot and I became quite good with it. Nowadays I shoot more 22 LR because it's cheaper and $5 for a box of reloads doesn't exist anymore.
 
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