Picked Up A Smith and Wesson Model 15-3

December 30, 2021, 09:54 PM

I am not "an old guy" so to speak. I grew up with 80s action flicks, wonder nines, HKs etc.

That said DAMN I LOVE ME A GOOD REVOLVER. Not only do they just exude class there is something so satisfyingly mechanical about shooting them, loading them etc. Even speed loaders are just sort of cool to me. You could give me that gun and a speed loader or two and I would feel perfectly adequately armed as well.

That is a beautiful piece. Enjoy it in good health.

December 31, 2021, 08:22 AM

sigarms229

Very nice, congrats on a great purchase!

December 31, 2021, 10:00 AM

mikey357

Very nice K-38! I expect it will shoot as good as it looks--If it was mine, I'd next work on replacing those 80's Grips with something more akin to what it was wearing when it left 2100 Roosevelt Ave. for the first time...

December 31, 2021, 11:56 AM

Mars_Attacks

Yeah, the grips were put on in 1995.

I have a set of target grips at my brother's house going on it.

I can either put these away for safe keeping or sell them.

December 31, 2021, 04:23 PM

m1009

Sweet! My hubby has his grandfathers police model 15, and it’s got the best trigger ever. Awesome revolver, definitely an heirloom for us. Congrats on your purchase!

December 31, 2021, 06:04 PM

lot_45

Nice find!
If your serial number starts with "K" then it was most likely born before 1970.

January 01, 2022, 06:02 PM

Kobren

Might be more period correct with S&W magna stocks and grip adapter. Nice M-15 reminds me of USAF issue.

January 01, 2022, 07:16 PM

Mars_Attacks

Like THIS? LOL

January 02, 2022, 08:12 PM

kcl1960

Sweet pc, I picked up a nickel plated 4" in early 2000's ser # 1k1xxxx

January 03, 2022, 09:21 AM

Underdog

quote:
Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:
This one was a deputy's personal weapon for Norcross back in the 70's.

I bought it from the grandson that wants a Glock.

Wowser!

A few years ago I picked up a nice Winchester 30-06 at a pawn shop that a grandson sold.

You have a very nice score there.

January 03, 2022, 05:44 PM

Webley Green

My small town department had us purchase our own sidearms. Had to be a .38 Special or .357 revolver. Department issued us Remington .38 +P ammunition. I first caried a Model 15 like yours. Like many I put on Pacmeyers and saved the wood grips. Later had the chance to get in on the department purchase of SW M-66s. I still have both and shoot them regularly, though I have to admit, not as often as I liked this past couple of years.

January 04, 2022, 10:32 AM

Pizza Bob

Mars:

A fine S&W revolver like that demands the real thing...

Recommend Ken Driskill (as above) over on the S&W forum (bigmtnman) or Grashorn grips.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

January 04, 2022, 11:14 AM

wacopolumbo

quote:
Originally posted by cslinger:
I am not "an old guy" so to speak. I grew up with 80s action flicks, wonder nines, HKs etc.

That said DAMN I LOVE ME A GOOD REVOLVER. Not only do they just exude class there is something so satisfyingly mechanical about shooting them, loading them etc. Even speed loaders are just sort of cool to me. You could give me that gun and a speed loader or two and I would feel perfectly adequately armed as well.

That is a beautiful piece. Enjoy it in good health.

I feel the same way. Well said!

January 04, 2022, 02:21 PM

clang

Nice- I love the grain in the target grips. I'd keep them on the gun if it was me.

January 05, 2022, 10:41 AM

ChuckWall

I started shooting with one of those. It was from the '60s, got it from a local cop when I was 15, the legal minimum to possess one. It was a great gun, sorry I ever got rid of it. My grips were the smaller old style type that fit the frame contours.

When I was in high school, used to go to abandoned farms with my buddy who drove a '38 Chevy pick up. Thanks for giving me the moment to remember.

January 05, 2022, 12:12 PM

radioman

Slightly OT, but I gotta ask...

If you buy a used Smith like this, and wanted a different barrel length......... I've seen several used gun-parts vendors on-line which sell k-frame barrels. How big of a project would it be to get a different length barrel and install it?

It /looks/ like it's just a matter of removing a pin (if present) and unscrewing the thing and screwing the new one on and replacing the pin.

but it can't be that straightforward or others would be doing this all the time to get those coveted barrel lengths that everyone wants.

January 05, 2022, 12:39 PM

Mars_Attacks

quote:
Originally posted by radioman:
Slightly OT, but I gotta ask...

If you buy a used Smith like this, and wanted a different barrel length......... I've seen several used gun-parts vendors on-line which sell k-frame barrels. How big of a project would it be to get a different length barrel and install it?

It /looks/ like it's just a matter of removing a pin (if present) and unscrewing the thing and screwing the new one on and replacing the pin.

but it can't be that straightforward or others would be doing this all the time to get those coveted barrel lengths that everyone wants.

It's not. The barrel has to be fitted and cylinder gap set. Best leave it to a good smith.