S&W M 15-3

[ffuries]

Well went to the other local gunshow today and found one of the guns I was looking for to have the facsimile of the guns I carried in the USAF.

S&W Model 15-3, 38 Special, 4 inch barrel, adjustable rear sight, basically a K-38 Combat Masterpiece. Just trying to narrow down the date, I know they were made 67-77, and the diamond grips was illuminated in 68. So that leaves a 9 year range. My SN is 3K76401.

For $395.00 I'd be a fool to pass this up, locks up tight, has minimum wear (But not a Beauty Queen). SN on the frame and butt strap match, RH grip has matching SN, LH has no SN on it (Read this is normal). The cylinder yoke/crane has a different number on it, might be an assembly number.

The M9 Commercial I had my eye on fell through, so still need to find one of them to complete my facsimile weapons (M16 604, M16A2, S&W M15-3, and Beretta M9). Need to look through my stuff and see if I still have my leather swivel holster and ammo pouch issued to me 1986 for the 38.

[SA1911a1]

That is a nice revolver, Mike. You did well. Congrats.

[ffuries]

That is a nice revolver, Mike. You did well. Congrats.

I like it, and couldn't pass it up. So I made an offer and got it.

[Junk Yard Dog]

[Darryl]

I have it's little brother. SW_33-1.
It's a 38 SW (not special) 5 shot. I bought it in 1973 when a hardware store was going out of business.
It was the last gun they had on the last day they were open. They had it marked down to $65.52.
Really didn't want it because of the 38 S&W cal. but, I bought it anyway.
Only has 10 rounds through it and cleaned and put in my safe.
I left it in a leather holster and pulling it out of the leather case to show people over the years has made some muzzle wear.

sw_33-1_2.jpg

[ffuries]

I have it's little brother. SW_33-1.
It's a 38 SW (not special) 5 shot. I bought it in 1973 when a hardware store was going out of business.
It was the last gun they had on the last day they were open. They had it marked down to $65.52.
Really didn't want it because of the 38 S&W cal. but, I bought it anyway.
Only has 10 rounds through it and cleaned and put in my safe.
I left it in a leather holster and pulling it out of the leather case to show people over the years has made some muzzle wear.

sw_33-1_2.jpg

Wow, that's a sweet looking one Darryl. Love seeing old guns that look basically brand new.

[ffuries]

Disregard the yoke/crane SN remark, if I had looked higher i would have seen the matching SN on it also. So she isn't a parts or rebuilt gun. Finish isn't perfect, but it isn't a dog either.

[ffuries]

All cleaned up and oiled.....

[SA1911a1]

I think that it looks great. My son moved to Nashville this Summer and I am keeping the bulk of his guns here until he gets permanent living arrangements. He has a Combat Masterpiece in his stash, I am wondering if he would miss it? I am glad that he doesn't participate on this forum. If he saw what I just posted, he would insist that I keep it.

[ffuries]

I think that it looks great. My son moved to Nashville this Summer and I am keeping the bulk of his guns here until he gets permanent living arrangements. He has a Combat Masterpiece in his stash, I am wondering if he would miss it? I am glad that he doesn't participate on this forum. If he saw what I just posted, he would insist that I keep it.

Aw, come on Steve, you know you want to ask him if you can borrow it for a few years.....!

Oh and with help from some S&W aficionados, I have narrowed the Born on Date (Shipped Date) down to 1972 or 1973. Works for me, as I'm not going to pay $100.00 for S&W to tell me exact date, unless it was Julius Ceasars gun!

[qz2026]

Sweetness...

[sheepdog]

The best 38 special S.W. ever made. I have the 2" barrel version.

[ffuries]

Did a search of my stash of gear in the attic and didn't find a USAF issued 38 holster. Found my issued M12 and drop leg holsters for the M9, plus a M9 holster meant to be sewn on the survival vest.

I know I (We) didn't use a swivel holster like the SPs did, so I thinking it was the Bucheimer B07-44Y holster (NSN 1095-00-480-6807) that I wore on my web belt. Basically one of these.

[Cliff]

The old smiths like your 15-3 and the 33-1 are from the era when smiths built thier best guns. By the way, the a 125 gr flat nose
loaded to about 750 makes a respectable house gun. Wish I'd kept my mod 33.
Shoot and enjoy.
Cliff

[ffuries]

Debating on wrapping out the trigger and hammer for a target hammer and target trigger to make it more correct like the USAF issued ones. Mine currently has a Semi-Target hammer and a standard service trigger.

But damn the prices are up there, $50.00 minimum a piece.

[tjtM38]

These are great revolvers. I love mine.

[steelbuttplate]

The best 38 special S.W. ever made. I have the 2" barrel version.

Agree, I have the K-38 made in '52, best revolver I have.

[SA1911a1]

I was wrong about my son's gun; it is a model 19-3 Combat Magnum. You folks made me have to go dig it out. It is a really nice piece with only a little bluing wear on the cylinder, and muzzle, but no turn line, so it must have more time in the holster than on the range. When he went to Tennessee, he also left his hoard of ammo with me. I think I need to take this one out and shoot it, with him ammo of course, just to make sure it is safe for my boy to use. ;)

[tjtM38]

I was wrong about my son's gun; it is a model 19-3 Combat Magnum. You folks made me have to go dig it out. It is a really nice piece with only a little bluing wear on the cylinder, and muzzle, but no turn line, so it must have more time in the holster than on the range. When he went to Tennessee, he also left his hoard of ammo with me. I think I need to take this one out and shoot it, with him ammo of course, just to make sure it is safe for my boy to use. ;)

I don't recommend shooting a bunch of full power .357 Magnum loads through the Model 19. It is still a K-Frame gun. I have a Model 65-5 which also a K-frame revolver chambered in .357 Magnum, but I shoot mainly .38 Special and .38 Special +P in it.

[sheepdog]

I was wrong about my son's gun; it is a model 19-3 Combat Magnum. You folks made me have to go dig it out. It is a really nice piece with only a little bluing wear on the cylinder, and muzzle, but no turn line, so it must have more time in the holster than on the range. When he went to Tennessee, he also left his hoard of ammo with me. I think I need to take this one out and shoot it, with him ammo of course, just to make sure it is safe for my boy to use. ;)

Strictly 158 gr. 357 ammo. None of the 125 gr. stuff. Check around the forcing cone for flaming and that's the one spot that needs a thorough cleaning after every range trip.

Their value has risen dramatically the last five years. Pinned and recessed, still made by craftsmen. Nice revolver.