S&W model 15

I have been looking locally for a Smith model 14 for sale and haven’t had much luck. 

Today I ran across someone that has a S&W model 15-6 with a 6 inch barrel that he might be willing to part with. I’m wondering what the difference is from the M14, would it be the equivalent of the M14 to shoot?

I didn’t realize they made the M15 with a 6 inch barrel, I guess I’ll find out when I can see it.


Kurt

Anything’s possible. May have been a special run for a department

Greetings,

A while back, S&W discontinued the "Model 14" and offered the "Model 15" with a 6 inch barrel.

I believe the "Model 14" was returned to the catalog with the full underlug barrel.

I have some old Gil Hebard catalogs to support the above comments.

Cheers,

Dave

Here’s one with 6.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/842972722

Wow, don't know what the reserve price might be, but at the moment that looks very cheap for an almost pristine gun. Why don't I ever get to catch them like this?

IIRC, the Model 14 was originally the "Target Masterpiece" and most had 6" barrels (I think one variant had an 8" barrel") while the Model 15 was originally the "Combat Masterpiece" with a 4" barrel and ramp front sight geared more toward sales to police departments.  I wasn't aware of an 6" barreled Model 15s, but I can believe some might have been put together toward the end of production or for special editions.

The 14 “tended to” come with the “Three T’s” (Target trigger, hammer, and grips) where the 15s didn’t. The 14s have patridge sights and the 15s have ramps. those are about the differences. Other than barrel lengths.

Wikipedia shows that a 6 inch barrel option was added to the M15 in 1986 with the 15-5 Thru 15-6 and stoped in 1992. 

Not sure if you can trust that, but it kind of matches up with the information from fc60.

Had an old M-15 chrome that shot every bit as good as any revolver I've ever owned, even my M-14.  Just couldn't stand the glitz of the chrome so I sold it.  Every bit as tuneable as any other K frame S&W.

Virgil

My 6" blued 1967 15-2 with patridge sight and laminated target grips may be the most beautiful gun that I own. 

Regarding function, I find the trigger of the 15 slightly lighter and the hammer slightly heavier than my Model 14, which I prefer to shoot.

A long time ago in a galaxy far away when I was young and had eyes an eagle would envy, I owned a nickel plated model 15 with a two inch barrel. That revolver was one of the most inherently accurate revolvers I have ever owned. Because of the short sight radius, it required a great deal of concentration to shoot it well. Alas, I lost it in 1989 when my home in Hayward, Ca was burglarized.