S&W M 15-3

[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. ;)

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.

I have the 65-2, and I never plink with .357. I have hollow point .357s around here somewhere, but I am never get around to shooting them.

[tjtM38]

I have an N-frame S&W Model 28 in .357 Magnum. I think I could put copious amounts for full magnum loads through it and not shoot it loose, but what's the point? I still shoot mainly .38 Special through it as well. It's also not a new revolver (1962 manufacture), although it is in beautiful condition.

[ffuries]

I have an N-frame S&W Model 28 in .357 Magnum. I think I could put copious amounts for full magnum loads through it and not shoot it loose, but what's the point? I still shoot mainly .38 Special through it as well. It's also not a new revolver (1962 manufacture), although it is in beautiful condition.

Dang that thing looks like it's brand new......and it's even older than me by 4 years!

[tjtM38]

I have an N-frame S&W Model 28 in .357 Magnum. I think I could put copious amounts for full magnum loads through it and not shoot it loose, but what's the point? I still shoot mainly .38 Special through it as well. It's also not a new revolver (1962 manufacture), although it is in beautiful condition.

Dang that thing looks like it's brand new......and it's even older than me by 4 years!

It certainly was in excellent condition when I bought it, but had the ugliest Pachmayr grip I have ever seen. I bought some classic wood panels from Altamont company who manufactures great wood grips for S&W revolvers.

[qz2026]

I recently picked this up at my local gun show... S&W's are starting to grow on me a little. Model 13 from the 70's, pinned barrel, .357 Magnum. Very nice condition.

WIN_20230326_12_32_27_Pro.jpg

[ffuries]

I recently picked this up at my local gun show... S&W's are starting to grow on me a little. Model 13 from the 70's, pinned barrel, .357 Magnum. Very nice condition.

WIN_20230326_12_32_27_Pro.jpg

Wow another nice example, people keep posting these Smiths we're going to need a section just for them.

I've got to find a local gunsmith that can work on Smiths and have him change out my Semi Target Hammer and Service Trigger for the Target Hammer and Trigger I got. But finding a local revolver qualified gunsmith anymore is like finding a unicorn.

[tomaustin]

MIKE.... THAT IS A PEPPY POST...YOU MUST BE FEELING GOOD......

[ffuries]

MIKE.... THAT IS A PEPPY POST...YOU MUST BE FEELING GOOD......

I have my good days and my bad days......today is obviously a good day!

[qz2026]

I can't tell if anyone answered this or not. It's was made in 1972

[etprescottazusa91]

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.

The 3rd edition Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas places the production of your model 15-3 at 1972 based on the serial number. The reference stated that 1968 was when the 5000 USAF model 15-3's were shipped to Warner Robbins AFB. The book noted that a S&W letter can be obtained to verify any of those guns though your model 15-3 (awesome find) is 1972 production based on the serial number provided. The book stated that all USAF model 15-1, 15-2 and 15-3 guns were shipped to the USAF with the target hammer, target trigger and magna grips, the diamond grip was eliminated in 1967. I hope this helps? (I accidentally reported your post thinking I had hit reply with quote,four eyes surgeries in the last year)

[millman]

(I accidentally reported your post thinking I had hit reply with quote,four eyes surgeries in the last year)[/font]

I got rid of the report.

[etprescottazusa91]

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. ;)

Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson by Supica/Nahas states production of the model 19-3 began in 1967 with the elimination of the diamond grip in 1968. Looks like that is an incredible early production 19-3.