Posted: 2/18/2003 4:51:42 AM EDT
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I'm looking for a used .38 revolver for my wife. I came across a Model 15 Combat Masterpiece. It has a 4" barrel with wooden grips and adjustable sights. Are these pretty decent wheelguns ? Is this considered a K frame model ? Does anybody have any history on the Model 15 ? What's is different in a Combat Masterpiece ? Do they all have the firing pin built into the hammer ? Thanks, Jim |
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Classic Smith "K" frame. Also known as "Combat Masterpiece" or K-38 Bread and butter revolver only with adjustable sights. The firing pin is in the hammer on those, don't worry, it's supposed to wiggle up & down. Very nice and reliable wheelie. That model goes back to 1949 but the basic frame itself originated in 1899. |
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Great little gun...grab it if the price is good. The old FBI load was the 158gr. lead SWCHP+P and it is still my personal favorite .38 spl. defense load...used by many, many agencies across the country for a long time. Current FBI load is the Federal 147gr.+P+ HydraShok...its' OK, but tough on the gun, and little expansion from less than 2in. bbls. The "Treasury" load was a 110gr.+P+ JHP that often worked extremely well, but when it failed, did so dismally. Good stuff from a 4in. barrel, though. I have some and it will chrono 1150fps+ from a 4in. M19. Good gun and good ammo...doesn't get much better than that. |
Don't be too quick to pass up the M-15. Frankly, the K-38 was one of the most accurate revolvers ever made and a joy to shoot. The 66 is nice, but the 15 is fantastic. |