February 17, 201313 yr I have a S&W 15-3 that I do not shoot nearly enough and I would like to start taking it out of the safe more often. Looking for suggestions for speed loaders and grips but I know nothing about quality gear for revolvers. I am a gear-queer and I like quality stuff. I don't care if it is more expensive or not. Pics to follow. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
February 17, 201313 yr Equipment needed would be dependent on what you want to do with it. If you just want to go to a range, stand in a port and shoot at a static target, the gun is pretty much all you need. If you want to compete in some type of action handgun, that's a different story. I, too, have 15-3 and I intend to shoot IDPA SSR division with it. Although right now, I am enjoying myself too much with my 625PC, so the 15 is a down the road project. I have accumulated a holster, speedloaders and speedloader holders, but there are a few more things I want to do before trying it in competition. Adios, Pizza Bob
February 17, 201313 yr Author I do not like standing in a stall and shooting. I want to train with it like I train with my duty gun. Possibly shoot some steel comps with it. Maybe even qualify and carry it off duty if I am feeling froggy. Looking for info on speed loaders, holsters, and possibly tune-up or refinishing advice. I got this gun from my Uncle after he died. All I know is that he bought it when he came back from Vietnam and worked private security in CO. I think it has a "target" trigger, an adjustable rear sight, and aftermarket grips. It is blued but not in great shape. I have shot I a bit and it shoots fine I guess. Don't have any other revolvers so can't compare it to anything. Here is the info on the box: Any info about the gun would be cool too. Thanks again!
February 17, 201313 yr You have the .38 version of the same gun I own since '77! Mine is the Model #19 in .357. They're both K-Frames, and use standard model #10 HKS Speed-Loaders. Or you can opt for the Comp-III spring-loaded jobs that "shoot" the rounds into the cylinder during the reload. Either way you'll need some sort of Speed-Loader holster(s) depending upon which game you'd like to play. Go to Dillon's web site and search for revolver acc's from HKS, Safariland, and Mitch Rosen (holsters). For Static Steel you might want a CR-Speed holster rig that's set-up for USPSA, so you can use it for "runnin & gunnin". The Cup Challenge holster will work on a CR-Speed Belt for instance. These guns are very smooth and often have a nice double-action trigger out-of-the-box. Further tweekin' makes 'em smooth as butter. Best grips for using a Speed-Loader are the thinner rubber kind I have: Pachmayer (spellin'?). More room to clear while using a Speed-Loader means faster to do the reload. Welcome to the wunderful world of "Wheelgunnin'". Dave
February 17, 201313 yr Your model 15 has the standard trigger and hammer. The grips appear to be Herrett Shooting Stars or clones. If you intend to possibly carry this, then you want to stay away from competition mods, like spring changes. Depending on how much you want to invest, I'd look at Sand Burr Ranch to work it over... http://www.sandburrgunranch.com/ I don't have any personal experience with them, but Mosaad Ayoob thinks highly of Denny Reichard's abilities with a S&W and Reichard was a former LEO, so he'll understand your needs. If you are going to do competition only then the sky's the limit, but remember the quest for the "hot knife through butter trigger", usually comes at the expense of reliability and confines you to certain ammunition. Ray ray & Alec shoot steel and can help you out there. I shoot USPSA (as does Alec) and IDPA and Dave dabbles in everything. Have fun. Adios, Pizza BOb
February 17, 201313 yr I don't carry guns, and I don't shoot competitively, but a stock S&W should work plenty well. This isn't your run of the mill junk Taurus. I mean, if you're looking to use this as a dedicated competition gun then the sky's the limit. If you're going to carry it, leave it as is. I like my 64 and my HKS speed loaders. Right now I have the original stocks but I'm looking into getting some ahrends Soon.
February 17, 201313 yr Rick Rick Rick, your finally coming around to the fact that revolvers make EXCELLENT defensive firearms. Come to the next static steel match for practice. And remember, you only get one miss. No mag dumps like the other goof balls running their wonder 9s.
February 17, 201313 yr speedloaders: jetloaders are good, safari land too i wouldnt use the hks loaders for competition. Grips are completely up to you, I like houge wooden grips http://4wheelguns.com/ICORE.html
February 17, 201313 yr holster will all depend on which " game " you wish to play in. USPSA ? IDPA? Steel? etc.
February 17, 201313 yr holster will all depend on which " game " you wish to play in. USPSA ? IDPA? Steel? etc. CCW, duty rig
February 17, 201313 yr CCW, duty rig oh... didnt see that is what he was looking for in the thread. If for CCW disregard what I said
February 17, 201313 yr oh... didnt see that is what he was looking for in the thread. If for CCW disregard what I said Alec, this our chance to convert a plastic fantastic fan to a REAL shooter. Don't eff it up.
February 17, 201313 yr Some of our guys have made the switch to carrying them off-duty. I wouldnt go that far...however for games and a true SHTF Zombie type event its always good to have another reliable option.
February 17, 201313 yr Every job has it's own tool Raymond. well made leather holsters serve purpose for CCW quality easy to use competition gear serves for gun games.
February 18, 201313 yr my 15-3 That has a target trigger and a target hammer, and unknown aftermarket grips. And mine, also with TT & TH but with Hogue Monogrips... Adios, Pizza Bob
February 18, 201313 yr All these pics of 4" blue-steel beauties makes me want to get mine out and caress it sum and give it a wipe-down, nice & purty like, lol!
February 18, 201313 yr That has a target trigger and a target hammer, and unknown aftermarket grips. And mine, also with TT & TH but with Hogue Monogrips... Adios, Pizza Bob Pretty
February 18, 201313 yr FWIW, as the Model 19 is known as the Combat Magnum, the Model 15 is known as the Combat Masterpiece. It was the issue sidearm for the USAF from at least the 60s to adoption of the M9 in the 80s. A S&W revolver is the easiest to slick up. It is also easy to f___up. Too many think that watching some You Tube videos and a DVD make them a revolversmith. A smooth trigger is more important than light. I mentioned this in one thread several months ago and was told I needed to wake up. Fact is the genuine revolver pistoleros out there use extra power springs but have very smooth actions.. Many so called revolver experts out there install light sprimgs to conceal a gritty action. You can deal with a smooth 14 lb trigger (just a matter of developing muscle). A light gritty trigger is an impairment to good shooting. Learn to shoot a stock, yes stock, revolver well before you go modifying it. It will make you a better shooter. If you refuse to learn how to shoot a stock revolver (or anything that for that matter) first, you're using mods as a crutch not for a edge. Springs control 3 things in revolvers. Trigger pull, reliability (ignition), and trigger reset. You can have two but you can't have all three. S&W, Taurus, and Ruger don't have the lightest trigger pulls out of the box but are reliable and great trigger reset. The fact is a good smith can get that revolver down to 8 pounds or so with factory springs. Don't turn this into a toy gun with a 5 lb trigger pull.
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