[carl418_resigned]

While this may look exactly like a Model 14, it's not.. Let me tell you about it.

In the mid-'70s, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI for short) had a group of agents that formed a competitive shooting team. At that time, all GBI agents were issued short-barreled Model 15s to carry. Since these weren't the greatest choice for competitive shooting, they asked for several Model 14s to be used in the competitions. What they got was something very close to what they asked for..

One of the GBI's armorers asked S&W for enough barrels to re-barrel some of the Model 15s. S&W sold them 5 barrels, so 5 revolvers were made up for the shooting team. The armorer also worked the action of each, to produce some really light and smooth shooters.

This is one of those 5 revolvers. In particular, it's a Model 15-3, circa 1974.

When I want to target shoot 38 Special, this is the first one out of the safe. Very nice shooter...

 

[c pierce]

Carl thats some great history you got there.

 

[azmick]

Nice buy Carl. Is it's preferred bullet a wad cutter, semi-wad cutter or round nose ?

 

[carl418_resigned]

azmick,
Wadcutters seem to work the best, but semi wadcutters do just fine too.

I've had this gun for a few years now, and it's still just as much fun to shoot as when I first got it.

By the way, I'm just posting new pics.. no new guns. I can't afford a new gun right now. Best I can do is trade something off..

If y'all are getting bored, let me know..

 

[leejack]

Carl, I'm not bored at all! Keep posting!

Beautiful gun, by the way!

 

[Guest]

Great gun Sir! Your photos are also getting better and better! KEEP 'EM COMING! :mrgreen:

 

[Jim]

Carl
Looks very nice
Great setup hard to go wrong with a model 15 in any flavor.
Intersting history about your revolver. I am rather fond of the model 15. I learned how to shoot with a pre 15.(combat masterpiece)
Jim

 

[Guest]

Not that's a neat gun. What is it about guns with a story attached? Just a whole nother' level of cool....

Great gun and very interesting story. Must be fun knowing it's history.


giz

 

[DHENRY]

Cool gun, Carl.
Also cool that you shoot it!
hpzl;n; kfjdrfirii
Don

 

[onenut58]

Nice gun bet its sweet with the trigger job and all.Got a cool history right from your home state to.

 

[Ralph G]

Great Gun Carl , I forgot about that one !!

Mighty impressive on the pics too !! kjdfjemnd

When you set out to do something , you give it your all !!! Great Job !!

 

[carl418_resigned]

Thanks, guys..
I'm glad to hear y'all like my pics.

 

[Quarter Cherokee]

Yaaaaawn...uhm...did you say something?

Just kidding!

Great gun, great history. Where are the other four?

 

[carl418_resigned]

QC,
I wish I knew the answer to that. I'd love to have them all..

I found this one at a gunstore that caters to the local LEOs. Since all they sell anymore are semi-autos and tactical stuff, this revolver was destined to become a door stop if I hadn't talked them into selling it to me. It was just sitting on a bottom shelf, long neglected and forgotten.. :shock:

Of course, when I got it, it had rubber grips and was quite grungy..

I found out the history behind it by contacting the GBI. One of their agents was kind enough to research it for me. The agent even went to the trouble of contacting the (now retired) armorer who did the work. He's the one who knew the story behind the gun, and passed the info on to me..

 

[Quarter Cherokee]

Thanks, Carl. The story just gets better the more you learn about those revolvers. I'm certain those other four are out there. Who ever owns one is probably unaware of the neat history behind it.

 

[bmcgilvray]

Great revolver and great thread Carl! A nice rescue gun and the research that you accomplished to document it is rewarding to read. That revolver would be a unique addition to any S&W collection.