6" barrel for s&w k38 combat masterpiece

[Oklahoma Rebel]

does anyone know where to find a 6" barrel, it is a model 15-2 and has the ribbed 4" barrel on it now. any leads would be appreciated

[StrawHat]

Check on the S&W fora, in the buy, sell or trade sections.

Also Jack First Gun Parts.

Kevin

[baogongmeo]

Post what you are looking for in the Want to Buy section on this website.

[ddixie884]

The rib won't match unless it is a 2". Have you thought about a trade for the length you want? Try Gunbroker for a barrel.

[boatbum101]

Do yourself a favor & don't try to make a fighting gun a range gun . Plenty of K 38 Smith's out there . $ 400 - 500 should be at least a 90% or better shooter grade . Serious about 38 special accuracy get a Colt Officers Model Match . Feed it 148 HBWC & chew the 10 ring out @ 50yds .

[Silver Jack Hammer]

Ddixie884 is right, I bought a Model 15 that someone put a 6" barrel on. The rib on the barrel doesn't line up with the rib on the frame. The rib on the frame is tapered so there is a gap in the rib between the barrel and the frame. The gun went for only $325.00 because of this gap. All their work ruined their gun, I got a plinker for cheap. You can bet they are sorry.

[9.3X62AL]

Good advice above regarding the idea of changing out the Model 15-2's original barrel length. Model 15s (Combat Masterpiece) came with 2" or 4" barrels primarily; a 6" or 8-3/8" barrel went on Model 14s (Target Masterpiece). Your Model 15-2 has pretty good intrinsic value just as it sits, I'm sure it could be sold to finance a Model 14 purchase. Both Models have buyer interest, and sell readily.

It IS your property, though--you have the right to do with it as you wish. For my part, if I was to undertake a barrel-lengthening for a K-frame 38 Special, my move would be to have an aftermarket slab-sided target barrel of 6" length installed. In the old days when D/A 38 Specials were THE choice for PPC shooting, competitors had these barrels installed on S&W M&P receivers, primarily. If I'm about to sacrifice whatever OEM value a sidearm has in the interest of target shooting concentration, don't take half-measures--go whole hog. That way, you have a choice of sighting systems limited only by tastes and budget.

Bottom line, the 4" Model 15 gives up NOTHING in intrinsic accuracy to the 6" Model 14. The longer sight radius might help YOU extract a little more accuracy from the revolver, but the mechanical accuracy of both barrel lengths is a dead heat. I don't know what your plans are for your 38 Special, but if open or concealed carry are among them a 6" barrel is a PITA to manage in a hip holster in a vehicle, and drawing is more complicated with the longer barrel from any sort of holster. This last factor is why so many law officers used 4" barrels on their sideiron back in the revolver days, and left the 6" barrels for the target venues or hunting fields. This trait has carried over into the autopistol era, too--the length favorites of officers in these venues are in the 4"-4.5" range, a feature I call "Commander length" from my considerable Colt/Browning sideiron preference.

Just my take on the question.

[Oklahoma Rebel]

ok thankyou for saving me from myself. you guys r totally right and I think I knew it in the back of my head before I asked. I really want a ruger single action 7.5" barrel in either 44 or 357

[dubber123]

ok thankyou for saving me from myself. you guys r totally right and I think I knew it in the back of my head before I asked. I really want a ruger single action 7.5" barrel in either 44 or 357

Your M15 would be an attractive trade for many Ruger SA owners. I don't think you would have a hard time finding a prospective buyer.

[9.3X62AL]

Now, me........I would hang on to that Model 15 and set aside some fundage every payday toward those Rugers. 15-2 variants are finite in number, Ruger still makes S/A revolvers in 357 and 44 calibers in numbers. I don't see the Blackhawks being discontinued in those 2 chamberings. Time is on your side.

[fecmech]

Now, me........I would hang on to that Model 15 and set aside some fundage every payday toward those Rugers. 15-2 variants are finite in number,
I would second that. The S&W model 15 and the .38 spl cartridge never go out of style, they are classics!

[dubber123]

The above suggestions really are the best idea if that is an option. I know a 4" .38 might not be what you want right now, but it may be what you REALLY want 10 years from now. If you can keep it, that would be prudent.

[jonp]

I"m not sure what the problem is. Get the barrel and have a competent gunsmith put it on and save the original barrel. When or if you think you might want to sell the gun put the original back on and sell it with an extra.

[Silver Jack Hammer]

The Model 15 is not an excellent gun for anything, but it's a good gun for everything. A buddy of mine killed a bear with his Model 15. Let's take a poll of all the guys that sold their Model 15's are now regretting ever letting their K-38 4" go. We'd probably get almost a 100% vote they are sorry they let theirs go.

[MtGun44]

I have an apparent Model 14, but marked 15-2......... I suspect that a PD got a big
order of Model 15s, wanted a few target guns, but to keep it simple for the accountants,
S&W marked it as a 6" target barrel and sights Model 15. Not supposed to exist, but
there it is.

[ddixie884]

I use my 4in 15-2 more than any of my other handguns. It is handy has good sights and shoots everything from target wadcutters, to 130gr white box ammo, to factory +P and my cast 160gr swc over 5gr Unique or 11gr 2400. Handy.