S&W Model 14 4" versus Model 15 4"

[Half Moon]

Stumbled across a Model 14 with a factory 4" barrel (it has a Jinks Letter confirming it). Front sight is not a Patridge and look like a Baughman ramp same as a 15. Hard to judge in photos but the barrel is maybe heavier profile than a 15? Then again maybe not. Anyone know what the difference is compared to a 4" Model 15?

[Lon]

Stumbled across a Model 14 with a factory 4" barrel (it has a Jinks Letter confirming it). Front sight is not a Patridge and look like a Baughman ramp same as a 15. Hard to judge in photos but the barrel is maybe heavier profile than a 15? Then again maybe not. Anyone know what the difference is compared to a 4" Model 15?

Search threads here for Hanen or Dayton Special. Compare the pics. You may have what many of us think is the Holy Grail of Model 14’s.

[LtDave]

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I have a custom Model 14 where a M10 heavy barrel was installed with a Patridge front:

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Pic of 4" Model 14 compared with a Hanen Special on the right:

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[wvincent]

56805

I have a custom Model 14 where a M10 heavy barrel was installed with a Patridge front:

56806

Pic of 4" Model 14 compared with a Hanen Special on the right:

56810

Remind me, which Commandment covers "coveting thy fellow forum members revolver"?

[APS-PF]

The M14 would have had a heavier barrel than the pre M15-5s. With the M15-5s they went with the same frame as the M14 and gave it the heavier barrel from the 14. The M14 Hanen was different as shown in that pic.

[Half Moon]

Having done a bit of googling now, it's not a Hanen. Looks like it's a maybe rarer but not as desirable 4" variation. Smith apparantly made a run of about 100 in 1971 with a 6" Model 14 barrel cut down to 4" and installed with the ramp sight. They shipped them to 3 distributors. So straight walled and heavier barreled than the medium taper barrel of a 15 but not as heavy barreled as a Hanen. They also have the grooved sight rib unlike the Hanen. Explains the pricing being really good for a Hanen: it's not a Hanen :-) Still kind of interested it in it though. We'll see.

ETA: pretty much what Lt Dave was showing in his photo I think!

[LtDave]

Having done a bit of googling now, it's not a Hanen. Looks like it's a maybe rarer but not as desirable 4" variation. Smith apparantly made a run of about 100 in 1971 with a 6" Model 14 barrel cut down to 4" and installed with the ramp sight. They shipped them to 3 distributors. So straight walled and heavier barreled than the medium taper barrel of a 15 but not as heavy barreled as a Hanen. They also have the grooved sight rib unlike the Hanen. Explains the pricing being really good for a Hanen: it's not a Hanen :-) Still kind of interested it in it though. We'll see.

ETA: pretty much what Lt Dave was showing in his photo I think!

The really neat ones are the 5” guns they did for the Illinois State Police. Unfortunately I don’t have a picture on this iPad.

[Half Moon]

The really neat ones are the 5” guns they did for the Illinois State Police. Unfortunately I don’t have a picture on this iPad.

Those sound cool! My favorite revolver barrel length...

[LtDave]

Here's a picture of one:

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[Half Moon]

Here's a picture of one:

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That could probably seriously damage my wallet!

[Jim Watson]

I had a whole series of gunsmith cut 5" Smiths, K, L, N in the early days of IDPA. Then Bill decided that was not tackytickle and I had to have them sawn off to 4". Sure am glad I didn't have my Python cut off.

There is a series of full lug K38s; a friend shoots the fairly common 6" at PPC Distinguished but I would like to have one of the few 4" for IDPA. But they only made 350 of them for a dealer in Mississippi so they are more seen in speculators' hands than shooters'.

[Brian T]

I bought a 14-3 parts kit online that I suspect was a suicide gun. I degreased and "de-fluided" the many of the parts, then bead blasted them. I want to do a one-off, so I am searching for either 10-6 frame or a 14-whatever frame. I'll chop the barrel to 5" or even 3.5" and go from there.

[Jim Watson]

J&G still has no-barrel M10s, "most are 10-7." Don't know if they would rummage you out a -6.
All shown and reported have short 2" extractor rod.
14 barrel on a 10 frame will take some ingenuity on sights and rib.

[Dave T]

To the OP: Why haven't you bought the 4" M14 yet?

Dave

[Half Moon]

To the OP: Why haven't you bought the 4" M14 yet?

Dave

I did :-)

Dithered a bit since we have a fairly nice 4" pre-15 five screw already, so what are we gaining? Decided I'll probably never see another 4" Model 14 though so take the chance...

Pics and M15 comparison once I have the 14 in hand.

[feudist]

How practical(and expensive) would it be to add adjustable sights to a m-10 hb?

For that matter, making a "Wiley Clapp "m-10

[Brian T]

How practical(and expensive) would it be to add adjustable sights to a m-10 hb?

For that matter, making a "Wiley Clapp "m-10

I am trying to figure that out now. I know the rear sight channel has to be welded up, then the top strap had to be drilled and tapped. Then the rear of the topstrap has to be milled out for the rear sight to sit in. Best guess would be $250.

[Poconnor]

How practical(and expensive) would it be to add adjustable sights to a m-10 hb?

For that matter, making a "Wiley Clapp "m-10

I’ve been thinking about this too. It’s funny. Thirty years ago you bought a colt 1911 and took it to a gunsmith for better sights. Now I’m thinking about adding sights to a model 10 or a model 64. It really doesn’t make sense money wise. I think the best course of action is to add a C&S rear sight or a D&L rear sight to an adjustable sight S&W; or just buy a Wiley clapp Ruger.

[03RN]

Urge to find a 4" m15 intensifies

[Tom Givens]

I have both a 4" and a 5" Model 14 and they are among my favorite revolvers.

[Stephanie B]

Urge to find a 4" m15 intensifies

You won't be sorry if you do.

[jws]

How practical(and expensive) would it be to add adjustable sights to a m-10 hb?

For that matter, making a "Wiley Clapp "m-10


I am trying to figure that out now. I know the rear sight channel has to be welded up, then the top strap had to be drilled and tapped. Then the rear of the topstrap has to be milled out for the rear sight to sit in. Best guess would be $250.


I’ve been thinking about this too. It’s funny. Thirty years ago you bought a colt 1911 and took it to a gunsmith for better sights. Now I’m thinking about adding sights to a model 10 or a model 64. It really doesn’t make sense money wise. I think the best course of action is to add a C&S rear sight or a D&L rear sight to an adjustable sight S&W; or just buy a Wiley clapp Ruger.

I thought about doing this a few months ago, I have a model 64-5 NY-1 I was thinking of having better sights added to. I contacted Dave Lauck at D&L Sports to inquire about cost and a couple other modifications I was thinking about. He quoted me $450 for the sights alone since there is a lot of intricate machine work. He also mentioned that he offers bolt on rear sights for Model 19/66 as well. I have yet to do anything at this point.

I was super impressed with the communication from Dave Lauck, I emailed him on a Saturday and he responded within an hour or so. We exchanged multiple emails throughout the day as well. I hope to be able to give him some business in the future.

[Half Moon]

The Model 14 came in today! Very pleased so far. Factory tight lock up (despite a good turn line), smooth DA, and very crisp SA. For comparison, all 4" barreled: 14-3, pre-15 5 screw Combat Masterpiece, and a 12-3 KA:

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Of course the acid test will be how it does on the range. Might be a while under current circumstances but hopefully soon!

[Wayne Dobbs]

I, sir, covet your new revolver. That is a sin for which I must ask forgiveness. Great find!

[Lon]

Very nice.

[Jim Watson]

57150

This high profile fixed sight would be a lot simpler than putting an adjustable on a fixed or the streamlined Yost sight.

[Nick B]

Urge to find a 4" m15 intensifies
There’s one for sale over on the S&W forum .

[feudist]

57150

This high profile fixed sight would be a lot simpler than putting an adjustable on a fixed or the streamlined Yost sight.

What front sight would match up with that?

[Jim Watson]

That one just has the regular semicircular blade of the 1918 period.
I have seen others on the S&W board with various target front sights.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/623292-can-you-help-me-identify.html#post140829212