Convert prohibited S&W model 15 38 special revolver to restricted or buy?

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Seadog123

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An older friend has a S&W model 15 4" 38 special (not +P) revolver bought new in the 1960's or 70's (very lightly shot - maybe a couple hundred rounds) and has a grandfathered prohibited licence for it. If the friend passes on I believe the prohibited revolver has to be destroyed. If I arrange and pay to have it converted to restricted status through a barrel change I can have the revolver from the friend for free.

I have identified a gunsmith experienced in this who comes highly recommended by several pistol club sources. I want a 6" revolver. There are no model 15 or 14 6" 38 special barrels available but the gunsmith says he has put model 586 barrels on model 15's with great results for police pistol class shooters (my intended use). The change of barrel incl the gunsmith buying the barrel, machining etc plus re-bluing will likely run me $600 CAD all in.

Some have suggested I can find a good condition used S&W 38 revolver for use in the police pistol Fish & Game groups for the same money or less, on sites such as this one. I'm a newbie to the site so have yet to obtain permission to browse the equipment forums.

Any learned opinions out there on having a "Model 15 with a 6" model 586 barrel" for $600 versus buying a used .357/38 or 9mm revolver, for police pistol shoots?

Thanks.
 
Moparlover said:
you can buy a complete 586 for close to 600. unless you'd like to convert the pistol so a friend lost can be remembered.
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Well said.

You might be able to source a 6" model 14 barrel which is a little truer to the heritage of the gun. That would be the only barrel replacement I'd consider. If you just want a shooter and have no particular attachment to the gun, it probably makes more sense to buy something else.

Too bad they are prohibited. They are beautiful little guns. That example is probably a 15-2 or 3 which I think were particularly nice.
 
gdawg said:
Well said.

You might be able to source a 6" model 14 barrel which is a little truer to the heritage of the gun. That would be the only barrel replacement I'd consider. If you just want a shooter and have no particular attachment to the gun, it probably makes more sense to buy something else.

Too bad they are prohibited. They are beautiful little guns. That example is probably a 15-2 or 3 which I think were particularly nice.
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Thanks for the comments. By some websites the S/N gives a 1965 build year. Other sites say the 15-3 came out in 1967. If all true that means it's probably a 15-2.

I'd hate to see it ground up and turned into paper clips. I suppose it could be sold to one of the every reducing number of prohibited license holders? I'll have to see if I can't find out what it might be worth in case he wants to sell it that way.
 
If it is registered it does not have to be destroyed!
It can be sold to someone with the correct class of license or passed on to family.

Rebarreled cost sounds really high. Did you try epps, Herron arms, or bits of pieces? They do this work and are quite reasonable.
 
If you keep your eyes open, you'll find deals. I bought my girlfriend a Model 14 built for PPC for 550. It has the sight rail, the bull barrel and the trigger job that you are still going to want for PPC even if you rebarrel the prohib. I also sold a similarly set up model 14 last year for 550.
 
wbaad said:
If it is registered it does not have to be destroyed!
It can be sold to someone with the correct class of license or passed on to family.,,,
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According to the RCMP a family member who is not grandfathered with a prohibited status license can only acquire another family member's prohibited weapon under these conditions (see http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/fs-fd/prohibited-prohibe-eng.htm ):

"If a person is not grandfathered, the only prohibited firearms they may possess or acquire are handguns with a barrel length of 105 mm or less or that discharge .25 or .32 calibre ammunition, and only if all of the following criteria are met:
the handgun was made before 1946, and
the handgun was registered in Canada on December 1, 1998, and
the individual is the child, grandchild, brother, sister or spouse of the lawful owner, and
the individual is acquiring it for an approved purpose such as target shooting or as part of a collection.
Under these circumstances, the individual can lawfully acquire and possess the handgun in question, but they are not grandfathered or authorized to acquire more prohibited handguns."

The revolver was made in 1965 so a family member cannot acquire it as an exemption to the grandfathering privilege.
 
coldestcanuck said:
If you keep your eyes open, you'll find deals. I bought my girlfriend a Model 14 built for PPC for 550. It has the sight rail, the bull barrel and the trigger job that you are still going to want for PPC even if you rebarrel the prohib. I also sold a similarly set up model 14 last year for 550.
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Thanks for the input. Such a model 14 would suit just fine. Let me know if your girlfriend tires of hers!
:)
 
Seadog123 said:
According to the RCMP a family member who is not grandfathered with a prohibited status license can only acquire another family member's prohibited weapon under these conditions (see http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/fs-fd/prohibited-prohibe-eng.htm ):

"If a person is not grandfathered, the only prohibited firearms they may possess or acquire are handguns with a barrel length of 105 mm or less or that discharge .25 or .32 calibre ammunition, and only if all of the following criteria are met:
the handgun was made before 1946, and
the handgun was registered in Canada on December 1, 1998, and
the individual is the child, grandchild, brother, sister or spouse of the lawful owner, and
the individual is acquiring it for an approved purpose such as target shooting or as part of a collection.
Under these circumstances, the individual can lawfully acquire and possess the handgun in question, but they are not grandfathered or authorized to acquire more prohibited handguns."

The revolver was made in 1965 so a family member cannot acquire it as an exemption to the grandfathering privilege.
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Right you are about the grandfathering.
But the gun can still be transferred to a licensed person and not destroyed
 
Good luck finding a barrel. WGPs has model 14 barrels but will only sell/give a price to a gunsmith. I'm waiting to hear how much because I'd like to do the same with a model 13. I tried getting a quote from Charlton but after numerous frustrating emails I gave up.
 
Murray told me he cannot obtain the model 14 barrel in 6". The Smith & Wesson gunsmiths themselves told me on the phone there are none left. The Model 15 I posted about is now being re-barrelled with a new 6" 586 barrel ordered from S&W.
 
Sorry, but that took a while. Had the work done. See pic, which I hope I have attached correctly.

 
Hello all,

I have a few take off barrels in my collection from previous PPC builds including a 6" barrel from a K38 that was new in the box when I build the gun. I have been saving it for myself because of its condition. I have several other L frame blue and stainless take offs with the 4 position front sight as well as some bull barrel blanks left over. PM if interested.

Roly
 
That looks really, really good! And you've got a shootable, one-of-a-kind revolver that is a great way to celebrate your friend.
 
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