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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 03-09-2010, 09:05 AM
RatDrall RatDrall is offline
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S&W Model 63 5" S&W Model 63 5" S&W Model 63 5" S&W Model 63 5" S&W Model 63 5"  
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Default S&W Model 63 5"

I handled a new S&W Model 63 with a 5" barrel and adjustable sights. I'm considering buying it, if I can get over the rediculous price tag ($650!) and the lock (where can I buy one of those plugs?).

Anyone own one of these guys? How does it shoot? Can you shoot oddball .22 out of it, like CB and shorts? What kind of groups will it print?

Also, are there square butt conversion grips for the round butt J-frames, like the ones that exist for round butt K and L frames?

Last question...In order to buy this I'm going to have to trade in a .22 that I dislike, and put forward $400 or so cash. Is that worth it? I'm thinking that I could keep the .22 I have and afford another used J-frame in .38 for that price, or buy a lot of .38 special ammunition to practice with. Although, it would be nice to have a S&W revolver that I can afford to shoot....
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Old 03-09-2010, 09:45 AM
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I don't have one, but as a revolver you can shoot anything that is .22 LR length or shorter, including CB caps, shorts, and longs. S & W used to make square-butt appearing J frame target stocks that fit both the round and square butt frames, they are common and reasonably priced.

As far as the trade-in vs. buying a .38 vs. ammo...have you considered looking for a used 63?
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Old 03-09-2010, 10:03 AM
balldboy balldboy is offline
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I have one in 4" and like it alot.

I think I would opt for a nice K frame if I was going over 4" in barrel length, but I place too much value on symetry...or at least my understanding of symetry.

I'm squirreling away funds for the magnum version in either 3 or 4".

Pete
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Old 03-09-2010, 10:36 AM
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I have one, and I love it. I'm not a target shooter, but I can tell you it's very accurate; if I miss what I'm shooting at, it's my fault.

As mentioned, it will handle any .22 ammo you care to shoot (except WMR or WRF, of course). I shoot CBs in mine all the time.

The stock grips are a wee bit small for me, but a spare set of Pachmayr Grippers I had lying around fixed that problem.

These revolvers are hard to find in my neck of the woods; the dealer I bought mine from several months ago still hasn't been able to get a replacement.

I'll add that I was originally looking for a 3" version, as I thought the 5" barrel was too long. After shooting this one for a while I'm very glad I couldn't find the snubbier model. The extra sight radius makes a big difference, as does the extra weight at the muzzle. It's an ideal trail gun in my book.

Last edited by Frailer; 03-09-2010 at 10:48 AM.
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Old 03-09-2010, 10:42 PM
Nframe_is_no1 Nframe_is_no1 is offline
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I just added a 5" model 63 to the stable this past weekend. I got it at a S&W day event for $449. It was labeled as a factory demo (see earlier thread). $650 is still good though if it's brand new, as the list is $850 in the 2009 catalog. According to the 2010 catalog I got at the show, they are introducing a 3" version this year. Here's some pics of mine:



Last edited by Nframe_is_no1; 03-09-2010 at 10:45 PM.
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Old 03-09-2010, 10:52 PM
jkc jkc is offline
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I think you'll be hard pressed to find one of the older, 6 round, 2" or 4" M63s for much less than the retail price of $650 you mentioned. I listed a pristine 2" 63 on Gunbroker a year or so back, with a "Buy It Now" price of $600, and it sold at that price almost immediately. I hadn't heard about the new 3" iteration, but I may have to have one, although I think that despite what Gaston Glock thinks of his products, the 4" 10 round 617 is an example of perfection in firearms design.
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Old 03-10-2010, 12:47 AM
RatDrall RatDrall is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jkc View Post
I think you'll be hard pressed to find one of the older, 6 round, 2" or 4" M63s for much less than the retail price of $650 you mentioned.
I've been looking for a used 4" model 63 without the lock, and they are either way too expensive or simply unavailable. I guess people don't want to part with them

I am going to stick with my Ruger Mark III and see if I stumble across a deal on a 63 one of these days. My dealer is having S&W Days this month...
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Old 03-10-2010, 01:39 AM
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I had a 4" square butt that I kick myself frequently for letting go of. I had a set of factory target stocks for it and everything. I want another one...but I really want one of the newer 5" jobs. That floats my boat!
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Old 03-10-2010, 08:09 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RatDrall View Post
Quote:
I've been looking for a used 4" model 63 without the lock, and they are either way too expensive or simply unavailable.
I guess people don't want to part with them

I am going to stick with my Ruger Mark III and see if I stumble across a deal on a 63 one of these days. My dealer is having S&W Days this month...
Check out the classified section
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Old 09-29-2010, 10:48 PM
Observer Observer is offline
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I had a Model 63 with 4 in barrel. The best .22 I have ever owned to this day. I love my Ruger Single Sixes, but the model 63 is heads and shoulders the best gun. It was stolen however....I traded a model 17 Kit gun with 6" barrel blued for it and $50.00. The fellow wanted $375 for the 63. I bumped into a fellow in the gunshow that had the 17 and I bought it from him for $165.00. The 63 had Rosewood target grips also...Great gun..
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Old 09-29-2010, 11:29 PM
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I also have 3 model 63's, oh wait my kids have them now Anyway the longer barrel should not make a difference in handling. The longer sight radius helps a lot.
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Old 09-30-2010, 09:18 AM
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I bought my 5" 63 from the estate of a friend a year ago. It joined my then a year old 4" x10 617 - my favorite .22 - still - but the 5" 63 is close behind.



Obviously, I changed the grips to the Hogue 'square conversion' J-frames - a great help. I wish they were wood, of course, like the Ahrends retro targets on my 617. Not so obvious, I swapped out the springs, using Wolff's strongest of the three J-frame hammer coil spring set - a significant improvement - and a lighter rebound coil sring - a minor improvement. I also deburred the rebound slide and cleaned & lubed the innards before re-assembly. The result was a far lighter - and smoother - DA trigger, the SA trigger retaining it's predictably brisk break. It will never be the equal of my 617, but it is still nice. Also - no ftf's with any of my ammo. Okay, there was one - but it proved to be a dud. I tried a green HiViz - standard pinned S&W .250" height - no sight adjustments were needed, but the base was too long... oops!



I noted the overhang while I tapped the rollpin in place - blue Loctite and everything. I still haven't changed it - it didn't need any tweaking! I can live with it - it really helps with my 'mature' peepers. Another goodie - DS-10 makes a great x10 speedloader for my 617 - got one 1.5+ yr ago - loads of fun. I've had my x8 - and a 4 x 8 base plate - for my 63 (also fits the 317) - for 6+ months - also fun - and fast to reload.

My 5" 63 is not the equal of my 4" 617... but it is close. The 'pointability' is fantastic, in comparison - and the longer sight radius helps, too - they offset the slightly more stout DA trigger. Switching between bulk packed Federal 'Automatch' (325 rounds/box) to el-cheapo (550/box) makes little difference in point of impact. It 'likes' everything, although the high speed CCI's (Velocitor) are loudest. I can't speak to bullseye use, sad to say, but it picks off small silhoettes at 12-15 yd with relative ease and great consistency. I've shot as many as 400-500 rounds between cleanings, with no ill effects (... other than my anal desires to clean it!). Try to find a holster for it - or a 5" 60!

Stainz

PS You'll forget the price shortly after you buy the new 5" 63 - which is no longer available. It's 2010 replacement, a 3" 63 with a HiViz, is still not in S&W's build schedule, so another new 63 is still a dream.

Last edited by Stainz; 09-30-2010 at 09:22 AM.
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317, 617, 650, ahrends, bullseye, glock, hiviz, hogue, j frame, k frame, kit gun, lock, model 17, model 63, pachmayr, rosewood, round butt, ruger, s&w, sig arms, speedloader

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