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09-02-2014, 08:17 PM
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Finally, found a Model 63!
I traded into a Model 63 a few years ago and, for whatever reason, let it go in another trade - I have been kicking myself ever since. This past year I have kept an eye out at the local gun shops, gun shows and classified adds - with no luck. I didn't realize how rare these things had become. Well, maybe not rare, but most owners don't seem to want to let them go.
Well, my search is over, I picked this little beauty up today. My previous 63 was a square butt, while this one is a (newer) round butt version. I must say, my initial impression is that I like the feel of this one, though I plan on replacing the Pachmayr's with some wood grips (maybe some modern S&W diamond magna's).
This gun has minor wear from normal use, but still has PERFECT lockup and even came with the original box. I was happy to fork over $525 for it, as they seem to be going for a bit more than that, these days.
I'm so excited that I just had to snap some pictures to share - ugly Goodyear's and all. I'll post an update when I get some proper wood grips on it. If anyone wants to share pictures of their 63 (preferably round butt) to give me some grip ideas, I'd love to seem them.
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75Vette, alde, BrewsterII, b_san, CWH44300, g8rb8, gruntdeputy, ishootblanks, JeepinSoldier, klind45, lscocoa, MarkAlt, markyboy57, opaul, vigil617 |
09-02-2014, 08:26 PM
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They are nice and handy too, I just dispatched a copperhead with this beauty. Is yours a round butt, it might be rare.
Last edited by opaul; 02-07-2015 at 11:42 AM.
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09-02-2014, 08:48 PM
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63
Here is my 63-4 with Kelley firearms round to square conversion. They work great with the longer barrel.
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09-02-2014, 09:12 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by girvin02
I traded into a Model 63 a few years ago and, for whatever reason, let it go in another trade - I have been kicking myself ever since. This past year I have kept an eye out at the local gun shops, gun shows and classified adds - with no luck. I didn't realize how rare these things had become. Well, maybe not rare, but most owners don't seem to want to let them go.
Well, my search is over, I picked this little beauty up today. My previous 63 was a square butt, while this one is a (newer) round butt version. I must say, my initial impression is that I like the feel of this one, though I plan on replacing the Pachmayr's with some wood grips (maybe some modern S&W diamond magna's).
This gun has minor wear from normal use, but still has PERFECT lockup and even came with the original box. I was happy to fork over $525 for it, as they seem to be going for a bit more than that, these days.
I'm so excited that I just had to snap some pictures to share - ugly Goodyear's and all. I'll post an update when I get some proper wood grips on it. If anyone wants to share pictures of their 63 (preferably round butt) to give me some grip ideas, I'd love to seem them.
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SUUUWEEEETT! If prices around here are any indication, you got a very good deal on it, even with the Goodyears!
Since you ask, I would have to go old school replacing the grips and put a set of the old factory J-frame target grips. IIRC, they will cover up those round butt grips quite nicely and be carried on the locating pin and the grip screw as well as the fit to the top of the frame. If you really want a great fit, I guess glass bedding would also be an option, but I really don't think it would be necessary... I've even used a set on a pre-War Regulation Police w/ 6" barrel. That worked out great too!
Froggie
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09-02-2014, 10:50 PM
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This is my circa June 1997 -3 with it's original Uncle Mike round butt combats. I love this little J-frame. The UM's aren't much to look at but they feel great. They also made a boot grip version that's ideal for CCW. I have a pair on a M638-2. They were factory also.
If you like the feel of a round butt, like I do, don't put Target Stocks or a round-to-square conversion on it. That kinda defeats the idea.
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09-02-2014, 11:49 PM
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Awesome 63 Girvin!
I would like to have either a 2" or a 4" 63. Had a 4" awhile back that I also foolishly sold for what I cannot remember. 
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09-02-2014, 11:51 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kernel Crittenden
This is my circa June 1997 -3 with it's original Uncle Mike round butt combats. I love this little J-frame. The UM's aren't much to look at but they feel great. |
Call me crazy but I really like the Uncle Mike's combats. They reside on my 2" 60 and 940 J Frames as well as all three of my 3" K Frames. There is a 2" 63 with UM combats on Gunbroker that I lust after but alas, $1,400 is a little out of my league right now......
Last edited by JeepinSoldier; 09-02-2014 at 11:53 PM.
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09-02-2014, 11:51 PM
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I *like* the Goodyears on mine. Pachmayr Compacs. The weight balances out the slightly longer barrel nicely, without being too long.
Fantastic little gun, those are!
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09-03-2014, 12:58 AM
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A real sucker for the J-frames
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09-03-2014, 07:46 AM
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Nice guns, fellas, and some nice ideas as well. I might have to find a set of those Uncle Mike's, like Kernel C's. I have handled K frames with those style grips and they really do handle well. My biggest reason for wanting to go to a wood grip is that I'm a bit paranoid of rust forming under rubber grips. That happened to me once, with a 686-4 I once owned.
Last edited by girvin02; 09-03-2014 at 07:50 AM.
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09-03-2014, 07:29 PM
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I've had mine since 1993 and finally found a USA made Bianchi 5BHL specifically for Kit Gun for it. They are as hard to find as the guns themselves.
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09-03-2014, 07:36 PM
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I'm liking my new kitgun. I wish I could find some ammo, though.
Here she is, all cleaned up. 
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09-03-2014, 07:41 PM
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girvin02,
I'm guessing yours is a -3 like mine, since I don't see a barrel pin. Mine is late production. You can tell by the "Nike" latch. They quit making M63's in January of 1999, and they went on hiatus until just a few years ago.
The SCSW doesn't say anything about the 4" round butt. As you know the vast majority are square butt. I'm guessing, of the pre-lock 4" M63's, maybe one in ten was round. Just based on what I've seen, don't really know for sure. The 2-inchers I've seen are all round.
Can you post a picture of the box end label? I'd be interested in seeing it.
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09-03-2014, 07:45 PM
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I love my 617 4", but a 63 in 2" would be reaaaal nice.
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09-03-2014, 07:58 PM
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Good deal, some very nice 63's in here. Here's mine...
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09-03-2014, 09:36 PM
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I like where this thread is going - some great looking guns in here. JeepinSoldier, I also would love to find a 2" 63, but have you seen the prices?!? I wish I had that much to spend, it would probably be worth it.
Kernel C., I think it is a -3, but the stamp is incredibly shallow and hard to read. Here is the box label, also. Keep the nice pictures coming guys.
Last edited by girvin02; 09-03-2014 at 09:49 PM.
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09-03-2014, 10:03 PM
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Reference post #9,
I changed the grips on my snub when I was forced to attend a barbecue.
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09-09-2014, 07:43 PM
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Some Uncle Mike's combats came in the mail today. They definately feel better than the Pachmayr's, to me. My pinky finger now has a place on the grip and the gun just feels much more stable in my hand. I also ordered a set of "Walnut Checkered Heritage Classic" grips from the S&W website, then did some searches and found complaints of bad fitment. Hopefully, mine won't have a problem. I'll be sure to show pics of those, too, when they show up.
Last edited by girvin02; 09-09-2014 at 07:45 PM.
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09-09-2014, 09:32 PM
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[QUOTE=Green Frog;138090888]SUUUWEEEETT! If prices around here are any indication, you got a very good deal on it, even with the Goodyears!
Since you ask, I would have to go old school replacing the grips and put a set of the old factory J-frame target grips. IIRC, they will cover up those round butt grips quite nicely and be carried on the locating pin and the grip screw as well as the fit to the top of the frame. If you really want a great fit, I guess glass bedding would also be an option, but I really don't think it would be necessary... I've even used a set on a pre-War Regulation Police w/ 6" barrel. That worked out great too!
Froggie[/QUOTE
+1 on what Froggie said J target grips from S&W fit both the square butt and the round butt. I first put the smooth targets on mine. Then changed them to the checkered targets that I like better. Also S&W made "banana" style target grips for the round butt J's. I have these on my 2" 34/63.
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09-10-2014, 10:20 AM
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'02, I like the Hogue wood grips. Have 'em on my 34 round butt, and 63 square...
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