model 317 or 63??

[sawlog]

wanting a new 22, it will just be something to plink with.
do any of you have both? im leaning toward the 63 but open to your thoughts.
thanks

 

[murphydog]

Agree, they both have fairly stiff springs and trigger pulls but with this the heavier model 63 seems easier to shoot.

 

[Jamesatrange]

63. Stainless is more durable, no case extraction issues that I hear some of the aluminum cylinders have. I love my 63 and I assume you will to when you get one.

 

[Paul105]

The 317 is a pretty specialized piece. I have two, one 3" w/adj sights and one 1 7/8" w/fixed sights. The sights and light weight makes them both more difficult to shoot vs the M63. I also have a 4" M34 (Blue version of M63). Would choose the heavier steel frame gun if the only .22 I was going to own.

The M63 weighs twice as much as the 317s and the stainless frame is going to be more durable. Even at 24 oz, the M63 is still pretty much a light weight revolver, but much more durable/shootable than the 12.5 oz of the 317.

Lots of folks complain about the J Frame 22s double action trigger pull -- I've never found it objectionable and shoot the heck out of the two 317s and a 4" M34 double action.

My two biggest complaints with current S&Ws is front sight height and spurious sticky extraction issues with .22 revolvers. The M63 isn't a "gimme" when it comes to sticky free extraction -- no current S&W .22 revolver is.

FWIW,

Paul

 

[k20350]

The 317 is extremely hard to shoot accurately due to it's very light weight. i bleed S&W blue but my 317 i bought was a lemon. Went back to the factory twice. Finally had to just cut ties with it.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I own both a 63 & 317

Older guns, no locks. The 317 is difficult to shoot well but a joy to carry. I preferred the 63 to a K22 and sold the K22. My favorite LGS has a new 317 with Hi Vis sights, 3" barrel for $560.00 if that helps you. There is also a VGC old model S&W 43 for sale near me for $800.00.

 

[Jim1392]

I'll go with the 63. I have one and shoot it a couple times a month. It's stainless, easy to clean, and with the sights shoots great. The target is from one of my outings with the gun. All 150 rounds of Federal AutoMatch were fired double action at 7 yards.

 

[TTSH]

An older pre-IL Model 63. No doubt about it.

 

[nossew]

I had both, the pre-lock 317 1 7/8 barrel was really hard to hit anything with due to the light weight and hard trigger pull and that hammer will have you looking for band-aids. As much as I liked it I couldn't keep a gun I couldn't shoot.

I have a newer 8 shot 3 inch M-63 which I never go to the range without, the trigger is actually pretty good on it so I shoot it mostly DA. I've shot it out to 25 yards with good (for me) results.

Between the two there is really no contest.

 

[sarg1c]

This is a question only you can answer, I love my 63 and contrary to what someone above has stated, my 63 has the smoothest and nicest trigger pull I have ever seen on a revolver.The trigger pull on my 1903 HE in .32S/W long is great also...

 

[saemetric]

My M63 shoots and carrys great. Shown with Bianchi 5BHL specific for kit guns.

 

[Macinaw]

Model 63 all the way. You may have extraction problems. I always bring a bore snake to clean the cylinders' chambers. This will allow shooting many rounds without problems.

 

[qrachel]

I understand the 63 favoritism . . . just wondering if a 617 might be on your short list?

22LRs rule for just plain fun in a good revolver. Ditto 38Spcl & 44Spcl

 

[sawlog]

This is a question only you can answer, I love my 63 and contrary to what someone above has stated, my 63 has the smoothest and nicest trigger pull I have ever seen on a revolver.The trigger pull on my 1903 HE in .32S/W long is great also...

I wish I cold answer that, I probably wont be able to handle either one unless I bought it. cant find any 22s around here. I would probably have to order online

 

[mini14jac]

I also have both the short and long barrel 317.
(The snub is no longer made.)
Their light weight makes them a joy to carry and to shoot for me.

The 63 will probably last for generations.

Not sure I will ever part with either of the 317s.
They can't be beat for a daily companion.
The snub is an excellent "trainer" for shooting my 642, and the 3" is just "right" in my hands.

But, I really want to add a 63, sooner rather than later.

See, I knew I could help you make up your mind.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I saw a S&W 63 with the box, pinned 4" barrel, at a pawn shop today for $775.00. I guess they are going for that kind of money now.

 

[raylan007]

S&W M 63 no dash transitional

I looked a long time for a older M63 and almost gave up and went to buy the new version and found they also were not to be found. S&W must have been between production. I then saw this one pop up on GB for $550 6 months ago and was happy to have been forced to wait. It is a M63 transitional model, no pinned barrel but with a recessed cylinder. I cleaned it up and its a real beauty. I still need to find the proper grips but they are in short supply in a square butt "J" frame. Good Luck