Any opinions on the S&W Model 63 3in 8 shot revolver?
Accuracy out to 25 yards?
Trigger pull?
Seems like it would be a nice carry around the farm type of revolver and not have to pull your pants up every five minutes.
Thanks for any help.

I like the Model 63 I have. It seems to be just as accurate as most of the other Smith and Wesson's I own but the fiber optic front sight prevents me from shooting as well with it as I do with the standard ramp or partridge sighted revolvers; others seem to have exactly the opposite experience. For this reason, I shoot better with my 22/32 kit gun.

The weight is not even noticable to me in a holster on a sturdy belt. I have a couple of holsters, a full flap and a snap loop pancake, for it made by Ray at LoboLeather.

Trigger pull was a little gritty on my example, but smoothed out after about 1000 rounds. I had extraction problems that have gone away after an additional 2000 rounds of shooting. I could have sent it back to S&W for a fix if I had been less patient and was not willing to see if the problems would solve themselves with a little more shooting break-in.

I replaced the grips with wood grips that Smith and Wesson uses on their Model 60 pro model; a significant improvement. I like the old J-frame target grips even better.

I looked at one recently; didn't know they made them. It's very similar to my 60-4 .38 Special which I really like, and while not as nicely made, ok. However the price was really steep and my "need" minimal. So the M63 will not be coming home with me anytime soon. If someone left one on my doorstep I'd certainly take it in. As things stand that's a pricey little gun.

My ugly but accurate Ruger .22 auto pistol suffices in that role, as do quite a few other guns for me. The above 60-4 will of course do almost everything if hand loaded; so would a nice light barreled Model 10.

Here is my 3" 63, with 60 Pro grips, awaiting it's turn in the perfect fitting 3" J-frame holster from S&W Accessories. My 3" 60 Pro is pictured in the holster. Either revolver is easy to forget about in that holster. One caveat - get something better than an $11 WallyWorld belt!



I bought my 3" 63 two years ago when they had just finally been released. It joined my 5" 63, another 8-shooter, that had some trigger work and new springs. NIB, the new 3" 63 was - and remains - slicker in DA pull. Both are crisp and equivalent in SA pull. The 5" now has a green HiViz sight on it - and may group slightly better and more reliably drop rebounding steel plates that are 'iffy' with the 3" 63. My 4" 617 also has a HiViz sight - and may just be the best at grouping, no doubt it's better lockwork/lighter DA trigger being causal there. My 4" 617 was my first .22 rimfire revolver - and is a keeper - but that 3" 63 is a lot of fun - and well worth the expense. The $43 S&W Accessories' '60 Pro' grips help, too. A real 'must have' is Dave at DS-10 Speedloaders' S&W 8 shot speedloader and loading baseplate.

Ammo-wise, like the 5" 63 & 4" 617, I broke my 3" 63 in right - with WallyWorld's Federal 550 packs of 36gr plated HPs... el-cheapos! If you must, it will chamber and fire CCI Velocitors and Stingers... 24 or so is it before extraction of spent shells becomes difficult. I've shot a brick - 550 rounds - of the Fed el-cheapos - with no issues, although it took a week. The Stingers will change that - they really seem to foul the chambers quickly. Still, nice revolver. If I could only have one, it'd be a tough decision between the 3" 63 and the 4" 617 - the 5" 63 belonged to an old range-buddy - I bought it from his estate - it's not a favorite, except for sentimental value. The other two are better plinkers.



Stainz

I had the 5" model and liked it just fine, but let it go for a Model 18 which I like better.

__________________
Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I don’t own either 3” or 5” 63s because I haven’t yet seen any for sale used. I only buy new guns if the model is so scarce it’s unlikely I’ll ever find a used one at a shooter price. Hopefully I’ll try one someday, but mainly to expand the variety in my collection. I find it easier to shoot accurately with K frames than J frames and shooting farm pests takes excellent hand gun accuracy. I think a 36 ounce model 18 is a better choice for packing around your farm along with being less expensive.

Thanks everyone for the replies. The biggest problem in choosing a revolver like this is there is no way to see one first in my area. It's tough to buy a gun without seeing it up close first.

I failed to mention balance. The 3" 63 feels like a nimble extension of my medium+ sized hand with the 60 Pro grip and almost as good with the OEM rubber grips. The 5" 63 feels decidedly nose heavy, rubber or wood gripped - as does the 4" 617 with it's OEM Hogue rubber monogrip. The retro target grip helps the balance - the 617 is the bullseye shooter - if you leave it's original Patridge sight on - a plinker with the HiViz. The 3" 63 with the wood grips is really like an extension of my hand - and just a fun plinker.

Stainz