I've got a chance to pick up a used Model 63, don't have specs or pics yet but was wondering what would be a fair price. It's a nice J-frame .22 just taken in by GS out west. Jeff Quinn calls it the best .22 wheel gun Smith ever made.

Opinions and pics welcomed. Thanks.
Smith & Wesson Brings Back the Marvelous Model 63 .22 LR Revolver!

It's a great gun, especially for those with smaller hands. Anywhere in the low $400 to $500 range for a nice one would be a good deal, especially with the original box and contents.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

It has it's place in the shooting world,but for quite a few reasons,I prefer the larger K frame .22.Nice as they were,I let my J frame .22s go.I take the writings of such guys with a grain of salt....even if I share a last name. ;-P

This is one instance where I wholeheartedly disagree with Mr. Quinn. Any Model 17 or 617 will handle much nicer than a 63.

Bought a M63-5 for $600 around 2 years ago for training purposes. Much nicer recoil for the Mrs than her M60 LadySmith. It’s nice & tight. Mr. Quinn’s article was one of the reasons for my purchase.

Attached Images

S&W63 lt.jpg (95.0 KB, 61 views)

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Inconsistently consistent

I have a 617 and prefer the K-frame, too. But if I can get a smoking deal, I may go for it.

I just came in from shooting my model 63 (8 shot) in addition to my two K22's. I actually shoot (double action) the 63 as well or possibly better than the K22's. It is a better fit for my small hands.

My previous model 63 (6 shot) did not seem to be particularly accurate and I traded it away years ago.

I think the 63 is a great gun and as murphydog mentioned it is very good for those with small hands. The 63 is a wonderful gun to teach children with. The $400-$500 value mentioned seems right although I have seen some go for more but seldom less. Like many SW rimfire revolvers it can suffer from tight chambers that can make extraction a problem, take a bore brush when shooting and give it a pass or two if this becomes an issue.

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John. SWCA #1586

Judging from the prices I see them selling for,$500 or less would be a bargain price. Most any Smith .22 revolver in good condition is bringing that and more right now. JMO.
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

Some mention they are great for people with small hands. A more accurate statement would be that they are great for skilled shooters with small hands. These aren't revolvers for beginners. I've been shooting the small frame S&W .22s for years as well as the K-frame .22s. K-frames are much easier to learn to shoot with, regardless of one's hand size. A shooter's shortcomings and weaknesses are only magnified with the small frame guns. This is discouraging to many folks and they give up, often deeming the small guns as inaccurate.

I had that same experience. Luckily, I did not trade off my Model 34 to get the 63. I still have the 63 and think about getting it out to shoot it again and see if my old memories hold true, but never seem to do it. The 34s get fired and the 63 sits still - punishment, I guess, for its earlier bad behavior.

I have no experience with the new ones but if I could abide their looks, I wouldn't hesitate to give one a try. A J-frame .22 is a pretty handy little gun.

Hey Joe....if it is a 2" better snatch it up if you can get it for a good price...I just recently SOLD a 2" Model 63 for $950...I believe the 4" variety is going for between $500-$600 in excellent condition. Hope this helps...

I carry my guns in the woods a LOT, and a 63 is one of my most carried. Not because I have small hands, but because I find it much easier to carry than my model 18. I have rather large closed-back grips on my 63. These make it quite easy to shoot well.

If my shooting were confined to a range, I would go would a k-frame. But, fortunately, it is not. My 63 is in the upper left of this j-frame roundup photo from some years ago:

My wife owns one and occasionally lets me shoot it. Its a nice gun, just a little light for my tastes. I prefer my 17-3, but she likes the fact that the 63 is a downsized version of her 67, right down to the stainless sights.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

Lot's of luck on getting one for less than $500.
I agree with Jeff Quinn. This is S&W's "Little Big Gun."
I have taught several people to shoot with my 4" example.
I have done more work getting used to a j-frame double-action
trigger with the Model 63 than with any other revolver.
Going to the range, I'll take a K-22.
Going plinking, training, hunting, or woods-walking,
I'll take the j-frame.
I have had more fun with my Model 63 than with any other
S&W's except Model 10s and Mountain Guns.
Little Big Gun

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Georgia On My Mind

FWIW I recently bought a used 8 shot 63-? with the box and papers for $350 plus tax. That said I don't like the factory Michelin grips. The gun swims in my hand. I probably will put the factory Pro series on it eventually.

Harder to shoot accurately than a K frame but nice to carry. I found a t-grips helps me a little. It would take 500.00 to get mine.

I love my mod.63-4 with the five inch barrel. Lots of fun at the range. It will stay with me for years to come!!!

Attached Images

	Ebay Pic 2012 070.jpg (85.6 KB, 16 views)
	Ebay Pic 2012 071.jpg (92.9 KB, 13 views)

I have the first version (63-) 6 shot.
Actually, I bought it for my sister, and she loves it.
I had another one, but sold it, as the J frame was too small for my hand.
I bought a model 18-3 for myself to replace it, and am very happy with it.
The price on the 63's has been going up along with the cost of ammo. They are very popular guns.

I purchased a brand new Model 63-3 last week, after shooting 100 rounds of Remington Target and 50 rounds of Rem Thunderbolt I attempted to clean the clean to no avail. It appears that there is some type of obstruction in the barrel that will not even let the cleaning rod without any attachments go thru the barrel. This is after trying 3 different chemical cleaners and taking it to the local gunsmith who attempted another solvent. It appears to have burrs around the inside of the barrel inhibiting the rod from passing.

I would point out this is my first S&W purchase.

Additionally, I found the hammer serations very rough after firing about 75 Single action round to the point that my thumb was sore.

The side plate was ill fitting and had sharp burrs on it.



The inside top of the frame where the barrel protrudes into the frame was poorly finished with an obvious gouge in the steel. [visible in pic]

The area where the ejector rod fits in [on the end] was so sharp as to cause a finger cut.
see pic:






Gun has been sent back to S&W

So much for QC