It seems I've had a love/hate relationship with the J-frame Model 63s...

First I had a 4" one, then sold that when someone made me a decent offer for it. Then I found a 3" one, which was really handy to carry in the woods, but someone else wanted it more than me, and I sold off that one too.

Even though I've got a nice vintage 6" Model 17 K22 and a slicked-up 4" Model 617 10-shot, both K frames of course, I've always kept my eyes open for the longer 5-inch barreled Model 63 J-frame -- as there was something about that different barrel length that appealed to me.

Well, I finally found one. But I couldn't leave it alone...

So I proceeded to "upgrade it" to match the 3 Ts that are on both of my other Smiths -- adding a target hammer, target trigger and target stocks.

Adding the J-frame target trigger was easy -- just found one on ebay, made the purchase and did the install. Done!



Adding "target style" stocks was easy too -- just go to Altamont and order the oversized rosewood finger-groove square J-frame grips -- and they fit right onto the round frame of the 63-4 and are full in the back, so you don't see it's really a round grip. Done!



Adding a J-frame Target Hammer??? Not so easy -- but it's now done! I got a Model 60-4 large-spur hammer and mainspring from S&W Customer Service for a ridiculously low price... I was told it was "just laying around on a bench and not a stock item any longer", so the CS Rep shipped it for the shipping cost. Not too shabby!

But as you can see below, comparing the hammer I got to the hammer of my Model 631, the Model 60-4 target hammer was made with an attached firing pin... Not any longer though! About 2.5 hours of careful measuring, filing and fitting took care of that, and the newly modified hammer with the large spur works perfectly! Now I can call this "done".





Here's an interesting thought and image... The 5" barrel of the Model 63-4 is 83% as long as the 6" K-frame barrel of my Model 17. The overall length of the 63-4 is about 85%, as are several other measurements such as frame height and length, and weight. So what I show here is basically a (-17%) down-sized stainless Target Revolver -- with 3 Ts -- shown next to the larger K22 Target Revolver.



I really like the heavier-than-the-4" barrel that S&W put on the 5" Model 63; it's not quite a bull barrel, but certainly heavier-for-caliber than it had to be. In fact, it's heavier than the barrel of my 631 in 32 Magnum. I'm really liking how this modified 5" 63-4 handles now! She's got the heavier barrel and the 3Ts that I added. All I need to do now is install the J-frame lock plug that's already been ordered. Oh, and try to find a decent 5" J-frame leather holster too -- that may take some work...

I know there are many who don't touch their S&Ws, but as for me, I enjoy the work and challenge to "Make a good gun even better".

To me, this modified 5" Model 63-4 is now the ultimate woods/carry gun, as it's got the lighter weight and smaller size of a J-frame, but the longer/heavier 5" barrel which is proportionately the equivalent of a bigger 6" K-frame. And with a decent trigger job already done, she shoots really well too -- better than any J-frame Model 63 I've had before.

Tight groups!

Old No7

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I really like it. Smaller and lighter than the K-frame and more suitable for the field in stainless. Plus, you have 8 shots instead of 6. The only other thing I would consider is the front sight. It's easy to change if you want something other than the ramp.

The real test is in the shooting. My K-frames are hard to beat in the accuracy department. If your 5" M63 can come close then it's definitely a winner.

Fantastic pictures and as I just cannot find the love in me for snub revolvers... J-frames are usually lost on me but NOT HERE, yours is a real winner!

But (ugh, sorry if you saw a "but" coming) and I truly don't want to be a downer... but never will I understand the S&W target trigger. The other two T's are obvious but that third "T" just does not compute. I have never understood it and three decades in now... I believe I never will.

I totally love double action shooting with my S&W revolvers, it's actually pretty rare when I will thumb-back a hammer. The huge, wide and mostly the GROOVED target hammer is a cheese grater for double action shooting. For single action fire -- it's tangible upgrade seem quite small to me and at the cost of actually hurting my double action stroke.

I see the curb appeal -- a target trigger stands proud and looks like royalty. But I just don't want them on any S&W I wish to shoot.

FWIW... I own three custom PPC revolvers (two by known revolver master craftsmen) and all three have svelte, smooth faces that simply love to interact with your trigger finger.

Funny... my .38 Masters (semiautomatic S&W Model 52 pistols) all have huge, wide, grooved triggers and I deal with them and wish they were NOT. The evolution of these amazing machines (my 5-inch Limited PC target pistols) all have gorgeous smoooooth triggers that are an absolute treat to handle and shoot.

The S&W target trigger: pass my helping on to the next fellow I guess!

Well done!

By the way, I also prefer shooting double action, but on the numerous Smiths I own with Target Triggers, I have not really found this to be the hindrance it apparently is for others. I guess we are all truly individuals with our own preferences.

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Dave Brown
SWCA #3279

Excellent job on that 63 there. I wouldn’t mind having a target hammer on mine. I have two of the -4’s and wouldn’t sell either!! As far as holsters go I have sourdough pancake made by Simply Rugged. With this setup I’ve killed dinner with it plenty of times when out in the woods.

I have a 4" model 63 which I bought new. It is my favorite and most versatile revolver.

Nicely done! It's funny, S&W's first revolver was a 7 shot .22, now one of my favorite S&W's is an 8 shot .22. - Progress!

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I recently bought a 3" model 63 I do like it a lot. It will be used mainly for
informal target shooting and plinking while on walks along the swamp or fishing.
Steve W