.22 Smith

[I Like Round Butts]

I have a 3in 317.

It is hard to shoot accurately due to its light weight.

Once you figure it out it point shoots from the pocket out to 10ft IDPA target at COM with ease.

 

[Stainz]

I love my 4" x10 617 - it was my favorite plinker. Next, I bought a late friend's LNIB 5" x8 63 from his estate. I had shot 16 of the 24 rounds thru it since he had bought it new, anyway. Then, I bought the first 3" 63 I saw... and it became my favorite plinker. Next was the top of my bucket list - a 4" 651 x6 .22 WMR (Looks like a 4" 63!). Here they are sporting S&W '60 Pro' grips, which feel as good as they look. I added the green HiViz sight to the 5" 63. Oddly, it's trigger is nearly as stout as the 4" 651 - and they have been cleaned up and have lighter return springs. The 3" 63 is fsr better - and still stock - perhaps it's just 'broken in' better!

I also have a 351PD - a x7 Airlite .22 WMR with a HiViz sight and wood grips, which is my CCW some days. Actually, I bought it a month or so before tearing my right rotator - it came in handy!

Stainz

 

[fyimo]

I would go with the Model 18 4 inch barrel as it can be concealed in a purse and is still a great range revolver.

 

[Smithboomer]

I am currently teaching a beginner course in revolver shooting using .22 Smith and Wesson revolvers. My students..... mostly women...prefer the Model 63 over every other revolver at the range, including Model 17s and 18s. Just my two cents.

 

[Lou_NC]

I am currently teaching a beginner course in revolver shooting using .22 Smith and Wesson revolvers. My students..... mostly women...prefer the Model 63 over every other revolver at the range, including Model 17s and 18s. Just my two cents.

This has been precisely my experience as well as an NRA Pistol instructor, both with students and family members.

In fact, I have two daughters, now 23 and 26, for whom I each bought pre-lock 4" barrel model 63's when they were VERY young. When they reached 21, I taught them to shoot handguns using their model 63's, and they LOVE them. I usually bring my 4" 617 along for our plinking / target sessions, and they both prefer their 63's to the 617.

There's no question that the K-frames have a superior DA trigger pull to the J-frame. However, I find that for "accuracy" work, my girls shoot in SA mode with their 63's. This virtually negates any trigger advantage of the K-frame over the J-frame. They're plenty accurate with the model 63's in SA mode, and they prefer the "medium" weight of the steel 63 over the "heavyweight" 617 as well as the 'featherweight" 317.

Lou