22lr search

[wnc wheelgun]

Went to the LGS this past weekend and things were looking much better in the revolver case. Not one, but two model 17-3 in 90%-95% shape, and two new six inch model 617. But what caught my eye was a new 3 inch model 63. Barrel looked nice and straight and no odd tooling marks on the cylinder or frame. I was looking for a 22lr for the wife to shoot so she would not covet my 17-3. I really enjoy my 3 stainless J frame revolvers and it this one just felt great in the hand. Thought about it for a minute and I put it on layaway. She might not get this one after all. Anyone else out here shooting a 3 inch 63 with a hi-viz front sight?

 

[Packard]

I have that gun. The sights are excellent. The gun's action smoothed out after about 200 rounds.

But surprisingly it was ammo-sensitive. Several types of .22 would allow the casings to back out of the cylinder and the cylinder would not rotate. So buy small quantities of ammo until you find one that is reliable in your gun.

I like it. It is a cheap way to get plenty of trigger time in a J-frame. I think it helps with my other J-frame shooting.

Recoil is non existant. The noise is still there though. I think you will like it as much as your wife will.

If she is planning on purse carry, I think this is a bit heavy for that.

 

[TACC1]

I really considered the 63 in 3". The size/weight are
just about perfect for fast sight alignment. I chose the 3"
M317, as the weight works better for me. After shooting the
317, I went with a couple of steel frame guns, one in 32, and
one in 38. If she goes with a 3", I don't think she'll want to
try anything else. JMHO, TACC1.

 

[wnc wheelgun]

Thanks for the input, she has had a .32, a .38 and now carries a model 649 in .357 shooting .38 only. We typically go to the range to brush up on our snubbie accuracy, so when we are done the model 17 gets passed around. I think she is going to love the frame and barrel size on this plinker.

 

[nossew]

I love mine no ammo issues, but I had to send it back to S&W for lead spitting. They had it back in about a week with a new barrel, problem solved. There is no way I would ever let this one go. I wouldn't trade it for a bushel of Buckmarks & Rugers. I put on the M-60 Pro grips, now it's pefect.

 

[Stainz]

I got an early one 11/10 - gripped it like above. I had a 5" 63 with lighter springs when I brought the 3"-er home - the stock new 3" was lighter - and 100% reliable. It's only ammo sensitivity was some extraction difficulty with CCI Stingers after a few cylinders of them. Every ammo tried after the Stingers was a bit sticky. Fed 550 bulk packs from WallyWorld are fine in it - I've shot >300 of them in a day with no problems. My super smooth x10 4" 617, bought new 9/08, hasn't seen much range time since that 3"-er arrived. the 3" 63 balances like an extension of your hand - and has enough mass that you won't pull it off target when you squeeze the trigger, as seems to happen with me and a 3" 317. You may fight over it! Here is mine with it's 3" sibling, a 60 Pro, in a S&W Accessories' 3" J-frame holster.

Stainz

 

[nossew]

Stainz, I copied the grip idea from you. I need one of those M-60's now.