63 or 617

[captainwayne]

63 or 617?

I bought them both, loving 22 revolvers. The 617 is on it's way back to S&W, the 63 was just finished with a new rebound spring and serious polishing of all internal parts.
The 63 just doesn't fit my hands, whereas I need to grip my left hand over the right, to help with the trigger pull.
I'd love to smooth out the trigger on SA and DA. Any advise?

 

[shawn mccarver]

Shopping for a .22 revolver. I'm liking the 63, but the four inch 617 feels good in the hand. I haven't shot either one, and probably won't be able to until I own one.
Has anyone gone through this decision?


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Yes, and you feel like you are making a choice between your children. That said, the 617 is unnecessarily heavy, in my opinion, for a trail gun. Its styling seems to serve no other purpose other than to "look like" the 686. Its days as a trainer for an agency carrying 686s are over, so S&W should go back to the old Model 18 profile (no shroud) or the Model 19 barrel profile (standard ejector shroud). I detest the "half-lug" description, as it is often not really half, the term having come about to distinguish that profile from a "full lug" profile such as that used on the 586 or 686.

To answer your question, if the Model 63 is 4 inch (not currently available new), then I would probably opt for the 63. If, on the other hand, the 63 is one of the current 3 inch weapons, I would get the 617, despite it needing to go on a diet. There is just no reason for that 617 to weigh so much. It's not like the 22 needs weight to help tame the massive recoil.

 

[fkd713]

I have 6" 617; 6" 17; 4" 34; and 4" 63. For target shooting go with 17 or 617. 617 is a bit barrel heavy but both are great for accurate tArget shooting. 34 & 63 Are lighter and easier to handle but to be honest I find them harder to shoot accurately. The 63 has the hiviz sight and I still can't be as accurate. So, IMO get the j frame size for carry or backpacking or plinking. Get the k frame size if you want the higher accuracy. Hope this helps.

 

[captainwayne]

I bought one of each in the last 2 months, with the 617 4 " going back to Smith. I put a spring kit in the 617, making the trigger way nicer.I put a lighter rebound spring in the 63. but it's still too stiff. I also polished the internals as best I could with Flitz. This was my first experience with taking guns apart and trying improvements. It's not so hard.
As a range gun, it's not even close. The 617 is hands down easier to shoot accurately. I also have difficulties with the smaller grip on the 63, having bought and returned two sets from Ebay. I need to get bigger grips to be fair to the weapon.
Of course, Smith puts a fiber optic sight on the 63, which is far superior to the black on black sight on the 617! ( I just don't get why they don't just put the best sight on such an expensive gun).
As others mentioned above, it's about what you want to use it for. Hunting or range gun, 617, pack gun, 63.

 

[javadog]

I am also looking to buy a 63 pretty soon. What is the dash designation of the current production gun? I handled one today at the local store and it was a 63-5.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

63-5 is the current model 3" barrel, 8-shot with fiber optic front sight. Pretty nice kit gun which should last a lifetime. I like the size, weight and capacity. Mine has had no issues. I use the laminate grips from the Model 60 Pro instead of the standard rubber grips.