Lightening up a 63?

[TominCA]

I have a 63 also and use it to get new shooters familiar with firearms and as a field gun when doing something other than hunting, Its a great little gun!

The DA is very stiff! In the field I use it single action almost exclusively. For giving new shooters familiarity it is a good way to start because they can easily see all the moving parts. After they get familiar we usually move to an M&P 22 or a Walther P22.

I am hesitant to lighten the mainspring. I've done that on center fire J frames and get a small percentage of light strikes. For a kid under direct supervision it works fine. De-cocking the hammer can come later in life.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Based on my experience, I don't think that shooting a double-action revolver single-action is at all dangerous. Now letting a child shoot double-action when the trigger is so heavy that it is near impossible to actuate is much more likely to cause the child to lose muzzle control. The S&W model 63 size and small grips make it much more suitable for children and others with small hands. It is much more suitable than the semi-auto .22 pistols offered today, like the Sig P322, Taurus and Glock. Good hits bring smiles.

Whatever you teach today they will do it 20 years from now.

The upside of the Glock 44 (.22 LR) they learn trigger finger management.

Now I saw a man gripping his revolver like the picture. I asked him how he learned that and he said his grandpa a Sheriff taught him.

Another time at the Range a young man had a tip to share with his friends. He said never load a magazine to capacity and leave out two rounds. Why? Because if you had a full magazine it will jam and the Viet Cong will kill you! That Urban Legend is 50 years old and really does not apply today especially with pistols.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Really???.........My DA Smiths get shot single action 99% of the time. Never had a booboo with one.

Really, are you a Crime Scene Investigator being at 100's of fatal shootings over 30 years.

Booboos really? You never heard of a Negligent Discharge? Mike you can do anything you want. But you and I are Experts and you do know people own Firearms that way less experience than us. You know some people have never been Police Academy, Boot Camp or any Professional Training?

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

On Netflix "I Just Killed My Dad"; Anthony Templet shot his father and never denied it. But why he did is a complex question with profound implications that go far beyond one family.

Anthony Templet has an interesting explanation why he shoots DA revolvers Single Action. Another take away from his shooting ability is he was taught by his dad. Who taught his dad? His dad and who taught him? His dad.

 

[Doug M.]

As noted, J frames tend toward stiffer triggers. Also as noted, in the .22 rimfire (I dunno about .22 magnum), reliable ignition requires stouter springs. Not a good mix for smaller, weaker hands. It might be that an Apex kit helps, but something tells me that the least bad solution is either a different platform OR some careful smoothing inside to eliminate any rough spots in the action that increase trigger resistance. I did not start shooting as a little kid and I don't have responsibility for little kids, so my practical knowledge is nil.

 

[Tanners Owner]

To the OP, I did change my M63 with a Wolfe spring set ( specifically for rimfire). While I had the action opened, I did some light polishing of the trigger return spring block and hammer spring strut ( apologies for incorrect terminology).

For me I did get an improved trigger that was reliable. Not necessarily much lighter, but certainly better than with the original springs. I did try a variety of 22 ammo I had on hand, all worked fine.

That said, I was prepared to return the original springs had I had misfires, knowing ahead of time a strong mainspring is needed.

If you are comfortable doing the work and are prepared to return to stock, might be worth the effort.