Model 63 stories? (22lr J frame)

[MaxS]

I just ordered one because I couldn't find one anywhere - even on line. But even the distributor didn't have one. No telling how long I'll have to wait.

Anyone have any pictures? How do they shoot?
thanks
(this will be my only non-hump J)

 

[Jim1392]

I have one and I can tell you it will be worth your wait for one. It took me a few months on my LGS list to get it. Smooth trigger, great sights, and really fun to shoot. Single action, or double you will punch the center of your targets out with no problem. I shoot at least 300 rounds per week with it and have not had one problem with it. Also since it's stainless it's easy to clean up.

 

[MichiganScott]

My wife bought one of the older 5" models. Although it's actually too small for my hands, it is the best handling Smith that I've ever shot.

It doesn't shoot as well as my 617 single action, but the difference is almost insignificant. Because of the small size, accurate double action shooting is more difficult, but can be done. Finding a holster was a problem, but should be much easier for the shorter barrels.

 

[RussellD]

I have a couple of the older ones. They are great shooters and excellent for introducing new shooters to the sport. At 10 yards they do just as well as my K22

 

[rock doc]

I bought a 63-5 from Buds in 2010 for abut $600. Plugged the hole and replaced the stocks with these from S&W's website. It is extremely accurate but after several cylinders of shooting, the ammo becomes harder to insert & extract. After a range session and thorough cleaning, all is well again.

Here it is residing in a Lobo holster.

 

[df06]

I bought a 3" model about a year ago. The trigger was a little heavy, but that has been fixed.
I really like it for a plinker and shoot it well.
I did also put on a pachmayer grip that's a bit bigger than the factory grip.
They are a great 22 wheelgun.

 

[MaxS]

I bought a 63-5 from Buds in 2010 for abut $600. Plugged the hole and replaced the stocks with these from S&W's website. It is extremely accurate but after several cylinders of shooting, the ammo becomes harder to insert & extract. After a range session and thorough cleaning, all is well again.

Here it is residing in a Lobo holster.

Those are the grips I'm thinking I'd like on mine, whenever I get it.

 

[Gripgrabber]

Hello, I recently got a 63 no dash and love it! Mine shot high. Found a burr under the rear sight, shoots great now. I paid a little to much (650) but it is like new, and don't regret. Sorry haven't learned about pics yet!

 

[jamesh319]

Last December, I called S&W to ask how long of a wait I should expect if I ordered a M63 from my dealer. The curt answer was: about one year. I went ahead and placed the order with my dealer, figuring it would be a nice 2014 Christmas present for myself. Well, Christmas is a month away now and the gun has yet to arrive and my dealer tells me there's no way for him to know when it might show up. He told me that he rarely even bothers to ask S&W about delivery dates anymore because all he ever gets from them is, to use his words, "a meaningless canned answer." All he would say is that my M63 could show up tomorrow or next month or...a year from now. My dealer has an excellent reputation (I've had one dealing with him, which went fine), so I have no reason to suspect he is being anything but honest and forthcoming with me. Still, this long wait and not even knowing when I might have the 63 in hand is frustrating, to say the least.

 

[MarkAlt]

My very first revolver, and still the only gun my wife will shoot! Without me knowing, I think it's actually hers.
(I do still get to clean it though)

This was a pawn shop find back around '91 when we first moved to Florida. $200, which was a lot of money then. Turned out to be a tack driver and a lot of fun to shoot over the years.

 

[etexas]

I just ordered one because I couldn't find one anywhere - even on line. But even the distributor didn't have one. No telling how long I'll have to wait.

Anyone have any pictures? How do they shoot?
thanks
(this will be my only non-hump J)

You must not be familiar with Gunbroker.com as they have many choices!

 

[PDX1953]

In about '92 I bought a 2" SS one in Sacramento. It had a red ramp front sight & white outline rear but wasn't one of the 500 that Lew Horton had S&W build. A 'smith in Sacto, Bill Davis, built race revolvers & I had him re-chamber it in .22 mag. It shot great but was certainly loud! I moved to CT in 1993 & at some point sold it to a co-worker and have regretted it since. Last week I bought a gorgeous blue 1982 Model 34 (RB) from Cabela's for $521 & don't think the price was out of line. They also a SB that was just as nice & it was about $535 & I seriously considered buying both of them & hanging onto the SB for investment purposes. I told myself at the first on November that I wouldn't buy any guns this month & am up to four so far. Sometimes good deals come my way & I'm not going to pass them up. Single, retired, bored & able to afford what I want (within reason) makes for a full gun safe. I've aquired 22 guns in the last 18 months but will probably take a break in December. However, there's a big gun show this weekend at the Expo Center....

 

[RichCapeCod]

...It is extremely accurate but after several cylinders of shooting, the ammo becomes harder to insert & extract. After a range session and thorough cleaning, all is well again......

My 63 does the same thing (cylinder charging holes get "smaller" the longer I shoot!). Firing high speed .22s helps a lot, but, the answer on how to deal with the problem is to keep a small bottle of Hoppes 9 (or other solvent) with you and some Q-tips. When the rounds become difficult to insert, dip a Q-tip in your solvent and slosh it in and out of your gun's chambers. You'll be good to go after that!

Rich

 

[tekarra]

The 63 is a little small for my hand, but it is a fine shooter.

 

[Macinaw]

Most S&W 22 LR cylinder chambers are undersized. A SAAMI spec. reamer will correct the problem. After reaming two 617 and one 63 I don't have the extraction problems anymore.

My 63 does the same thing (cylinder charging holes get "smaller" the longer I shoot!). Firing high speed .22s helps a lot, but, the answer on how to deal with the problem is to keep a small bottle of Hoppes 9 (or other solvent) with you and some Q-tips. When the rounds become difficult to insert, dip a Q-tip in your solvent and slosh it in and out of your gun's chambers. You'll be good to go after that!

Rich

 

[huntsman22]

Hogue wood grips will make them fit yer hand better than the factory grips......

 

[MaxS]

You must not be familiar with Gunbroker.com as they have many choices!

Show me a 'like new' 3" and I'll gladly buy it.

 

[Ranger98]

63-5 with New style S&W grips.Has lock removed and the plug installed as well as the chambers reamed to eliminate the extraction issue.

One of the best 22 revolvers S&W has produced

 

[Triathloncoach]

I sold one on here a few months ago. If I had unlimited funds I would have kept it. But I like my 17-2 better because of its size and a better trigger. (IMHO). And I had just received my first silencer out of stamp jail and I needed guns with threaded barrels. I now have 5 of them . I'd like both, but when I had to chose the 63 was too small. But I still miss it.

 

[MTKTM]

I bought mine in '82. My son was three years old at the time. I probably jumped the gun a bit (bad pun), but decided to let him shoot it. I taped some balloons to a box and squatted down behind him with my hands surrounding his, helped him cock it, and let him aim and "squeeze the trigger!" and he managed to pop some balloons. He'd leap up and down and howl in excitement. He loved it and enjoys shooting to this day. His mom, on the other hand, gave me hell.

I still have the gun. Here she is: