Ordered a M-63, 3"!

[JohnnyK]

About 10 years ago (or so) the American Rifleman magazine had a column where you could write in and suggest "the perfect firearm" you'd like to see the manufacturers produce.

I wrote in and it actually got published. My "choice" was for a Smith & Wesson J-frame kit gun, stainless frame and cylinder, 3" barrel, adjustable sights and an 8-shooter.

Low and behold I was reading an article in the Nov. issue of Shooting Times entitled "Classic Kit Guns" and towards the end of the article the author mentions some of the J-frame .22's available from Smith - one of which he said was a "Model 63 with a 3" barrel and fiber optic sights". Woah! I was on the S&W site in nanoseconds...and there it was - almost exactally what I had "wished for" years ago in my American Rifleman suggestion.

I called my FFL guy in a matter of minutes to place the order. Sadly, he checked with his usuall sources and they all said they haven't even seen any yet. *&^%$#@!

I've had a model 43 that wasn't particularly accurate. I've had several M-63 4" and one just a few years ago in the 5". All nice guns, but I've had a Charter Arms Pathfinder 3" and a few Taurus (.22 and .22 mag) 3" guns and found that the 3" is "just right", at least for me.

The only thing I might change about the new 63 3" would be the fiber optic sight. A friend of mine has the 617 10-shot 4" with the fiber optic and it's just a bit distracting to me. Other'n'at...I can't wait!

 

[Anton Chigurh]

Yep, 3" guns are nice in .22 or .22 Mag. Have a 650, and love the barrel lenth, will kick out the shells, burn (most) of the powder, and is balanced well.
Just wish it had some actual sights on it, trying to draw down with tiny SS speed bump ramp-and-groove is not easy.
Some of that could be age.......

 

[JohnnyK]

Does anyone happen to know if these are out yet? Anyone actually seen one?

 

[Camster]

I've heard "September" mentioned in the past as the release date,but don't think they are out yet.Being put on Davidson's watch list is a good way to know when they are out.

 

[tom327]

Waiting, waiting...

I, too, have wanted one since I first heard about them--seems like a year ago.

I had one of the 5" versions, and always felt it would be perfect in 3".

I've got a deposit down for a special order at my local gun store. They keep checking, but so far the status is...unavailable. As the saying goes, good things come to those who wait.

 

[Dale53]

I actually prefer a minimum of 4" barrels on my "general" revolvers (my daily carry is a 642).

However, several (many?) years ago, when the 60-4 with 3" dbl underlugged barrel and target sights were introduced (the "Chiefs Target") I bought one wishing that it had a 4" barrel. However, after shooting it a bit I was AMAZED at how well it could be shot. That little bit of extra lug "out front" seemed to materially help the holding. I have shot some surprising targets at 25 yards with that little debbil. Further, it is about the best "Trail Gun" available. It makes a great "back up" to my bird hunting over/under Beretta Silver Snipe. It's great for a sitting rabbit or to harvest a wounded grouse (they can keep ahead of you on the ground - if you let them they'll get into a brier patch that would take a bulldozer to get them out).

In spite of my prejudice, I shoot the little .38 Special a bit better than my .22 Kit Gun and my 631 .32 Magnum both of which have 4" barrels.

Dale53