S&W model 63

[357ALLDAY]

hey fellas,

I'm looking for a new 22lr double action revolver and I have the chance to buy this model 63. I looked on gunbroker and they seem to be going for $800 or more in most cases. That's a little steep since I paid $535 out the door for my ruger sp 101 22lr. What do you guys think this is worth? It has all the nice "old" features.

 

[g8rb8]

Somewhere in the neighborhood between the $500 and $700 block.

Towards the lower rent $500 neighborhood if in very good condition with non-matching grips and no box or accessories but if in excellent (like new) condition with matching grips and no box or accessories maybe more towards the $700 hoity-toity neighborhood. As it looks to me in these pictures I'm guessing about $600.

John
Scoundrel and Ne'er-Do-Well in Training

 

[df06]

I bought a model 63 six months ago. Was NIB, 3". Can't remember the price, but believe it was around $625-650.

 

[357ALLDAY]

Was that a new style with lock or older no lock? For some reason the prices on the "no lock" older Smiths are very high.

 

[Jim1392]

I bought a model 63 six months ago. Was NIB, 3". Can't remember the price, but believe it was around $625-650.

I bought mine with lock a few months ago $629.00 plus tax NIB.

 

[H Richard]

I've had mine for several years, but I think $800 is too much. 95% gun w/o box shouldn't be more than $550 - $650 at the most. Check the "completed sales" on Gunbroker. I don't think you will find many, if any, at $800.

 

[M29since14]

I was soured on 63s early on and may be the dissenter here but I never recommend them. I have seen too many that don't shoot very well and like to stick cases (severely). Sticking cases is not unusual for S&W .22s. I mean more so than is usual.

I would look around for a Model 34. The 34s seems to shoot better and they have much better sights, IMO (particularly if you happen to be a young guy and can still see your sights!).

The price you mention seems high to me, but they all do these days. Good luck with your decision.

Edit - Meant to add that the stocks on that gun have been abused by someone with a can of varnish - maybe a bucket of it! That is fixable, of course, but the gun still is an early 63 and those are the ones I have seen be the most "difficult."

 

[Jim1392]

See the post started by Continential Op titled (Talk to me about the 3-inch Model 63). There are comments on the 63 including mine there about the gun.

 

[b_san]

I've had mine for several years, but I think $800 is too much. 95% gun w/o box shouldn't be more than $550 - $650 at the most. Check the "completed sales" on Gunbroker. I don't think you will find many, if any, at $800.

Well ridiculously enough a LNIB 63 just sold last night for $1150...

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Did somebody say $500? I would pay $500 in a heartbeat for that gun and I'm not even looking for one.

 

[Trophy66]

New 63

Speaking from experience the new 63 is a better gun.

 

[Macinaw]

Speaking from experience the new 63 is a better gun.

Please tell us why you think this. I have a new style 63 and would like to buy an older style 63.

 

[357ALLDAY]

I don't think I'm going to do it. Thank you for all the good information.

 

[Trophy66]

My new one, about 6 mouths old, is more accurate, smoother action and lighter trigger than both my older 63 and 34. It's not as pretty but functions better. For a 3 in. barrel it's amazingly accurate.

 

[Trophy66]

My new one, about 6 mouths old, is more accurate, smoother action and lighter trigger than both my older 63 and 34. It's not as pretty but functions better. For a 3 in. barrel it's amazingly accurate.

 

[deanodog]

I watched a model 63 with pachmayer grips and no box go for 689 and change a few days ago.

 

[KSDeputy]

I have had one for many years. I put rubber grips on it. I use it around the place for snakes, moles, snake shot to get squirrels off of the bird feeders, etc. It is a very handy little revolver and I love it. In fact it is the only revolver I have left. If you have a chance to get one, I'd say do it. I must have the old style. I did not know they made a different one.

 

[Stainz]

Six years ago I sold my tackdriver MKII - and bought a new 4" 617 - instant nirvana! A year later found me buying a late friend's NIB 5" 63 from his estate. No contest - the 617 was still my favorite. Then, a year later, my long awaited new model - 3" x8 63 - arrived... and hogged the range bag. The next year found me at the range with a friend and his new 4+" SP101 (x8 also). We A-B-ed them - the 63 had the better trigger (It was a year old then, so that was expected!), grouped better, and aimed more naturally ('Pointed' more readily.). He bought a new 63 - no new Ruger here.

One of my 'bucket list' finds was a LNIB 4" 651, basically an older 4" 63 in .22 WMR. Here are my two newer 63's - and the 4" 651 between them. You can pretend the 651 is an older 4" 63 - they do look identical. The grips are S&W '60 Pro' style - my favorite J-frame grip.

If I had to say goodbye to all of my rimfire firearms, long and short, save one... I'd keep the current production 3" 63! It fits the S&W 3" holster, as does my 3" 60 Pro. I also have a DS-10 speedloader & loading plate for it (...and the x8 5" 63!). It loves Fed 550 pack and AutoMatch - and can dispatch a brick of either with no unloading/reloading problems. CCI Stingers are another matter - sticky extraction begins after the third cylinder full - but that seems consistent with my other 5" 63 and 4" 617. The HiViz sight really helps fast target acquisition with mature eyes.

I tried a lighter hammer spring in the 5" 63 and 4" 651, but misfires caused my reversal there. The 3" 63 is box stock, followed by the 5" 63 with spring changes and trigger/rebound slide clean-up, my box stock 351PD, and, the most stout J-frame DA trigger - my 4" 651. I've shot older 63's & a 34 - they were all nearly as stiff as the 4" 651, which is stiffer than the 3" 63 by a bit - but still very usable. I'd get a new 3" 63 without reservation. If you find a fault, S&W will pick it up, repair/replace it, and return it on their dime. I had to send my last new S&W (1/13 - reported here.), a 351PD with a poorly made extractor star (It skipped two empties!), back. No problem - and 'stuff' happens. First new S&W here that had to go home due to a QC issue - after two dozen new S&W's - still a new S&W lover... IL, MIM, etc and all.

Stainz

 

[Florida Guy]

To OP: I had a model 63 (made in 1980) that I sold due to the fact my hand was too large for the grips. J frames are pretty small, so if you haven't yet handled one in person, I suggest doing so.
My solution was to buy a model 18 (K frame) which has a much better fit for me. I've owned it for a few years, and I am looking to sell it, as I've moved on to .22 semi's
like my S&W 41 and High Standard The Victor.