Was the Model 63, the first S&W stainless .22?

[KSDeputy]

I bought a Model 63 4" brand new when they were introduced. Of all the revolvers I own, this would be the last one I would let go. I love it.

 

[John T]

No Dash 63 with Magna grips

My 63 no dash came with number matching Magna's, but I put a set of nice Targets on, and it's much more comfortable to shoot, and I think looks great......

I have the grips and need a screw. Bought two and both were wrong. One I believe was for a K frame and stuck out of the right grip and is blue. The other is threaded from top to bottom and drops through both grips and is to thin to engage the threads.
I read some where the screw is .9?? long. I can't find the thread now.
Anyone know what I need? If some has the right screw would measure it's lenght and diameter I would greatly appreciate your help.
Thanks,
John T

 

[Dave.357]

The 63 is the perfect carry gun for walking
Creeks fishing for small mouth bass.
I have two one of them has a .22 magnum
Cylinder fitted to it.

 

[ruger 22]

I bought my son a new 63 along with Herrett Shooting Stars for his 14th birthday. He is 55 now and that is the last gun he would part with. He carries a cleaning brush with him to the range because the new ammo can get very sticky in the cylinder after two or three loadings. For him this gun leaves nothing to be desired.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

I was on the hunt for an older Model 63 about 10 years ago. I never saw one for sale locally or at the guns shows I attended. I ended up buying a new, modern 3", 8-shot Model 63-5. It's a good revolver, no complaints except the lousy fibre-optic sight. But then I finally saw and handled and older 4" Model 63. It seemed lighter and thinner than my 63-5, it balanced well and looked stunning. I see why they are hard to find, nobody is willing to sell theirs. But it's worth the effort to find one.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Have a 4 and a 2.
Shot the 2 inch just the other day.

 

[Cal44]

The 63 no dash models had pinned barrels initialy.

But towards the end of the no-dash production some were made without the pin. Probable transition versions.

Better check before you buy if you really want a pinned barrel.

 

[H Richard]

To my knowledge there is only "1" Model 63 with a 6" barrel. I understand the owner has been offered a somewhat substantial amount for it but I don't think has ever parted with it.

 

[austintexas]

first 63

I bought my first 63 while stationed at Lajes Field , Azores. Picked it up at the Rod and Gun Club $125.00. Traded it off at a pawn shop in Fort Worth when I got back for a 5 screw Pre-17. Finally replaced it a couple of years ago, traded a Dillon 550 straight across for it.
SWCA 892
PS. also brought back a Sako 223, $250 and a Sako 338 Win Magnum, $315 and ended up trading them both off on Smith and Wesson Revolvers.

 

[KAC]

Just switched the 4" barrel for a 2" barrel on a friends 63. Now he has a 2" with a square butt. Sorry, I didn't think to take a picture. Looks great though.

 

[Camster]

I have a 4" 63-3; a wonderful gun. Generally they aren't considered as accurate as the K22s, but I sometimes wonder if that can't be attributed at least partially to the fact that small guns are just more difficult to shoot accurately.

Mine has a great trigger in both SA and DA. I bought target grips for mine and that helps a great deal, since the magnas they come with are tiny and add to the difficulty mentioned above.

They are good guns to teach others to shoot with, particularly ladies and children; i.e. people with smail hands. I use mine to review fundamentals of defensive shooting; it is like shooting my carry gun, which is also small. After a session with the 63, I practice again with the carry gun.

Hope some of this is helpful to you.
Andy

Just bought the same version. Just added SB targets to it.(63-3 is a RB gun) I agree with all that you said.
I like a K frame better, superior trigger and better size for my paws( owned lots in the past, also owned 34s and a 63) but this time, the smaller size was important.

 

[RubEric]

My model 63. Paid $1k

 

[S.B.]

I've shown this before I had trouble seeing the front sight so had Clements change it out for me

Steve

 

[CH4]

I just picked up my first 63 last weekend at the Vegas show. I have several K frame 22s and a 650, but this is my 63. Been looking for a 2" for a long time and was happy to find one under $1K. Traded some Contender barrels for it. Sure is fun to shoot!

 

[ruger 22]

I bought a 4" for my son for his 14th birthday in 1981. We put Herretts Shooting Stars on it almost immediately and he still has it today. Says this is the last to go in his collection. It is a great gun.

 

[gr8smiles]

Was the Model 63, the first S&W stainless .22?

Looking back over some threads, I'll resurrect this one with a couple pics of my 2" Model 63s…

 

[DRYHEAT]

The factory checkered Targets are my personal favorites

 

[raljr1]

Bought mine new in 1980, paid $260 for it new. With large hands, target acquisition was difficult using the original grips. Factory targets solved that problem. I have a couple of k22s, but for a stroll thru the woods and for assassinating tin cans, a Model 63 can't be beat.

Robert

 

[press-1-for-english]

Here's the one I bought "used" August of this year for eight and change. All I did to it was fire it. Left it stock. Came with the box, sealed tools, and paperwork. Dandy little plinker.

 

[Hondo44]

What is the function of the second pin under the rear sight?

.22/32 Kit Gun and Target Firing pin changes

I could not find this info anywhere so have studied the .22/32 models. The one pin or two pins coincide with two styles of firing pins, round and rectangular respectively at the breech face. With the rectangular style there can be two proud pins, or front pin proud and rear pin flush from the factory.

ROUND FIRING PIN with one retaining pin:
The front single pin retains the firing pin bushing in the recoil shield and the firing pin is a round style including a fully round front striking tip. Used on the Pre war 22/32 Heavy Frame Target, ('30s vintage 22/32 Heavy Target ), 22/32 Kit Guns, and post war transitional Target and Kit Guns. This configuration returned later c. #70000, Oct. 1960 with the J frame introduction; Models 34-1 and 35-1.

RECTANGULAR FRONT TIP, FLATTENED TOP REAR FIRING PIN with two retaining pins:
The Model of 1953 New I frame is the first post war model change for the 22/32 models and introduced a new rectangular shaped firing pin tip with two proud retaining pins at first, front for bushing and rear for firing pin.

This rectangular front striking tip style firing pin can be seen with hammer cocked by looking in the hammer channel from the rear at the top of the firing pin. This rear 2nd pin crosses over the flattened rear top of, and retains the firing pin.

The rectangular firing pin with proud front pin and flush rear pin was used beginning c. #21000 (late '55 to early '56) thru c. # 29000, after which time the two proud pins returned. I have observed that the 'bright' blue finish began on the .22/32 in its serial # range in the early to mid 21,000s (1956) and seems to coincide with the flat polishing of the rear retaining pin.

RETURN OF THE ROUND FIRING PIN:
The Pre-1953 round tipped firing pin w/one proud front retaining pin, was reintroduced c. #70000 Oct. 1960 with the 22/32 J frame introduction of the Models 34-1 and 35-1.

7/22/17 -
In stock at Brownells here: Keyword Search | Brownells


2 pin with rear pin flush c. #21000 (late '55 to early '56) to c. #29000 ('57 – '58).

2" #26821 shipped 7/57:


RETURN OF THE ROUND FIRING PIN with one pin:
The rectangular/rear flattened top firing pin was subsequently dropped in an engineering change that re-used the fully round firing pin of the pre war guns and the post war transitional guns with one pin (proud) on the sides of the frame. I have not been able to pinpoint when the change was made and of course like every other S&W change it was a transitional event. However, I have a sense that the return to one single pin (proud) with fully round firing pin coincides approximately with the change from the I frame Mod 34 to the J frame Mod 34 identified with a "-1" in Oct 1960, c. #70000. I have not observed any J frame 22/32 kit guns with two pins, proud or otherwise.

BEWARE OF REFINISHED GUNS one proud & one flush pin or both flush:
Refinished Mod 1953 22/32s originally having two proud pins will often be encountered with the forward pin proud and the smaller rear pin or both pins polished flush. However, the 2nd pin flush can be an original factory variation and will be observed on a non-refinished gun as stated above.

NOT DOCUMENTED ANYWHERE:
This round/rectangular firing pin and 1 pin/2 pin issue will not be found anywhere in the Jink's or SCSW books.

I hope this helps and as usual I am always open to further evidence in the unending pursuit of complete knowledge of S&W firearms.