S&W 63 22lr vs.................

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I looked at the Ruger side by side with the Pathfinder and the S&W Model 63.

The Ruger had the worst lockup of all three.

I thought that even in single action the Charter Arms had the worst trigger of the three. I thought the DA trigger on the Pathfinder was unusable. But it definitely had the tightest lockup.

The Smith had the best trigger.

I purchased the Model 63 for my daughter since so many member here said it was either their wife's or their daughter's favorite gun. It is my daughter's favorite gun to shoot.
 
Yesterday I went out with my 3” 63, a 5” 63, the Bearcat with good sights and a 317 with serrated ramp front/square notch rear sights. In the past I remember being disappointed with the 3” 63. Not yesterday. Using CCI Standard Speed it was the most accurate revo of the bunch. I was very pleasantly surprised. I had been thinking of getting rid of it, but not now!
 
I have been enabled! Thank you, seriously. Range trip tomorrow. I must add, however, that S&W's fit and finish are somewhat rougher than in the past. There are a few sharp edges on this one, on the ejector star and the forcing cone. But I am happy so far; we'll see how well I can shoot it.

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I have been enabled! Thank you, seriously. Range trip tomorrow. I must add, however, that S&W's fit and finish are somewhat rougher than in the past. There are a few sharp edges on this one, on the ejector star and the forcing cone. But I am happy so far; we'll see how well I can shoot it.

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Looks great! Please keep us posted!
 
I bought my 63 back in the 80s. Nice small gun to carry in the woods and deadly accurate. It was one of those guns you swear you will never sell. Then I took my granddaughter shooting for the first time. We used her fathers old single shot .22 rifle and my S&W 63. The next time she asked to go shooting again and could I please bring "her" little stainless .22 revolver. Now that her brother and sister have joined us, she reminds them that they are shooting "her" gun.
 
Just as it should be my friend.
I bought my 63 back in the 80s. Nice small gun to carry in the woods and deadly accurate. It was one of those guns you swear you will never sell. Then I took my granddaughter shooting for the first time. We used her fathers old single shot .22 rifle and my S&W 63. The next time she asked to go shooting again and could I please bring "her" little stainless .22 revolver. Now that her brother and sister have joined us, she reminds them that they are shooting "her" gun.
 
I have been enabled! Thank you, seriously. Range trip tomorrow. I must add, however, that S&W's fit and finish are somewhat rougher than in the past. There are a few sharp edges on this one, on the ejector star and the forcing cone. But I am happy so far; we'll see how well I can shoot it.

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Have you gotten anymore range time in with it?
 
I love shooting my Ruger SP101 but it is solid built and therefore a tad heavy. Also have the LCRx in 22LR with the 3” barrel. It is very light and accurate. All this to say maybe the Smith model 63 would be a viable choice.
 
That new 63 looks like a SS version of the 317 I just got rid of.

I have an older, 2" 63 I picked up earlier this year. This is it and the 317 I just got rid of....

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I really like the 63. Got a pretty good deal on it, although I wasnt expecting them to be over $1K when I first saw it. Took a while, but between me and the dealer, we wore each other down. Nobody was buying it anyway. :)

The 317 was a disappointment. S&W seems to have started downhill with some of these newer models. The sights on it sucked, but were easily changed. Didnt really seem to help with the guns accuarcy though, so I got rid of it.
 
I keep trying to convince myself that the S&W 63 is the better option than the Ruger LCRX.

The 63 is about $250 more. That difference would buy an awful lot of ammo. For something that is going to punch holes and walk the woods....hard to justify the difference. I sure do like the looks and feel of the 63 much better though!

Too many guns and too little funny money!
 
I have been enabled! Thank you, seriously. Range trip tomorrow. I must add, however, that S&W's fit and finish are somewhat rougher than in the past. There are a few sharp edges on this one, on the ejector star and the forcing cone. But I am happy so far; we'll see how well I can shoot it.

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I have a 6 shot 63 that I bought used in 2001 iirc. Compared to my 625 That I bought around the same time the ejector star is noticeably a little rougher.

I had a 340PD for a awhile abd I think it was finished better than the 63.
 
I really like the 63. Got a pretty good deal on it, although I wasnt expecting them to be over $1K when I first saw it. Took a while, but between me and the dealer, we wore each other down. Nobody was buying it anyway. :)

Used Model 63's are a bit pricey in my neck of the world as well. I have not figured out why as they seem to be in good supply.
 
Used Model 63's are a bit pricey in my neck of the world as well. I have not figured out why as they seem to be in good supply.
The one I picked up was the first Ive seen around here. Even the 317's dont seem to be very common, as Ive only seen one other around here in any of the shops. They arent cheap either.

I like S&W snubbies and the 2" barrel caught my eye when I saw it. I didnt even know what it was or that it was a 22 the way it sat in the counter. He handed it to me, and I asked how much, and I then handed it right back. Too late though, the hook was set. Just a matter of time getting it reeled in. :D

From what Ive been seeing around here the past half dozen years or so, the older Smiths are pretty quickly rising in price, even the often well finish worn police trade in guns. Lots of 38's and 357's, not many 22's. I really havent looked, but are the newer 63's bringing as much as the older guns?

The boy I got the 63 off of, has had a 6" K22 Masterpiece for around $800. Its been there a while as well. The only saving grace for me there is, it has the 6" barrel. :)

He also has a newer 48 in 22 mag, thats a 4" and he wants $725 for that. Not really into 22mags.

The Smith 22 autos dont seem to bring the same premium, as I picked a nice 422 up off him a little over a year ago, for cheap. A couple of hundred bucks. Its been a good shooter and fun little gun, but its ugly as sin. Hes currently got a 2206 with a longer barrel on it there for $400. Its uglier yet. :)
 
After a lot of soul searching, and beer induced research..............I decided to "pull the trigger" on the:

Ruger LCRX 22lr, 3"!

I would love the S&W 63, but I just could not justify the $240+ difference in price. I also like the fact that the Ruger is lighter and fits into my goal of a "kit gun", light weight go everywhere, outdoor plinker. That $$$ savinbs will go a long way in stocking up on ammo to feed it!

**impatiently waiting for the email saying that it is ready for pick up!
 
Congrats, Mr. Tettnanger! I'm lookin' forward to read what you think of that Ruger. :cool:

A couple years back I really wanted that newly made 63, but I couldn't part with that much money either. I ended up finding a used Bearcat on a Father's Day sale, so that was that. Then this go 'round I was back to wanting the 63 as mentioned in post 44. Well, that money ended up going to a carbine.

Geez, I don't know if I'll ever get a 63. They sure are nice lookin' though. :)
 
After a lot of soul searching, and beer induced research..............I decided to "pull the trigger" on the:

Ruger LCRX 22lr, 3"!

I would love the S&W 63, but I just could not justify the $240+ difference in price. I also like the fact that the Ruger is lighter and fits into my goal of a "kit gun", light weight go everywhere, outdoor plinker. That $$$ savinbs will go a long way in stocking up on ammo to feed it!

**impatiently waiting for the email saying that it is ready for pick up!

Congrats on "pulling the pin"! :thumbup:

Please post a follow-up message with thoughts on your acquisition. :)

.
 
Follow your lean!

I'd take the 63 every day, and twice on Sunday.

I had a nice 4" 63, I stupidly sold it off...

I'm glad to have avoided that misfortune.

A 4" Model 63 was my first .22LR handgun. Small, handy, accurate, versatile. Even when it isn't the right answer, it is never the wrong answer. It is the first handgun my daughters learned to shoot. It goes to the range with me almost every trip.

Tom
 
I'm glad to have avoided that misfortune.

A 4" Model 63 was my first .22LR handgun. Small, handy, accurate, versatile. Even when it isn't the right answer, it is never the wrong answer. It is the first handgun my daughters learned to shoot. It goes to the range with me almost every trip.

Tom

I still have my first... a Browning Buckmark. The 63 was my 4th or 5th .22, but unlike all the others that have passed along, I do miss my 63. :( I was in my 'bigger is better' mode, back then, and a little 4" .22 didn't fit in with my plans.
 
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