I've owned mine for several years, it replaced two 617's (4 and 6 inch), much handier and shoots quite well for me. Recently picked up a clean used 317 that is surprizing me as I shoot it much better than I expected.

 

Thanks for the input! I'm 77 and just don't have the arm/hand strength to handle a Model 617 comfortably.
Hopefully I'll have my Xmas gift by week's end.

 

I don't think you will be disappointed. My 63-5 is one of my most favorite revolvers. I had a 617 4" bbl. and I always found it a bit heavy for 22lr. IMO. Merry Christmas!

 

Thanks,
I have a Model 17 S&W that is just right but too pretty to shoot. It was made in the late 70's, just a beautiful revolver with target grips.

 

The 63 is smaller and lighter. With a 22lr recoil isn’t as much of an issue so it’s more important the gun be a comfortable fit. I have a pair of no dash 617s in both 4 and 6 inch and really enjoy them. I do however have large mitts.

 

Thanks,
Down the road I may get a 617 4-inch. as a bench gun.

 

I think you are really going to like it, if it is anything like mine. I find the S&W triggers just great out of the box. Unlike my Rugers, I haven't done a thing to it -- not even touched the adjustments. I shoot it single action at the range. Accuracy on mine is much better than you'd expect at my range's 50-foot pistol berm. In fact, shot off a Hyskore Y-style rest the groups are small enough that I feel like I am getting my papers graded on my off-hand technique. At one point, I had the Houge grips shown immediately below on it, but I have since swapped those out for a smaller set of grips (3rd pic in series).

Here is a 50-round target shot off a Y-rest with Norma TAC ammunition. Paste-on bull is about three inches across, so that will give you a sense of the cone of fire.

Bottom line: it is a useful, well-designed, sturdy revolver. I shoot about 3x more accurately with a red-dot sight, but I have other firearms for that. Enjoy yours! And let us know how it does.

 

I like the looks of the laminated grips. Right now, I'll put up with the factory grips, but I do intend to go wooden. Maybe a nice pair of Altamont grips.
Accuracy looks really good.

 

I am 78 yo and during the last couple years I stopped shooting, health reasons. I sold most of my guns, including a 6-inch 617. I liked the 617 but was reducing inventory; it is a bit on the heavy side. One of the few guns I kept is my Model 63. It has stock grips and I like them just fine. I kept 2 other guns and I am keeping them. The Model 63 is a great revolver.

 

Thanks for your reply! I'm in the same boat!! I reduced inventory and my 617 went away because of the weight. I kept enough inventory for self-protection.
I'm happy to hear you are giving the 63 a good report card!

 

Here's my 63 with an Altamont grip. I'm not ready yet to give up my 617's, they are my #1 shooters.

 

OMG!! Just beautiful!!

 

I have little doubt you will be very pleased with your new 63. I've owned 5 or 6 through the years, and they were all very nice revolvers; a great balance of compactness, carry-ability, and precision.

Regarding accuracy and weight compared to the various 617s and K-frame rimfires, first, I believe there is little difference in the mechanical precision between the K and J frame .22 revolvers, meaning, if you put them in a Ransom rest, they would be very close in accuracy, while showing the usual individual preferences for specific brands and lots of ammunition. I would say the same about a skilled shooter firing them from a rest in single-action mode. Any difference would be the normal variability from revolver to revolver.

The lighter and smoother double-action of the K-frames, along with their greater mass, however, make them easier to shoot in that mode, in my experience. Getting grips for the J-frame that match your hands, and much practice, will go a long way in narrowing that gap, though. In the field, from normal shooting positions, the heavier revolver will be easier to shoot accurately, if you're okay lugging one around...and there is the rub. The K-frames, especially those with the full lugs and longer barrels, are less carry-able and are quite the chunk, so one's priorities will dictate which better suits your needs.

From a pure precision perspective, firing in double action will never produce the same accuracy as steady, single-action firing, and, in this regard, the incomparable single-action Freedom Arms 83, or the smaller 97, will likely be more accurate than most any S&W, unless one has it customized.

For me, I went with a vintage 63 and installed a Hart barrel that I machined for scope use. Even with the heavy barrel and the scope and rings, at 35 oz, it still weighs considerably less than most 617s, even the 4"ers, but I would put it up against even a Freedom Arms revolver when shooting it in single action mode from a bench rest. I get 1/2" to 3/4" groups at 25 yards, but hold and follow through are very critical; I really have to concentrate and be very consistent in my technique to realize that level of accuracy.

Early testing before I lightened the barrel a bit:

I also recently bought a 317 for carrying in my cycling jersey pocket. It is incredibly light, and everyone invariably does a double take when hefting it, but it represents the other side of the spectrum on shoot-ability, especially in DA. Still, as Gerald mentioned, practice and discipline will yield surprising accuracy. I did have a hard time paying the same price for this all aluminum wonder that S&W gets for its current stainless 63s. In the end, though, I would say it's worth it for my needs.

 

Very good post! You tell it like it is. I agree there can be variations between guns and the ammo that they accept. I would hope my new purchase lives up to the S&W reputation of building some great revolvers. The 6-inch Model 617 I had was very accurate right out of the box but as I said earlier, just too heavy for my needs.
Accuracy is based a lot on the shooter. A great gun only helps IMHO.
If I like the Model 63, then a Model 317 will be on my bucket list. I still like the Model 617 so a 4-inch model may also be on that list.
Although semiautos are in my inventory, I still like the looks of a revolver.

 

Not to muddy the waters (but here I go, muddying the waters), there were older versions of the 63 that came with a 4-inch barrel. You can find them used at a premium due to their scarcity in both stainless and blued steel. I recently bought one of each and was surprised to find that neither did intrinsically better than my 3-inch model. I like the balance slightly better and think that a revolver this size kind of "wants" to be a four-inch gun. But I also like the compact nature of the thing, so there you go.

 

Here's another one with Altamonte grips - even more so than its looks this revolver's main attraction is how well it points for me. Also, I recently ordered an Alchin J mount to put a Venom on it, but drilling will be required, and I don't have a gunsmith to take it to, so I'm bummed out about it...

 

Very nice looking, do you know the model of those grips?

 

Goes to show that everybody is different. I think the 3" provides the best balance. I have also decided the current 3" version loses only in aesthetics to the older 4" versions. Never could warm up to the 2" 63/34s or the later 5" versions.

 

Yes, I also like the looks of the 4 inch but if the balance is there, a 3 inch will be easier to carry! I just got home from my LGS after picking up my new Model 63. I can say when looking at the pictures above, some Altamont grips are in my near future. I'll be checking out the owner's manual this evening.
I hope to get to the range if the weather permits!

 

armytc - Congratulation on your selection. The 63 is a great revolver from what I have read based on RFC comments and many online reviews. I have looked at the 63 many times over the years but thus far have managed not to give in since I have a 617-5 (6”) and an 18-3 (4”). However I happen to know of a preowned 63, 98%, with box, and paperwork for sale at a very reasonable price … this thread has applied enablement pressure again.

 

How robust are the Hi Viz front sights ? Do they keep their brightness and clarity?

 

To me they kinda wash out but for quick acquisition they still beat the black ones and of course the SS.
Never had the “opportunity“ to test robustness 😎

 

After checking out my new Model 63 last evening, I can say I really like the HI VIZ front sight compared to standard and three dot sights. Time will tell once I get to the range. So far, the fit and feel is great. Balance for me is perfect.

 

Only change to mine is a set of Pachmayer Diamond pro grips, fit my hand perfectly, still looking for a 5" model to go with it, maybe someday.

 

armytc - Nice to have the “63” in hand so you can enjoy this week. You can officially add your name to the enabler list as I bought a previously owned 63 yesterday as I couldn’t pass up the deal. It will probably arrive some time next week so I will have to consider it a late Christmas gift. In the mean time I have been looking at grips and speed loaders but will probably wait until after I have it in hand to order anything.

 

So it ended up being an early Christmas present!

My preowned 63-5 arrived yesterday and I picked it up this morning. Pleased with the deal and the end product. I cleaned it up this afternoon, and checked the cylinders and the bore with my Teslong borescope which showed very clean & crisp lands and groves. The throat and crown are also in great condition and there was no powder buildup in the chambers so it was either shot very little or very well maintained.

I do have a question for you S&W Model 63 experts - On the left side of the revolver handle there are some numbers ( not the serial number as that is stamped on the bottom of the handle ) and what also appears as a QR code stamped in the metal. As you can see from the photo the number 566 along with 41415 - Might this be the date of mfg (04/14/2015)? I couldn’t find anything online to help with those items.

The image of the pistol shows a lot of scratches on the frame, but it doesn’t appear that way as one looks at it in the hand . . . I must have over-edited the photo for inclusion in these comments. It is my understanding the older 63 4” version was discontinued in 1998 and the 63 3” version was produced again in the early 2000s but I saw conflicting information on that. The lawyer lock was added to the new version along with the 8-shot cylinder.

I also chased a few methods of using the serial number to determine the mfg. date of but did not end up with anything usable. My serial number is DMF8xxx if anyone has any method to determine when it was made?

Update - 01/11/24 - I got feedback from S&W Customer Service that this firearm was made in 10/2019. However, they could not provide any input on the numbers stamped on the left side of the frame handle. They referred me to the S&W Historical Foundation so we will see what they respond with.

I have ordered but not yet received a set of Pau Ferro wood grips for this revolver. I will post a picture of them installed on the revolver when I get them. Here’s what they look like off the firearm. Haven’t got to the range as yet.

Thanks

 

I do have a question for you S&W Model 63 experts - On the left side of the revolver handle there are some numbers ( not the serial number as that is stamped on the bottom of the handle ) and what also appears as a QR code stamped in the metal. As you can see from the photo the number 566 along with 41415 - Might this be the date of mfg (04/14/2015)? I couldn’t find anything online to help with those items.

Update - 01/11/24 - I got feedback from S&W Customer Service that this firearm was made in 10/2019. However, they could not provide any input on the numbers stamped on the left side of the frame handle. They referred me to the S&W Historical Foundation so we will see what they respond with.


View attachment 447654

I heard back from the S&W Historical Foundation with the following information.

• The numbers stamped under the crane are soft-fitting assembly numbers.
• Early in the gun’s manufacture, fitting numbers are used to keep the frame, barrel, cylinder, yoke, and side plate matched as they go through the various manufacturing and finishing processes. The gun isn’t serialized until much later in the manufacturing process.
• Those numbers don’t have any special significance outside of the manufacturing.
• The QR code is just a representation of the gun’s serial number. It, too, is used by the factory to track the gun through its manufacturing, as it’s a bit more reliable than having people manually key in the serial number.

I thought I would pass the information on since I didn’t see any updates from RFC members.

 

I had a few issues with my 63-5 that I purchased new in the spring of this year.
Firstly, the groove in the rear sight blade was not deep enough to show the entire circle of the orange insert. So, I used a very small round file from a set of Harbor Freight files to take down as far as I could, then I touched it up with a Birchwood Casey Super Black flat black touch-up pen.
Secondly, the firing pin bushing wasn't flush with the frame, causing the LR case rims to jam the cylinder.
Thirdly, I felt some lead splatter on my face from one of the early rounds fired.
S&W service took care of the prior two issues.
Lastly, the factory grip is pretty much unusable - I replaced it with a set of Pachmyr 03249 Gripper grips. Not the best, but a huge improvement over stock.
I am now happy with it.

 

Thanks!

With a medallion, color difference could be the lighting… or not😎, best to check the website.

 

Medallion can be optioned on or off when ordering in Altamont cart. Altamont states colors will vary.