Found a S&W M/63 hope to get it

[Hatchdog]

That vintage of the Model 63 (pre-lock, pinned and recessed) certainly doesn't come up for sale very often. That's prime vintage S&W, these days. If you have to drive to pick it up, that's some beautiful country up by Orofino.

Yes the Orofino area is beautiful. I’ve fished for steelhead in the Clearwater River in the Orofino area. I didn’t know you have spent time here in the Pacific Northwest.

Yeah, I've done a lot of traveling in the Pacific Northwest and the west in general. Believe it or not, I have even fly fished for steelhead I the Clearwater, the Snake and the Grand Ronde. I belonged to a fly fishing club in Nebraska at the time and some of us single gals would do an October fly fishing trip. Nothing like the thrill of trying to land a wild steelhead. Seems like a lifetime, ago, now. Good memories.

That’s awesome NCG, I can just imagine the fun you ladies had in the beautiful Idaho mountains and rivers. And agree BigAl, steelhead is my favorite fish to eat.


I met with the seller yesterday and did the transfer which includes a background check and a 10 business day waiting period. Grrrrrrr. Used to be here in Washington State with a CPL we could buy and take a handgun home same day. Anyway I’ll take possession on October 26th and will be heading up to the range for a shakedown. I did take a couple of pics at the LGS. Interesting, the machining marks really show up in the pictures but when looking at the gun real time it’s normal…

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[daytime dave]

It looks great. I hope it shoots well for you. Congratulations.

[Hatchdog]

The M/63 is finally home after the 10 business day wait. I am finally able to give it a good look. The frame and cylinder are almost perfect with a few minor nicks here and there and a definite turn ring on the cylinder. The “worst” part of the revolver is the grips. Sadly they are not numbered to the gun and are a bit dinged up but not too bad. I’d put a set of Altamont oversized grips on it but my wife’s hands are small so that wouldn’t work. We’re planning on going up to the range on Tuesday to give it a run.

I did a date of manufacture search and found a different 63 with a serial number close to mine a little higher and that 63 was a 1981 so I’m comfortable to say mine is in the same year. For a 43 year old gun it’s in pretty nice shape, sure wish it had the original grips.

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[daytime dave]

If you can find a pair, I like the J frame target grips on my 4" model 63, although currently is has Colt Pachmyr presentation grips for a detective special on it. I use them as the target grips were getting too close to things that would scratch and mar them. The Pachmyrs don't seem to mind rubbing on a tractor fender or contacting the ground and rocks if I need to lay down while carrying it, which I do often.

Here is an image of some j frame target grips I found online.

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[North Country Gal]

Good to hear that your Model 63 has arrived. Lots and lots of options on J frame grips, so have fun shopping. I'm staying with the original rubber grips on my 2". They feel right with that short barrel. A 4" barrel changes things, so hope you find what works best for you.

[Hatchdog]

^^^^^^^^^

Dave, those target grips are beautiful, might have to hit a gunshow and look for a set.

For utility I like the Hogue Mono-grips with the finger grooves but they don’t make a set for a square butt J frame. I’ve had Pachmayr’s on other SB J frames but they aren’t as attractive. I do like the Pachmayr Combat grips.

Gonna dirty it up tomorrow.

[BigAl52]

Hatch you might check ebay for some grips. Or Altamont

[Hatchdog]

Hatch you might check ebay for some grips. Or Altamont

I googled (okay, duck duck goed) J frame target grips and the first link that showed up was EBay.

Great advice Al, thanks!

Heading up to the range today to give it a run.

[GFK]

Well, it is only money. Happy shooting!

[Hatchdog]

I advertised on our local gun trader site looking for J frame SB target grips and this morning a guy I’ve dealt with for many years offered me these Herretts J frame target grips. A couple of boxes of Hornady .308 150 grain bullets I no longer have a need for later they will be mine. Meeting him Friday at the state line where he lives and I’m traveling thru heading to Idaho. That sure came together nicely.

Not as nice as Dave’s S&W grips but they will get the job done.

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