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

[Hatchdog]

I’ve been looking for a Smith & Wesson M/63 particularly the original six shot. Well last night a guy listed a 63 that is pinned and recessed and still has the original grips. No mention of the factory box sadly. Anyway the seller is in Orofino Idaho which is a three hour drive away. Plus the transaction will have to take place in Washington state not Idaho. I did inquire if the seller would be willing to ship it to my LGS. So anyway I’m not too hopeful to make this happen but we’ll see.

$850.00 seems like a reasonable price due to it’s excellent condition per the pics anyway.

Fingers crossed as these don’t come up for sale very often.

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[North Country Gal]

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.

[daytime dave]

You are lucky to find one. I hope you are able to get it. To me, that's a lot to pay for one, but things keep getting more and more expensive.

[North Country Gal]

Yeah, that is expensive, Dave, but it's actually the going price for that model and, especially, that vintage of Smith. I would expect to pay that in my area, assuming I could even fine one of that vintage.

[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.

[Hatchdog]

You are lucky to find one. I hope you are able to get it. To me, that's a lot to pay for one, but things keep getting more and more expensive.

I agree Dave, that’s a bunch of money to put out for a handgun. I see them on Gunbroker in the $600’s up to over a thousand. I’m happy to find one somewhat locally and I’m willing to pay a bit more for a face to face transaction.

Good news, I am buying it and even better news is the seller is driving to Spokane to make the deal with me. We are meeting at a LGS this morning at 11:00.

So…pictures at 11:00 as they say in the news business.

[BigAl52]

Congrats there Hatch once you get it and shoot it the pain of the price will be gone. I spent alot to get mine and to get them where I do enjoy shooting them. Im ready to go shoot them again. 22 revolvers are more fun to shoot for me than 22 autos.

[North Country Gal]

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.

[BigAl52]

Those Steelhead are darn good eatin to

[daytime dave]

I gave away a model 63 years ago. I acquired my current one and thought it was expensive then, but like Al said, it's paid for now and the pain is over. I hope to see pictures soon. Congrats.

[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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