Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Rimfires Winchester Model 63-My new toy

I hate semi-auto rimfire rifles! I've had a few 10/22's (still have one that I just put a Clark midweight barrel on), a Remington 552, and a Remington 550. All have performed very well except for the 550. The 550 had the threaded receiver cap that holds the recoil spring in stripped. It had enough thread left to keep the cap in place until you fired it. I escaped with a black eye and small scrape but I got rid of that gun quickly (I did tell the next in line that it had a problem). But, none of these guns tickled my fancy. I'm a bolt action and levergun type of guy at heart.

However, I recently bought a 1951 Model 63 and I absolutely love this gun. It's about a 95% gun on wood and metal. Not a collector nor something to be embarrassed about owning. It performs flawlessly, is accurate enough despite the factory sights, balances and carries easily, and it's got character.

Now I would like to have one for the safe. I've located one that was also made in 1951 is in 99+% but has been fired with original box and papers.

What do you think it's worth???

T Lee will have a book price for you, but I'm gussing $1000.
I've also got one in 98% condition....Love these 22's
Virgil B.

Auctionarms has a brand new one in the box for sale with 6 days left for the auction.

In 1953 my dad took and traded my 20 gauge L.C. Smith for a like new Winchester Model 63 and then gave the Model 63 to my older brother whom he "favored". My brother still has the 63 and it's a wonderful little rifle. Your post brings back old memories.

Bill

MODEL 63
- .22 LR cal., styling similar to Model 1903, take-down, 10 shot tube mag., 20 (disc. 1936) or 23 in. barrel, open sights, plain pistol grip stock. Approx. 174,692 mfg. between 1933-58.
Grading
100% 98% 95% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%
$850 $750 $675 $550 $425 $350 $300 $265 $235 $215 $190 $175

Add 20% for grooved receiver variation (WFF)
Add 50%-100% for 20 in. barrel (carbine) depending on condition.
The Model 63 was introduced to take advantage of the new .22 LR cartridge, which the older Model 1903 couldn�t chamber.

YMMV

They are sweet little rifles BTW, nad usually work first time every time with no muss or fuss. Congrats on a nice shooter.

I bought one a decade ago and it's nice like yours but mine does not have the grooves for the scope mount. I shot it some and took it hunting once but I did not like the way I shot it as I am a single shot kind of guy.

So it's somewhere in the very back of one of the safes. I did not pay all that much for it. It only operates with high velocity ammo anyway.

That reminds me. I think that I will take a run up to the shop where my 84M is on consignment and sell the 63 after the Kimbers gone.

Anyone know where I can find a stock for a model 63?

Teh Win 63 is a great little rifle. I've had a 1939 mfg (same age as me <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> ) for more years than I care to remember. Wears a Lyman tang sight & the original barrel rear sight dovetail has a filler block. It's in near 90% condition, with a tiny chip off the stock toe from being smacked too hard on the ground once (not me <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> ). Doesn't get used a lot anymore as my eyes won't cooperate with iron sights much, even the tang mounted peep <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> . Here's a couple pix of my old buddy -

Beautiful rifle sir! You have a treasure there. Bill.

Nobody

I like the looks of your M-63. Too bad about the chipped heel, apparently there's alot of old 63's out there that suffer from the same thing.

Chipped or not there's something about the old Winchester wood finish that looks "OK" when they have a few battles scares that have turned dark in color from years gone by and a little too much gun oil over the wound. My wife calls it character markings. I'll have to concur will that one.

Marlin39d

Does anybody know when Winchester started making the M63 with grooved receivers?

I know mine is a 1951 production and it doesn't have it.

You are a lucky man indeed, to not only have a shooter in such fine shape but to also soon have a collector.

I couldn't find one - period! - so I picked up a Taurus 63. The machine work and bluing is first-rate beautiful, but the stock isn't walnut (although a nicely figured dark S.A. hardwood of some sort). It doesn't have the character of the Win63, but it's a beautiful little shooter, which has functioned 100% flawlessly so far with 500-600 rounds. It's an absolute gem of a design, this rifle. I can't say enough good things about the M63. I'll just have to hope I bump into an original someday.

grouseman

I used to have a '55 model and I believe it did have a "grooved" reciever.

I never did really like that gun all that much. Didn't have the feel of a full size rifle and it was way too fussy on ammo.

Muleshoe,

I found out the first day I shot this patiicular m-63 that they are a bit fussy about what they will and will not feed reliably. Seems as long as 40 grain projectiles are being used @ around 1150 fps or bettter there are zero problems. But when when you start getting below that they are less than reliable.

BTW I like your bio!!!

Madis' book says groove top receivers start showing up around 156,000 and after 163,600 all will be grooved. A 1951 gun is too early for a grooved gun. A mint original 63, in most parts of the country will bring four figures-regardless whether it's grooved, or not.... Add another 200-250 for the original box......even more for prewar rifles....the Blue Book values on most guns are meant to aid the buyer, not the seller......The people who provide their values are, for the most part, buyers...

Just listed a Model 63 made in '47 in the classified section. Gun is in 98% + condition. If anyone is interested pls let me know.

Bill

Bill N,

You have a PM.

marlin39d

PM sent back...

Price reduced on the Model 63 I have in the classified section

I have the one my Father bought back in the 30s, it is the 20" barrel version, have the Lyman tang sight on it. I had it engraved for my Dad years ago, so its been reblued. still take it out of the safe and shoot sometimes. Fantastic .22.