Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns SW Model 63 vs ?

I've had two Model 63 Smiths and one SR22. Based on that sample mechanical accuracy was about equal, 1 1/2" ten shot groups at 25 yards were about the norm for all of them, maybe shade that by 1/4" for the 63's on a good day. The original M63 has a front sight that almost completely fills the rear notch which makes it more prone to horizontal stringing unless you really concentrate on centering it.

The 63 has the better trigger pull, of course, but not as good as the K-frame .22's. But it's still a lot better than the SR22.

If you want the best of both you might look at a Model 34 with the 4" barrel, it's the original blued version of a 63 and has a thinner, all black front sight. I had a 34 and found the sight picture much more conducive to precision work.

The new 4.5" SR22 looks pretty nice as well and will definitely be cheaper than your average 63 or 34. Balance is a bit more forward, it does seem a tad steadier in hand and you get that extra inch of sight radius as well.

Now that's all splitting hairs, of course, since they're all capable of taking small game or what not as far out as someone is comfortable shooting.

The tiny grips on the J-frame smith were always too small for me so mine were all upgraded with larger wooden target grips or a Pachmayr Compac style. Grip fit is subjective but the Smith has multiple options available. To Ruger's credit they do supply different grips for the SR22 as well.

To be honest, I like the suggestion of the .22/45 Lite. It's midway in weight between the SR22 and 63, has a good hand filling grip and a decent sight radius. The triggers on those I've tested in stores seems about midway between the 63 and the SR22 in terms of lightness and crispness. They make them in some pretty weird colors, however.

I cut my teeth on a 4" Model 34, the carbon-steel sister to the Model 63, and made some superb shots plinking and on small game with it while I was a kid. J-frame Smith 22's are extremely precise little handguns, with emphasis on "little." I have medium-sized hands, but I find them hard to shoot well because they're so small. I much prefer a K-frame, but I consider the J-frames to be their near-equals in terms of accuracy.

If you really want an oddball, check out the S&W Model 35. It's basically a Model 34 with a 6" barrel. I had one for a few months. It shot like a K-frame because of the long barrel and sight radius, but the frame was too small for me to do my best work, even with oversized grips--the hammer and trigger were just too close together for comfort.

As with any 22, you'll have to find the load your weapon shoots best, and as with any S&W, you'll have to keep the chambers and extractor star clean. Don't scrub the bore--they never really get dirty.


Okie John

I'll give a two thumbs up for the Model 63. Mine is minute of squirrel accurate, and death on snakes. Accuracy has never been an issue with mine. I added the Tyler TGrip a couple of years ago. It has been a great help, since the grips are so small.
I have carried this one on the AT, the Florida trail, and while camping and hiking all over Florida, Georgia, and Virginia.