Cool .22 score..

Stopped by the local gun "showroom" the other day, just to sort of poke around, even though it's been kind of slow there lately. I actually found it to be unusually busy, and with quite a bit more in the used-gun cases than they have had. Among other things, three guns, all rimfires, caught my eye. The first to do so was a S&W 63-3, marked $599. I have recently taken a liking to three-inch-barreled snub revolvers lately, after acquiring a real nice Taurus M85 stainless in that length.

Just over from the Smith was a Taurus Model 941, also in stainless, and also with a 3-inch tube. For some reason, I've been wanting a dedicated .22 Magnum revolver for the trails or fishing (even though I could have done so with one of my Rough Riders.) The Taurus is an older one, from the period I like them, with a production date in 1993. Looks like someone bought it, then figured out how expensive the ammo is or something.

In the next case, I glimpsed a Bersa Thunder, one of which I already own. I've been wanting an all-metal DA/SA .22LR autoloader, and a double-take on this gun alerted me that it was indeed the .22 version. Like the 941, it seemed rarely-fired, and included everything it originally shipped with (including the test-shell.) It's the "duotone" model, which I'll get used to for under $200.

I wrestled with the idea of getting either the 63-3, or both of the other two. Since the Smith would not have filled a current "want" (I already have a nice-shooting Taurus 94 - no real comparison, I know), I opted for the latter option. A $25-off sale on any used gun, coupled with their tags, brought my total to $400 for both guns.

I'm happy with them as they appear. Hopefully, I'll get to try them out soon. Someone else will get a nice piece in that 63-3. It was nice.



(Okay, who thought this was gonna be another ammo thread?)

berettaprofessor writes (about the S&W 63-3):

...and it makes a nice revolver of pass-it-down quality.

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,

I agree. However, though I don't buy guns for future generations, I do have other, worthy "pass-down" revolvers, including two of my late father's, both of which were toted by him as a deputy.

Still, I may check on it later this week. But, no, I have no regrets (I don't think!)



Shanghai McCoy writes:

I like them both but I'm a bit jealous of that Taurus.

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Picture it with the fixed, groove-type sights and in .38, and you have the M85 of 1995 manufacture I got a couple of years ago. That gun turned me on to 3-inch revolvers.

Incidentally, my first handgun, purchased in 1987, was (is) also a Taurus, a blued M66. It works very well.

mstreddy writes:

MedWheeler, which LGS do you frequent in SoutheastFLA? Not that I am looking for anything, you know, but...
I live in Miramar, and work in Kendall, so I routinely go through a good chunk of Dade and Broward counties.

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I'm a ways north of you, in St. Lucie County. The shop, Lotus Gunworks, is just south of me in Martin County. It's more of a gun "showroom" than a shop, one that would better-than-rival the gun section of any Cabela's/Bass Pro I've ever been in.

They kind of got a brief bit of fame locally when it came out they had turned away the Orlando Pulse Nightclub shooter, who was shopping for (among other things) bullet-resistant vests and gear.

cnemeth writes:

I saw Lotus Gunworks while on an errand down there but didn't have time to stop in. I'm up in Indian River County.

Do they have a decent used section?

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They didn't, as of late, but did that day. When the political climate favors the 2A, gun sell-ins and trade-ins fall off. Now, with the climate a little more sketchy, things are picking up a bit.

I'd recommend the drive to check it out. Bring the missus along; if it's a bust, you can take her next door to the mall.

berettaprofessor writes:

I would say you’ll regret passing the 63 up. I have one and it makes a nice revolver of pass-it-down quality.

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BlueHeelerFl writes:

I have a 63-3 and I totally agree.

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Okay. You guys officially suck. You got me to continue thinking about that 63-3, and I mentioned above that I'd stop back in and check on it. So today, I did just that.

It was still there.

Was.

I'd been mistaken thinking it was a three-inch-barreled unit. It does have the four-inch pipe. But, it's in amazing condition and I think I still got it for a decent price. I see one chamber with a slight dry-fire mark, which would have to be recent; the mark is so shallow it will probably fade before long. Lockup is good and tight, and the gun just gleams, even from the forward face of the cylinder.

The crane bears the model number of 63-3, but there is also an additional rollmarked "317" on it. Did S&W use the same cylinders in both models? I thought the 317 was a bigger gun.

The serial number, located on the base of the butt, is BFK02xx. Can anyone here speculate on its production year? Of course, it's the six-shooting, pre-lock version, if that helps.

I can definitely tell why you guys like it, and why its so often recommended.