Riomouse911
Member
It’s ironic that the thread for the really nice S&W Model 63 popped up last week, I had a blued twin sitting in our CA regulatory penalty box for a while. The original post and pictures, along with the stories and great pictures by everyone in subsequent posts, made the wait feel 30 days rather than 10.
I’ve posted a few times about getting outbid all year for S&W Model 63 .22 LR revolvers. It all started with me being close to the final selling price early in the year, then by the end of 2020 I wasn’t within 200 bucks of the high bidders. I finally realized the stainless model wasn’t coming home with me to roost, so I started looking for Model 34’s.
I finally found a 34-1 in great shape listed by a seller I trust, so I bid a bit high and won it.
There is a hint of muzzle wear on one side, a turn ring on the cylinder and a little bit of bluing wear where the crane pivots within the frame. There is no bluing wear on the ejector rod, grip frame or cylinder mouths. I seriously doubt this gun was carried in a holster much or fired many rounds through it at all, it was probably a safe queen for most of its years.
The grips are the square butt factory checkered walnut “service” type panels that I usually despise, but the small J frame and absence of recoil with the .22,LR is making me want to keep them in place.
I gave it a whirl at the indoor range today, firing one set each (No “best of” and tossing out the others.) I was shooting 24 CCI mini mags at 10 yds, two-handed DA.
I will say the dark ramp/black blade sights aren’t all that easy to see in indoor light. I wish it had a red ramp insert or something similar. Hopefully when I get a chance to wring it out in natural light they’ll be easier to see. I gave it the best I could, but the group I shot with the 34-1 was actually a bit larger than the one I shot with my S&W 317 3” with the modern so-so trigger and hi-viz front and V blade rear. I can honestly say I was a bit disappointed, but it was with my shooting rather than with the guns themselves.
Despite my shortcomings behind the trigger, I can see why everyone was raving about their Model 63’s! The handy Smith Kit Gun size, the fit and the finish are first rate. Once I get used the the sights and feel of the new 34, I hope I’ll be able to put together some grouping worthy of the gun.
Stay safe.
I’ve posted a few times about getting outbid all year for S&W Model 63 .22 LR revolvers. It all started with me being close to the final selling price early in the year, then by the end of 2020 I wasn’t within 200 bucks of the high bidders. I finally realized the stainless model wasn’t coming home with me to roost, so I started looking for Model 34’s.
I finally found a 34-1 in great shape listed by a seller I trust, so I bid a bit high and won it.
There is a hint of muzzle wear on one side, a turn ring on the cylinder and a little bit of bluing wear where the crane pivots within the frame. There is no bluing wear on the ejector rod, grip frame or cylinder mouths. I seriously doubt this gun was carried in a holster much or fired many rounds through it at all, it was probably a safe queen for most of its years.
The grips are the square butt factory checkered walnut “service” type panels that I usually despise, but the small J frame and absence of recoil with the .22,LR is making me want to keep them in place.
I gave it a whirl at the indoor range today, firing one set each (No “best of” and tossing out the others.) I was shooting 24 CCI mini mags at 10 yds, two-handed DA.
I will say the dark ramp/black blade sights aren’t all that easy to see in indoor light. I wish it had a red ramp insert or something similar. Hopefully when I get a chance to wring it out in natural light they’ll be easier to see. I gave it the best I could, but the group I shot with the 34-1 was actually a bit larger than the one I shot with my S&W 317 3” with the modern so-so trigger and hi-viz front and V blade rear. I can honestly say I was a bit disappointed, but it was with my shooting rather than with the guns themselves.
Despite my shortcomings behind the trigger, I can see why everyone was raving about their Model 63’s! The handy Smith Kit Gun size, the fit and the finish are first rate. Once I get used the the sights and feel of the new 34, I hope I’ll be able to put together some grouping worthy of the gun.
Stay safe.
