new S&W 63 5 inch

[santacruzpaul]

hi all, hope this subject hasen't been beat to death, but this is a newer S&W,
last year i bought brand new the stainless S&W 63 5 inch, and just recently checked it out, and the cylinder is alot looser side to side than all my other older revolvers, and back and forth has a couple thousands of slop in lock up also, is this normal for the 63 S&W 22's? (the 63 shoots well but i am picky about my revolvers and want them as good as they can be)
i checked out a new 317 at a local gun shop here, and it was welded to the frame
thanks, Paul

 

[Radagast]

I just checked three smiths:

6 year old Model 617 .22 lr. Tiny amount of side to side play. Zero back and forth.
33 year old Model 18 .22lr. More side to side play, some back and forth. In fact probably time for a tune up.

37 year old Model 66 minimal side to side, minimal back and forth. Was tuned up a year ago.

All guns have had at least several thousand rounds through them.

I'd be inclined to call S&W and ask them if it is within spec. If it is a warranty job they will send you a shipping label.

 

[Stainz]

I bought my new 4" 617 9/08 - a friend bought a new 5" 63 12/08, but sadly, never got to shoot it. I bought it from his estate 9/09. Like my 617, it got some new springs - and grips (The Hogue square-conversion J-frames were the largest grips I could find.). It now, since the picture below, sports a HiViz sight a la the 617.



Both have seen thousands of rounds in the last year or so - and the 63 is as tight as the 617. If your example is loose, it needs to go back. Call that 800# - they'll send you an overnite FEDEX label - no cost to you. Include a letter listing the faults you found.

It can have a better trigger, too. I used the strongest of the trio of hammer coil springs supplied in Wolff's J-frame kit - and a mid-level trigger return spring. S&W wants it to go bang, no matter it's state of cleanliness, thus the stout OEM springs. Fun firearm - accurate to a fault, too. It needs some decent wood grips!

Stainz

 

[santacruzpaul]

thanks for the info guys, will give S&W a call monday,
Paul

 

[Confederate]

I wrote several letters to S&W in the late 70s or early 80s begging them to come out with a 5-inch 63. How I would have loved to have had one of the old-styled models w/chrome-plated hammer/triggers, wood grips and integral front sights (the non-tapped in kind). That would have been loverly!

Instead they wait until I'm an old man! A pox on them! I'm sorry to hear that lock-ups aren't tight, though. And it's too bad they're putting them out in round grips instead of square.



I'm happy to have my Ruger Single-Six in the meantime.