S&W Model 63 - price check and such

[johnandersonoutdoors]

I am going to an auction tomorrow and there appears to be a S&W model 63 in good condition. I haven't seen it in person, but from the pics there is just a light turn line. I am not sure about whether it will come with a box or other details.

I believe I would enjoy shooting this gun and using it to introduce new shooters and/or for shooters who are not yet comfortable with a 9mm round.\

What do you think I should pay for it? Or maybe I should ask what do you think it is worth?

Thanks for your input

 

[witchhunter]

The 63 is a great little .22 revolver. Mine is very accurate for such a small package, it is a J frame, usually with a 4 inch barrel. nice sights, great little gun to pack. I have seen people asking 600 bucks for em lately, I guess it is worth what you are willing to pay?

 

[springer99]

FWIW I just picked up a '85ish,older 63, that was hardly fired for $625. Like new condition with the old,ramp-style front sight which I prefer.

 

[Waveski]

I believe the ramped front sight you refer to is a "Baughman" style sight. I have one on my S&W Combat Masterpiece. It was designed to draw without snagging.

The 63 looks like a great shooter, very classy. They sure do command a price.

Good Luck at auction. Report back , please.

 

[bannockburn]

A quick glance at some of the asking prices on Model 63s on Gunbroker puts them at somewhere north of $700. A little too steep for my wallet and makes me all the more glad that I found a LNIB Model 34 a few years back for considerably less than that. Hope the auction goes well and you can get back to us with latest aquistion.

 

[Ron James]

Wow, It is hard to believe my little 63 is worth that much. No box but three sets of grips. I really like my Model 63, it has been many a mile with me.. Since I'm thinning out my guns I had planed on just giving it to my youngest son, but after reading the above price quotes I believe I will charge him a case of Sam Adams.

 

[22-rimfire]

The 63 looks like a great shooter, very classy. They sure do command a price.

Good Luck at auction. Report back , please.

All of the quality DA 22 revolvers command a serious price these days. The old M63's were generally 4". Then S&W started making a 5"and dropped it and followed with the 3". They are real nice 22 revolvers.

 

[GEM]

I regret that I was broke when I saw a snubby J frame (which they are) 63. It was so nice looking.

 

[tallpaul]

Since I'm thinning out my guns I had planed on just giving it to my youngest son, but after reading the above price quotes I believe I will charge him a case of Sam Adams.

Wanna adopt a 50 year old ... I will give you 2 cases of Sam Adams for it

 

[Magnumite]

Great little revolver. One of my favorite rimfire handguns with a good accuracy. I actually bought a 4" for inexpensive revolver double action practice. I soon found how much fun it was to go for a walk and plink with it. Fits nicely in the back pocket.

 

[Armybrat]

Paid $270 for mine (no box) about 15 years ago. Bought a 98% Model 34 (with box) for about the same price. Had no idea they were up so much. Excellent little shooter:

 

[aarondhgraham]

I haven't seen one go for less than $600.00 in a long time.

I haven't seen one go for less than $600.00 in a long time.

The older 4" version is not made anymore,,,
And like all discontinued S&W's,,,
It has become collectable.

IIRC, I paid $575.00 for mine about 4 years ago,,,
I left the deal thinking I had stolen it.

They really are great little shooters though,,,
It's a kit gun that will probably outlast all of us.

You are the one who can decide if it's worth that cost,,,
But if you truly want to own one for yourself,,,
They won't get cheaper down the line.

Aarond

.

 

[Waveski]

I have seen the 63 referred to as .22/32. I hereby suck up my pride and ask:
What does that designation mean?

 

[22-rimfire]

I bought a 5" back when they were available. Paid pretty much retail gun store pricing ($500 in 2011) even though it was "on sale". It is a nice gun, but hard to get a good fitting holster for it. Always wanted the 3", but my interest has waned in the last couple of years plus I have only seen one in a store and the asking price was above suggested retail. I passed. With a good holster, the 5" is a pretty nice field gun which is my primary use (plinker mostly). I like steel framed 22 revolvers.

 

[JFrame]

Bought my 4" 63 from a friend back in '80 -- it's still on my short list of firearms I will never sell.

.

 

[Mike C2]

They were called .22/32 because they chambered what at the time was the .32 caliber revolver in .22. This all pre-dates the Model #'s so it was a way of identifying the gun size since there were K22 Masterpieces that were different size frame.

 

[Waveski]

Well Mike , that makes sense , and thank you.

Not a convertible "kit gun" , rather a .22 adapted to an established frame , originally chambered in .32. The "kit" part is in reference to the fact that the compact Model 63 would fit nicely into one's kit bag , camping , fishing , etc.

The folks at Smith & Wesson sure have discontinued a lot of gems. Look at the prices they command now.

Where is the Crystal Ball when you need it?