Why did S&W miss the boat on a 4 inch model 63?

[mannyrock]

 
 
   I have been looking at lots of rimfire double actions lately, especially those with 8 shots or more.  As you know, there ain't many good choices if you are looking for more than 6 rounds.
 
   For the life of me, I can't figure out why S&W does not offer its model 63 with a four inch barrel. 
 
   A four inch barrel is a universal standard for an all around revolver, and has been for almost 100 years.  The S&W .22 kit guns, the amazingly successful predecessors to the model 63, all came with the option of a four inch barrel.
 
  So what does S&W do?  It brings out the model 63 (being its updated version of the kit guns), in three inch and six inch barrels only.  In my opinion, idiots.
 
   Any background on this?
 
Thanks, Mannyrock

[tacklebury]

My opinion on the barrel length is that unless I'm trying to conceal a pistol, I like a 5 to 6" barrel much better than 4".  Little more sight radius and better ballance to me.  I have 2 non-carry revolvers and they are 5.5" & 6" and I have 1 non-carry auto and it's 5".    I think if you ask 10 guys though, you're probably going to get at least 7 different answers.  S&W and other manufacturers usually listen to the money.  Which are selling faster or in greater quantity.  That's what they will choose to keep making. 

[Keith L]

You may want to check with S&W's marketing department.  Normally companies do market research prior to bringing out product that helps them determine what the market wants.  If you call them maybe they can put you on one of their focus groups.

[pastorp]

One of the nicest handeling Jframe barrel lengths is 3". I have owned several chief specials in 3" and they are sweethearts. Currently I carry a 3' sp101. 

Manny, lets face it they can't make everybody happy. But miss the mark? Not in my opinion. 

Regards,

[mannyrock]

 
  Well, I note with interest that Ruger has announced that it is re-introducing the SP-101 in .22LR, with an 8 shot cylinder, and guess what, a four inch barrel.  They must know something. :-)
 
 
Best, Mannyrock

[WIL TERRY]

I DO NOT THINK SO !!! MY wife's S&W M63-4 5" HB will easily--EASILY !!-- outshot my M617 4", M34-1 4", M63 2", and M63 4", hands down eat 'em all alive. It will also outshoot the best K22 I own, a 1958 model, that was the apple of my eye for many years. TIS interesting to note the M63 4" is the doggiest one of the bunch with it's silly orange front sight.
My wife actually bought the M63-4 5" HB for my birthday several years ago but commandeered it for herself a few years ago after shooting it for the first time. I have seen her put 500 rounds through in a morning hardly missing a single shot while bouncing tin cans around at at 50 yards or more. She can pick the buttons off your shirt with it at 50 yards. She puts at least 250 rounds a week through it. NOW, she will be learning DA shooting with it and it has a SUPERB DA trigger pull.
THE S&W M63-4 5" HB IS THE FINEST J-FRAME I HAVE EVER SEEN, and have or have had, 'em all over the years. IT truly is a junior K22 rather than being a heavier kitgun model perse'. Whatta 22 eight-gun !!!!

[Ken ONeill]

DANG, Terry! I need to run right out and buy one! FWIW, my 4" 63 of 20+ years ago shot just fine, but like you, I curse the very idea of red ramp front sights.

[Ladobe]

My early Bearcats and Super Bearcat always got it done just fine with 4" barrels, as did the much earlier S&W 22/32 SB Kit Gun and later Model 63 SB (both with 4" barrels).   So I guess barrel length is in the eye of the beholder/hunter.   
 
Red ramp front sights... and white outline rear brings to mind some old memories (and I don't care for them either).   Kind of a comical story as our "thing" was complete restoration of antique and modern firearms, and Sako, Colt, S&W sales... but the "sight fad" was probably never stronger than in the early 70's for these sights, on everything.    At our gunshop we were fitting in up to several of them every day on just about any model of handgun, and on some carbines/rifles.   Not because we promoted them, but because we were the only gunshop in the county that did them.   We only started doing them in the first place at the request of a few of our regular S&W customers that we were doing action jobs, target triggers/hammers or re-bluing for, but the word quickly got around (especially at the Army base).   A local drugstore buddy would pull all the fluorescent red, orange and white handled toothbrushes out of every stock order and set them aside for us.   All done with hand files and engraving tools, it's surprising how fast we both got doing them.   But they brought a lot of easy money into the shop, and tons of extra gun work and new firearm sales from what had became new regular customers.   TT's & TH's were a big fad then on S&W's too, and few of them we did left the shop without the sight mods as well.   
 
L.
 
 

[Gray Paw]

The .22 Ruger SP-101 has a 4.2" barrel to accommodate the Canadian market.

I like J-frames with 3" barrels, which is good because the M63 is only available in the length now.

Might have to get one to match my 3" M60

[Couger]

My early Bearcats and Super Bearcat always got it done just fine with 4" barrels, as did the much earlier S&W 22/32 SB Kit Gun and later Model 63 SB (both with 4" barrels).   So I guess barrel length is in the eye of the beholder/hunter.      

Nicely said.  I like the 3inch SP101 .357 I bought for my dad, despite my universal preference for 4inch handguns.  But there are diffinitely niches for 5inch handguns or other weird lengths too!

I'm not a 'big' handgunner, but as for the M63 S&W of yesteryear, yeah they were great little kit guns for a 6-only shooter!
 
But I'd rather pack a re-designed stainless model17 EIGHT or 9-shooter in .22LR (with a .222 bore!) with a 4inch bbl in a round butt. 
 
Options to choose 3", 5" or 6" or 8" barrels would be a nice feature too!
 
Plus I'm glad Ruger offers their 4inch 8-shot SP101 in .22LR, but they need to expand their options!!  For add'l barrel lengths, round butt option, and even in .22WMR.
 
A 4inch 8-shot SP101 .22LR/.22WMR combo would more than just "sweet!" 

[S.B.]

mannyrock, everyone hss different tastes. I've often thought the round butt N framed S&Ws were too small and odd shaped for my hands? I had my 63 out just tonight and thought the cylinder would hold more than six?

I do like the newer S&W light weight kit guns that hold more than six rounds(317?)
Steve

[gcrank1]

The 4" 63 I had also had the dreaded red ramp front, Ive never been able to shoot tight groups with one of those sights, that included. I blacked it with a black magic marker.
For a revolver of that size I saw little need for a holster, one should ride nicely in a front or back jeans pocket, and the 4" was just a tad short; it stayed in all right, but went a bit deep for a quick, easy out from the front pocket. I sure would have liked to have tried a 5" with a good, straight backed, black front sight.
And, FWIW, I wish the factories would thin the front sights a little, they just dont show enough light to either side of the rear notch. I know my eyes are not what they once were, but a little more light either side is way better than too little, even for younger eyes.

[Ladobe]

As I said I never cared for the red ramp front sights (nor firesights now days), but you do what your customers want within reason when your a gunsmith.
 
I also carried my S&W Kit guns and Bearcats just in a back pocket far more often than in a holster - as in probably 95% of the time (as I did with many of the "pocket" pistols I've owned).
 
A quick mod on your open sights is no big deal and easy enough to do yourself.    Simply make the rear "notch" a little wider with a jewelers "hand" file (with the blank edge down).   

[Gray Paw]

Cougar, Taurus now makes a Tracker Model 992 that has both .22lr and .22 Mag cylinders.  Available in stainless or blue and 4" or 6" barrel.  It has an innovative push-botton cylinder latch that allows quick removal of the entire crane, extractor, and cylinder for switching calibers.

They run about $500 and could be a useful choice in the wild,  Heavy, though.  They list it at 55-oz but that includes both cylinder assemblies.  Probably around 45-oz with either cylinder installed.

[gcrank1]

What a 'tank'.......dont fall in the crick!

[Dave in WV]

My son bought me a M63 (no dash)  4" for my retirement. I can live with the red ramp sight. The 3" barrel is one I question too. I could have lived with the new 5" if it wasn't for all of the flutes. Ugliest thing they could have done. A non-fluted cylinder would be far better looking. The 617 with the 10 chambers can be done with six flutes. The first one S&W made for a factory competitor only had six flutes.  One thing IMHO Elmer Keith had 100% right is the thinner trigger with a smooth face is better for DA shooting. The grooves on the trigger face are something I also question.