For rimfire enthusiasts, the .22 LR semi-auto pistols are all the rage. And well they should be. They're fun to shoot, quick to load, and affordable to buy. However, magazine-fed handguns are not the only option worth investing in. Hidden deeply within Smith & Wesson's inventory of semi-auto pistols, big-bore wheelguns and AR-style rifles are some of the best rimfire double-action revolvers available. Among the most versatile options is the compact Model 63 kit gun.
We’ve been asked: Why would I want to buy a double action .22 revolver over a .22 semiautomatic pistol? The answer is: It depends. If targets are your point of aim, you’re better off with a target pistol. After all, holding on a bullseye while cranking the average double action trigger isn’t the easiest thing to do during a course of timed or rapid fire.
One of the first articles I ever wrote for Gunblast was on the Model 63 Smith & Wesson. Titled "Little Big Gun", I praised the little sixgun as being one of the best trail guns ever made. To those who own them, they are legendary little revolvers, and are priced accordingly. S&W discontinued production of the Model 63 a few years ago, and they are very hard to find on the used market.