mawkie
C&R Whisperer
-When I got my Winchester 1907 SL last year I was driven to pick up the rifle that it was based on: the Winchester 1903. Along the way, as I learned more about the 1903 I also discovered the model 63, which is pretty much the 1903 chambered in .22 LR. Also found that the model 63 is a hot item in the sporting rifle world. More so than the 1903 which is chambered for the older Winchester Automatic .22. Nice model 63s are now selling for nearly $1k and the deluxe models with fancy checkered furniture are in the $2K range.
-So for the last 12 month I combed the 'net and shows for both models. Hit the jackpot in a Wisconsin auction in August when this nice 63 came up for sale. Luckily there wasn't too much competition and it became mine for hundreds under market value. She's in outstanding condition with a minor shallow crack in the stock, just below the upper tang. They're weakest here and prone to do just that. Otherwise it's pristine.
-SN places dates it to 1950, one of 157K built from 1933 to 1958. Early 63's came in both 20 and 23 inch barrels but the 23 proved to be so popular that the shorter barrel was dropped from production. A blow back design with a 10 round tubular magazine that was fed from the cutout in the right side of the buttstock. Like the 1907, the bolt is pushed back to feed rounds via the operating sleeve at the front of the forestock.
-The 63 also has a take-down feature for compact storage and cleaning. The take down screw is at the rear of the receiver. Just unscrew to separate the buttstock from action.
-The 63 was so popular that in the 90s it was put back into production by the Japanese firm Miroku which, along with Winchester, was part of the FN family. And Taurus of Brazil built copies of the 63 in blued steel and SS. From what I've read the Miroku version is a peach, a reliable copy that's well built. Both Miroku and Taurus copies are out of production but easy to find on the secondary market if you want to find a nice shooter without spending $1k or more for a Winchester.
-I'm very pleased with this sweetie and will keep up the hunt for a nice, older Model 1903 to join it.
-So for the last 12 month I combed the 'net and shows for both models. Hit the jackpot in a Wisconsin auction in August when this nice 63 came up for sale. Luckily there wasn't too much competition and it became mine for hundreds under market value. She's in outstanding condition with a minor shallow crack in the stock, just below the upper tang. They're weakest here and prone to do just that. Otherwise it's pristine.
-SN places dates it to 1950, one of 157K built from 1933 to 1958. Early 63's came in both 20 and 23 inch barrels but the 23 proved to be so popular that the shorter barrel was dropped from production. A blow back design with a 10 round tubular magazine that was fed from the cutout in the right side of the buttstock. Like the 1907, the bolt is pushed back to feed rounds via the operating sleeve at the front of the forestock.
-The 63 also has a take-down feature for compact storage and cleaning. The take down screw is at the rear of the receiver. Just unscrew to separate the buttstock from action.
-The 63 was so popular that in the 90s it was put back into production by the Japanese firm Miroku which, along with Winchester, was part of the FN family. And Taurus of Brazil built copies of the 63 in blued steel and SS. From what I've read the Miroku version is a peach, a reliable copy that's well built. Both Miroku and Taurus copies are out of production but easy to find on the secondary market if you want to find a nice shooter without spending $1k or more for a Winchester.
-I'm very pleased with this sweetie and will keep up the hunt for a nice, older Model 1903 to join it.
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