Defective S&W 63 Cylinder Options

Matt Sutton · December 12, 2022, 02:01 PM

I picked up a very clean 1987-ish S&W 63 at an auction. The seller claims he bought it new, shot a box through it, and it sat in his safe until I purchased it.
After its first trip to the range, I found out why he never shot it again. One of the cylinders has a small void in the cylinder wall, which allows the case to bulge, making extraction very difficult. I already went the S&W factory repair route, and they returned it unmodified.
It will fire shorts through that chamber without any issues so it's not a total loss, but I'd rather have it working 100%.
Would a smithy be able to drill out the bad chamber and install a liner? Are there any other options or recommended smiths out there

603Country · December 13, 2022, 09:49 AM

I have no worthwhile suggestions, but sure hope you can get it fixed.

FrankenMauser · December 13, 2022, 11:23 AM

Cylinder replacement.
Don't mess with liners or sleeves.

I do not have a recommendation for the work. All of my guys are dead.

RoyceP · December 13, 2022, 12:04 PM

Your profile doesn't say where you are. I would start with a Google search for gunsmiths in your area. Then take the revolver to have it fixed.

Jim Watson · December 13, 2022, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Would a smithy be able to drill out the bad chamber and install a liner?

Theoretically, yes, but finding somebody willing to fool with it would not likely be possible.

Your only real option is to replace the cylinder.

Drm50 · December 13, 2022, 01:44 PM

Yes, replacement is only reasonable fix. You don’t want shade tree guys fooling with that kind of job. I just saw a 22magnum cylinder for 63 for sale, I think was $120. It must be a custom job on a stock 63 cylinder. You might check on what reaming to 22mag would cost.
Might be economical to have done then sell or trade on another 63.

**44 AMP** · December 13, 2022, 03:29 PM

Since the gun actually works (though not well) and isn't new under warranty, the factory doesn't have to "fix" it.

Quote:

Might be economical to have done then sell or trade on another 63.

Might be economical, but I wouldn't consider it ethical without informing the buyer about the problem. Unless, of course the buyer is one of those people who deserve to enjoy "let the buyer beware".

Lavan · December 14, 2022, 12:17 PM

Is it in a place where a small weld bead could be put and drilled out to case diameter?

JohnMoses · December 14, 2022, 06:34 PM

Or you could cut a piece of pencil eraser to fit the bad chamber and just be careful to close the cylinder with the bad chamber up. I'd be happy to buy it at a discount and use it that way.

Jim Watson · December 14, 2022, 07:12 PM

There are several 317 8 shot cylinders on Ebay. I wonder if a 63 could be retimed for one.

Drm50 · December 14, 2022, 09:15 PM

I wasn’t meaning to stick someone with bad gun. I was meaning having it reamed to 22mg then selling or trading. There are a ton on 22mag nuts.

December 12, 2022, 02:01 PM	#1
Matt Sutton Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 1999 Posts: 271	Defective S&W 63 Cylinder Options I picked up a very clean 1987-ish S&W 63 at an auction. The seller claims he bought it new, shot a box through it, and it sat in his safe until I purchased it. After its first trip to the range, I found out why he never shot it again. One of the cylinders has a small void in the cylinder wall, which allows the case to bulge, making extraction very difficult. I already went the S&W factory repair route, and they returned it unmodified. It will fire shorts through that chamber without any issues so it's not a total loss, but I'd rather have it working 100%. Would a smithy be able to drill out the bad chamber and install a liner? Are there any other options or recommended smiths out there

December 13, 2022, 11:23 AM	#3
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,071	Cylinder replacement. Don't mess with liners or sleeves. I do not have a recommendation for the work. All of my guys are dead. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

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December 13, 2022, 09:49 AM	#2
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,944	I have no worthwhile suggestions, but sure hope you can get it fixed.

December 13, 2022, 12:04 PM	#4
RoyceP Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2020 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 187	Your profile doesn't say where you are. I would start with a Google search for gunsmiths in your area. Then take the revolver to have it fixed.

December 13, 2022, 01:44 PM	#6
Drm50 Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2014 Posts: 1,268	Yes, replacement is only reasonable fix. You don’t want shade tree guys fooling with that kind of job. I just saw a 22magnum cylinder for 63 for sale, I think was $120. It must be a custom job on a stock 63 cylinder. You might check on what reaming to 22mag would cost. Might be economical to have done then sell or trade on another 63.

December 14, 2022, 12:17 PM	#8
Lavan Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 1999 Location: California Posts: 2,693	Is it in a place where a small weld bead could be put and drilled out to case diameter?

December 14, 2022, 06:34 PM	#9
JohnMoses Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2008 Posts: 195	Or you could cut a piece of pencil eraser to fit the bad chamber and just be careful to close the cylinder with the bad chamber up. I'd be happy to buy it at a discount and use it that way.

December 14, 2022, 07:12 PM	#10
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,027	There are several 317 8 shot cylinders on Ebay. I wonder if a 63 could be retimed for one.

December 14, 2022, 09:15 PM	#11
Drm50 Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2014 Posts: 1,268	I wasn’t meaning to stick someone with bad gun. I was meaning having it reamed to 22mg then selling or trading. There are a ton on 22mag nuts.