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November 7, 2015
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Found a pretty solid 63 and it even has a receiver peep sight that appears to be a period piece. It’s somewhat damaged but could be repairable. My dilemna is the holes where the sight mounts to the receiver; I don’t think the 63 was D&T’d for a sight like this. Other issue is the finish is a weak 80% but seems to be a nice, solid gun. Only have a few pics, didn’t want them to think I was too interested.
Need to measure the barrel, may be a carbine.
That the Lyman 41 receiver sight that Winchester offered as an option early on during the production of the model 63. It should be marked WA (Winchester Automatic).. Very rare as most model 63’s were purchased out of dealer inventory and dealers didn’t order guns with factory options, out of the fear of getting stuck with them. Don’t know how you would tell if it was actually factory installed. But it is correct and possible.
Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
“There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”
Teddy Roosevelt
November 7, 2015
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Thanks, Vince. Good information to have. Where should the “WA” mark be? I didn’t notice it but may go back for another look. I’m beginning to think the eyepiece is not correct but that shouldn’t be a problem. May have to take another look at it, it was still there a few hours ago.
The WA is on the back so you would have to remove the sight to see it. Now I am going to have to get one , these 67 year old eye don’t perform to well with iron sights.
Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
“There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”
Teddy Roosevelt
November 7, 2015
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My eyes are a bit younger but have a similar problem. I recently had a pair of glasses made without the reading prescription and now I can see buckhorn sights fairly well again. Peep sight picture improved and I don’t have to look thru a corner of my glasses to shoot a pistol.
I wonder if I can talk them into letting me take the sight off that rifle?
November 7, 2015
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Well, I bought it. It IS a carbine but they didn’t realize that until I measured the barrel. It’s a weak 70% gun IMHO but I like 70% guns, just can’t help it. I asked them to remove the receiver sight but they weren’t able to do it. I didn’t think it was a factory Lyman so I didn’t figure it into my negotiations. Price marked was a bit high @799 but I was able to negotiate a satisfactory price.
OK, I know you want to see pics and I did the best I could.
November 7, 2015
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And Vince, this one’s for you. I truly owe you one. I took a gamble and it paid off. A little bit of Kroil and one destroyed screwdriver tip later and I had a very nice surprise under 80 years of gunk.
Blind hogs and acorns indeed!
Nice looking 63, have fun shooting it. I have been very impressed with the accuracy and function of mine. I haven’t shot any of my other 22s since picking up the 63. That will have to change when the rain quits.
Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
“There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”
Teddy Roosevelt
November 7, 2015
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Thanks, Vince. Headed out to shoot it today. Still pretty tickled with my luck in stumbling across such an unusual gun. Without your very interesting info and the excellent description in the Red Book and no small amount of dumb luck I would have missed it.
November 7, 2015
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Wow, that’s one sweet little rifle! Haven’t found a round that it really likes but it does pretty well with bulk Winchester hollow points. It didn’t like my vintage Winchester Wildcat ($8.25/brick!) ammo but that’s OK, I have a pistol that thinks it’s target ammo. Sighted in very easily and functioned perfectly. May have to replace the rear sight with a blank to clear up the sight picture if I keep it. Not bad for an 80 yr old rifle with lots of years of honest use. One of my shooting buddies showed me how this rifle breaks down, very impressive!
Sad thing is, I think I should probably keep looking for a shooter. I realized today this little carbine is probably a little too valuable for a plinker. Y’all may see it on my table in Cody.
JWA’s bride mailed some sights for my 75 today, I’m thinking it will be a better shooter for me.
TXGunNut that is a very nice find! I think she looks outstanding! Love it and love the fact that you found her and had done your research and now she will reside in your collection for all to enjoy. Also love the 4 digit serial number to boot! Fantastic find and story.
Dave
WACA #10119
NRA Member
November 7, 2015
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Thanks, David. Couldn’t have done it without the help from Vince and a bit of luck. Still pretty tickled about my little treasure, headed out to the range in a few minutes to play with it and my 75.
November 7, 2015
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Had a little fun at the range. All I’ll say was that this was one very unlucky fly. 50 yards, peep sights (63) with some ammo that it doesn’t especially like. On top of that I hadn’t bothered to put my shooting glasses on. I REALLY like this little carbine!
OnlineNovember 7, 2015
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Thanks, Roger, but it appears I was a little off to the left.
I’ll take it though because as my friend pointed out I couldn’t actually see the fly when I fired. He’s still trying to figure that one out.
Parts enroute to complete the sight set-up for my 75 Target. Will be pretty cool to shoot a rifle that’s actually capable of shooting a fly @ 50 yds.
November 7, 2015
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What do y’all think about the swivel eyes on this little carbine? After the debate on that pretty 94 carbine I’m a bit curious. Pics could be better but I’m inclined to think they look like the ones on p 600 of Madis’ book.
November 7, 2015
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Shot the 63 again yesterday, still looking for a round it likes. No flies this time, lol. Shoots HV PMC pretty well but won’t cycle it reliably, even worse than standard velocity Eley Club. I really like the way this little carbine takes down for cleaning, pure genius!
TXGunNut said
Shot the 63 again yesterday, still looking for a round it likes. No flies this time, lol. Shoots HV PMC pretty well but won’t cycle it reliably, even worse than standard velocity Eley Club. I really like the way this little carbine takes down for cleaning, pure genius!
If by HV you mean hyper velocity, I wouldn’t shot the in the 63. Hyper tends to really slam the bolt. They were designed for higher than standard velocity buhyper.the newer hyper. They’ve broken buffer pads in my Marlin 60.
Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
“There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”
Teddy Roosevelt
November 7, 2015
Offline
Nope, not hyper velocity. My theory about .22 semi-autos is that the lightest load that will reliably function the action is quite often a very accurate load. I think some of today’s “high velocity” loads are a bit shy of the loads this rifle was designed for. I have one other .22 that shows a preference (OK, need) for high velocity ammo so I happen to have some around. A few primer shortages ago I was a pretty serious PPC competitor and I had to buy a S&W 617 for practice. It preferred the higher velocity rounds so I likely have some around here somewhere. Haven’t bought any 22LR ammo in years but I hear this recently manufactured stuff is nothing to write home about unless you step up to the target ammo.
Today’s 22 ammo leaves ALOT to be desired . I have had good results with ICI std velosity in bolt actions with scopes. Golden Bullets and others have sufficed in semi-autos and iron sights. My eyes are my biggest handicap. It would be a waste for me to use match ammo.
Here’s the correct prescription for your 63.
Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
“There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”
Teddy Roosevelt
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