Winchster Model 63, 22 auto

gunslinger57

Was the Win. 63 only grooved on the last 10,000 or can a 63 carbine (20'barrel) have grooved receiver and be orginal?

Bert H.

Without going to my reference books, I can not remember when the grooved receiver was first introduced (or how many were made), but I believe that it is more than just the last 10,000. If your Model 63 has a grooved receiver, it is factory original. I have a real hard time believing that somebody would go through the trouble and expense of having the receiver milled for grooves... most people would simply drill and tap the receiver for a scope mount block.

merrbarb

Reference books say the last 10,000 to 11,000 were made with grooved receivers (23" barrels only).

Bert H.

OK, after looking through my references, the Model 63 was introduced in February of 1933. It was origially manufactured with a 20-inch barrel, then in late 1934, it was changed to a 23-inch barrel. If your Model 63 has a grooved receiver and a 20-inch barrel, it is not factory original (I suspect that a late production gun was rebarreled with an old barrel).