Smith & Wesson 63 Stainless

     Notes: This is a stainless steel-framed rimfire revolver designed in several different versions.  In addition to a 2- or 4-inch barrel, the Model 63 has an adjustable rear sight and walnut grips.  Four versions exist other than the original model: The Model 63-1, which had the barrel retaining pin removed; Model 63-2, a special version with a 2-inch barrel and Hogue grips (manufactured for the Lew Horton Company); Model 63-3, which modified the cylinder arm for more reliable operation; and Model 63-4, which modified the ejector star for more positive ejection and used an Uncle Mike wooden grip.  The Model 63 was introduced in 1977, and the various models remained in production until 1999.

     The Model 651 Service Stainless is a further modification of the Model 63; it fires .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire as its primary caliber, with an interchangeable cylinder to allow firing of .22 Long Rifle ammunition.  It uses only a 4-inch barrel.  The Model 651 was introduced in 1983, and production stopped in 1988, but production picked up again from 1991 to 1999.

     In 2008, a new version of the Model 63 began production.  The Model 63-4 uses a 5-inch heavy barrel, and grips that have finger grooves and molded-in checkered sides.  The cylinder of the Model 63-4 has an 8-round capacity, the sights are adjustable for windage and elevation, and the frame is drilled and tapped for a scope mount.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The Model 63-4 is not available in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Smith & Wesson 242 Airlite

     Notes: The Model 242 was designed to be an Airlite that had both a high-capacity cylinder and a capability to fire more powerful +P ammunition.  Chambered for .38 Special, the Model 242 was built on an L Frame, but made from high-quality light alloy with a titanium cylinder.  The barrel is only 2.5 inches long, and is made from an inner liner of stainless steel with an alloy barrel shroud.  The sights were simple, being a blackened low front blade and a fixed rear sight consisting of an open notch.  The grips were Uncle Mike’s wrap-around types and made of soft rubber.  The hammer is semi-concealed, with the hammer spur just accessible enough to allow thumb-cocking.  Production of the Model 242 began in 1999, but stopped in 2001, as the slightly-lighter and more powerful Model 296 became more popular.

     The Model 296 is essentially the same weapon, but is chambered for .44 Special ammunition (including +P loads).  The hammer of the Model 296 is completely concealed, unlike the semi-concealed hammer of the Model 242.  The Model 296 is still in production.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: These revolvers are not available in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Smith & Wesson 317 Airlite

     Notes: The Model 317 has an alloy frame finished to look like stainless steel, and a stainless steel cylinder and barrel.  The Model 317 was introduced in 1997, and there are several versions available.

     The Model 317 Airlite Chief has a barrel 1.89 inches long, a fixed rear sight, and an Uncle Mike rubber boot grip.  The Model 318 Airlite Lady Smith is the same, but has a laminated grip made of Dymondwood.  The Model 317 Airlite Kit Gun has an adjustable sight and an Uncle Mike rubber boot grip, as well as a 3-inch barrel.  The Model 317 Airlite Kit Gun Hi-Viz is the same as the Airlite Kit Gun, but has a fiberoptic light-gathering front sight inlay, an adjustable rear sight, larger, more comfortable grips, and a longer 3-inch barrel.  The Airlite Chief and Airlite Lady Smith are identical to the Airlite Chief for game purposes.  For all except the Hi-Viz, the sights of the Model 317 are somewhat deficient (as is normal for such concealable snubbies); if fact, it is best to blacken the front sight, since it is otherwise difficult to line up with the rear sight trough otherwise.  The sights of the Hi-Viz are a good idea in principle, but not in execution on the Model 317 Hi-Viz.  The V-notch of the rear sight is tight, making acquisition of the front sight difficult, and the elevation adjustments tend to slip with shooting, and “Kentucky Windage” (or elevation, in this case) becomes more and more necessary with each shot.

Smith & Wesson 386 Airlite Sc

     Notes: These two revolvers have a frame made from a lightweight scandium-aluminum alloy, with a titanium-alloy cylinder, making them very light.  They were both introduced in 2001, and are still manufactured.

     The Model 386 Mountain Lite Airlite Sc is meant to be a “backpack gun,” for use against angry animals or predators when in the wilderness.  The frame and barrel are finished in a stainless-steel-type finish, while the cylinder is medium gray.  The Mountain Lite has a Hi-Viz fiberoptic front sight insert.

     The Model 386PD (Personal Defense) Airlite Sc is a light snubnose revolver in the same vein as other Smith & Wesson PD-type revolvers.  The frame is finished in matte black, and the cylinder is matte dark gray.  The Model 386PD is capable of firing +P loads.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This weapon does not exist.

Smith & Wesson 396 Mountain Lite Ti

     Notes: This is similar to the Airlite Ti revolvers, but fires .44 Special ammunition.  Like the Airlites, it is a very light revolver that has a lot of kick and muzzle blast. Designed to be a weapon for emergency use against attacks by large wildlife, the Model 296 is a snubnosed .44 Magnum revolver designed for short-range work and with sights designed for easy and fast target acquisition.  Many police officers, particularly undercover officers, have also found it to be a compact and powerful backup piece. Surprisingly for a backup and camper’s piece, the Model 296 has a large, healthy-sized hammer, and can be easily thumb-cocked.  It is essentially made on the Airlite Ti frame.  The gun is very light, and thus, along with its short barrel, not much good beyond short range.  It has a titanium cylinder to help reduce weight, but 6the cartridge demanded the use of steel;  it is largely made of stainless steel with a bead-blasted finish  It has raised sights, a aperture for the rear and a green fiberoptic sight for the front.  Despite its compact size, it has a full 3.25-inch barrel which is deeply rifled, has a protected bore, and heavy-lugged construction.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This weapon does not exist.