S&W Model 53

dsf · #1 12-28-2020, 12:32 AM

Yesterday I exercised my C&R in OR and bought a 6", 1961 made S&W Model 53. Original factory grips, +95% with a touch of muzzle wear and cylinder drag line. The 22lr cylinder numbers to the gun. The Jet cylinder is long gone. Wife of the dear departed supposes it was lost on a camping trip or is lost somewhere around the house. If found she promises to turn it over to the store which promises to turn it over to me.

Well, we'll see - I'm not holding my breath. The price was good for the Smith as a 22 lr only so if that cylinder never shows, I'm OK as is. But I'd like to see if I can do better.

From what I've read finding a Jet cylinder isn't going to happen, even if I'm not in a hurry. Any suggestions on where to locate and how much (ransom) I should expect to pay? And will the darn thing even work properly?

From what I've read a 22 WMR cylinder is too short - true?

Other than "buy a Model 53 in 8 3/8" and swapping back & forth (which I'm inclined to do) - any suggestions?

I

Hondo44 · #2 12-28-2020, 03:12 AM

Great find!

Yes, any WMR cyls are too short, none known ever made for the M53.

Your best likelihood of finding a Jet cyl would be in the treasure troves of members on this forum. Advertise in the classifieds section and perhaps there's some owners and perhaps one would let go of it so you can complete your M53.

steelslaver · #3 12-28-2020, 07:55 AM

Check eBay regularly as I have seen them show up there. Very seldom, but it does happen. Post in the wanted section here of course. At one time custom gun smith Hamilton Bowen, had some long blank K frame cylinders but when I asked he told me he had ran out.

But, even as a regular 22 the model 53 would be neat with the ejector rod shroud and all.

SuperMan · #4 12-28-2020, 08:20 AM

That is a great find even without the .22 Jet cylinder. I have had the identical gun since 1974 and with well over a 1000 rounds of Jet through the barrel finally burned it out. Was very lucky to find a parts guy who just happened to have a early brand new Jet barrel and had my local Smith smith swap it out...since then no more Jets...

Couple of years ago I sent the .22 Rimfire cylinder and burned out barrel to Jack Huntington at JRH Precision Gunsmithing. He had the burned out barrel rebored to .311 and rechambered the .22 Rimfire cylinder to .327 Federal. The gun gets a LOT more use now than it did as a Jet. And I still have the original Jet cylinder and new barrel so the gun can be restored to .22 Jet at some time in the future.

As said above, Jet cylinders are out there. I've seen several on ebay and GunBroker over the years...

Bob

raljr1 · #5 12-28-2020, 09:50 AM

Is is possible to modify a k22 cylinder to the jet chamber. Or may be easier to find a 22 lr cylinder for the model 53 and have it chambered for jet?

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murphydog · #6 12-28-2020, 10:25 AM

The Jet cylinder is .357 length, so a .22 model 17 cylinder is too short.

I don't know if it is possible, but re-lining a .357 cylinder would work. And if so, perhaps in .224 Kay-Chuk so the rounds don't back out with firing?

22hipower · #7 12-28-2020, 11:04 AM

There was a 22 Jet M53 cylinder on eBay last week but can't find it now. It was rough, and as I remember, expensive for condition but it probably could have been refinished. I looked but can't find it now. Perhaps will be listed again, there were some inserts listed with it. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

raljr1 · #8 12-28-2020, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murphydog

The Jet cylinder is .357 length, so a .22 model 17 cylinder is too short.

I don't know if it is possible, but re-lining a .357 cylinder would work. And if so, perhaps in .224 Kay-Chuk so the rounds don't back out with firing?

Yeah, just checked mine...the jet cylinder is 1/16" longer than the k22...

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glenncal1 · #9 12-28-2020, 01:06 PM

Yes regular K-frame cylinders are too short for the 53. Your best bet will be to search the net and see if you can find one. Buying another 53 in a different barrel length is also a possibility.

dsf · #10 12-28-2020, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 22hipower

There was a 22 Jet M53 cylinder on eBay last week but can't find it now. It was rough, and as I remember, expensive for condition but it probably could have been refinished. I looked but can't find it now. Perhaps will be listed again, there were some inserts listed with it. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

The store said they found one on EBay but backed off because the price was too high. Of course matching the revolver condition would be a bit of a challenge - maybe going "pinto" is the way to do it if I find one that doesn't match up.

So far as crafting one from an existing 22 lr cylinder, could be done I suppose, seems like quite a challenge. A Model 19 cylinder might be better, more available. Fabricate a reverse plug of the Jet cartridge where it deviates from 357 dimensions and press fit or screw the steel plug into each cylinder. Could go Jet or Kay-chuk.

I guess for now it's either look and see, or buy a 53 with the Jet cylinder.

Model46 · #11 12-28-2020, 09:30 PM

A 22 Jet cylinder sold on EBay on 12/20 along with a ratty box and rusty inserts for $355. And yes the cylinder was quite rough.

Gunhacker · #12 12-28-2020, 09:46 PM

How about a M-48 .22 Magnum cylinder?

Aren't they longer than a M17/K-22?

steelslaver · #13 12-28-2020, 11:01 PM

I have thought of making a model 53 cylinder by lining a model 19 recessed cylinder. But only to make a 22lr cylinder. Which does give me a thought. Ream your 22lr cylinder to 22 Jet and then use a model 19 cylinder to make another 22 cylinder. First get a model 19 recessed cylinder, which is not that hard to do. Then ream each cylinder straight through to just larger than a 357 chamber. Say 25/64 (.390625). Turn 6 pieces of 4140 to .391 and bore and ream them to .203125 (13/64). Heat the cylinder up to about 400f and cool the inserts on dry ice(-100f). Stick in a couple inserts, reheat cylinder, stick in more etc. Shrink fit. Make inserts so they are a bit long on each end of cylinder. Turn of barrel end in lathe and use a mill to do the inset for ratchet star in rear end. Install a 22 lr ratchet and then run a reamer into the .20315 pilot in each inset. Now its a 22 lr cylinder that is the length of a model 53 cylinder. I have a model 53 with no 22lr cylinder and a extra model 19 cylinder in my parts drawer, But, I also have 5 S&W 22lr revolvers so really don't need a 22 cylinder for my 53 that bad and I have 2 many other interesting projects. Next up for me is a 325 NG in 45 colt, recessed for 45acps in full moonclip

raljr1 · #14 12-28-2020, 11:21 PM

Honestly, I have a Model 53 and could never see using it to shoot 22 LR. I have 5 or six other 22 revolvers. Steelslaver's idea makes sense. Rechamber your 22 cylinder to 22 jet. Buy a K22 for less than the cost of making another cylinder, or look around till you find another Model53 cylinder in 22 LR. More likely to find one of those than a jet cylinder. And, since the cylinder you have is serial numbered to the gun, you will be the only person to know it wasn't always a jet cylinder.

SuperMan · #15 12-29-2020, 08:46 AM

dsf...while the .22 Jet is a neat-o/cool-o round my suggestion would be to buy another Model 53 and shoot it before you mess with the .22 rimfire cylinder on the 6".

The Jets muzzlebalst has to be experienced to be appreciated...it is not pleasant even with muffs. And has been said, it eats revolver forcing cones for lunch. Shoot it like you would a .357 or .38 and the barrel will be gone in no time.

The original concept for this round/revolver back in the early 1960s was for the newly emerging sport of handgun hunting... Develop a load, sight the gun in and hunt with it... Blast away with it as a range toy and the barrel will be gone in no time...

The last Model 53 .22 Rimfire cylinder I saw sell on ebay was $800.00.

I'd just keep looking for a decent used Jet cylinder... It can always be sent to someone like Ford's for a matching finish...

Bob