Just picked up this Model 53, and as I said in another post, I am casually looking for, and finding some spare parts. The serial number is K464047. I am thinking its vintage is 1961, but would like to confirm its manufacturing date. Can anyone tell me when it was produced?

Thanks.

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Probably 1961, with that serial number. So it is pretty early for this model.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I also have a 4" 53 #K463XXX shipped in April of 1964. But my 6" (K440XXX) was shipped June 1961. Go figure.
You found a real nice one there, congrats.
Mike

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Mike
S&WCA #2470

Thanks. It came with the inserts and seems to have a fair lock up. The chambers and bore look excellent. I haven't done anything to it yet, i.e cleaning or oiling. Got it for $500 plus a Walther P-22 that I hated, so I thought it was a great deal.

I have a S&W 53, K463XXX too. sgammo.com carries PPU .22 Jet ammo. If you have never fired one, wear earplugs and dark glasses. Lots of noise and a fireball with each pull of the trigger.

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Nice! Mine is a little rough looking compared to yours. It looks its age for sure. I've done some reading about firing the .22 jet ammo, so I hope I am ready when I pull the trigger. My main concern is making sure the chambers are dry and shells don't back out. I picked up a spare hammer today for $38 and bought some stocks off what I think is the same gun that the hammer came from. Also picked up a lower firing pin for $10. As I see parts, I am gonna buy 'em and keep them just in case. Also got 500 rounds of .22 jet ammo...PPU.

Is there any issue with sleeves backing out when firing LR rounds?

Gun parts corp in NY has parts on line so does ebay. I just sold my package except the RCBS dies, stil have them like new. Depending on powder and loads developed, it does not always make a fire ball. I have handloaded and shot mine a lot before selling it. Yours maybe more so as it's a 4" more fireball, less velocity. Still great guns, keep the chambers dry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't oil or leave any solvent when you clean it, that is the trick to cartridge setback, I never had a single cartridge setback in mine, no matter what load even very hot loads, never a one, bc I kept them clean and dry, I used to use one of the evaporating spray cleaners on the cylinder, followed by a brush then flushed out again, then a bore mop that was it.
The Prvi new loaded ammo is the weakest I've ever seen, it doesn't even come close to rem jet low velocities. They load it less than 900 FPS per their website!
Good luck with it, Jim

Thanks for the info. I never looked at the PPU specs; was just glad to find some reasonably priced ammo.

I found this on the PPU site.

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Now that's more like it, either they changed the load or originally mis-printed all the info section on it. Never tried any as I handload and had 250 new unused Rem brass on top of the brass I was using so I was set for many years anyway.
Good luck with it and if you can ever find the 22lr cylinder assembly, grab one, it will greatly increase the value, when the rare chance one comes up for sale they usually get bid to $800 and up, the last one I saw was on Ebay last year for under $400 when the bidding was done, that was a great deal!

My M53 # 444444, was shipped June of 1961. Ebay is a great parts source. Big Larry