Here is the first two Jets I bought, together from the same old guy! I sold the factory ammo and used the money to buy reloading supplies(lots of it)! The nickle gun was sent back to the factory two months after the original ship date! I assume it was to be refinished to nickle!

jcelect

Maybe I misunderstood, but a standard hammer will never work on a M53.....The firing pin is in the frame, but I have to say that pins are TWO! M53 is intended to shoot both rimfire cartridges and centerfire RemJets. The hammer is his own , with a selector. Maybe it is possible to find a specific Target hammer , if never S&W produced it, but I don't know. Here my M53 , his .22lr cylinder and factory Remington ammo

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Yes, you did misunderstand. I said that the ONLY action part that was different in model 53s WAS the hammer. I have purchased and installed .500" wide target hammers made for the model 53 so I know they had them.
Also to clarify, when I said any K or N trigger would work, I assumed the OP already knew that a no dash 53 would have had a forged, color case hardened trigger and that is what he was looking for. I would think there any number of members here that could fill that need for him.
Sorry, this isolation thing is getting to me;
Mike

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Mike
S&WCA #2470

They are SILE thumbrest

Thank you: I apologize, but it is a real effort for me to translate accurately long threads....I missed the point

Hi,


Two beauties there JCELECT. I will soon have an 8 3/8" Model 53 with reloading dies, 500 pieces of primed brass and 500 Hornady 40 grain .222 Jet Projectiles. I also order another 500 projectiles from Reed Ammo and I ordered every piece of .22 Jet factory ammo that TargetSportsUSA had in stock.

At some point, apparently when the 686-1 was release, the TRIGGER mechanism was changed, so triggers after that date will not fit in earlier K or N frames. That is what Smith is telling me. I totally get the requirement for the Hammer to be a Model 53 hammer due to the option of using it was rim fire or center fire ammo.

Now, the next question is, is there any reason a CURRENT K model .22 LR Cylinder could not be reamed to .22 Magnum and fitted to a Model 53? I really have no need for both .22 LR inserts and a .22 LR extra cylinder, but a .22 magnum one would be interesting.

Bob

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Sag Harbor & Manhattan, N.Y.

Well here is my history

Got a M53 with no finish at all, no grips and 6 inserts, but one insert is damage.

Since had no finish, did an experiment and sent that poppy to get qpq treatment, results were amazing, was able to got some grips, not diamond ones but are pretty descent

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Quote:
Originally Posted by mmande View Post

Yes, you did misunderstand.
Mike

Thank you: I apologize, but it is a real effort for me to translate accurately long threads....I missed the point

Now it is my turn to apologize. I didn't even notice that you are from Italy and I'm pretty sure I couldn't translate anything from there at all.
Thank you for your service in the U.S. Army!
Mike

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Mike
S&WCA #2470

The extra 22LR cylinder supplied with some Model 53s are unique because the cylinders in a 53 are magnum length like a Model 19, therefore longer than any standard 22LR cylinder.

Best regards,

The reason I had always wanted a Model 53 vs a M18, M48, etc.

The inserts are great for plinking and speed loader drills but you’ll find it more accurate with the .22LR cylinder. Maybe because the bullet isn’t bouncing from insert to cylinder to forcing cone before it hits the rifling.
.22 WMR might cause you a problem in a M53 even if you reamed a M53 22LR cylinder to fit the rimfire magnum. The bullets are in a magnum are .224 and the rim diameter is .294” instead of .278” so the round RF firing pin of a M53 wouldn’t really be hitting the rim of a WMR.

I doubt the 22 mag .224 bullets care much about the slightly smaller bore on a 53 any more than they do when people to it with lots other 22 revolvers. It hits the forcing cone and instantly becomes bore size. People regularly fire 454 and larger bullets into 452 bores on 45 colts to get accuracy on those with large cylinder throats. The rim thing is also unimportant. The case centers so the 22 mag rim is only .008 farther out from center. The rim is .026 from the case wall so the firing pin will smash plenty it.

Model 53 22 cylinders are rarer and hard to come by. I have picked up an early recessed model 19 cylinder which is the same length. When I work through some of my other projects I plan to ream the chambers to 25/64 (0.3906). Turn some 4140 round stock to 0.391 with a reamed 0.222 bore. Then shrink fit a section of round stock in each chamber, then face them of in my lathe to flush. On the back side I will have to turn the inset for the extractor. Fit a K22 extractor I have to it. Then run a 22 lr reamer in each new chamber. A home made model 53 cylinder. Not cost effective but, to me its interesting.
Once I get my thumb hole stock 6.5 Creedmoore, my 2nd 325 converted to 45 colt and a couple other projects done. I will get to it someday. I also want to make a receiver that a S&W 45 colt cylinder fits in and see how much it takes to blow the cylinder up. So many guns. I spend to much time on here too. LOL

I had always wanted a 4” Model 53 (a .22 Model 19) but until recently hadn’t gotten around to it or found the right one. I figured I’d shoot mostly .22LR out of it with the occasional Jet but shooting the 22 Remington Jet are just way too much fun and it rarely sees a .22LR.

My new to me 4-screw Model 53 with matched .22LR cylinder


which after receiving and shooting was quickly followed by a 53-2 with TT/TH, inserts and box, so I have a place to put the .22LR cylinder.



These quickly became one of my favorite revolvers and I can see I will need a lot more reloading supplies for them.

Congrats on your soon to be 53, Bob. I know you’re going to enjoy it immensely.

In regard to rim diameter of .22LR vs .22WMR it's only .016 difference meaning the firing pin strike would be .008 closer to the center of the cartridge. I'm not sure this would be an issue.

Just a great excuse for me to get around to buying a Model 48.

Bob

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Sag Harbor & Manhattan, N.Y.

Yesterday I received 500 40 grain .222 projectiles and tomorrow I expect 500 more. I am awaiting ammo from Target Sports USA who are behind in shipping, but have a supply coming. In addition I have 70 pieces of brass and 500 coming, so since I have plenty of primers and powder, I should be able to shoot the heck out of this as soon as the gun club reopens.

The only think I want to do now is find a Target Trigger for it. The Hammer is fine staying as it is.

Bob

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Sag Harbor & Manhattan, N.Y.

Well thanks to everyone on this site and one other forum, I now am all set for .22 Remington Jet. So many people answered me I now have literally Thousands of Once Fired Pieces of Brass, a bunch of new brass and a couple of thousand .222 Projectiled in 40 and 45 grain jacketed forms. Still looking for a K frame target trigger that will work in a late 60s gun like this and an Amorer's Manual which Smith says they no longer have.

I also bought a .22 Jet Barrel for my Thompson Contender, but havfe been told that the TC Barrel is .224 rather than the .222 that the .22 RF and Model 53 are.

I have also, again thanks to many on this site, amassed old loading data from most of the major loading manual companies (older manuals still showing this round, both for the Model 53 and for the TC Barrel) and added to Load Data information, I am throwing together a consolidation of PUBLISHED , not my, load data. Anyone wants one, send me your name and address at [email protected] and when it is done, I will send you a copy.

Now that I have a 53 (As soon as the Pistol Permit office re-opens and I can get it on my permit and from my local dealer) what can you guys tell me about the cylinder lock up issues? I have now read a lot about this. If I just use alcohol and clean the outside of reloaded cases and the inside of the bores and do not load really heavy loads, can I eliminate this issue? What do you have to do if your cylinder does lock up from cases moving back after firing.

Thanks, Bob

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Sag Harbor & Manhattan, N.Y.

I was convinced and bought a pristine 53 with 100rds of PPU ammo. Down side is all ammo and brass is no longer available at all. RCBS dies at $80 only deal. Of course pistol powder and primers are scarce too

Here's the one I've had for about 20 years. Used to shoot it quite a bit. It was the first caliber I reloaded for. Loud and fun. Had one guy at the range ask me what I was shooting. He said it sounded like a 357, buy the tiny holes in the target threw him! I also have a T/C Contender with a 10" octagonal Jet barrel that's also tons of fun!

Sometimes the shiny ones are exciting also.

enjoy,
bdGreen

Tap on image to enlarge.

I took my 53 to the range yesterday. Didn't bother with the inserts. As others have said, shooting .22 Jet is just too much fun, to mess with .22 rimfire. Besides, I have other guns for that.

I'm looking at an M-53 on an auction site now. Has the inserts for .22 magnum, 6 inch barrel, but has rust on the frame, barrel, cylinder. No second cylinder. current price is $850 plus buyers premium.
should I bid on this, and how hi would you go?

Taking into account your description of that Model 53, I wouldn't go any higher.
Keep looking if you gotta have one.
bdGreen

I have yet to shoot mine, but one of these days. I did get enough factory ammo, brass and projectiles to carry me for a few years.

Bob

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Sag Harbor & Manhattan, N.Y.

So before this thread was started I didn’t know anything about this gun and this caliber. As I said it made me want one, but I thought I was safe since I didn’t think there would be one for sale here in Switzerland.

Wrong, went to the LGS to pick up other guns I bought and he showed me this, together with a few boxes of ammo. I asked him to reserve it for me, I’ll pick it up in January

Here’s mine a no dash # K445043 I do not know the year.
Have hit groundhogs out past 100 yards (off a rest)and
The inserts for .22 are accurate but like everyone else
I have other revolvers chambered for .22.

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