Spotted an add for a Smith & Wesson Model 53 chambered for "22 WMR". Knowing the Model 53 was made as 22 Remington Jet, but could fire 22LR if inserts or auxiliary cylinder were used, and that the Model 48 was truly 22 WMR....I called and went over to see it in person.
Alas........it was indeed a Model 53, 6 inch, blue, bbl stamped 22 Magnum, hammer selector switch tight but workable, clean chambers, absolutely zip, zero, nada bluing wear even at muzzle, indicating to me that was rarely shot. Diamond checkered walnut target grips.
Priced right at 9 Benjamins, but probably negotiable.
The bad and ugly (you've heard the good): No box, No docs, No tools, No inserts, No auxiliary cylinder. Person selling had never even seen (or heard of) a cartridge named 22 Remington Jet and simply saw the 22 Magnum roll stamp when making the add. So...one look into the chamber charge holes he had to admit there was no way any 22 WMR round could enter that gun.
Did I want to make an offer? No possible way..I don't buy guns that can't be shot..I had really hoped it was a Model 48, or a 53 with at least the inserts.
After getting back home I looked up auxiliary cylinders on Flea Bay, along with inserts....Both out of stock (I suspect LONG out of stock) at Numerich, and even Hamilton Bowen custom made 22 cylinders for the Model 53 have been out of stock since 2016.
Factory ammo in 22 Remington Jet? Even more unobtanium than the aux cylinder or inserts.
Too bad, a sad story for sure, but I just can't buy a safe queen that I could not shoot even if I wanted too. Last pricing I saw was one (1) steel insert for $38.00 + S & H, and 6 or 7 years ago, Hamilton Bowen was getting $600 + fitting charges for an aux cylinder, so $900 gun becomes a $2k gun and you still can't shoot the centerfire Jet.
If anyone really wants a Model 53 boat anchor as described above let me know via PM and I'll at least turn you onto it.
Sorry..........no pics....I just wanted out after the big let down
Alas........it was indeed a Model 53, 6 inch, blue, bbl stamped 22 Magnum, hammer selector switch tight but workable, clean chambers, absolutely zip, zero, nada bluing wear even at muzzle, indicating to me that was rarely shot. Diamond checkered walnut target grips.
Priced right at 9 Benjamins, but probably negotiable.
The bad and ugly (you've heard the good): No box, No docs, No tools, No inserts, No auxiliary cylinder. Person selling had never even seen (or heard of) a cartridge named 22 Remington Jet and simply saw the 22 Magnum roll stamp when making the add. So...one look into the chamber charge holes he had to admit there was no way any 22 WMR round could enter that gun.
Did I want to make an offer? No possible way..I don't buy guns that can't be shot..I had really hoped it was a Model 48, or a 53 with at least the inserts.
After getting back home I looked up auxiliary cylinders on Flea Bay, along with inserts....Both out of stock (I suspect LONG out of stock) at Numerich, and even Hamilton Bowen custom made 22 cylinders for the Model 53 have been out of stock since 2016.
Factory ammo in 22 Remington Jet? Even more unobtanium than the aux cylinder or inserts.
Too bad, a sad story for sure, but I just can't buy a safe queen that I could not shoot even if I wanted too. Last pricing I saw was one (1) steel insert for $38.00 + S & H, and 6 or 7 years ago, Hamilton Bowen was getting $600 + fitting charges for an aux cylinder, so $900 gun becomes a $2k gun and you still can't shoot the centerfire Jet.
If anyone really wants a Model 53 boat anchor as described above let me know via PM and I'll at least turn you onto it.
Sorry..........no pics....I just wanted out after the big let down
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...Ben
