Model 53 - 22 Rem Jet questions for shooters

[cmansguns]

Many thanks for all the replies and tips regarding my very recent acquisition of a Model 53 chambered in 22 Remington Jet (see post a couple days ago about a boat anchor).

I have absolutely no buyers remorse, in fact quite the opposite now that I'm getting a little deeper into research on this unique handgun from the pre CNC, pre MIM, probably still handfitted era.

I am supposedly getting 100 rounds of factory (PPU brand I think) 22 Rem Jet sometime next week if luck holds out. I am really looking forward to shooting this round at my local indoor range once ammo is actually on hand.

Some questions for those that have shot factory loads of the Rem Jet from a Model 53:

1. Read (and still reading) a lot about the gun failing to cycle. Per Roys book the cause is possibly oil in the chambers and the rounds back out (under recoil) hitting the recoil shield and literally tying the gun up.

Have any of you experienced this and more important, what is the immediate (while on line at the range) SAFE way to clear this condition? i.e. How to get the cylinder to open, or cycle when there may be 5 live rounds left aboard?

I hate to lay the gun down and ask for a RSO, because most of them are real young and seemingly inexperienced on guns other than plastic, but if I have to bring it home locked up I will do so.

Most of the published literature indicates the need for "perfectly clean" chambers. I take this to mean dry (no oils) and no dirt but per Roys book this problem plagued the Model 53 from beginning to end. Comments from shooter appreciated.

2. About barrel erosion. Saw some pics on the Forum of clean non eroded bbl and mine looks exactly like that (no flame cutting on top strap either). Most say the factory original high velocity, wildcat days of Remington ammo cause this. I'll be using the 40 gr soft point PPU (I think) so is this round loaded lower, hence less prone to bbl erosion? I can't believe that a couple hundred rounds will cause major trouble, but I'd sure like to hear from those of you who have experienced it. At current prices (and very low availability) I doubt I'll get much more than a few hundred rounds downrange, but I also don't want to ruin it.

3. The Inserts, I'm not even sure I'll pursue these much further.
I've got Model 34, Model 17, K22 Masterpiece (2), Ruger that are fun to shoot and usually travel to the range every time out anyway. It would be different if I had the box, docs, tools and needed to complete a "factory set", but I don't. Same with the auxiliary cylinder...just no need at this time.

4. This one is purely personal and subjective as to how to answer. I have developed a minor medical wrist condition that preclude me from shooting full load Magnums (.357 & 44) from handguns. This is pretty much why I sold most all of my S&W Magnums here on the Forum over the last year and half or so.

I have no issues shooting 22 WMR out of my Ruger Single Six with 22 WMR cylinder installed, and no trouble shooting 38+P, 9mm, 45 ACP, so the question for you folks is how is the 22Rem Jet from a 6" barrel? Is there much if any "torque" or "twist" which is more important than muzzle rise?

 

[austintexas]

M-53

First you will be very unpopular at an indoor range. muzzle Blast is really bad and you get a nice fire ball. Worse than my 30 carbine Ruger revolver. PPU is slower than Remington, The Remington Ammo I have isn't shot, It has become collectible. I reload all my 22 jet ammo. I haven't had a problem with ammo locking up my gun, But I swab out my Cylinder with lighter fluid or alcohol before I shoot and every once in awhile I repeat. After reloading I run my ammo thru my tumbler to get any oil or grease off the cases, wipe down cases before boxing them. Wear lots of hearing protection. I have a 4", 6" and a 8 3/8 incher, I've only shot the 4 incher and it is LOUD! keep the reloads reasonable and I don't think you will have a real bad problem with erosion. Paper doesn't care about velocity. My 4 incher is very accurate, you will be surprised. I don't notice much recoil or muzzle rise from my Jet.
SWCA 892

 

[505Gibbs]

The 'squeaky' clean chambers related - at the time - to the original Remington factory ammo. How the PPU relates is unknown to me BUT it is loaded somewhat cooler than original specs. from Remington so 'the back out' of the case may not occur.
IF you can get a few of the original ammo - do so within reason.
They are spectacular visually ,especially if the ambient light is somewhat subdued!!

 

[jcelect]

AustinTexas is spot on with his reply! The only thing I would add is keep your brass, do not shoot Rem factory rounds, and keep the ammo and chambers clean! I have now, and have owned many mod53s and it is my belief that barrel erosion occurs very quickly, within a couple hundred rounds, when shooting factory ammo.
jcelect

 

[glenncal1]

I have several hundred rounds through my 53's (only have a 6" now) and have never had the lock up problem. Clean and dry and you shouldn't have any problems. There is very little if any recoil (but lots of noise) with the round. I wouldn't bother trying to get the inserts unless you have the box and are trying to put together a "complete" package. I will say my 6" with the .22lr cylinder is a very accurate gun.

 

[dave1918a2]

When boxing reloads I wipe each round with an alcohol soaked rag and then I wipe out the chambers in the cylinder. Owned a 53 since 1975 and never had a sticky problem. You will enjoy the attention You get at the range as most shooters aren't familiar with the 'Jet'.

 

[cmansguns]

So much help and knowledge...Thanks to all!

I can't believe the help and tips I've got since buying the Model 53 on Tuesday...you members are terrific!

So now I've got 2 boxes of PPU 40 gr .22 Remington Jet ammo coming, and, thanks to a tipster, I've now got six inserts coming from Numrich. I don't plan to use the inserts more than once to fire for functionality, but more to have them with the Model 53 if I ever want to move it on.

Should be able to razzle-dazzle the plastic 9 crowd at the local indoor range sometime next week. I'm aware of noise and fireball effect on the crowd. Last time I touched off my Model 29 with full house 44 Maggies aboard, I heard there was flinching, and "what was that" comments from 7 lanes away There was also one time when practicing with my EDC, Model 637 with 38 +P aboard and the lane lighting went out..the fireball out of that 2" bbl was pretty impressive...so I'm looking forward to the Jet

Lastly I got s hip date reply from Roy who said my Model 53 no dash shipped in June 1966. Wow...clearly a first year (1961) gun, 4 screw, diamond grips..and the 53-2 started in December of 1961...yet mine sat in the vault for 4.5 years! Clearly must have been pushed way, way back on the shelves

Thanks again folks for all the tips, help and enabling...ya gotta love this hobby!

 

[snw19_357]

It still surprises me how little recoil there is but...

They are spectacular visually ,especially if the ambient light is somewhat subdued!!

 

[jcelect]

That must be one of those cowboy movie guns, just keep pulling the trigger and never reload! AND we wonder why it erodes the forcing cone!
jcelect

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Had two, finally gave up and moved on.
Met a Texican Good Ole Boy who has a Ranch near Del Norte , CO.
His 4 inch Jet was the most shot Jet I ever saw.
Like Throat Erosion.
He told some tall tales, but I believed him when it came to that Jet.
He say - clean all lubricant from your ammo.
Then spray an electronic equip cleaner into the chambers to remove all traces of oil, lubes, cleaners, etc. He say dry rounds, dry chambers.
I never could get that right and the Jets totally frustrated me.
Guns are supposed to be FUN!
So this young Bull Elk started jumping into a corral where he was feeding cows.
He waits in a nearby barn and drops it with that Jet.
Then butchers, freezes the meat, drops remains into a mine shaft.
Then when he shot that 'Wolf' he made inquiries and it wound up being taken by Game and Fish for further investigation.
They deny it was a Wolf.
And he didn't even start off to be a Cowboy!
He ran boats to oil rigs in the Gulf.

 

[Walter Rego]

As others has said, make sure both the chambers and ammo are completely free of any kind of oil or lubricant. As a matter of procedure I always wipe down my reloads that were done with dies that require lubricant with alcohol or Naptha as the final step. And before shooting my Jet I run a patch soaked with Gunscrubber through each chamber to remove any storage oil. I have never had a case back out.

I bought several boxes of the PPU ammo when it was available for about $35/50 and it shoots just fine. I measured the bullets and they are the correct .222" diameter so PPU went to the trouble to tool up for that unusual dimension. I had a couple of boxes of the old Peters brand factory ammo and the PPU ammo definitely seems to be lower pressure. Which is probably a good thing.

Has anyone chronographed the PPU and original US factory ammo for comparison ?

 

[Rpg]

Should be able to razzle-dazzle the plastic 9 crowd at the local indoor range sometime next week. I'm aware of noise and fireball effect on the crowd. Last time I touched off my Model 29 with full house 44 Maggies aboard, I heard there was flinching, and "what was that" comments from 7 lanes away:

Sound like your primary purpose is to annoy the other shooters.

Too frequently, there's at least one like that at indoor ranges.

That's why I don't use indoor ranges.

 

["DOC" Lott]

If anyone is interested I think I may have a lot of new 22Jet brass and bullets !!

 

[raljr1]

It still surprises me how little recoil there is but...

Isn't bullet weight a significant contributor to recoil? That's likely why recoil is not so great with these. I have shot mine with both Remington and PPU ammo without issue. I too have some inserts, but will never use them.

 

[Jetmag22]

I've never had a jet round back out on me. I always clean out the chambers as most have done here. I've used the inserts a lot and found it to be surprisingly accurate with them. I remember the first time I shot it at an outdoor range. It was just about to close at dusk and I shot 6 rounds of jet. After I was done 5 people on the firing line were all looking at me.

 

[cmansguns]

Ready for the range (I think)

OK.....yay........it's Monday evening and I've now got some ammo and some inserts. Ready for maybe Wednesday (range closed on Tuesday) for a functionality test of my new (to me) S&W Model 53.

I don't have any opportunity for an outdoor range (none anywhere near to me) so it will be the indoor range where I am a full Member.

When checking in at the counter you have to declare what you will be shooting and they sometimes want to see the ammo, especially some people shooting AR's they want to know if its armor piercing (banned). I will certainly out of courtesy to others, mention that I have not shot a Remington Jet round, but have heard that they are very loud, so if they rather I not shoot that day then that's OK with me. I have unlimited range time so could come back just before close. I'm only going to shoot six rounds...cannot afford more at the price of this ammo.

The 22 inserts accept the CCI standard velocity 22 LR just fine, nice and flush. The inserts themselves are very tight in the Jet chambers, in fact I MAY have to polish a little to let the insert rim fit flush with the chamber extractor star, and not hang up cycling. I probably won't shoot more than 6 22LR either as it does seem like a lot of trouble for 22 LR, even with the little cut-out in the inserts.

I'll have a K22 Masterpiece, and my Model 17-3 (recently lightly finish reamed) with me to finish off the box of CCI.

I'll probably do the 10 yard dirty bird, just to see how the Jet does. 10 yards should be OK don't you think....or will the fireball reach out that far and burn up the target?

Range Report as soon as I can.

 

[gfors]

About 2 1/2 years ago, I was shooting my 53, right after I bought it, from my LGS, on their indoor range. It was right before closing, and the guy sweeping the range let me touch off a few rounds, with the lights turned off. SPECTACULAR!!! Donut-shaped fire-rings. I regret not taking a picture or two.

I was also able to buy 10 boxes of PPU from them, over the course of several months, at about half the price of the current offerings.

I have 7 inserts, but rarely use them. The Jets are too much fun. Like most of us, I have other guns to shoot .22's. I don't have the extra cylinder, either. I hold on to the inserts, because they came with the gun. No other goodies, unfortunately.

 

[gator59]

No one has an answer for this???

Have any of you experienced this and more important, what is the immediate (while on line at the range) SAFE way to clear this condition? i.e. How to get the cylinder to open, or cycle when there may be 5 live rounds left aboard?

 

[gator59]

If anyone is interested I think I may have a lot of new 22Jet brass and bullets !!

Does any major bullet manufacturer these days offer a 0.222" diameter 40 grain SP bullet?

 

[raljr1]

No one has an answer for this???

Have any of you experienced this and more important, what is the immediate (while on line at the range) SAFE way to clear this condition? i.e. How to get the cylinder to open, or cycle when there may be 5 live rounds left aboard?

I would think a thin piece of wood or plastic applied to the head of the case to reseat the rounds carefully.. barring havillng something like that handy, you could carefully use a knifeblade or small screwdriver ..don't know.....

Sent from my SM-A136U using Tapatalk