.22 Jet Ammunition Question.

[Flyingliver]

I'm new to this site and have been collecting S&W revolvers for just the past two years. I have been collecting Winchesters for the past 65 years, but just changed direction in 2023, when a Model 53, in the box, with inserts and .22 LR cylinder popped up on an internet website, and I was fortunate to win the bidding.

I hear that "lockup" occurs with Remington factory cartridges, but wondering if the PPU Jet ammo, will cause the same problem. Is there an easy way to "UNLOCK" a locked up 53, or any Smith?

No, I'm not the kind of guy who will take off the side plate, with a Stanley screwdriver...... In fact, I wouldn't even attempt to remove the side plate, with the proper #1 S&W bit.

I'm hoping for some info on the PPU ammo, and potential lockup fix.

Thanks... Flyingliver

 

[series guy]

I shoot the PPU ammo in mine and it will still occasionally lock up. The cylinder will still open without too much effort. Cleaning the chambers with alcohol or acetone before going to the range definitely helps.

 

[madmikeb]

I haven't shot mine for years, when I did it was with reduced handloads and I would take a spray can of brake degreaser and spray the cartridges and the cylinder before I shot it. I never had a problem.

 

[Model29-26.5]

I’ve shot 22LR through my inserts and with the 22LR cylinder.
Inserts are a nice idea but some of the cases are likely going to get stuck in there a little tight after four or five cylinders of shooting. If you have the extra 22LR cylinder, I’d use that every time and just have the inserts to complete the set.
The 22 jet ammo has tended to get a little stuck in my 6” 53, but I have not shot it in a good while. Certainly not since I was told to make sure the chambers were very clean. Clean with alcohol to make sure the residue between any oil and powder burn doesn’t cause the shell to get stuck..
I have a 4 inch that I have not shot yet.,
I managed to find an extra cylinder for that.
Also, I have been told here on this forum that factory jet ammo is not good for the forcing cone. I want to reload the jet ammo.
Personally, I’ve been sticking to 22LR in my extra cylinder but hopefully someone will chime in with some great advice here on jet ammo.

As a side note… I had “GoofyMastiff” make me this case last year.
Not a collector item but certainly something for an enthusiast.

 

[jcelect]

New Jet owners! DO NOT shoot old discontinued Remington factory Jet ammo!

This is what will happen to your barrel with very few rounds down the barrel! This erosion probably will not affect you accuracy out to about 50yds. However, at 100yds you will have a better pattern than a group! One of the guns in the pics is my "shooter(for fun)" but for accuracy I get out one of the 8 3/8" guns! Those flames coming out the muzzle end of the barrel is unburnt powder and serves no useful purpose. In fact, that unburnt powder and flames started at the breach end of the barrel causing the barrel erosion! Reloading is the solution to this problem, and, IMHO, stay away from ball powders and max loads!
Some eye candy!

jcelect

 

[steelslaver]

I have shot a bunch of the PPU ammo through mine and never had any problems. I do keep my chambers clean and dry. I have never had problems with hand loads except for when I tried max loads.

 

[Dave Fox]

Back from 'Nam in December, 1968, I special ordered a Thompson-Center single shot pistol in .22 Jet, reasoning the insert would give me a rimfire capability. It did. Mounted a 4x pistol scope and hand loaded. Never could coax much accuracy out of the Jet but did achieve loud...that was one loud pistol. In law school on the GI Bill I sold the pistol and reloading gear to get by. Miss it.

 

[RebCop]

I’ve shot 22LR through my inserts and with the 22LR cylinder.
Inserts are a nice idea but some of the cases are likely going to get stuck in there a little tight after four or five cylinders of shooting. If you have the extra 22LR cylinder, I’d use that every time and just have the inserts to complete the set.
The 22 jet ammo has tended to get a little stuck in my 6” 53, but I have not shot it in a good while. Certainly not since I was told to make sure the chambers were very clean. Clean with alcohol to make sure the residue between any oil and powder burn doesn’t cause the shell to get stuck..
I have a 4 inch that I have not shot yet.,
I managed to find an extra cylinder for that.
Also, I have been told here on this forum that factory jet ammo is not good for the forcing cone. I want to reload the jet ammo.
Personally, I’ve been sticking to 22LR in my extra cylinder but hopefully someone will chime in with some great advice here on jet ammo.

As a side note… I had “GoofyMastiff” make me this case last year.
Not a collector item but certainly something for an enthusiast.

View attachment 759473

I got lucky and got a lot of brass. I load a 40 grain bullet with the starting charge of 9 grains of H110. I just run a dry patch through the chambers before shooting and no problems.

 

[Flyingliver]

New Jet owners! DO NOT shoot old discontinued Remington factory Jet ammo!

This is what will happen to your barrel with very few rounds down the barrel! This erosion probably will not affect you accuracy out to about 50yds. However, at 100yds you will have a better pattern than a group! One of the guns in the pics is my "shooter(for fun)" but for accuracy I get out one of the 8 3/8" guns! Those flames coming out the muzzle end of the barrel is unburnt powder and serves no useful purpose. In fact, that unburnt powder and flames started at the breach end of the barrel causing the barrel erosion! Reloading is the solution to this problem, and, IMHO, stay away from ball powders and max loads!
Some eye candy!

jcelect

Thanks for the ammo info and pics! Looks like you've got the complete set... All barrel lengths!