I recently purchased a Model 19-4 converted to 22 Jet. The gentleman I purchased it from stated it was a consignment sale for a customer who had obtained it from a friend who was a former S&W employee. Although I have not yet shot it, the workmanship is perfect. It is about 98%, has a 8 3/8" barrel, recessed cylinder chambers and correctly marked "22 Magnum" barrel. Any thoughts from the team? Lunchbox gun or custom shop product? Thanks,
Model 19-4 22 Jet
- Thread starter GeeCreek
- Start date
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Anything is possible....pictures would be nice!
Model19man
Member
Letter from Roy would tell you what it is. I would bet its not going to letter as anything special.
Well, who knows? By the time the 19-4s were being made it would seem unlikely something like that made it out of the factory, but I suppose it is possible. I wouldn't waste the $50 on a letter.
This sort of thing can be cobbled together by any S&W armorer who has a M53 barrel and cylinder lying around. But that isn't to say it wouldn't be a fun shooter. If it's put together right, should be a great gun to monkey around with and you will not have to worry about hurting the value of a M53. When/if you get done with it, it can be changed right back to a .357, if desired.
This sort of thing can be cobbled together by any S&W armorer who has a M53 barrel and cylinder lying around. But that isn't to say it wouldn't be a fun shooter. If it's put together right, should be a great gun to monkey around with and you will not have to worry about hurting the value of a M53. When/if you get done with it, it can be changed right back to a .357, if desired.
Easy enough to swap a .22 Magnum cylinder and barrel on a Model 19, but I assume it can't handle .22 LR cartridges.
At least you don't need to worry about a LR cylinder or chamber inserts.
At least you don't need to worry about a LR cylinder or chamber inserts.
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I wonder if they grabbed a 19 stamped frame at the factory while building a 53. Only way to know would be the letter.
SAFireman
Member
Guys,
Wasn't the frame slightly different for the 'switch type' hammer? If I remember correctly, the model 53 had a hammer that could be toggled between center-fire and rim-fire. I would think that there would have to be some extra room in the firing pin channel to accomplish that?
I would like to see the photos when you get it.
Wasn't the frame slightly different for the 'switch type' hammer? If I remember correctly, the model 53 had a hammer that could be toggled between center-fire and rim-fire. I would think that there would have to be some extra room in the firing pin channel to accomplish that?
I would like to see the photos when you get it.
How did they handle the different (two) firing pin channels in the rear of the frame, and does it have a true M-53 hammer with the toggle switch? My first brand new gun was a M-53, I later got the hots for a M-19 and seriously considered having the M-53 converted to .357 because I couldn't afford a M-19. Thankfully, I never had the money to do a conversion either. Now I have both.
The 53's had two frame mounted firing pins. The selector on the hammer determined which firing pin was struck.
The Model 19's (up to the 19-8) had a hammer nose and hammer nose bushing. As I said before, you could install a .22 Magnum (Jet) barrel and cylinder on a Model 19, but there would be no provision to shoot rimfire cartridges.
The Model 19's (up to the 19-8) had a hammer nose and hammer nose bushing. As I said before, you could install a .22 Magnum (Jet) barrel and cylinder on a Model 19, but there would be no provision to shoot rimfire cartridges.
OP
Finally got some pictures together. As you can see, this is indeed a Model 19 frame; center fire capability only with a hammer mounted firing pin. I am quite happy, as I was really more interested in a shooter rather than a collector piece. All said and done, I have about $635 in the gun.
Seems fair. I'd pay that for it if everything looked good. Should be a lot of fun for you. If you can check it with a range rod it probably wouldn't be a bad idea. Let us know how it shoots. 
Very nice Gee. l think there is more than a passing interest in 22 Jet/Cf ctgs on a K frame. l have seen a couple others where a 22 cyl was bored out to 22K-Hornet and barrel installed for sale on the net. l seem to remember an old loading manal with info for k-hornet conversion
LC '92
Member
I put one of these together on a model 15 frame. It looked great..... until I fired it.
The original model 53 has a small diameter frame mounted firing pin to handle the high pressure of the .22 Jet round. The model 15 had a hammer mounted pin that was much smaller than the hole in the standing breech that it goes through.
If anything but the mildest of .22 Jet handloads were fired, the primer would flow back into the firing pin hole and lock up the cylinder.
I sold it to a gentleman that was going to bush the firing pin hole to a more precise fit and install a smaller firing pin.
Good luck with yours.
The original model 53 has a small diameter frame mounted firing pin to handle the high pressure of the .22 Jet round. The model 15 had a hammer mounted pin that was much smaller than the hole in the standing breech that it goes through.
If anything but the mildest of .22 Jet handloads were fired, the primer would flow back into the firing pin hole and lock up the cylinder.
I sold it to a gentleman that was going to bush the firing pin hole to a more precise fit and install a smaller firing pin.
Good luck with yours.
Very interesting info! Good to know! Pete
