Model 53 Conversion

[RickJB]

Long time lurker, first post. Years ago I picked up a Model 53 4 screw missing the Jet cylinder. Several years later I traded for a second Model 53, 22 long rifle cylinder. Would like to have the non matching cylinder chambered for a centerfire cartridge. 22 K Hornet appears to fit, anyone have experience with this catridge in a hand ejector, from information I have gleaned over the years a straighter bodied case extracts easier. Have owned several Jets over the Years, never cared for the extraction issues. 22 Mink also has my attention. Thanks Rick

 

[SDH]

Getting a copy of Hamilton Bowen's book would answer a lot of questions for you.

 

[2152hq]

I have zero experience with any of the 22 conversion calibers on the K frames. I do believe the (22 Hornet) 22 K-Hornet in it's original form is too long for the K cylinder though.
That problem brought forth the 22 Harvey K-Chuk. A slightly shorthened 22 hornet with a blown out case w/sharper shoulder.

Here's a couple of recent threads on 22 K-Chuk revolvers. There are some 22K/Chuk reloaders here I'm sure including the OP of the first thread below.


http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...my-k-chuk-isnt-nice-looking-engraved-one.html


http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...1877-engraved-mod-17-harvey-224-kay-chuk.html


At a glance the 22Mink looks about like a 22K-Chuk in length, but with a longer neck,,perhaps not quite as sharp a shoulder angle too. Many point to case shape as a big part of the extraction problem. Wether it would work well in a revolver conversion I don't know. I can only point to my lack of experience with any of them to judge.

 

[opoefc]

RickJB, Welcome to the Forum. You should contact Rick Nahas, Co-author of the Standard catalog of S&Ws, and world's leading expert on Model 53 Jets, K-Chuks & other wierd .22 conversions of S&W revolvers. His email is [email protected] Ed.

 

[RickJB]

The really unique thing about the Model 53 is the additional cylinder length, they are .060 longer then the K 22.

Case Length Shoulder Diameter
224 Harvey Kay Chuck 1.355 .293
22 Hornet 1.403 .278
22 K Hornet 1.389 .286

K 22 Cylinder 1.617 OAL
M 53 Cylinder 1.677 OAL

22 K Hornet M 53 Cylinder
1.389 1.677 = .288

224 Kay Chuck K 22 Cylinder
1.355 1.617 = .262

Difference .026

Hope this helps. With all the recent posts on M 53's and 224 Harvey K Chucks this has stirred my desire to have a centerfire chambered cylinder for this gun. Once again if anyone has experience with a similar conversion I would love to hear about it. Also Thanks again for the welcome

 

[zywina]

Talking about hornet in K-Frame, is there any sources for buying a cylinder to ream out to a Hornet or do you need to sleeve 357/38 clynder down to the Hornet case? Dale Z in Canada!

 

[BUFF]

One of our forum members in Europe had a Jet without a cylinder and reported that someone in the U.S. (Hamilton Bowen maybe?) was making new Model 53-length cylinders that did not have the final chambers cut- one could make them into anything from .22 LR up.

 

[RickJB]

Just checked Hamilton Bowens web site. He has Magnum length blank cylinders that will work from 22 lr up in the M 53, for 295.00. Anyone wanting to replace missing cylinders in their Model 53's these will work.

 

[Tony M.]

The K-hornet should work fine in that gun. Otherwise you could go with the Jet-improved. The improved Jet didn't have the set back problems that the "normal" jet did.

 

[zywina]

RickB and Buff, thanks for the info. on blank cylinders! cheers the crazy Cannuck!

 

[RickJB]

Ordered a 22 K Hornet cylinder reamer from Pacific Tool and Gauge, looking forward to shooting this cartridge in a revolver.