Model 53 Range Report

[gfors]

I picked up this model 53 yesterday afternoon. Took it to the indoor range, for a test drive. WOW!!! What a thrill! I’ve never before seen such fireballs, come from one of my handguns. I shot 50 rounds of .22 Jet and 20 rounds of .22 LR.
25 yards, one hand, DA, I was able to at least keep all shots on the paper, and got much tighter strings, after a few warmup rounds. I didn’t have my special shooting prescription glasses with me, so I couldn’t get a clear front sight (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it).
I found the .22 Rem Jet at the store that sold me the gun: $29.99/box. Not cheap, but I’ll be saving the brass. I’m building a reloading bench, this spring.
I had a few issues extracting the 22 jet spent cartridges. And, one time, a cartridge backed out and locked up the cylinder.
Any suggestions, besides giving it a good cleaning?
The gun is a first year production. It has four screws. The walnut diamond target stocks are chipped in a couple of spots. Other than that the gun is in really good shape for 59 years old.
It came with an extra target trigger and target hammer that has the selectable hammer. It also came with seven inserts and a copy of the original manual.

 

[Wildwest22]

Awesome find! I’d love to have one

 

[SuperMan]

I have had one just like yours but with the extra .22 Rimfire cylinder since 1974. They are beautifully made guns.

That said the concept of the Model 53 was to be a hunting handgun not a range gun.

.22 Jet ammo is very hard on guns. I burned the barrel out on mine in 1000 rounds of ammo...you are now 5% there. If you really like the Jet I would start looking for a new barrel now...

I was lucky in finding a period correct barrel for mine. After replacing the barrel not one round of Jet was ever fired again. Two years ago I sent the burned out barrel and .22 Rimfire cylinder to Jack Huntington and he turned the gun into a .327 Magnum. The .22 Jet cylinder and new barrel are still available to turn the gun back into a Jet...

50 rounds in one shooting session is a lot of rounds for a Jet...

Bob

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Great gun and a great story. I however dispute the 1000 theory. I have 11 Model 53's. One in particular, my first by the way, has had more than 5000 rounds thru it and I haven't had a problem other than an occasional hang up. This picture is my 8 3/8 Nickel Model 53.

 

[M29since14]

The barrel concern is real, but can be mitigated with handloads that are somewhat less than full strength. It’s still a fun gun to shoot, but when you think about it, if you download too much, you’ve just got a centerfire .22 WMRF. That said, it’s still fun to have a Jet lying around for those occasions when you just feel like shooting it, in spite of the hassles.

 

[glenncal1]

After cleaning, make sure the chambers are dry. If there is any oil/solvent left rounds can back out and lock up the gun. I have never had that happen but I have always followed the dry chamber advice.

 

[Jetman22]

And also case lube on the casings when you reload.

Dry cylinders / Dry shells less than top end loads. And most problems with cylinder lockup will go away.
Happing shooting.


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[22hipower]

.22 Jet ammo is very hard on guns. I burned the barrel out on mine in 1000 rounds of ammo...you are now 5% there. If you really like the Jet I would start looking for a new barrel now...

50 rounds in one shooting session is a lot of rounds for a Jet...

Bob

Ok, I need some schooling on the barrel issue. 22 Jet loads are in the 2000 fps range. We've shot thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of rounds from our 22 Hornets, 221 Fireballs, and 222 Remingtons. My rifles in those calibers are still going strong. Why would the 22 Jet using less velocity for the same bullets wear out a barrel in 1000 rounds? Thanks.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[MrG5122]

When my Jet went to the range I carried a bottle of alcohol, a microfiber cloth, and a chamber swab. The alcohol will remove all oils from the brass and chamber. No problems.

 

[M29since14]

Ok, I need some schooling on the barrel issue. 22 Jet loads are in the 2000 fps range. We've shot thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of rounds from our 22 Hornets, 221 Fireballs, and 222 Remingtons. My rifles in those calibers are still going strong. Why would the 22 Jet using less velocity for the same bullets wear out a barrel in 1000 rounds? Thanks.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Jeff, remember your rifles have no forcing cone that is vented. When the forcing cone area of a Jet barrel becomes damaged accuracy can suffer. Any revolver barrel can be set back, but only so many times, and it is an expensive job. If you have a new barrel it is usually simpler to change out the old one. The rifling of the barrel is not so much the issue.

 

[dave1918a2]

I have had My Jet since around 75. I have literally shot thousands of rounds through My gun and I also dispute the 1000 round statement. Once You start handloading and work up a load that works Your accuracy will improve greatly. Enjoy!!! Oh by the way. I wipe down the cartridges with carb cleaner and swab the chambers also. Never had a jam.

 

[29-1]

Before I got distracted by the .44 Magnum, my favorite S&W was the Model 53, especially the 4 " barrel variation. Talk about muzzle blast and little recoil
Collectors of this model should look for other manufacturers of guns chambered in .22 Rem Jet, TC and H&R come to mind. . They are fun to shoot as well, like this H&R Topper, single shot
Chuck
SWCA 1417

 

[huthike]

I’m with you, Chuck - I dug up a Topper in 22 Jet to along with my Model 53 as well.


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[Jetman22]

Huthike and 29-1. Me 2 on H&R
That’s what made me get a model 53
To go with my Topper


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[Geronimo Jim]

Reading this thread makes me want to kick myself. At one point, I
had a 4 inch 6 inch and 8 3/8 inch. Had them for years and never
fired any of them. Sold them all. Rats. Still have the dies in my
reloading room.