Picked up a 4 Screw M53 Today- Updated, project done!

[madmikeb]

Went back to a Tucson gun shop today for a closer look at a 6" M53 I saw there last week. Turned out to be a 4 screw. It is in jail for 10 days before I can bring it home, the pics I snapped at the shop don't do it justice, I would rate it in excellent condition, barely shot. No forcing cone erosion at all.

As I posted earlier, it just has the .22 LR cylinder, numbered to the gun, no Jet cylinder so I'll try to find one. At $619 for a 4 screw I figured I couldn't go wrong.

I do question the Goncalo Alves targets, it is a K444*** serial number, I already have an 8-3/8" 53 with a K444*** serial number that came with diamond targets that I would say are either walnut or rosewood. I don't know if they are original or not but judging by the condition of the gun I'm thinking they could be. At any rate they are good looking stocks.

I'll post better pics when I get it home and cleaned up.

 

[flundertaker]

Walnut Diamond targets would have been the original stocks on that gun almost certainly or barring an unusual special order.

 

[smith17]

Y'all have a 10 day jail in AZ?

 

[madmikeb]

Shop told me that they have to hold used guns 20 days before they can be sold to ensure they weren't stolen, said it's a Tucson ordinance. First time I've heard that but I've only been here a year. I got burned on a 16-4 years ago that turned out to be stolen so I don't mind waiting.

 

[larryofcc]

How's this for a K 444XXX serial number? K444444. Shipped 6-30-1961. Big Larry

 

[glenncal1]

OP-glad you picked that one up. Agree that the grips are probably later, but look great. You will like the way it shoots as a .22LR. I think I will have to take mine to the range next time out.

 

[Doc44]

The Goncalo alves target stocks date to the mid-70s.

Bill

 

[madmikeb]

The M53 I picked up is whole now. A forum member sold me a Jet cylinder, I picked up proper grips on ebay, went to Phoenix Saturday and Nelson Ford fitted the Jet cylinder so the project is complete.

The new addition,

A pic with it's older brother.

 

[DARE]

Here is mine with a similar number. K4411135 Shipped May 21,1961 to Nash Hardware Company, Ft. Worth, Texas. When I got it it was wearing smooth redwood stocks. I think not relieved. Have been told they were from 1968 or so. These are supposed to be correct stocks.

 

[Gun Relics]

The M53 I picked up is whole now. A forum member sold me a Jet cylinder, I picked up proper grips on ebay, went to Phoenix Saturday and Nelson Ford fitted the Jet cylinder so the project is complete.

The new addition,




A pic with it's older brother.

You got a great deal. The .22 LR cylinder is valuable. I've been looking for one, they are not easy to find.

 

[Crazywader]

Went back to a Tucson gun shop today for a closer look at a 6" M53 I saw there last week. Turned out to be a 4 screw. It is in jail for 10 days before I can bring it home, the pics I snapped at the shop don't do it justice, I would rate it in excellent condition, barely shot. No forcing cone erosion at all.

As I posted earlier, it just has the .22 LR cylinder, numbered to the gun, no Jet cylinder so I'll try to find one. At $619 for a 4 screw I figured I couldn't go wrong.

I do question the Goncalo Alves targets, it is a K444*** serial number, I already have an 8-3/8" 53 with a K444*** serial number that came with diamond targets that I would say are either walnut or rosewood. I don't know if they are original or not but judging by the condition of the gun I'm thinking they could be. At any rate they are good looking stocks.

I'll post better pics when I get it home and cleaned up.

Absolutely Gorgeous!!

 

[Truckman]

The .22 LR cylinder is valuable. I've been looking for one, they are not easy to find.

My 8 3/8" 4-screw came with both cylinders and the inserts...No box though...It's on the to-be-lettered list......Ben

 

[madmikeb]

My 8-3/8" came with inserts but no .22 LR cylinder. I looked for one for awhile but ultimately decided it would be easier to pick up an 8-3/8 M17 or 617 which is what I did. I figured it would be easier to find a jet cylinder for this one and it was! One of our great forum members saw this thread and offered me a cylinder.

 

[bdGreen]

The Jet Blue.

enjoy,
bdGreen

 

[steelslaver]

For that price you bought a model 53 22lr cylinder and the rest of the gun was free. Model 53 22lr cylinders are so hard to find and pricey I made my own by making liners for a recessed model 19 cylinder and fit a K22 ratchet to it

 

[Sebago Son]

While it will be good to get the correct Jet cylinder, I bet you like shooting the Long Rifle cylinder much more..

 

[steelslaver]

22 Jets are fun and if you keep chambers clean and keep the velocity down on reloads they work well. The fire breathing Remington factory loads however were problematic. I bought some PPU Jet ammo right after I got my 6"53 and never had a problem with it.

Bullets I have fired .222, .223 and .224 bullets in mine. But I made a .223 sizing die to fit my bullet sizer and run .224 bullets through it. Anyone with a lathe can make a sizer if they buy either a .222 or .223 chucking reamer.

BTW I then came across thousands of pieces of never fire Remington factory brass if anyone needs some.

Also if you don't have a bullet sizer a machinist could make a die by drilling and reaming a 7/8x14 grade 8 bolt to .223 put a sight taper in the bottom then make a ram to fit in the ram of a reloading press and press .224 bullets up through it

 

[Dan W. Cady]

22 Jets are fun and if you keep chambers clean and keep the velocity down on reloads they work well. The fire breathing Remington factory loads however were problematic. I bought some PPU Jet ammo right after I got my 6"53 and never had a problem with it.

Bullets I have fired .222, .223 and .224 bullets in mine. But I made a .223 sizing die to fit my bullet sizer and run .224 bullets through it. Anyone with a lathe can make a sizer if they buy either a .222 or .223 chucking reamer.

BTW I then came across thousands of pieces of never fire Remington factory brass if anyone needs some.

Also if you don't have a bullet sizer a machinist could make a die by drilling and reaming a 7/8x14 grade 8 bolt to .223 put a sight taper in the bottom then make a ram to fit in the ram of a reloading press

My Jet always shot .224 bullets well. Seems like a lot of extra work when .224 bullets work just fine. As long as they chamber well I don't see an issue. An interesting thing to spend time with is to shoot cast bullets with gas checks.

 

[steelslaver]

Ya. I have a 55 gr mold that I plan to mill the base off some to lighten and shorten the bullets. Where did you find gas checks?

 

[madmikeb]

While it will be good to get the correct Jet cylinder, I bet you like shooting the Long Rifle cylinder much more..

If I ever get to the range with it it will probably be with the .22 LR cylinder. I just wanted to have the complete package, I wasn't looking for another 53 but for the price I couldn't turn it down.

I've had my 8-3/8" for almost 40 years and the boxes of reloads I have for it in my stash I reloaded in 1987! Shows how much I shoot it!

Most of my shooting these days is in action pistol matches, so about the only guns that get shot are match guns. I haven't really found a place to shoot outside of the range 35 miles away from home. Everybody shoots in washes around here but it being monsoon season with my luck I'd get my truck stuck in a sandy wash and the rain and flash floods would come! When monsoon is over I'll find a spot. I've got a bunch of guns I haven't shot.