I have just run up on a Model 53 that a fellow has for sale. Not shot in over 40 years according to him...I do believe it too. He has 4 boxes of period factory loads with it. Haven't messed with one for years and he asked me for an offer. He has only 5 of the 22 inserts to go with it. Anyone give me a reasonable price on a 53. The gun is truly in 90% to at best 92% condition. It had a scope on it(included) and no rear sight. I have beaucoup sights etc. I need it like another hole in my head.Just a rough idea on what I should look at putting in the gun. I do want to be fair
S&W 53
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What barrel length? Ser#? 3 screw, 4 screw ? Box and papers? A 4 screw with 6 inch barrel and 5 inserts with 4 boxes of factory, no box probably 1100 to 1300. 3 screw 100 less. You can get an insert from Numrich Arms (gun parts) for about 25.Or I can sell You one. Add the box for another 200+.
I bought this six inch from 1961 last fall for $1000 (with six inserts supposedly although I'm still waiting for them). If the one you're considering was drilled to mount the scope I'd negotiate for something under $1000; unless it is a good scope with good mounts and you want to continue to use it in that configuration. Great fun to shoot; the ammo is worth at least $50 a box. Good luck.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
Jeff
SWCA #1457
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Without drilled holes around $1,000. With drilled holes, considerably less. Maybe $650?
Drilled for scope mount seriously devalues it. I agree with big moose, maybe $600.
Well it is 6 inch and the scope is an older Leupold 2X. The mount is still on the gun and the only screw seems to go in the front hole for the rear right. I was thinking about 750-800 tops but I had to ask. I wish I had kept the original one I had with the extra cylinders... Oh no box that I am aware of
Miami_JBT
US Veteran
I paid $100 for mine.
From Your last post I am assuming that the gun has a mount that uses the original sight screw hole and the rear hookup. No drilled holes. I've seen original Remington 22 jet ammo sell in excess of $90 a box, and just recently regardless of the foreign stuff that is much cheaper. 2X leupold is $200, so figure what You want to spend. I would spend what it took if I wanted it. They are fun to shoot.
Tough call but the high priced sellers seem to out number the buyers... I have waffled on a 53 many times but never bought one after reading all the negative reviews related to cases sticking in the chamber, etc. I think the $600 figure is accurate and let him keep the scope. If there are any extra drilled holes, that subtracts from the value as does the missing rear sight.
Walter Rego
Member
The presence of the scope indicates that the previous owner ~may~ have been a frequent hunter. Check the rear face of the barrel and forcing cone carefully with a magnifying glass for heavy erosion that comes with extended firing of the factory ammo or equivalent max loads.
Check post # 29 for an example here: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/613803-22-jet.html?613803=#post140708440
Check post # 29 for an example here: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/613803-22-jet.html?613803=#post140708440
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I got mine for $750. No box or inserts. It is a 6". It and a 8 3/8" showed up in the used guns at a Shields I stop by at times. Both were originally price over a grand. I waited and kept checking back. The long Tom disappeared and I still waited as the 6" kept going down. The I made my offer and got it for $750.
They don't usually move fast. Hard to find odd ball ammo, most shooters don't have a clue as to what they are. Kind of like 41 mags. Takes a real gun guy to get one. The 44 beside it will usually go out the door sooner. This is speaking of your run of the mill gun shop. If it is one frequented by Smith nuts its not the same.
They don't usually move fast. Hard to find odd ball ammo, most shooters don't have a clue as to what they are. Kind of like 41 mags. Takes a real gun guy to get one. The 44 beside it will usually go out the door sooner. This is speaking of your run of the mill gun shop. If it is one frequented by Smith nuts its not the same.
Wow guys..I think I really started something here. As far as bullets I happen to have 5 boxes of the Hornady 222 40 grains...had 'em for years and a lot of Sierra 223 Hornet bullets. I'm learning a lot here. I had one years ago with 2 extra
cylinders The Distributor ordered it that way for himself. Sold it when I needed the money for another acquisition. I also have a box or two of ammo and some once fired cases. That is why I was thinking of buying this piece. I won't see the fellow till Saturday again. I did buy a neat item today for an absolutely ridiculous price. I think this 53 was made at the end of the production though..Thanks for all the info guys. I will let y'all know how it comes out on Saturday.
cylinders The Distributor ordered it that way for himself. Sold it when I needed the money for another acquisition. I also have a box or two of ammo and some once fired cases. That is why I was thinking of buying this piece. I won't see the fellow till Saturday again. I did buy a neat item today for an absolutely ridiculous price. I think this 53 was made at the end of the production though..Thanks for all the info guys. I will let y'all know how it comes out on Saturday.
I never did shoot mine before letting it go.
Kenny, you should get another, they are a hoot to shoot. Lots of noise and muzzle blast and no recoil. Easy to reload and accurate too.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
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Jersey Doug
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what really devaluats a Model 53
Where the real loss of value sellers don't want to mention is condition of their M-53s forcing cone. Asking about a $1,000 or more gun that looks great for sale, "hows the forcing cone" wellll, er,, a, yea the forcing cone, hummm, gee I'm not sure.
Anyone who has a like new M-53 for $600 been drilled I'm your buyer. When your eyes get to be 60-70 and you want to shoot as you always did this is how you get back to the range and make connecting groups, with a good scope set up.
In first photo my M-15 converted to .22Jet Mag having found NOS barrels and cylinders.
Second photo is of it's forcing cone
Next is my NOS 8 3/8 barrel M-53 followed by it's perfect forcing cone.
Last photo, Here's your burned out (due to the force of their blast) cone was on my pristine looking purchase. Yes all that damage can be cut back $. Thousand dollar M-53 but with a burned out cone (many are way worse) , NOW you're talking $600. Going to be a bunch here coming back with theirs is perfect too, agreed, just relaying M-53 purchasing experiences.
Where the real loss of value sellers don't want to mention is condition of their M-53s forcing cone. Asking about a $1,000 or more gun that looks great for sale, "hows the forcing cone" wellll, er,, a, yea the forcing cone, hummm, gee I'm not sure.
Anyone who has a like new M-53 for $600 been drilled I'm your buyer. When your eyes get to be 60-70 and you want to shoot as you always did this is how you get back to the range and make connecting groups, with a good scope set up.
In first photo my M-15 converted to .22Jet Mag having found NOS barrels and cylinders.
Second photo is of it's forcing cone
Next is my NOS 8 3/8 barrel M-53 followed by it's perfect forcing cone.
Last photo, Here's your burned out (due to the force of their blast) cone was on my pristine looking purchase. Yes all that damage can be cut back $. Thousand dollar M-53 but with a burned out cone (many are way worse) , NOW you're talking $600. Going to be a bunch here coming back with theirs is perfect too, agreed, just relaying M-53 purchasing experiences.
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Well I got a really up close ad personal look at the M-53.. Gun was excllent condition with the original diamond Stocks. Had a 3 X burris on it this time...4 boxes of older Remington ammo 5 22 aux inserts. The bbl did have a very mild erosion but truly not bad. I did offer him 700 for the gun but he wanted at least 850. I told him I couldn't go that high on a gun with no rear sight etc. I know it may have been worth his price but I did not buy it...I did on the other hand buy a few other items. Two were S&Ws too.
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