S&W Model 53 Revolver .22 Rem. Jet

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Sh0ot15T

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Well, I did it again. Another estate purchase by the Gun Shop I work in 2 days a week. In it was a number of S&W revolvers. A clean pre-29 with 5 1/2" barrel and a few others. The one that drew my eye is a Model 53, in the original box with all 6 inserts for rim fire cartridges. This revolver brings back good memories from 60 years ago. My dad owned one and it was the first handgun I ever fired, and for an 8 year old: "That was cool!"
Unfortunately, their house was burglarized in 74' while I was in the Navy. I've been looking for one I could afford for years. Boss gave me a really great price. S/N is K442568, anyone have any idea on date of manufacture? Also, any ideas on solving the occasional issue of brass backing out and locking up the cylinder?
 
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Sh0ot15T said:
Also, any ideas on solving the occasional issue of brass backing out and locking up the cylinder?
Click to expand...

Keep the chambers dry and don't use factory loads, especially the old Remington ones. I load Sierra .223 45 grain Hornet bullets in front of 9 grains of H110. Plenty of flash and bang and they're accurate but don't seem to cause erosion of the forcing cone and I've had no problems with the brass backing out. Enjoy yours. We love pictures. Here's one with 22LR cylinder with matching SN that doesn't get shot. . . . .at least not yet.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2noAP4D https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
 
How common are 4" 53s?
I thought they were all 6"
Seems 8" would be ideal for a cartridge with such a low expansion ratio.
 
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CH4 said:
How common are 4" 53s?
I thought they were all 6"
Seems 8" would be ideal for a cartridge with such a low expansion ratio.
Click to expand...
They seem to be fairly common in 4". Two for sale on GB right now. There are also two 6" barrel for sale and one 8 3/8" on there. One also says it's got an 8 5/8" barrel - maybe?

I haven't checked GI but imagine they are approximately the same ratio.
 
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Very nice shooters with modern PPU

Great find by the OP.........gotta love those estate sales. Some older real classics are coming around these days. I got mine also recently, and yes......if you can find the PPU factory ammo they chamber (in clean and wiped dry) cylinder charge holes and no issues with backing out that I have found.

How is the forcing cone erosion at 6 o'clock low in your new treasure? Other members reported that a large amount of erosion has been reported from guns that saw a lot of factory Remington rounds in their lifetime.

As far as the 22LR inserts go I've not even tried them. They do fit and 22LR (CCI Standard Velocity) also fits good, but for me it is easier (and more fun) to just have my Model 34-1 or my Model 17-3 along if I really want 22LR.

So according to SCSW 4th, the Model 53 came out in 1961, available in 4", 6", and 8-3/8" barrel lengths, blued finish, and the Model 53-1 was never in production, the Model 53-2 came out 12/29/1961 and eliminated the trigger guard screw.

As far as manufacture vs ship date.........only a Factory Letter, or asking Dr. Roy will tell you. Mine is serial number K445579 so probably also a first year gun as far as the frame getting serialized...however when I asked Dr. Roy for a ship date...the answer came back...June 1966! Wow...long time in the vault!

One other thing as other members told me before I went to the range.......They are LOUD...especially on the indoor range. Wear your best ears, and let the RSO know it is loud. I swapped out of the occupied bay (8 lanes, 7 in use) for an adjacent separate bay with only on other shooter so 7 lanes separating us..all good to go.

Enjoy that Model 53....expensive to shoot at this time with PPU, but a real hoot to do so....kinda wish I'd had this back in the early 60's hunting woodchucks with my Stevens Savage 22 Hornet rifle...maybe could have left the rifle at home.:D
 

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Ammo

I bought my 4" 53 in 1974 or '75. I was working at a Gunshop in Fort Worth and we were told S&W was going to discontinue the m-53. I got my Second about '97 , in a pawnshop in Lockhart , no box but came with a extra cylinder in 22. My 8 3/8th I bought here off the buy/sell site. I also picked up a Nickeled 6" just for grins. I knew it wasn't factory, I asked Roy Jinks before I bought it. But I digress, I bought 4 boxes of Remington While on Guam $1 a box. The shop ordered .22 long rifle and got Jet instead and the owner was blowing it out because there were no Jets on the Island. I shot up 2 and now I reload those 2 boxes.
SWCA 892
 
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I can attest to the very loud report. Astonishing muzzle and BC gap flash (PPU). I have several boxes of the old Remington Jet ammo, but this one already has the barrel erosion so I'll probably not shoot those through it.

The one I have (posted earlier) is likely one of the few, and possibly the only one that came out of the factory with a butt swivel. It also has the optional RR/WO and 22LR cylinder. Why someone wanted a butt swivel on that gun is a mystery.
 
cmansguns said:
So according to SCSW 4th, the Model 53 came out in 1961, available in 4", 6", and 8-3/8" barrel lengths, blued finish, and the Model 53-1 was never in production, the Model 53-2 came out 12/29/1961 and eliminated the trigger guard screw.

As far as manufacture vs ship date.........only a Factory Letter, or asking Dr. Roy will tell you. Mine is serial number K445579 so probably also a first year gun as far as the frame getting serialized...however when I asked Dr. Roy for a ship date...the answer came back...June 1966! Wow...long time in the vault!
Click to expand...


Yes, ship dates on these vary a lot. The 4 inch I showed above is K474212, theoretically made well after yours, yet Dr. Jinks says it shipped in August of 1964. One of my 6 inch guns (K441478) shipped in June of 1961.

Jeff
SWCA #1457
 
To answer Your question. I wet a rag with 95% isopropyl alcohol and wipe down all rounds. Then I use some patches on a cleaning rod and wipe the chambers. I have also sprayed out the chambers with carb cleaner. VERY carefully. I have serial # 442470 and it really likes the Yellow Jackets in the inserts. I load the 45 gr Hornet .223 bullets with 11gr 4227. I hope You enjoy yours as much as I enjoy Mine. Mine will be the last one to go. You also should get some interest from range members who have never heard of it.
 
22hipower gave good advice! Slightly reduced reloads and clean chambers will solve all the problems with the 22 Jet! DO NOT shoot Rem factory loads(too hot)! This is what will happen, and very quickly!
gsu3wtM.jpg

06aUl68.jpg

Here's a couple from my collection.
QIrb7ve.jpg

jcelect
 
22hipower said:
Yes, ship dates on these vary a lot. The 4 inch I showed above is K474212, theoretically made well after yours, yet Dr. Jinks says it shipped in August of 1964. One of my 6 inch guns (K441478) shipped in June of 1961.

Jeff
SWCA #1457
Click to expand...

My Model 53 is just a few dozen numbers shy of K440,000 and also shipped in June 1961.
I stocked up on the PPU a few years ago when it was first released and about $35/50. I haven't seen it in stock for a long time. Has anyone chronographed it vs. the original Peters or Remington ammo ? I'd be curious how much they throttled down the velocity.

Regarding the throat erosion, I wonder if any of the fairly recent powders that are supposed to burn "cooler" would be suitable in the Jet ?
 
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20221206_163010.jpgThanks to all. dave1918a2, I'm going to try duplex loads for my BPCR .45-90 and 4227 is the smokeless I'm planning on using. 22highpower, I use Win. 296, now the same load data as H110, will also give your load a try. As far as the pre-29, it is a 5 1/2" barrel.
I checked, and there is very minor throat wear @ 6:00. Nothing too major. I don't think it had a lot of Rem. Jet fired through it. Can't find brass available anywhere, and finally found some PPU ammo. $75 for 1 box of 50, but it'll get me started till I can find brass.
 
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Oh, does anyone have any experience shooting .22 WMR through their 53? I found Magnum cylinders at Numrich, they are currently back ordered.
 
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