Smith & Wesson Jet
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If nothing else comes with it and what looks like 99% condition, in the $1000-$1200 range if a 4 screw. $100-$200 less if a 3 screw.
But then it was seen by a Jet lover who was thrilled to get it, right?
We Jet lovers are a special breed. We have damaged hearing and eyesight from shooting them, and sellers take advantage of our weakness to extract extra money in obscene amounts when they have a Jet package with numbered .22LR auxiliary cylinder and all of the chamber inserts. If the package happens to have the tapered chamber swab still with it, a body part is usually required to obtain that package.
One of the things I find so attractive with the Model 53 is that it is the only .22 caliber Smith & Wesson with a shrouded ejector rod. That makes it a visual .22 caliber clone of the famous Model 19, something the K-22 is not.
Considering the uniqueness of the Model 53 and the limited production of it, I believe they are often underpriced when found with a complete package. A seller of a "bare" Jet will often overprice it after looking at complete package prices and will have a harder time finding a buyer.
Remember, there is only one REAL.22 Magnum and the Model 53 is it. (It even says so on the barrel, something a pipsqueak .22WMR is not!)
Of course, I really don't know what happened to that particular Jet in the glass case. A friend and fellow firearms enthusiast and I have discussed the Jet from time to time. Neither of us has owned (or fired) one.
Thank you, JudgeColt for enhancing my knowledge of this most interesting model. I look forward to seeing you soon on that "other" forum!
I do have a Model 48 which I like. Not the same thing though.
Thank you, JudgeColt for enhancing my knowledge of this most interesting model. I look forward to seeing you soon on that "other" forum!
I do have a Model 48 which I like. Not the same thing though.
Judge Colt,
What you say is so true.
I once came across a 4" Jet shrouded barrel. I grabbed it and had 1st planned to put it on my 22 Combat Masterpiece to match my Mod 19. But then decided it would be more appropriate being Magnum marked, on my Model 48 which is a factory 4". But factory 4" Model 48s are kinda' scarce. So my next plan is to find a more readily available, "shooter grade" 6" Model 48 for the barrel swap.
Then my plan got even more complicated. A couple of wildcats based on the .22 Jet cartridge were developed with no taper and a sharp shoulder like Cotterman's Super Jet, and the Improved Jet & .22 Sabre Cat. One striking benefit besides enhanced performance was the lack of set back that tied up cylinders which was sometimes a nuisance with the Rem Jet. The sharp shoulder and straight wall case stayed put in the chamber. (I chambered a Ruger revolver for the 218 Bee which has a similar shape and had no set back issues.
I don't have a M 53 or want to modify an original M 53 but I thought about an auxillary Super Jet cylinder for it from a re-chambered 22 Mag cyl; or for the M 48 with a Jet convertible hammer for rimfire and centerfire. But I don't know if the M53 hammer will work the same in a M 48.
What you say is so true.
I once came across a 4" Jet shrouded barrel. I grabbed it and had 1st planned to put it on my 22 Combat Masterpiece to match my Mod 19. But then decided it would be more appropriate being Magnum marked, on my Model 48 which is a factory 4". But factory 4" Model 48s are kinda' scarce. So my next plan is to find a more readily available, "shooter grade" 6" Model 48 for the barrel swap.
Then my plan got even more complicated. A couple of wildcats based on the .22 Jet cartridge were developed with no taper and a sharp shoulder like Cotterman's Super Jet, and the Improved Jet & .22 Sabre Cat. One striking benefit besides enhanced performance was the lack of set back that tied up cylinders which was sometimes a nuisance with the Rem Jet. The sharp shoulder and straight wall case stayed put in the chamber. (I chambered a Ruger revolver for the 218 Bee which has a similar shape and had no set back issues.
I don't have a M 53 or want to modify an original M 53 but I thought about an auxillary Super Jet cylinder for it from a re-chambered 22 Mag cyl; or for the M 48 with a Jet convertible hammer for rimfire and centerfire. But I don't know if the M53 hammer will work the same in a M 48.
Skeetr57
Member
Jim: Only a .22 Jet cylinder will work with a .22 Jet barrel, as the Jet cylinder is longer than the regular k frame .22 RF or .22 MRF cylinder.
Skeetr,
Ah yes. Thanks for reminding me. Now I remember, I would have had to 'face off' the barrel shoulder somewhat to fit my .22 Combat Masterpiece, and I didn't want to do that!
And that brings to light another issue. I would have to start with a M 53 auxillary 22 LR cylinder to get one long enough to re-chamber for the Super Jet. Those are scarce and I wouldn't want to do that.
Oh well, so much for dreaming....I guess I'll just have to look for a shooter grade or 'beater' M 53 and re-chamber the original Jet cyl.
Ah yes. Thanks for reminding me. Now I remember, I would have had to 'face off' the barrel shoulder somewhat to fit my .22 Combat Masterpiece, and I didn't want to do that!
And that brings to light another issue. I would have to start with a M 53 auxillary 22 LR cylinder to get one long enough to re-chamber for the Super Jet. Those are scarce and I wouldn't want to do that.
Oh well, so much for dreaming....I guess I'll just have to look for a shooter grade or 'beater' M 53 and re-chamber the original Jet cyl.
DWalt
Member
I've seen two model 53s this year, one had both the Jet .33 LR inserts and a complete .22 cylinder and crane, the other just the .22 inserts for the Jet chambers. I don't remember the prices being asked, as I never got very interested in them. I might if I found a cheap one.
DWalt:
I have never seen a Jet auxiliary .22LR cylinder with the crane. Since the cylinder can just slip out of the gun's original crane (unlike a Colt double action revolver), why would there be a need for an extra crane?
My Jets with the auxiliary cylinder have a cutout in the original box for the cylinder, but no place for a crane.
Are you sure about the crane?
I have never seen a Jet auxiliary .22LR cylinder with the crane. Since the cylinder can just slip out of the gun's original crane (unlike a Colt double action revolver), why would there be a need for an extra crane?
My Jets with the auxiliary cylinder have a cutout in the original box for the cylinder, but no place for a crane.
Are you sure about the crane?
DWalt
Member
No - I was thinking it had a crane, but it may not have.
A Jet auxiliary .22LR cylinder would not be heat-treated to Magnum specifications so I would not want to risk a blowup by re-chambering one to Super Jet dimensions. Re-chambering the original Jet cylinder would seem to be the only safe way to go.
Really though, isn't that overkill for solving the overblown setback problem? Wouldn't it be easier to just swab the chambers with naphtha now and then and make sure there is no case lube left on the cartridge cases?
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
Sure would like to find a auxiliary cylinder for mine but I wont pay a fortune. I haven't shot this one in ages. I have the dyes and some ammo stashed, have the inserts. Reading about it has got me interested again.
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Certainly one of the more exotic and obscure revolvers made by Smith & Wesson.
rburg
Member
Jet guys stick together. Say something bad about them and start watching your back!
Someone above mentioned the swab. It makes extra cylinders look like they're growing on trees. Its not really worth very much, objectively, but you won't find one, either. The box is worth a bundle, and they may not even exist out of captivity. The only easy and sure way to obtain a box, 22 cal cylinder, swab, etc is to just buy a package and then either sell off your gun or the parts of the package you don't want.
I'll venture a guess at the value the gun shown by the OP is worth. Maybe $800 on the low side and $1200 on the high. If it were complete, as in all the accessories, cylinder, inserts, box, etc it might bring $1500 around here. I have seen them sell for more, but those are rare.
No one much seeks the 4" guns because they make even more noise. Yeah, I'd take one if I saw it reasonable enough. The 8 3/8s guns are kind of long and unwieldy.
In all fairness, there's no real reason to use the stupid inserts. They just add in a level of complication that isn't needed. You'd be better off with a K22. Same goes for the extra cylinder. Just buy and shoot a K22.
Jet ammo is around. At the last few OGCA shows I've been seeing Jet ammo in the Green boxes for $50. Was a time when you never saw any. I'm no longer in the market for any. When I bought my current Jet it came with 10 full boxes of ammo. It and the gun cost me $700.
Since that time I've accumulated some half empty boxes and a bunch of fired cases, and some "never" fired ones in the plastic bags.
Correct bullets are scarce, but available. Dave Keith has developed a system of taking .223 or .224 bullets and swaging them down to .222 in a die he's made for the purpose. He enlists his grandson to do that job, paying him handsomely. He was generous to give me a box of his finest and I've got them next in line to load. I just assume they'll work fine. Now I'm feeling badly for not loading and testing them.
Someone above mentioned the swab. It makes extra cylinders look like they're growing on trees. Its not really worth very much, objectively, but you won't find one, either. The box is worth a bundle, and they may not even exist out of captivity. The only easy and sure way to obtain a box, 22 cal cylinder, swab, etc is to just buy a package and then either sell off your gun or the parts of the package you don't want.
I'll venture a guess at the value the gun shown by the OP is worth. Maybe $800 on the low side and $1200 on the high. If it were complete, as in all the accessories, cylinder, inserts, box, etc it might bring $1500 around here. I have seen them sell for more, but those are rare.
No one much seeks the 4" guns because they make even more noise. Yeah, I'd take one if I saw it reasonable enough. The 8 3/8s guns are kind of long and unwieldy.
In all fairness, there's no real reason to use the stupid inserts. They just add in a level of complication that isn't needed. You'd be better off with a K22. Same goes for the extra cylinder. Just buy and shoot a K22.
Jet ammo is around. At the last few OGCA shows I've been seeing Jet ammo in the Green boxes for $50. Was a time when you never saw any. I'm no longer in the market for any. When I bought my current Jet it came with 10 full boxes of ammo. It and the gun cost me $700.
Since that time I've accumulated some half empty boxes and a bunch of fired cases, and some "never" fired ones in the plastic bags.Correct bullets are scarce, but available. Dave Keith has developed a system of taking .223 or .224 bullets and swaging them down to .222 in a die he's made for the purpose. He enlists his grandson to do that job, paying him handsomely. He was generous to give me a box of his finest and I've got them next in line to load. I just assume they'll work fine. Now I'm feeling badly for not loading and testing them.
microgunner
Member
I owned a mod 53 Jet with 8.375" barrel and .22lr auxillary cylinder.
I liked it a lot but I hardly ever fired .22 Jets and my mod 17s out shot it in .22lr.
Sold it in a moment of weakness. I've always regretted that.
I liked it a lot but I hardly ever fired .22 Jets and my mod 17s out shot it in .22lr.
Sold it in a moment of weakness. I've always regretted that.
Mr. Burg, Hornady still makes .222" bullets for the Jet. Here is the link:
Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Bullets :: Rifle :: Choose by Caliber :: .222 22 CAL :: 22 Cal .222 40 gr JET
Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Bullets :: Rifle :: Choose by Caliber :: .222 22 CAL :: 22 Cal .222 40 gr JET
I didnt bid on the Jet. It was 99% all but for a inch string of rust pitting on the top of barrel rib that had ate into the metal. I didnt notice it until a friend showed it to me under magnifing glass. Shame too cause i wanted it! It sold for 800.00 + tax no buyerspremium. Im sure the bidders hadnt noticed the pitting cause my 46 year old eye didnt at first.
Engine49guy
Member
While having a Model 19 look alike in .22lr is a grail gun isnt the Jet barrel actually tapered with a narrow rib more like the Model 27 than the wide rib non tapered Model 19 barrel ?
Rick Bowles
Absent Comrade
I've owned several Jets and enjoyed shooting them once I realized that when they say clean and dry they mean VREY clean and dry.
One day my buddy and I found an AC compressor back in the woods. We first shot it with a 6-1/2" model 29 with 240 gr. JSP. It made an impressive dent. We then shot it with a 6" model 57 with factory ammo. It dented and cracked the heavy steel. I then pulled out my 6" M-53. Fire shot out of the barrel about three feet and the sound is still with me today in the form of tennitus. There was a small hole in the compressor that went through and through.
In one of the collections I'm handling there are for or five boxes of Remington factory Jet ammo and an equal amount of once fired brass.
One day my buddy and I found an AC compressor back in the woods. We first shot it with a 6-1/2" model 29 with 240 gr. JSP. It made an impressive dent. We then shot it with a 6" model 57 with factory ammo. It dented and cracked the heavy steel. I then pulled out my 6" M-53. Fire shot out of the barrel about three feet and the sound is still with me today in the form of tennitus. There was a small hole in the compressor that went through and through.
In one of the collections I'm handling there are for or five boxes of Remington factory Jet ammo and an equal amount of once fired brass.
I too have seen auxiliary cylinders with yoke (crane = Colt term). It may have been a model 51 w/22 LR cyl. But my understanding is that S&W did not normally supply the yoke on regular production guns with extra cyl.
However, if the gun was sent back to the factory for an auxiliary cyl, as many were, and an extra yoke was requested, it would be supplied.
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I wonder if you sent it to Smith, would they supply one?
Walter Rego
Member
For comparison sake, there were two Model 53 Jets at a large gun show here in CA last weekend. A late 1960's 6" Model 53-2, with box and inserts but no tapered swab, seller was asking $1050 and an earlier 8 3/8" 4 screw Model 53 also with box (although tattered) and inserts that the same seller was asking $1350 for. I thought he could get more but he told me that he had them a long time and brought them to the show to sell, not show.
Good point on the 22 mag cyl!
I don't have a Jet so haven't experienced the setback issue. My motivation is more the novelty of the Super Jet and the increased performance since I'll be making my own ammo anyway.
The earlier Jets may have had the tapered barrel, but I think they were all made in the heavy barrel era. The 4" barrel I have is the heavy untapered barrel w/wide rib matching the 19.
DWalt
Member
I ran across a complete Jet set at the gun show this morning, in the box. It had 6 aux .22 LR chambers, a .22 LR cylinder (no crane) and the Model 53. The dealer had it priced at $1900. Not anything I am interested in so I did not attempt any negotiation. To me that price seems excessive, but as I know nothing about these, maybe it was OK. So now, I have seen three this year.
With apologies for more thread drift, I cannot understand the need for a crane (yoke in Smith talk!) since the cylinder assembly just slides out of the crane. What would be the point of the extra expense, especially since the contour and finish of the crane/yoke likely would not match the parent gun?
jsfricks
Member
I recently came across a 6" 53 in the box with an extra cylinder but that cylinder was 22 WMR. Did these come from the factory like this or possibly sent back and requested a 22 WMR?
In my opinion, someone rechambered the .22LR auxiliary cylinder to .22WMR. Since the Model 53 uses .222-inch bullets, and the .22WMR uses .224-inch bullets, that seems like a bad combination to me, and I cannot see Smith & Wesson doing such a thing. It is also silly economically, since a Model 53 .22LR cylinder is probably worth about the same as a shooter-grade Model 48.
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