Smith & Wesson Jet
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DWalt
Member
That slight diameter difference would not hurt anything.
bigl1911
Member
Since I seem to be the one here in the buying mode I'll throw in two cents (or maybe lack of sense who knows). First, I own a Jet 8" very early I think first year if memory serves me. It sits in occupied Cali territory gun jail (very funny Walter) so I haven't had a chance to shoot it as of yet. This was an impulse buy before I fully understood what it is. Thanks again to the Forum members I am learning. First, yes Jet owners are cult (not colt) like. They understand the limitations of the revolver and work around them for the pleasure of shooting from what I understand is a great experience with this fine unusual revolver. To the question: Is it a safe queen or a shooter? If it is a safe queen you better have a original box with number to gun not a fake, the inserts and a cylinder is preferred.. A like new in box complete I would pay $1500 plus minus depending on my need and of course the gun. From what I understand there is a nickel version or some that were sent to factory for refinishing in nickel. This is a whole different deal so we are not talking about those.. I don't know enough about them to even make a comment. If it is lightly fired and not a perfect time capsule I think Jim is correct 1000 to 1200 for a near perfect gun complete is about right… There is one on GB right now.. If this is the one you are looking at get better pictures, good luck and keep us posted... and NO!!! don't pay two grand for it!!
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bigl1911
Member
BTW - In my opinion if someone is a SW collector and has no Jet they have a hole in the toy box... 
As a K frame collector, I'd love to have a Jet. The tales I've heard about their bark and lightshow are the stuff of legends. I haven't seen one for under a thousand dollars, but if there was even a remote chance that I could get some ammo for one up here in Fairbanks, I'd hand over the money in a minute. And bigl1911 is right. A pile of K frames isn't complete without a model 53.
larryofcc
Member
Original box not a fake? I have never seen a fake M53 box. I know there are at least two versions, one pre Bangor Punta and the later Bangor Punta. I have both. Big Larry
I'm surprised no one has mentioned that Hamilton Bowen is making his own K-Frame cylinders for conversions and chambering as a .22 LR aux cylinder for a M53. They can be also chambered in one of the other .22 wildcat cartridges.
A bit pricey... but it's an option: Cylinders : + Bowen Classic Arms +, Parts Store
A bit pricey... but it's an option: Cylinders : + Bowen Classic Arms +, Parts Store
Engine49guy
Member
Beautiful collection !
Any chance you can post a picture showing their muzzles and barrel ribs especially the 4" guns ?
Any chance you can post a picture showing their muzzles and barrel ribs especially the 4" guns ?
kozmic
Member
Battle....There is one currently for sale at a LGS. It is a complete pkg. for $895.00.
PM me if you're interested. There are photos on their website but I'm not sure if posting that info violates forum rules.
PM me if you're interested. There are photos on their website but I'm not sure if posting that info violates forum rules.
nicky4968
Member
BTW, Swissman at one time was in need of a new cylinder for his Jet. Does anyone have one?
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If that includes the .22 cylinder, that is a deal. Not counting any negotiating you might do on that price.
DWalt
Member
.22 Jet ammunition should not be a great problem for a dedicated handloader. The Jet case can be re-formed from .357 brass, but it does require two re-forming steps, plus final trimming. At one time I had a friend who made up his own .22 Jet cases that way. I suspect a .22 Jet re-forming die set is still available (possibly only on special order) but it could be rather expensive.
I form lots of oddball and obsolete cases myself, but the .22 Jet is not one I have any experience with.
I form lots of oddball and obsolete cases myself, but the .22 Jet is not one I have any experience with.
DWalt
Member
Reforming generally is a pain in the backside. Some calibers much more so than others, such as those in which you must swage the head diameter, reduce the rim diameter, thin the rim, and cut new extraction grooves, in addition to forming. Those steps are not needed for the .22 Jet, so it should be a relative piece of cake. You just have to tell yourself that you only have to do it once per case. My usual procedure is to set up and make maybe 100 cases at once and use them until they are no longer usable before making another batch. When you've made up a lifetime supply of .22 Jet ammunition, you can always sell your forming dies on eBay for about what you paid for them.
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Skeetr57
Member
I have a M53, and got the forming dies for it. It is a real pain to form cases for because of the amount of reduction required from .357 to .22. I was never successful when using once fired brass, and had to start with new brass, anneal it at least once, and still lost some cases.
CH4D is probably the best source for forming dies.
CH4D is probably the best source for forming dies.
Huntington Die Specialties had 22 Jet brass a couple of weeks ago.
Forming cases does not sound like fun.
Forming cases does not sound like fun.
Rick Bowles
Absent Comrade
This is a conundrum. What I have here is an 8-3/8' Model 53 NO DASH. Here's my problem. This is a later, 3-screw model 53 having no diamond grips and a 4K serial number prefix.
Did I mention that this is a 53 NO DASH? Even the box says 53 (no dash). I'm so confused....
Did I mention that this is a 53 NO DASH? Even the box says 53 (no dash). I'm so confused....
larryofcc
Member
This is a conundrum. What I have here is an 8-3/8' Model 53 NO DASH. Here's my problem. This is a later, 3-screw model 53 having no diamond grips and a 4K serial number prefix.
Did I mention that this is a 53 NO DASH? Even the box says 53 (no dash). I'm so confused....
My # 4K 83491 is exactly like yours and I could not get an answer on mine. No dash and the box is a no dash as well. It too is an 8 3/8"er. Mine was shipped 11-1974. These two are probably related. Big Larry
Jet guys stick together. Say something bad about them and start watching your back!
QUOTE]
My accumulation of Jets is down to 4. They are fun to shoot! ! ! One problem with the Jets that no one has mentioned is, "they are barrel burners!" Shooting factory ammo will cause barrel erosion very quickly! When buying a Jet the first thing to look at is the breech end of the barrel! "Back in the day" many were sent back to the factory for new barrels and I have heard that some barrels were replaced under warrantee.
This is the predecessor to the Jet built on a pre model 17. Just as much fun without the problems of the Jet!
jcelect
This is a conundrum. What I have here is an 8-3/8' Model 53 NO DASH. Here's my problem. This is a later, 3-screw model 53 having no diamond grips and a 4K serial number prefix.
Did I mention that this is a 53 NO DASH? Even the box says 53 (no dash). I'm so confused....
This is not an uncommon phenomenon; guns having engineering changes w/o the associated dash number and also guns having the dash number w/o the associated eng change. This is especially true of models with relatively low production and sales rates.
One would think that yours being a 3 screw would be stamped 53-2 (there was no 53-1)., correct? Any guns already in the production process when the eng change order was issued were subject to this incongruity.
I have 2, 6 inch boxed Jets without extra cylinders. One is 4 screw with diamond stocks K4740xx, no paper work and no end label on box. Serial number is in grease pencil on the bottom of the box. The other is a 53-2 4k490xx all paper work including tapered swab. It has red front sight and white outlined rear. After all these years just noted the differences in the sights.
Rick Bowles
Absent Comrade
larryofcc
Member
That's what the book says. Last loose one I saw for sale was $150. I think the book also says tools were optional? Big Larry
larryofcc
Member
The Standard Book of S&W's by Supica/Nahas. I recommend it highly. It needs to be updated again, but it is a world of S&W info. Big Larry
Rick Bowles
Absent Comrade
Charlie,
The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson is a must have for any S&W aficionado.
I just got another on eBay for a friend. It was $27.00 and change with free shipping.
Rick
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