The Model 53 22 Magnum (Jet)

[Retired W4]

I did not expect this to show up at my tables at the Expo Show this weekend but wonder of wonders. Inserts and extra 22 LR cylinder included. It actually looks better than my photography shows. The special order, extra cylinder has obviously seen more use than the Jet cylinder, with a few minor scratches around the front side plate screw from swapping the cylinders out. Oh well. Also, some careless cluck messed up the ejector rod ends by tightening it without a padded vise. That is an easy fix. Stranger yet, one of the major ammo dealers had a brand new box of ammunition. It was the only one in the hall.

The one thing about this gun that has me wondering is what appears to be a factory lanyard loop (Butt Swivel in S&W terms) hole with the prefix and SN offset to the side. Once again the pic does not show it clearly but it does look original to the revolver. A letter is in order just to clarify that point.

Can't wait to shoot this bad boy.

 

[Truckman]

The photo clearly shows the warning about the presence of children...Whether or not there are any in your home, better to be on the safe side by sending them to me...No kids here, and I promise I won't revert to any of my childish ways and shoot them in my first year of production Model 53...Don't worry you can trust me this time......Ben

 

[Retired W4]

OK. Just shoot me your address., On the other hand, there are no children around this house. I think PPU was concerned about a swallow hazard with kids.

 

[CLASSIC12]

Great find, congratulations

I stumbled upon one a year ago at the LGS for $ 550, didn't know anything about this model or caliber before. Came with two boxes of ammo and I found another 7 boxes.

 

[ruger 22]

What a great find. I had a 4" and regret selling it a long time back. It was very accurate and still is the noisiest gun I ever fired to this day.
Shoot it in good health.

 

[Retired W4]

I thought I would have to report you to the authorities for grand theft but I see you are way over there. That 4" gun produces one mean fire ball! I'm sure the 6" barrel does as well. ruger 22, double hearing protection on this one for sure.

 

[wrangler5]

What a great find. I had a 4" and regret selling it a long time back. It was very accurate and still is the noisiest gun I ever fired to this day.
Shoot it in good health.

I've never been around a 22 Jet at a range, but I'd have to bet that one of the 327 Federal Magnum 100g defensive loads would give it a run if not beat it in the noisy department. Even with plugs and muffs it's loud.

 

[Tntcwg3]

Congrats, nice find!

 

[Auto Mag]

I only have 2 (Sigh)...



But the one does come with the very rare, unused, Jet Swab!

 

[CLASSIC12]

I only have 2 (Sigh)...



But the one does come with the very rare, unused, Jet Swab!

Never saw the jet swab, interesting

 

[Walter Rego]

The tapered .22 Jet swabs are pretty scarce. I suspect it is because most were used up by owners to swab out the chambers with Naptha or something similar to degrease them to prevent the cases from backing out. I have made a couple of functional equivalents just by carefully trimming regular .38 swabs with a very sharp pair of scissors.

When I bought my first year production Model 53 several years ago the seller threw in a box of ammo which I was quite grateful for. Here is what a box used to sell for about 50 or so years ago.

 

[Auto Mag]

Like I say... It's pretty rare and almost always missing from the so-called, full kits!

 

[Retired W4]

The tapered .22 Jet swabs are pretty scarce. I suspect it is because most were used up by owners to swab out the chambers with Naptha or something similar to degrease them to prevent the cases from backing out. I have made a couple of functional equivalents just by carefully trimming regular .38 swabs with a very sharp pair of scissors.

When I bought my first year production Model 53 several years ago the seller threw in a box of ammo which I was quite grateful for. Here is what a box used to sell for about 50 or so years ago.

Today you are looking at 10 times that $6.50. Mine did not have the mop. Thanks for the tip.

Turns out mine is an early one. March '62.

 

[John Patrick]

Today you are looking at 10 times that $6.50. Mine did not have the mop. Thanks for the tip.

Turns out mine is an early one. March '62.

That's a beaut, OP! Congrats!

 

[Retired W4]

K462779

I have posted this in the wrong section as it is a 4 screw gun, even though it shipped in March '62. Also Roy tells me it did ship with a butt swivel, which brings me to this. It must have shipped with magnas and I'm on the hunt for the magnas numbered to this gun. What a long shot that is. Letter request is out to help with my search. K462779.

 

[raljr1]

I have one with a 2x scope on it that I bought a little over 10 years ago for $530. I seem to have accumulated over 800 rounds of ammo, a couple of the original Remington, some off brands and ten boxes of PPU. Every time I saw it at gun shows, I would pick up a box or two. I doubt I would ever shoot it all.

I have shot mine at 100 yards with pretty good success.

 

[MarkHayden]

I'm in dire need of the inner box liner for my 6" Jet. Please PM me if you have a complete box for sale or just the inner piece. Please…

Thanks.

 

[AJ]

I have a friend that shoots the .22 Rem Jet all the time. He reloads for it. Also his is a rifle. Another friend gave him an H&R that had been rechambered to .22 Rem Jet. It was enough fun that he had another barrel rechambered to .22 Rem Jet, that one was for a TC Encore IIRC.

 

[larryofcc]

Many years ago I helped a friend by working Saturdays at his gun shop. He told me I could buy any gun that came in.
Well, here comes a guy with a 6" M53. I got it for $125.
Sent the gun to the factory and had a 4" and 8" bbl. fitted to it. Also had the thing nickeled along with a 22 cyl. Target hammer and trigger also installed. A thing of beauty, I traded it for a Springfield M2 22 cal. rifle. DUH !!! Both gone now, but I do have 2 blued ones in their boxes. Factory won't touch them. Big Larry

 

[yikes]

I did not expect this to show up at my tables at the Expo Show this weekend but wonder of wonders. Inserts and extra 22 LR cylinder included. It actually looks better than my photography shows. The special order, extra cylinder has obviously seen more use than the Jet cylinder, with a few minor scratches around the front side plate screw from swapping the cylinders out. Oh well. Also, some careless cluck messed up the ejector rod ends by tightening it without a padded vise. That is an easy fix. Stranger yet, one of the major ammo dealers had a brand new box of ammunition. It was the only one in the hall.

The one thing about this gun that has me wondering is what appears to be a factory lanyard loop (Butt Swivel in S&W terms) hole with the prefix and SN offset to the side. Once again the pic does not show it clearly but it does look original to the revolver. A letter is in order just to clarify that point.

Can't wait to shoot this bad boy.

You sound eager and excited. That's good

What a great find. Congratulations.

 

[hanken]

Here are my three. One was a gift from a dear friend who is gone now which makes it that much more special

Sent from my SM-N976V using Tapatalk

 

[diecidecimi]

I'm in dire need of the inner box liner for my 6" Jet. Please PM me if you have a complete box for sale or just the inner piece. Please…

Thanks.

Close to me a gun store is selling a M53 in his box, a pair of barrels and .22 lr cylinders for M53.... alas a PITA to export, but possible anyway

 

[series guy]

When I found my Model 53 it was flying solo, no box or accessories. A forum member here was kind enough to sell my a box and I made my own insert from some mat board purchased at a local craft store. I now have the inserts so i'll need to cut the insert for those.

 

[BC38]

I picked up this 53-2 with the box (not pictured), all 6 inserts, 450 rounds of ammo, a set of dies, and 200 rounds empty brass for $1050 last year. Seemed like a pretty decent deal.

 

[jcelect]

Jets

Great find, congratulations

I stumbled upon one a year ago at the LGS for $ 550, didn't know anything about this model or caliber before. Came with two boxes of ammo and I found another 7 boxes.

That just about enough factory ammo to make that 4" barrel junk! These guns are barrel burners with Rem Factory ammo!

I reload all my Jet and tame it down a little. I have been told the PPU ammo is reduced also. They also made new brass for the Jets! A couple of my guns!

jcelect

 

[tjpopkin]

I love the Jets. I have one in every barrel length, but never fired the 6" It is new in the box....unfired with EVERYTHING...hangtags, inserts..and a new box. I am planning on listing it here soon....However, the 8 3/8" has nearly as much muzzle blast as my 4". I am looking for a 4" box.

 

[SuperMan]

I've never been around a 22 Jet at a range, but I'd have to bet that one of the 327 Federal Magnum 100g defensive loads would give it a run if not beat it in the noisy department. Even with plugs and muffs it's loud.

I have both calibers in the same gun...and I can tell you it isn't even close. The Jet will blow your hearing away in a cylinder full...

Converted my 6" 53 to .327 Magnum. Still have a Jet barrel and cylinder so it can be restored to original. Only loss was the .22 Rimfire cylinder. Gets a lot more use as a .327 than it did as a Jet...

Bob

 

[bdGreen]

Just love that 'long runway' look.


enjoy,

bdGreen

Tap on image to enlarge.

 

[tjpopkin]

I have both calibers in the same gun...and I can tell you it isn't even close. The Jet will blow your hearing away in a cylinder full...

Converted my 6" 53 to .327 Magnum. Still have a Jet barrel and cylinder so it can be restored to original. Only loss was the .22 Rimfire cylinder. Gets a lot more use as a .327 than it did as a Jet...

Bob

How do you shoot .32s through a .22 barrel....If you rechambered the .22 cylinder and installed a .32 barrel, going back to .22s is a push. I wanted a K-frame .327 so I converted a 16-4 from .32 H&R to .327....fabulous and lost no functionality..

 

[SuperMan]

Jack Huntington had the barrel rebored and then rechambered the .22 rimfire cylinder to .327. Said it was one of the easiest conversions he ever did.

Another easy conversion is to get a Model 14 or 15 as a base gun. Then one needs a Model 17 or 18 barrel and cylinder. Remove the base gun barrel and cylinder, rebore the barrel and rechamber the cylinder...done.

Bob