HELP! rare s&w model 53

porkskin · December 28, 2005, 04:22 PM

saw today on consignment. 6' barrel k frame with box. fires 22 magnum, but the cylanders are bored fror a .22 jet. it has 6 cylanders and has "inserts" that are hollow and will hold .22 mags. target sights. asking $595.00 is this a good deal? is this a rare gun? investment?

porkskin · December 28, 2005, 04:35 PM

any s&w purist out there...

BlueTrain · December 28, 2005, 04:53 PM

I wouldn't call myself an S&W purist but the model 53 was a hot item in 1960. The price may or may not be reasonable but probably isn't far off. This was on the cover of the 1959 or 1960 Gun Digest.

However, I thought the inserts were for .22 rimfire, not .22 magnum. In fact, it may have an extra cylinder for it. The .22 Jet or whatever it was called was one of a couple of new rounds introduced around then, the other being a Colt, .256 Magnum or something like that comes to mind but I'm not sure any guns were made for the latter. They were sort of like all the current small bore hotshots.

There was a .22 Magnum target sighted K-frame as well, I believe.

It is a rare gun in any case and I shall have to do research tonight.

Anyone here remember a 3" barrel .22 Magnum J-Frame with fixed sights?

JoeHatley · December 28, 2005, 05:03 PM

Follow this link to David Carroll's latest catalog.

www.sollicito.net/carroll/ go the bottom and click on Catalog, then open the *.pdf Go to page 20.

He has 5 currently listed, ranging in price from $1150 --> $1350.

www.gunsamerica.com has 4, ranging from $650 --> $1095

Good Luck...

Joe

BlueTrain · December 28, 2005, 05:18 PM

Here's the result of some quickie Internet research:

I must have been a couple of years early in my guess but this all happened between 1959 and 1962. A long time ago, even in my book.

The Model 53 was the only revolver chambered for the .22 Jet but Ruger had a single shot "revolver" chambered for it as well as some other hot cartridges for a handgun. There was, in fact, a .256 Magnum (Colt had nothing to do with it) but it was only chambered in a couple of single shot pistols. Both cartridges were chambered in Marlin rifles as well.

There was another interesting combination from that time period as well: the .221 Remington Fireball (I think I got the caliber correct), which was chambered in the Remington XP-100 single shot, bolt-action pistol. The pistol was very futuristic for its day and in a way, still is. It could also be called a bullpup pistol in the way it is designed.

I have seen a Model 53 but never an XP-100.

Jim Watson · December 28, 2005, 06:07 PM

The odd shape of the .22 Remington Jet is said to cause cases to set back against the breechface and bind cylinder rotation unless chambers and ammo are very clean and dry. Ballistics are not as good as advertised. It is still a hot number if properly managed. $595 is cheap if the gun is in excellent condition... as most are; I don't think I have ever seen a well-used Jet.

Ruger denies ever making a Hawkeye single shot in .22 Jet or any other calibre besides .256 Winchester. Maybe there were some custom jobs before they were discontinued and got too valuable for speculation to actually shoot, much less alter.

Colt was involved with the .256 but never could make a revolver run reliably with it. There are rumors of .256 Pythons, but there are known fakes of Pythons in about any calibre that can be got in that cylinder and frame.

RJay · December 28, 2005, 06:18 PM

Model 53 was introduced in 1961, chambered for the .22 Jet ( a Remington round) , 15,000 were made before they turned off the water. The inserts are for .22 rimfire, not magnum. There was also a seperate .22 cylinder. ( adds 150 to value) The gun was a failure because the the 22 Jet brass would hang up in the cylinder and not eject. It's listed as NIB 800, with inserts. Rare? no, Scarce? yes. A good investment only if you put it away for a hundred years. It's a very nice firearm but theres really not anything special about the gun to make it a good long term investment. Hope that helps

akviper · December 28, 2005, 06:36 PM

BlueTrain, the S & W Model 650 was a six shot 3 inch heavy barrel round butt J frame made from 1983 to 1988. They called it the .22 M.R. F. Service Kit Gun.

porkskin · December 29, 2005, 08:07 AM

rjay-thanks for the advice. i really don't need this gun and would probably have to trade a shooter to get it. me thinks i'll pass. thanks all!

deadin · December 29, 2005, 08:50 AM

I think the confusion here concerning the "Magnum" designation is that the "official" name for the Jet is .22 Centerfire Magnum. I believe the barrel was marked ".22 CF Magnum" but it has been too many years since I had one.
As for the "binding" problem, I can only speak from my experience and that was I never had a problem. Maybe I naturally kept my gun clean and dry.
They are a real kick to shoot. Lots of flash and bang, no recoil.
As Jim Watson said, a M53 in nice condition with inserts and box is well worth $595, but if it doesn't ring your bells, you're not missing the deal of a lifetime.

Dean

jackserv · March 11, 2013, 09:09 AM

I am looking at the Model 53 and stamped on the barrel is 22 MAGNUM

A quick search recently found brass at Buffalo Arms

http://www.buffaloarms.com/22_Reming...2%20centerfire

http://www.buffaloarms.com/22_Reming...2%20centerfire

Midway also had Remington brass in JET

Search found numerous retailers for reloading die sets.

**Mike Irwin** · March 11, 2013, 09:24 AM

That information would have been useful in 2005, nearly EIGHT years ago.

There is absolutely no reason to resurrect a thread of this age to post a reply as if you were answering a question asked yesterday.

December 28, 2005, 04:22 PM	#1
porkskin Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2005 Posts: 335	HELP! rare s&w model 53 saw today on consignment. 6' barrel k frame with box. fires 22 magnum, but the cylanders are bored fror a .22 jet. it has 6 cylanders and has "inserts" that are hollow and will hold .22 mags. target sights. asking $595.00 is this a good deal? is this a rare gun? investment?

December 28, 2005, 04:53 PM	#3
BlueTrain Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 6,141	I wouldn't call myself an S&W purist but the model 53 was a hot item in 1960. The price may or may not be reasonable but probably isn't far off. This was on the cover of the 1959 or 1960 Gun Digest. However, I thought the inserts were for .22 rimfire, not .22 magnum. In fact, it may have an extra cylinder for it. The .22 Jet or whatever it was called was one of a couple of new rounds introduced around then, the other being a Colt, .256 Magnum or something like that comes to mind but I'm not sure any guns were made for the latter. They were sort of like all the current small bore hotshots. There was a .22 Magnum target sighted K-frame as well, I believe. It is a rare gun in any case and I shall have to do research tonight. Anyone here remember a 3" barrel .22 Magnum J-Frame with fixed sights? __________________ Shoot low, sheriff. They're riding Shetlands! Underneath the starry flag, civilize 'em with a Krag, and return us to our own beloved homes! Buy War Bonds.

December 28, 2005, 05:03 PM	#4
JoeHatley Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 1999 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,135	Follow this link to David Carroll's latest catalog. www.sollicito.net/carroll/ go the bottom and click on Catalog, then open the *.pdf Go to page 20. He has 5 currently listed, ranging in price from $1150 --> $1350. www.gunsamerica.com has 4, ranging from $650 --> $1095 Good Luck... Joe __________________ Go NRA

December 28, 2005, 05:18 PM	#5
BlueTrain Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 6,141	Here's the result of some quickie Internet research: I must have been a couple of years early in my guess but this all happened between 1959 and 1962. A long time ago, even in my book. The Model 53 was the only revolver chambered for the .22 Jet but Ruger had a single shot "revolver" chambered for it as well as some other hot cartridges for a handgun. There was, in fact, a .256 Magnum (Colt had nothing to do with it) but it was only chambered in a couple of single shot pistols. Both cartridges were chambered in Marlin rifles as well. There was another interesting combination from that time period as well: the .221 Remington Fireball (I think I got the caliber correct), which was chambered in the Remington XP-100 single shot, bolt-action pistol. The pistol was very futuristic for its day and in a way, still is. It could also be called a bullpup pistol in the way it is designed. I have seen a Model 53 but never an XP-100. __________________ Shoot low, sheriff. They're riding Shetlands! Underneath the starry flag, civilize 'em with a Krag, and return us to our own beloved homes! Buy War Bonds.

March 11, 2013, 09:24 AM	#12
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,379	That information would have been useful in 2005, nearly EIGHT years ago. There is absolutely no reason to resurrect a thread of this age to post a reply as if you were answering a question asked yesterday. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

December 28, 2005, 04:35 PM	#2
porkskin Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2005 Posts: 335	any s&w purist out there...

December 28, 2005, 06:07 PM	#6
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,528	The odd shape of the .22 Remington Jet is said to cause cases to set back against the breechface and bind cylinder rotation unless chambers and ammo are very clean and dry. Ballistics are not as good as advertised. It is still a hot number if properly managed. $595 is cheap if the gun is in excellent condition... as most are; I don't think I have ever seen a well-used Jet. Ruger denies ever making a Hawkeye single shot in .22 Jet or any other calibre besides .256 Winchester. Maybe there were some custom jobs before they were discontinued and got too valuable for speculation to actually shoot, much less alter. Colt was involved with the .256 but never could make a revolver run reliably with it. There are rumors of .256 Pythons, but there are known fakes of Pythons in about any calibre that can be got in that cylinder and frame.

December 28, 2005, 06:18 PM	#7
RJay Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,936	Model 53 was introduced in 1961, chambered for the .22 Jet ( a Remington round) , 15,000 were made before they turned off the water. The inserts are for .22 rimfire, not magnum. There was also a seperate .22 cylinder. ( adds 150 to value) The gun was a failure because the the 22 Jet brass would hang up in the cylinder and not eject. It's listed as NIB 800, with inserts. Rare? no, Scarce? yes. A good investment only if you put it away for a hundred years. It's a very nice firearm but theres really not anything special about the gun to make it a good long term investment. Hope that helps

December 28, 2005, 06:36 PM	#8
akviper Member Join Date: June 3, 2005 Posts: 35	BlueTrain, the S & W Model 650 was a six shot 3 inch heavy barrel round butt J frame made from 1983 to 1988. They called it the .22 M.R. F. Service Kit Gun.

December 29, 2005, 08:07 AM	#9
porkskin Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2005 Posts: 335	rjay-thanks for the advice. i really don't need this gun and would probably have to trade a shooter to get it. me thinks i'll pass. thanks all!

December 29, 2005, 08:50 AM	#10
deadin Junior member Join Date: September 6, 2005 Location: Ocean Shores, WA Posts: 1,052	I think the confusion here concerning the "Magnum" designation is that the "official" name for the Jet is .22 Centerfire Magnum. I believe the barrel was marked ".22 CF Magnum" but it has been too many years since I had one. As for the "binding" problem, I can only speak from my experience and that was I never had a problem. Maybe I naturally kept my gun clean and dry. They are a real kick to shoot. Lots of flash and bang, no recoil. As Jim Watson said, a M53 in nice condition with inserts and box is well worth $595, but if it doesn't ring your bells, you're not missing the deal of a lifetime. Dean

March 11, 2013, 09:09 AM	#11
jackserv Junior Member Join Date: April 6, 2012 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 3	I am looking at the Model 53 and stamped on the barrel is 22 MAGNUM A quick search recently found brass at Buffalo Arms http://www.buffaloarms.com/22_Reming...2%20centerfire http://www.buffaloarms.com/22_Reming...2%20centerfire Midway also had Remington brass in JET Search found numerous retailers for reloading die sets.

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