S&W Model 53

[augustus_01]

Does anyone have any information on the S&W Model 53 revolver? I know it's chambered for the .22 Remington Jet cartridge, and it has inserts to shoot .22LR.

I just picked one up for $240. It shows some wear, but it's still nice and tight and according to the previous owner, still shoots good (1-3/4" group @ 50 feet with Remington Golden bullets).

I would appreciate any additional information that anyone could provide.

 

[Brian Williams]

Lucky duck, Great gun it is a necked down 357 and should shoot like a house afire. It tends to be loud and have a lot of muzzle blast but will do varmints very well. Keep the chambers dry and free of oil and dirt and you will have a great time.

 

[Brian Williams]

OBTW you stole that thing. 53s tend to go for $500 to $1000

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Why does everyone else find deals like this?

(1-3/4" group @ 50 feet with Remington Golden bullets).

Since this is a .22LR load, I assume you got the chamber inserts with it. Lucky duck, indeed.

 

[rcmodel]

The six chamber inserts are worth more then you paid for the gun!

Reproductions are $15 bucks apiece when you can even find them.
The S&W originals are worth way more then that!

rcmodel

 

[SaxonPig]

You don't mention the barrel length. The 4" guns are very rare and command a huge premium. A 6" M53 is worth about 4X what you paid.

 

[Gordon]

got this one for about what you paid from someone on the forum. It was pretty rusty but very sound. Accurate plating did it in factory nickel.

 

[SaxonPig]

Um... How can Accurate Plating "do it in factory nickel?" I would think only the factory could do it it in factory nickel.

 

[Jim Watson]

And the factory doesn't plate the hammer and trigger.

 

[augustus_01]

You don't mention the barrel length. The 4" guns are very rare and command a huge premium. A 6" M53 is worth about 4X what you paid.

It has the 6" barrel. It's nowhere close to NIB, but I think I will send it to Hot Flash Refinishing to have a high gloss bluing put on it.

Does anyone know where I can get some .22 Remington Jet ammo?

 

[Jim Watson]

Reed has the least expensive I have heard of:
http://shop.reedsammo.com/product.sc?categoryId=79&productId=431

Buffalo Arms has it, at a price that will horrify you:
http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,5624.html

Reblue will greatly reduce its collector value and interest. I would not do it unless it were really rough.

 

[augustus_01]

Reblue will greatly reduce its collector value and interest. I would not do it unless it were really rough.

Here's what part of the description says:

"Evidently sometime in it's past it got wet and shows pitting and bluing wear."

Here's a picture of what it looks like:



I know it's hard to tell the condition from the photo, but it don't look too bad.

 

[augustus_01]

Bump for more info.

 

[Gordon]

My gun was rusted from exposure in Alaska. Accurate plating will NOT do their "factory quality mirror finish" nickel if they have to buff the gun so it doesn't look "factory", Luckily mine was 'frosted' rust and they did do the mirror nickle without eating down the logos and stampings ect. Being the case hardening on trigger and hammer was rusted, I told them to plate them. I shoot the gun at vermin and it is NOT a safe queen.

 

[Murdock]

You made a great deal!

I had one of these long ago. I bought it used for $150, used it for a month and traded it on a new M18 because I didn't like messing with the inserts. The M18 was stolen a few years later, so now I don't have either one.:banghead:

There are not as many of these fine old guns on the market as there should be, because PPC shooters of the 70's and early 80's converted them into guns for that sport; they liked the frame-mounted firing pin, feeling that it enhanced accuracy or reliability or something.

Does the person you got you M53 from have any other old S&W revolvers that they don't know the value of, and if so can you get me in touch?

 

[augustus_01]

There are not as many of these fine old guns on the market as there should be, because PPC shooters of the 70's and early 80's converted them into guns for that sport; they liked the frame-mounted firing pin, feeling that it enhanced accuracy or reliability or something.

Those were his exact intentions, from what he told me.

Does the person you got you M53 from have any other old S&W revolvers that they don't know the value of, and if so can you get me in touch?

I don't know if he has anymore, but I can ask him.