Smith & Wesson Model 53

By Wiley Clapp (RSS)

June 28, 2010

Smith & Wesson grew very progressive in the 1960s, showing a willingness to try all kinds of things.


One of their innovations was the Model 53 revolver, which was a K-frame gun chambered for the exotic .22 Remington Jet cartridge. Both were very handsome pieces.


The Model 53 came with S&W's “full-target” setup and a choice of barrel lengths. Made for long-range pest and varmint shooting, the Jet cartridge was basically a .357 Mag. case, sharply tapered down to .22 caliber.


The Remington Jet created some zippy velocities and blew up its share of ground squirrels and prairie dogs. Eventually, the gun was discontinued because shooters wanted to shoot it a lot without cleaning it.


Those radically tapered rounds tended to back out of the chambers and tie up the gun. All that it takes to keep the gun running is meticulous—and frequent—chamber cleaning.


I know this to be true from personal experience. I would love to see S&W come back with a new revolver made in this style, but the best I think someone is going to get is the .218 Bee.


Tags:  .218 bee,  .22 remington jet,  blogs,  model 53,  smith & wesson,  smith & wesson model 53,  wiley clapp

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3 Responses to Smith & Wesson Model 53

Darryl Knuth wrote:
June 16, 2012

Hi there tim i have just aquired a modle 53 in jet but 2 off its cyl adaptors are missing i was woundering if u know off any about Regards darryl

Joe Stecklein wrote:
January 19, 2012

I bought a Model 53 in 1964 after turning 18. Being the dumb I was then, the first cylinder full of .22 Jets were without earplugs. My hearing has never been the same. Loudest thing I ever held. Good shooter though.

Tim Dennis wrote:
November 28, 2011

I have a model 53 S&W and have worked up loads over the last six months for the Jet cartridges until I have them consistently clocking the Chronometer at 1800 fps ,it is a joy to shoot and own, with the 22 LR cartridge it shoots tight groups at 25 and 50 metres I have the 8 3/8 inch barrel and have also a bushnell pistol scope and shooting off my NRA pistol rest I have had 3 of 5 rounds go in the same hole a Beatiful old revolver and I am told only 5 or so of the 8 3/8 inch barrels exist in Australia and I have one .its a Beauty. If Smiths made one in .218 bee as Wiley suggests I would grab one quicksmart.