Curator's Corner: Smith & Wesson Model 53 .22 Remington Jet Revolver

NRA Museums Special Projects coordinator Ernie Lyles shows John Popp the Smith & Wesson Model 53 .22 Remington Jet revolver. It was created in 1961 at a time when new rounds were being introduced. It was advertised as firing 2,400 feet/second! But it was hard really reaching that goal. Steel adapters allowed the use of .22 long rifle ammo, or you could use the special .22 cylinder instead. It only worked if you kept the firearm meticulously clean and dry. They were discontinued in 1974. See this and other fascinating firearms at the NRA National Firearms Museum in Fairfax, Virginia.

[@MrGsteele]

1,600 f/s out of an 8 3/8" barrel, less from a 6" and a mighty muzzle blast in the shorter two barrels. 2,000 f/s was always a pipe dream, except out of a rifle barrel. No recoil to speak of, but lots of attention at the range. Elegant styling and a fabulous single-action trigger pull, like most S&Ws of the era. I also have a Model 19 that is truly a target gun like the 53. Fun to shoot, inserts or not, and even .22 rimfire is accurate, despite a barrel rifling designed for a .222 bullet diameter firing a .223 or .224 rimfire round (LR or WMR). It's a natural for a .22 WMR pistol that occasionally shoots .22 Jet, by using a auxiliary cylinder bored for the purpose.

[@mikejones9080]

A friend in my shooting club in Calgary, back in about 1973, had one. He let a few of us try a cylinder full, both of jet ammo, and 22lr with the adapters. He didn't have the rimfire cylinder, and perhaps wasn't aware that one existed. I know I had fun when I took my turn.

[@BG-ww5lg]

...not necked down to 22 long rifle, just simply necked down to 22 caliber. Love these videos

[@0neDoomedSpaceMarine]

People will cite this revolver as to why you cannot have a bottle-necked cartridge in a revolver, but he problems these had could probably be traced to the extreme taper of the cartridge. With a different case profile, this concept would probably work just fine.

[@andywilson8698]

Yeah that a shame , it could have been a nice caliber. Shame it just died off .

[@brucemccreary38]

The recoil shield could be remade to hold the cartridge tight in the chamber of the cylinder. A taper ground on the feed side of the recoil shield would work this.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

22 TCM is the modern equivalent, and probably much better due to steep and short shoulder angles.

[@hugoanibalperalespuentes6593]

How would it be compared with a .22 Hornet from a revolver??????

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Wikipedia lists 22 Hornet as 2,826 FPS with 40gr bullet. That's rifle length barrel. A 22 TCM 40gr runs 2,070 FPS from 5" barrel and 2,800 FPS from rifle barrel. A 22 WMR 40gr runs about 1575 FPS from 6" barrel, and 1,875-1,900 FPS from rifle barrel. A 5.7×28mm 31gr runs about 2,350 FPS from 10" barrel.

[@schiltronmunitions3820]

Cheaper now to get a Raging Hornet

[@andywilson8698]

Man u wish they could get tje hiccups out of that gun and caliber, that would be a awesome round it all worked right. And being able to switch to 22lr for some cheap plinking is a nice add on .

[@chrischiampo7647]

😮😲😲😮😳😳😮😲 Stunning Example Of The Wildcat Days 😮🇺🇸

[@TheRustylungs]

I think more people would watch these if the room your filming in was not so dark its like watching a cheap scfi filmed in darkovision

[@itzbeef5691]

First

[@fredkesler95]

I have been reloading for the jet the last ten years and have never had an issue with it. Smith does recommend that you use a .222 inch diameter bullet. Hornady use to make them but do not any longer. If anyone has any idea where a person could find them I would appreciate knowing. PPU, out of Serbia, is manufacturing the ammo now but are always sold out. There is a learning curve to reloading these critters. It is pretty easy wrinkling the neck or should if you are not being very exact. DO NOT TRY TO LOAD .224 BULLETS! The pressure is too great and you risk ruining your gun. Some guys claim to use the .223 but I am going to stick strictly to what Smith and Wesson recommends! I don't second guess the ballistics experts anymore.!