One of a Kind - Jennings J-22

[martin08]

With hudreds of thousands of these little pocket pistols out there, I have the only one that I know like this.

It's and 'old style' sliding safety with a proto-type floral slide that never went into production (AFIK?). I bought the slide from Numrich (they bought out Jenning's warehouse) and converted the extractor and firing pin assembly from a gun I bought in a private sale a few days ago.

Why, you ask, is mine so unique? Because the frame is 30 years old and unfired! I have the only one in the world (challenge)!

I know, I know. It's still a Jennings. But it sure is pretty.

 

[IPSC_DRL]

Slide probably cost twice what the gun did.

 

[MassMark]

That will look really nice when you throw it at the bad guy...

Just kidding...I think.... It is a unique gun to be sure and actually looks good. Have you fired it, or is it a safe queen?

 

[martin08]

Slide probably cost twice what the gun did.

Close! The slide was $39 at Numrich. The gun was originally $59 or so when it sold new back in the late '70's and early '80's.

Have you fired it, or is it a safe queen?

The gun was still in the box, unfired when I bought it in a private sale, though sadly for more than it went for new. But for $90 plus the slide, I still have a novelty and a burning delimna...

... Should I fire it, or not.

 

[45collector]

No. Don't fire it.

For the simple reason that on the Jennings I had, the breech face cracked, making a little protrusion that acted as a firing pin, so that the gun would go into uncontrollable full-auto fire when you released the slide on a loaded magazine.

Yes, full-auto fire without even having my finger on the trigger.

NOT COOL.

That's a pretty little gun though. Never seen a Jennings slide like that.

 

[martin08]

on the Jennings I had, the breech face cracked, making a little protrusion that acted as a firing pin, so that the gun would go into uncontrollable full-auto fire when you released the slide on a loaded magazine.

One of the malfunctions of this style of gun that can actually happen, but not common. And yes, it can be dangerous if the breech face bulges or cracks.

The myths of slides "flying past my ear" are just that, myths. But I have no doubt, if this thread lives long, that the flying slide will surface!

 

[LT1MCSS]

don't fire it, just keep it in a safe where it belongs. It sounds like these things are kinda dangerous to shoot anyway. I remember my father had one years and and said it was the biggest piece of junk he owned but at least yours looks cool.

 

[MassMark]

Shoot it...God punishes keepers of unfired safe queens...As him yourself...

 

[Pilgrim]

I had an unadorned one for years and shot it quite a bit. It was a good little gun for what it was.

I sold it to get money for my SW29-2.

(not)

 

[meth0d]

Don't shoot it!

My dad had a Jennings and it was AWFUL. The slide would pinch your hand regardless of how low you gripped it, and we'd have to count a full 3 seconds between shots or it would jam, no matter how clean it was.

Surprisingly he made the money back from the purchase price when he traded it in for a 10/22.

 

[martin08]

I hope to de-flower this baby this weekend with another Saturday Night Special enthusiast. Then it will become just a one in ten, or so, that I know about.

Experience tells me that it will be an awesome shooter. Having broken in a few, it's easy to know just where to give it a little polishing to make it near 100% reliable.

 

[Jay6]

I would rather have a Lorcin

 

[IPSC_DRL]

reliable?

Having broken in a few, it's easy to know just where to give it a little polishing to make it near 100% reliable.

Do tell.

 

[martin08]

Do tell.

Most of these do not get the fine finishing at the factory that higher priced pistols do. OK, none of them get a finishing - that's what keeps them inexpensive.

Areas to look for.

1. Firing pin bore, take a piece of 4-600 grit emery and roll it into a tube, pass it in and out a few times until smooth.

2. Ejector and sear channels in the underside of the slide. These thin channels can create a lot of drag in cycling when it moves against the ejector and sear. A folded piece of emery can smooth this out.

3. Top and sides of the frame and the mating surfaces on the slide. Pass a stone over these.

4. The frame over the barrel can have the sharp edges rounded a bit.

Clean out all grit, light oil, and hand cycle a few times. You should notice a marked difference in smooth operation. And... get a much more reliable shooter for cheap $$.