S&W Model 52-2

[Calfed]

Several weeks ago I glommed something that has been on my wish list for a long time...A model 52. It landed at my FFL a few days ago and I got a chance to look it over before it went into his safe for the mandatory 10 day "cooling-off" period.

The auctioneer told me that it had been owned by a local collector who had passed away and was in excellent shape. After looking it over, I had to agree...

https://i.imgur.com/qomW93d.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/a5K68XO.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/gFldmhM.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/qjE66ts.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Tih7LBq.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/WQvfwHb.jpg

[RCS]

Very accurate pistol, there were a few special lead bullet designs just for the Model 52

[Calfed]

Very accurate pistol, there were a few special lead bullet designs just for the Model 52

Thanks, RCS. I've been patiently waiting for years for an affordable M52-2 to come along and it finally did.

I've got a few boxes of Federal GMM wad cutters to shoot in this. What are the special bullets like?

[RCS]

You can buy Stateline bullets that are designed only for the S&W Model 52, they are the type 1 wad cutter at 144 grs

The Lyman type 1 WC mould #358063 was also made for the S&W Model 52

[JimF]

Back when dirt was young, a friend bought a brand new, early M52.
At the range, the gun failed to fire many times! Not always, . . .just most times!
Come to find out, the fire pin was making VERY LIGHT strikes on the primer. (Very frustrating to my “non-mechanical-minded” friend).
I took the fire pin spring out, and, believe it or not, . . . I replaced it with a shortened, lighter, spring from a cheap, retractable ball point pen!
Worked like a charm! So far as I know, that spring is STILL in the weapon!
I’ve since saved all those light springs from those pens when the ink supply was gone!

[Calfed]

You can buy Stateline bullets that are designed only for the S&W Model 52, they are the type 1 wad cutter at 144 grs

The Lyman type 1 WC mould #358063 was also made for the S&W Model 52

Thanks, RCS

- - - Updated - - -


Back when dirt was young, a friend bought a brand new, early M52.
At the range, the gun failed to fire many times! Not always, . . .just most times!
Come to find out, the fire pin was making VERY LIGHT strikes on the primer. (Very frustrating to my “non-mechanical-minded” friend).
I took the fire pin spring out, and, believe it or not, . . . I replaced it with a shortened, lighter, spring from a cheap, retractable ball point pen!
Worked like a charm! So far as I know, that spring is STILL in the weapon!
I’ve since saved all those light springs from those pens when the ink supply was gone!

That is hilarious. Who would have thought.

[barretcreek]

LGS has a 52-2 for sale. Not mine, don't know anything about. If you are envious.

https://salidagunshop.com/latest-used-guns

[Calfed]

LGS has a 52-2 for sale. Not mine, don't know anything about. If you are envious.

https://salidagunshop.com/latest-used-guns

Not a bad price.

I got mine for $620, plus a 10% "Buyers Premium". It came with the box, paperwork and original grips, but no magazines.

Luckily I glommed two magazines at a different auction for $140 for the pair...

https://i.imgur.com/IcpwKm3.jpg?2 https://i.imgur.com/jUCIgqx.jpg?2

[fjruple]

Back in day the S&W Model 52 and the Colt National Match .38 Wadcutter were the cat's PJ. (For the younger generations, if you do not know what a cat's PJ are, Google it, LOL) When I shot competition back in the 1980 early 90's, I used a Colt National Match and always wanted a S&W Model 52. I finally found one new in the box for $1,200 out of MN. I have found that both pistols when found for sale are either shot the *hit out of or brand new in the box. Finding the magazines for the S&W Model 52 with steel followers are the really hard part. Both are great pistols, still use both of them on occasion.

[Calfed]

Back in day the S&W Model 52 and the Colt National Match .38 Wadcutter were the cat's PJ. (For the younger generations, if you do not know what a cat's PJ are, Google it, LOL) When I shot competition back in the 1980 early 90's, I used a Colt National Match and always wanted a S&W Model 52. I finally found one new in the box for $1,200 out of MN. I have found that both pistols when found for sale are either shot the *hit out of or brand new in the box. Finding the magazines for the S&W Model 52 with steel followers are the really hard part. Both are great pistols, still use both of them on occasion.

Thanks, fjruple. I've managed to collect a few magazines, several with the metal follower, several with the plastic follower. Have the plastic followers been known to cause problems?

[lyman]

Thanks, fjruple. I've managed to collect a few magazines, several with the metal follower, several with the plastic follower. Have the plastic followers been known to cause problems?

supposedly they wear faster or are more prone to feed issues,


depending who you ask,


fact is, try them out for yourself to see ,


I am not sure if there are tweaking tips out there for 52 mags like there are for 41 and High Standard mags,


great deal BTW, on a nice pistol

[barretcreek]

like there are for 41

What are those tips? Gotta link?

[lyman]

like there are for 41

What are those tips? Gotta link?

go look in the 41 section over on rimfire central,

I think I saw a bit on it over on Bullseye L forum

[fjruple]

Thanks, fjruple. I've managed to collect a few magazines, several with the metal follower, several with the plastic follower. Have the plastic followers been known to cause problems?

With competitive use the plastic followers do wear out faster.
--fjruple

[Calfed]

The California DROS system finally wheezed back to life and I was able to pick up my 52. I agree with the people who say it looks better with the wood grips.

https://i.imgur.com/vlqOZK5.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/DntXLsC.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/SUppRwr.jpg?1