Check one off the bucket list! S&W Model 52-1

[Mytmousemalibu]

A very neat & interesting gun to me since I first caught wind of it. I like the odd & obscure and even better if its a work of true craftsmanship. The S&W 52 checks those boxes! A very well made, hand fitted gun from the good ole days of S&W. Furthermore a highly accurate autoloader that is specifically chambered for .38 Special Wadcutters, NEAT! The 38/357 is a favorite of mine and I love wadcutters. I had to have a Model 52 in my life! Been looking for one casually for years. Finally broke the stalemate last weekend! Its not in as super condition cosmetically as I wanted but it has a loving home now. Gorgeous gun, fit, finish, bluing, etc is amazing. This one is no newer than 1964, a 52-1. Superb 1.0lb trigger, a treat to shoot. I am loving this old sweetheart!

Tune in next week for another Bucket List gun! Same bat time, same bat channel!

296184296183

[Kosh75287]

The only CENTERFIRE S&W pistol for which I ever had much affection! I hope you enjoy it, thoroughly!

[Mytmousemalibu]

I love this sweetheart of a gun! I have owned and still own other S&W autoloaders and a hoard of revolvers. This 52-1 is already at the tippy top of my favorite Smith's overall. I let my shooting buddies handle and shoot it Fri night, boy the looks on their faces! Priceless! A few were perhaps a little pessimistic of my excitement about it or what the buzz was about. A few rounds downrange more than adequately had them star-struck!

The gun is just a phenomenal shooter and so much fun to shoot. Its everything I hoped a 52 would be. No other factory gun has ever come close to or rivaled my custom built Atlas 2011 race gun but the 52 has.

Now the hunt for a few extra mags begins. Only came with the one, no box or the accessories unfortunately.

Probably get some beautiful Nill stippled grip panels for it. Keeping the originals.

[wrench]

Congratulations on the 52-1, they are wonderful pistols. I have a 52-2 that I love to shoot, makes me look good at the range!
Good luck on the magazines, they are a bear to find and expensive when you do.

[Mytmousemalibu]

Congratulations on the 52-1, they are wonderful pistols. I have a 52-2 that I love to shoot, makes me look good at the range!
Good luck on the magazines, they are a bear to find and expensive when you do.

It is a tack driver for sure! Naturally, accuracy is what these .38 mid-range guns are all about! I'll have to sort out a load for it that it likes. I already have sorted out most of the wadcutter brass from the standard .38 brass. I have a small hoard of wadcutter molds to choose from. A couple of Hensley & Gibbs wadcutter molds in that mix. So far all I've shot is some boxes of Precision Delta's 148gr factory loads. Its okay stuff but not great. They used a micro lubed wadcutter (kind with "cannalure" rings rolled in it) and they have leaded the first few inches of every gun ive shot them through. On the other hand, my wadcutters lubed with Ben's Red have been fantastic. Need to load some ladders to test.

I have quickly discovered the hen's teeth rarity of magazines for the 52's. Wish it came with more for what they bring. Ill be looking for some.

[Green Frog]

You might go over to S&W.com and expand your search for mags, but hold on to your hat; they will be expensive! Fortunately, serious Bullseye shooters who owned and shot Model 52s regularly would often get several extra mags. When old shooter’s kits get sold off, sometimes extra mags will show up, but most S&W folks know what they’re worth.

Froggie

[Ia.redneck]

Congratulations on a wonderful pistol! I have the -2 version. The RCBS 140 wadcutter is the most accurate in mine over 2.8 grains of Win Super Target. If you're shooting one handed bullseye style, it will teach you about proper follow through. ;)

[Winger Ed.]

Cool.
They'll even make tight groups for Stevie Wonder!

A life long friend fell into a unfired 52-2, he kept it a few years and never shot it.
I bought it from him, and shot it a bunch. Then sold it back to him, and again- he never fired it.
Last year, I bought it back..... I think we're making a fair amount of extra money selling it back & forth.

Doing the research of when they were in their hay-day, there was a vintage Lyman DEWC mold
that was the all time favorite for them. I found one on ebay for $40. with handles.
From looking at the heat marks, I don't think it had made more than about 10 pounds of boolits.

There never was anybody making magazines for them except S&W.
They're so rare on the market- I think even a treasure map to find one will be expensive.

[MrWolf]

Congrats. I did not know about them. I do now. Thanks.

[Texas by God]

That is a fine pistol! Aren't the magazines for Wadcutter ammo only? To shoot the 158gr- are you single loading them?

Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

[Mytmousemalibu]

Thanks guys! I understand the love! Such an obscure but neat pistol and I love weird stuff!

I have not seen anything but S&W mags so I believe that. I know what it feels like having a gun with rare mags/parts but this is another level up. I wish Triple K or someone made repops of them.

Sorry correction! 148gr wadcutters! These were from Precision Delta as loaded ammo.

The M52 is definitely a wadcutter only gun, 5rd mags.
You couldn't get more in because of the rim stacking. At 5rds the bottom cartridge is pretty steep. You might be able to just barely poke the bullet out or a button nose WC but an empty case is pretty much the max OAL for this gun!

My only concern with mine besides finding mags is the 52 & 52-1 had a more failure prone extractor that was redesigned for the 52-2. I'd like to find a spare just in case. Again hens teeth.

[G W Wade]

Had 1 several years ago that I tried for Internatioal Bullseye. Great gun but was hard yo switch back and forth between it and 1911 which was used for 90% of my shooting. One gun I regret selling,
GW

[M-Tecs]

I would recommend replacing the recoil springs. Most of the ones I have handled needed new ones. If it kicks more than you think it should it's past needing a new one.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1004189437

[Winger Ed.]

The M52 is definitely a wadcutter only gun, 5rd mags.
.[/QUOTE]

Its made to compete at some level of competition against & along with revolvers.
One in the chamber, and 5 in the magazine to start.

[Mytmousemalibu]

This example thus far has very gentle cycling. The recoil spring does feel quite soft however with the Precision Delta load it wouldn't always eject nor pickup the next round. The slide wasn't coming all the way back. Recoil was absurdly soft & gentle. Like a loud .22 really. But something I will keep an eye on as I work up a load for it.

Didn't know it was common to barney load for these but makes sense if you are competing with six guns.

[Winger Ed.]

Its made for 'mid-range' wadcutters.
I load mine down a notch from full house DEWCs, and it does great.

[Mytmousemalibu]

Its made for 'mid-range' wadcutters.
I load mine down a notch from full house DEWCs, and it does great.

Ya, I see no reason whatsoever to be trying to set lead speed records here. Not at all what the gun or cartridge is meant to do. As long as it just cycles & feeds, that all I need. Accuracy is the play.

[M-Tecs]

.

Now the hunt for a few extra mags begins. Only came with the one, no box or the accessories unfortunately.



Wow. Last time I checked you could get new ones for $49.99 and used for less. Current fleabay prices are $185 to $225.00 each. Makes me glad I have a dozen or so.

[DaveM]

Congrats, a Model 52 is on my bucket list. I once had the chance to put a magazine through one and immediately fell in love.

[M-Tecs]

Its made to compete at some level of competition against & along with revolvers.
One in the chamber, and 5 in the magazine to start.

Never seen a 52 used for anything other than what it was design for and that is NRA Bullseye. NRA Bullseye does allow revolvers but that is 5 round load only. What usage did the 52's see that required 6 round barney loading?

I really really really wished I purchased both versions of the 952's but not willing to pay what they are going for today.

[Mytmousemalibu]

Well if anyone of you fellas have any mags that you just have to evict from your collection, I know a guy that takes vagrant mags in :mrgreen:

[JRD]

I'm another S&W Model 52 fan. Mine are probably my absolute favorites to shoot. The triggers were superb, the sights big and clear, accuracy is stellar, and recoil is practically nil. While the 52's were specifically made for Bullseye matches, I've never used mine as intended. I only use mine for informal shooting for fun and I absolutely love them. Mine mainly get used for ringing steel and they can make you look like a good shooter.
I do know one of shooter who years ago modified a M52 for steel plate competition. He modified magazines to hold 6 rounds and added weighted aluminum buttpads and had a frame mounted early red dot sight on the pistol.
I also had an old friend of my dad's and shooting mentor to me who swore by M52's for pests around his farm. He claimed the flat nose of the wadcutter was very effective on raccoons.
My best advice on finding mags is be on the lookout for gear left by old bullseye shooters. Only S&W made them and they discontinued them probably 15 or more years ago. I've scrounged every one I could find over the years. I also don't believe that there is enough demand to see someone tool up new production. Model 52's are a niche market in my opinion. Old bullseye shooters most likely had multiple mags, but I surmise if a Model 52 with a good supply of mags is brought into a gun shop, they are getting sold separately with the mags going to online auctions.

[JRD]

Another bit of Model 52 wisdom, although it applies elsewhere with any similar load. Model 52 loads are not for bowling pins! I was shooting plates and pins with a couple friends one cold winter day. I'd been shooting plates with the 52 and then started shooting pins. It didn't take many shots before a fully intact wadcutter bounced off a pin and came back to hit me in the front of my fortunately well insulated work coat. Those mid-range wadcutters hitting a frozen bowling pin wouldn't penetrate the plastic surface. Fortunately no harm was done but I recognize that ricochet could have had a different trajectory with worse results.
I went back to the steel targets and saved that deformed but intact wadcutter. I still have it in the gun room as a reminder.

[oso]

What is a barney load?

[M-Tecs]

What is a barney load?

Barney Fife played by Don Knotts in Mayberry USA. One frequent source of comedy is Barney's incompetence with firearms. After numerous negligent discharges (usually with a Smith & Wesson or Colt.38 caliber revolver), Andy restricts Barney to carrying his gun unloaded, with only one bullet in his shirt pocket, "in case of an emergency".

https://outsider.com/news/entertainment/andy-griffith-show-don-knotts-sent-tons-single-bullets-fans/

[Mytmousemalibu]

Another bit of Model 52 wisdom, although it applies elsewhere with any similar load. Model 52 loads are not for bowling pins! I was shooting plates and pins with a couple friends one cold winter day. I'd been shooting plates with the 52 and then started shooting pins. It didn't take many shots before a fully intact wadcutter bounced off a pin and came back to hit me in the front of my fortunately well insulated work coat. Those mid-range wadcutters hitting a frozen bowling pin wouldn't penetrate the plastic surface. Fortunately no harm was done but I recognize that ricochet could have had a different trajectory with worse results.
I went back to the steel targets and saved that deformed but intact wadcutter. I still have it in the gun room as a reminder.

Ill keep that in mind! I do know that feeling though. Im been hit by bullet frag off steel quite a few times, hurts! The worst was an intact 147gr Montana Gold FMJ that ricochet'd off a piece of steel at a match. Fired by a PCC, hit me just above the belly button. That sucked, had a bloody welt from it.

[Mytmousemalibu]

What is a barney load?

In the competitive shooting world, its what we call it when we chamber a round from a spare mag and drop it and put a full mag in. In other words, +1ing or topping off a gun.

[remy3424]

I would be another who would enjoy a 52-2. They are getting expensive, the mags are really expensive, but they have that "cool" factor and shoot like a dream. The downside is now you have one more gun that throws the brass on the ground, and that had alway been an advantage of shooting 38 Specials. I have been thinking for 30 years I would run across one...it now is accepted that if I aquire one it will need to be from an online auction. Where did you acquire the 52 malibu? Sorry about the rhyme.

[Mytmousemalibu]

I would be another who would enjoy a 52-2. They are getting expensive, the mags are really expensive, but they have that "cool" factor and shoot like a dream. The downside is now you have one more gun that throws the brass on the ground, and that had alway been an advantage of shooting 38 Specials. I have been thinking for 30 years I would run across one...it now is accepted that if I aquire one it will need to be from an online auction. Where did you acquire the 52 malibu? Sorry about the rhyme.

Believe it or not, in the local Cabelas gun library! About the last place I figured I would find one. Went there with a couple buddies, just having a good time with friends. I dont go there much after Bass bought them and usually don't bother with the library. Glad I did that day! It had an optic & mount on it in the case. One that fits the frame weight mount and a J-point type red dot. I could care less about on a 52, I wanted it to be an iron sighted gun. I was concerned about potential damage from the mount so I asked to have it removed for inspection. Unfortunately it did have some under it so I said thanks, I need to think about it. Gave them 30min and countered the sticker price of $1600 down to $1300 and they accepted surprisingly. I made sure to point out that it came with only one mag, no box or accessories and mag rarity & price. I don't think I stole it nor did I get raked over the coals. Probably a reasonably fair price. I'd love to have a pristine example but I have a great shooter grade gun. It has some finish wear on the front & backstrap and a few blems. I suppose it has a right to have some for its age. Other than going the auction route, its the only Model 52 I have ever seen in person.

[JRD]

Because there are some new or aspiring 52 fans here, I’ll share another bit. Look for 38 Special wadcutter brass as opposed to just plain old 38 special brass. Wadcutter brass has a longer section of straight walls before the wall thickness starts to increase by the head. This is to account for the wadcutters which seat more deeply into the case.
Wadcutter brass is identified by a double cannelure. It may not make that much of a difference if you just shoot for fun like me, but if your going to become a Model 52 aficionado, you may as well know. I didn’t know the difference when I first started loading but now keep separate supplies for revolver 38 brass and Model 52 38 brass.

[remy3424]

Nicely done malibu! Question for the 52 reloaders, do you need to load the wadcutter boolit flush with the top of the case or like with the Lyman 358091 crimped in the forward crimp groove work? Or can that boolit be seated deeper and crimped over the top of it? I have never bought, shot or held a factory loaded wadcutter. What boolit seems to work best for any of you? Any of you PC them?

[Winger Ed.]

Lyman 358091 crimped in the forward crimp groove work? Or can that boolit be seated deeper and crimped over the top of it?

Federal wad cutters are crimped sort of over the top and are almost flush with the case mouth.
The crimp groove below the top is meant for use with revolvers.
The difference between case length, and OAL in the Lyman book reflects this.
I don't know if a 52 will chamber them that way or not. I never tried it.
My understanding is they were made for the Federal factory produced wad cutters.

When I first got it, I used that Lyman mold for my 52-2 with a very soft alloy, and crimped a little over the top too.
After I'd seen a old Federal, I started loading my Lymans upside down so they 'looked right'.
There is a little bit of bevel on the base to crimp over, and they're right at being flush with the case.

I've since gotten a old school DEWC Lyman, and it casts with a slight bevel on each end.
I slightly crimp them right at the top too.

If there was any issue with accuracy- I'm not a good enough shot to realize it.

[Bmi48219]

I load my 148 HBWCs flush, winds up looking like a mini roll crimp as there’s a minute step at the front edge of boolit. Mine is a 52-2 from the final year’s production. Had my heart set on a 952 long slide but when they hit 4K plus I reconsidered. A friend let me try a really nice blued 952 a few years back, glad I got the 52. Another friend shot bullseye with a 52 for a decade. He sold of his excess mags (10) for $100 each six years ago, one year before I bought mine. He said Clark made a batch of replacement barrels with a different twist rate that enhanced the performance. He ordered one and waited two years before it was produced.
Most everyone that’s shot mine has offered to buy it. They’re that kind of pistol.

[Mytmousemalibu]

I know about the wadcutter brass, I have a lot of .38 brass and have already separated it out. Ive shot a fair chunk of wadcutters through my revolvers. Fiocchi loads WC's but their brass doesn't have any cannalures. It has "Wadcutter" on the headstamp.

Just looking at rounds in the mag, I don't think a guy could seat a bullet outside the case or even much of a button nose WC. Maybe you could single feed them but in the magazine, it pretty much the max OAL of the brass.

[JRD]

As others have stated, seat your wadcutters flush with the case mouth, and I've found a slight roll crimp helps with feeding. Whether it will chamber or not isn't the constraint- the length constraint is the magazine. You can't fit rounds with the bullets protruding much past the case mouth in the magazines.
I've always loaded commercially swaged 148 grain hollow base wadcutters with appropriate charges Bullseye or Unique. There are other, no doubt newer, powders that work as well and other wadcutter bullets.
Model 52's used the 1 turn in 18 3/4 inch twist that S&W always used (and still uses) in their 38 Specials. Jerry Miculek once told me that his late father-in-law (Jim Clark) made some special fast twist barrels for Model 52's that were more accurate, especially at 50 yards. I'm perfectly content with the accuracy from my stock barrels for what I do, but I do believe what Jerry told me. Unless you are doing Ransom Rest testing at 50 yards (or can shoot like Jerry) you'd probably never be able to tell the difference in accuracy.
I think I have more posts on this thread than any other in all my years on this board. I guess I do have a soft spot in my heart for S&W Model 52's...

[Cougar Hunter]

Overloading a HBWC is a good way to bulge the barrel. The skirts blow off the bullet and leave them in the barrel. Over the years I've seen several Model 52's with bulged barrels.

[Mytmousemalibu]

All the info is appreciated fellas! Sounds like the 52 is a warm spot in most of our hearts!

I've had the chance to meet Jerry Miculek several times. He autographed the case on my S&W 989 JM Performance Center, matches his laser engraved signature on the gun! Before the primer shortage, I had been attending the Gator Classic USPSA Match that is on the Miculek/Clark property. Unfortunately the Clark Custom shop has been closed. I'd love to see the place. Fantastic match, great hosts & facility and a they do a jambalaya boil after the match for all.

I did notice the pretty light barrel profile in the 52. It would be neat to have a Clark barrel for it too. No worries as far as loads go. Just enough oomph to get it to cycle is all I want. It will have a pampered life while I am the curator of it.

[JRD]

While I'm excited: The barrel profile of the M52 really isn't different from a S&W 9mm (39/59 series and their generational descendants). A bullet in bore (or skirt in bore) is a sure recipe for a bulge in any barrel.
Model 52's were built away from the main production line at S&W and had many parts hand fitted, including the barrel bushing.
In addition to being wonderful guns to shoot for reasons many have already mentioned, my soft spot comes from a sentimental attachment. I first shot one that my dad's friend had back as a teen and it made me feel like a good shooter. He revered the 52 and ultimately must have owned a half dozen of them. I guess that reverence rubbed off because my dad and I both developed our own.
Another tidbit, a 148 hollowbase wadcutter loaded backwards, over the standard wadcutter load is a cheap expedient hollow point. Bear in mind that seating backwards reduces the internal volume and raises chamber pressure. I did an experiment with a pressure barrel years ago where my personal mid-range loads, plus factory mid-range wadcutters were in the 11,500 PSI range. A HBWC seated backwards boosted pressure to about 14,000 PSI. Still way below SAAMI, but warmer than the average mid-range load so I've only shot them backwards occasionally from a 52.
A backwards HBWC also isn't going to be super stable at long range, but my dad's friend swore by them for feral cats on his farm...

[Mytmousemalibu]

I've heard of the ole backwards wadcutter trick before. An interesting idea for sure. Not something I would ever intend for the 52 but perhaps a revolver. I certainly wouldnt want to be hit by a WC, I can imagine that flat profile does some nasty damage. Im sure it would do a number on pests and critters.

[Winger Ed.]

I had a couple boxes of Hornady HBWCs awhile back.
I loaded some backwards for the hollow point thing.
I fired them all from a 6", .357, S&W 586, L frame.

Shooting with max. loads of Unique into old phone books, all mine ever did was collapse shut.
The best I ever got was hitting them straight on, turned both ways,
and they did sort of a splat where they ended up a little shorter and wider when I recovered them.

[Bmi48219]

.Model 52's were built away from the main production line at S&W and had many parts hand fitted, including the barrel bushing.

I’ve heard from members on the S&W forum that the guys that built 52s formed the nucleus of the Performance Center after model 52 production ceased. All the examples I’ve seen seem to bear this out. Also got help dating my 52 from the same site.

[Mytmousemalibu]

Thats pretty neat stuff! I would not be surprised at all if some of the guys that built the older 52's were at S&W during the days of the Registered Magnum. I highly value the days of hand fitted, well crafted guns. When there was no such thing as MIM and revolvers were pinned & recessed. Guns had mile-deep lustrous, glossy hot bluing. When most of the things in this country were made with pride in the United States! Guns like the 52 are beautiful time capsules of then.

[wcp4570]

I will add my congratulations to your new purchase. I've never fired a 52 but would like to try one some day. I have an affection for S&W revolvers and autos. I especially like the older models, first, second and third generation autos and even have a few of their new guns. I passed up a model 52 a few years ago because I thought it was too expensive at the time but in todays prices it would have been a bargain.

I have a question for the 52 owners here, is there a preference or benefit of one model number over the other, 52-1 or 52-2?

wcp

[Bmi48219]

They started with a Model 52. It could be operated DA/SA but unlike the Model 39 it was based on, to switch modes required a tool. On the 52-1 they changed it to the SA version. Then the 52-2 came out with minor improvements. Production ended in 1993.
From a standpoint of collectibility I’d think the Model 52 version would be the most valuable. From a shoot-ability aspect the 52-2 version is my pick.

[M-Tecs]

I will add my congratulations to your new purchase. I've never fired a 52 but would like to try one some day. I have an affection for S&W revolvers and autos. I especially like the older models, first, second and third generation autos and even have a few of their new guns. I passed up a model 52 a few years ago because I thought it was too expensive at the time but in todays prices it would have been a bargain.

I have a question for the 52 owners here, is there a preference or benefit of one model number over the other, 52-1 or 52-2?

wcp

The 52 history in detail here https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/handgun_reviews_st_swmodel5238_200906/100100

[wcp4570]

Thanks for the replies and the Shooting Times article was a good read plus it gives the time frame of the models. I will have to be on the lookout for another nice old smith auto. Don't know if I will ever find one to buy but the hunt is part of the fun of gun buying/trading.

wcp

[Bmi48219]

Don't know if I will ever find one to buy but the hunt is part of the fun of gun buying/trading.
wcp

Be careful, wanting any version of a S&W 52 becomes an obsession. Don’t ask how I know.

[Winger Ed.]

Well if anyone of you fellas have any mags that you just have to evict from your collection, I know a guy that takes vagrant mags in :mrgreen:

Last year, when I was looking for an extra, there were none to be found.
I was willing to pay $100. for a used one that worked, even if it looked like it'd been run over by a train.
It didn't take long to figure out that wasn't going to happen.

Now there's several out there.
There's one on a ebay auction that just started, and some for 'buy it now'.
Following it will give ya an idea of what they're going for now.

[wcp4570]

Be careful, wanting any version of a S&W 52 becomes an obsession. Don’t ask how I know.

I know the addition, I have an affection for 1885 High Walls especially Browning's but at least they come in a few different calibers.

wcp

[Mytmousemalibu]

Ya, the cost of mags, that one stings...
I feel like I'm part of the crowd looking for original Chauchat mags or StG.44 mags or something like that.

[wcp4570]

Mytmouse
I couldn't help but look at your profile when I saw your Avatar. Were you ever in the military? I spent 20 years in the AF working on fighters and bombers then another 4 as an A&P mechanic working on corporate jets and general aviation before changing careers then finally retiring. I always look up when I hear any plane going over. I guess it will always be in my blood to love aircraft. Sorry for the off subject.

You have a very nice Smith 52. Good luck finding additional Mags.

wcp

[Winger Ed.]

Mytmouse
I couldn't help but look at your profile when I saw your Avatar. Were you ever in the military?

That old J-79, F-4 Phantom engine caught my eye too.

[Mytmousemalibu]

Nope, no military service unfortunately, I wished I was part of that brotherhood now. I always wanted to fly pointy nose jets with afterburners but my shot at that was never an option as I am colorblind. Always been an aviation nut though! I am an A&P mech, still am with most of my time spent in experimental flight test and the cooperate jet world. Maybe someday ill get to work on warbirds or cold war jets, that would be neat. That is indeed the venerable J-79 in my picture! An outstanding engine that powered a lot of different aircraft and still an impressive engine to this day! Just like I like my jets, loud & smokey! I have a polished 1st stage compressor blade from a J-79 out of an F-104 Starfighter in my nook. My favorite jet and the magnificent howl of the J-79 is music to my ears! A jet to be respected but also a thoroughbred of a performance machine. Phabulous Phantom a close 2nd. I retired a career as a BMW master tech to go play with planes, still loving it today!

[remy3424]

Malibu, you are a terrible influence, you got the juices flowing and now I have a 52-2 coming and I found a 358063 4 cavity and it is in route also. I hope I can get this to shoot my reloads, I will not buy any factory ammo.

[Plate plinker]

Believe it or not, in the local Cabelas gun library! About the last place I figured I would find one. Went there with a couple buddies, just having a good time with friends. I dont go there much after Bass bought them and usually don't bother with the library. Glad I did that day! It had an optic & mount on it in the case. One that fits the frame weight mount and a J-point type red dot. I could care less about on a 52, I wanted it to be an iron sighted gun. I was concerned about potential damage from the mount so I asked to have it removed for inspection. Unfortunately it did have some under it so I said thanks, I need to think about it. Gave them 30min and countered the sticker price of $1600 down to $1300 and they accepted surprisingly. I made sure to point out that it came with only one mag, no box or accessories and mag rarity & price. I don't think I stole it nor did I get raked over the coals. Probably a reasonably fair price. I'd love to have a pristine example but I have a great shooter grade gun. It has some finish wear on the front & backstrap and a few blems. I suppose it has a right to have some for its age. Other than going the auction route, its the only Model 52 I have ever seen in person.

Eyeballed one today at the gun show. $2200 with 3? Factory mags and 2 aftermarket mags. Didn’t bother handling it for inspection. Looked nice but probably less nice than yours. Now I think I need one for some reason. Gee thanks. :(

[bryan scott]

there are some on flea hay,,, but Ouch!!! Mags that is..

[Winger Ed.]

Eyeballed one today at the gun show. $2200 with 3? Factory mags and 2 aftermarket mags. Didn’t bother handling it for inspection. Looked nice but probably less nice than yours. Now I think I need one for some reason. Gee thanks. :(

Going rate on them now is around the low teens on Gunbroker for one in pretty good shape with one magazine.
I've never seen or heard of aftermarket mags. for one, but factory ones are going for around $150-175.

If that one you saw was in good shape with 5 mags---- that price is pretty much in line with the current market.
If you didn't feel the need for them, you could sell some of the 'extra' mags to get part of your money back.

[Plate plinker]

Winger, the seller said they were aftermarket (I think) it was noisy there. I might have bought the thing if it was JUNE when my money is coming in. Winter for me is the tight time. It did have the box as well. Maybe I will find him at another show by that promoter when I am flush with fun money.

[Mytmousemalibu]

Malibu, you are a terrible influence, you got the juices flowing and now I have a 52-2 coming and I found a 358063 4 cavity and it is in route also. I hope I can get this to shoot my reloads, I will not buy any factory ammo.

Looking forward to seeing it! I'm sure you'll be able to find something it likes. I normally wouldn't shoot factory WC ammo but I had some of the Precision stuff collecting dust that I had sampled at one point. I much prefer my own WC's, I just didn't have any loaded to try.

Sorry for being a bad influence but you won't regret picking up a Model 52!

[45workhorse]

Thanks just plan thanks!
Like I don't have enough things to "lust" for!
Very nice

[bryan scott]

Been wanting one of those for years,,, always drowned my misery in buying two revolvers instead.:groner:

[Green Frog]

Just as a FYI, there is a poll running over on the S&W Forum right now to see how many folks would be willing to purchase high quality post factory mags for their Model 52s. There are entries for how many and how much you would willingly pay. Wanna go on record to “put your money where your mouth is”?)

Froggie

[Winger Ed.]

Just as a FYI, there is a poll running over on the S&W Forum right now to see how many folks would be willing to purchase high quality post factory mags for their Model 52s.

Thanks for posting that.
I'm in for a couple of them.

[remy3424]

Mine is suppossed to be here Friday!

I watched a group of 4 used 52 mags on GunBroker, bid them up to $100 each, they sold at $200 each with shipping and tax. Glad there are 2 with my pistol!

[Shurshot2]

Went to unload some reloads yesterday, and my 52 was part the plan. I can confirm a properly seated button nose (358091) will not function in the 52 mags, and had me searching when I got home and found this. Has anyone had success seating the button nose deeper to function in the 52? Or is a dewc mold in my future?

[rintinglen]

I have one magazine that will let me shoot an H&G #50 loaded to crimp over the shoulder with just the button protruding. IIRC, the cartridge run just a shade over 1.2 inches OAL, but I bought a 358-63 DEWC so I could get all three magazines to work.303171

[remy3424]

A Lazareth thread, coming back to life. I finally got my own boolets cast, sized (.358), lubed (just in the bottom groove) and loaded under 2.8 gr of Bullseye. They shot and functioned fine in the 52. I have some PCed ones I will be loading soon to see how they do. I am using the 358063 wadcutter mold. I have a question for the loaders of double ended wad cutters...do you put the spruce cut end down or up... or do you even worry about which end is up??

[rintinglen]

It is an article of fact that the bullet base is more important than the nose when seeking accuracy. I put the cut up.

[M-Tecs]

A Lazareth thread, coming back to life. I finally got my own boolets cast, sized (.358), lubed (just in the bottom groove) and loaded under 2.8 gr of Bullseye. They shot and functioned fine in the 52. I have some PCed ones I will be loading soon to see how they do. I am using the 358063 wadcutter mold. I have a question for the loaders of double ended wad cutters...do you put the spruce cut end down or up... or do you even worry about which end is up??

Not sure. With pointed bullets the base is the most important. With a double end WC I don't know? Damage or irregularities have more effect the further from center line they are. Note sure if the sprue being up or down makes a difference with double ended WC'ers. Interested if anyone has tested this???

[Winger Ed.]

I found an old thread a couple years ago that discussed that.

A couple guys tested them both ways and couldn't find any measurable difference.

[wilecoyote]

revolver only, but I unreasonably fear that any imperfection on the top could interfere with the seater cup, so spruce cut down ( I actually hate seeing the scar),
but I think I'm wrong, because the base is more sensitive to ballistics.

[rintinglen]

Dr. F. W. Mann published the book, The Bullet's Flight over 100 years ago. Although primarily concerned with rifles, he demonstrated conclusively that a good base was more important than a good nose to accuracy. Though upon reflection, If you were careful in cutting the sprue on your DEWC, you'd most likely have little impact on the group, perhaps too little to really measure against the other variables involving the case, the loading technique and the gun itself.

[wilecoyote]

...in my experience, I've seen how a lousy shooter can make the difference totally indistinguishable, even making up for the flaws of a lousy caster :veryconfu

[wcp4570]

A Lazareth thread, coming back to life. I finally got my own boolets cast, sized (.358), lubed (just in the bottom groove) and loaded under 2.8 gr of Bullseye. They shot and functioned fine in the 52. I have some PCed ones I will be loading soon to see how they do. I am using the 358063 wadcutter mold. I have a question for the loaders of double ended wad cutters...do you put the spruce cut end down or up... or do you even worry about which end is up??

Thanks a lot remy, I had forgotten about owning a 52 until this thread resurrection and now it has me looking at 52's on Gun Broker again. I've been happy in my own little world searching for Contender items and 1885 low walls. The 52's are fine looking pistols. Maybe some day I'll run across one that will find it way into my safe.

wcp

[Bmi48219]

Fellow 52 shooters,
Does anyone want to characterize the sound / feel of a 52-2 trigger?

[M-Tecs]

Dr. F. W. Mann published the book, The Bullet's Flight over 100 years ago. Although primarily concerned with rifles, he demonstrated conclusively that a good base was more important than a good nose to accuracy. Though upon reflection, If you were careful in cutting the sprue on your DEWC, you'd most likely have little impact on the group, perhaps too little to really measure against the other variables involving the case, the loading technique and the gun itself.

Imperfections on the base are subject to a least two forces. First is the pressure of the gasses. Any uneven gas flow as the bullet leaves the barrel is believed to have negative effects on accuracy. The sprue being at the base should not affect this. Next are imbalances. The further the defect or imbalances is from the centerline of the bullet the more it will affect accuracy. On most bullets the point is smaller than the base so it only makes sense imperfections on the base will affect accuracy more. On the DEWC the front and the back are the same except for the sprue.

On the DEWC is the airflow/pressure wave effected by the front or back location of the sprue?

For the record I load mine with the sprue as the base. I've done limited testing and didn't see any difference.

[Lloyd Smale]

never owned a 52 but did buy a 952 to shoot ppc with. it just didnt end up being accurate enough and i repaced it with a sti trojan that was an absolute tack driver. probably the best shooting handgun i ever owned

[Bmi48219]

never owned a 52 but did buy a 952 to shoot ppc with. it just didnt end up being accurate enough and i repaced it with a sti trojan that was an absolute tack driver. probably the best shooting handgun i ever owned

I own a 52-2 and always wanted a 952. Twice I’ve had the opportunities to try one at the range. I was disappointed both times. My STI Targetmaster is far and away the best shooting pistol I’ve ever owned.