This has always intrigued me. Other than liking to play with the various 38spl / 357 molds I've always wanted a M52. With the price they bring just can't help but wonder why? I get it if they are no longer mfg. And can only assume they are accurate. Just wanted to get those who have owned and shot.
The most amazing trigger and accurate gun I have ever shot
I need one. Their reputation is stellar as seen above. They have not been made in decades.
The only bullet for the m52 is the 148 gr wadcutter if I’m not mistaken.
All other .38 Special ammunition will not fit in the magazine- it is a bullseye pistol.
And a great one considering its reputation.
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I love mine but not many games require it. It's wadcutter only so compared to todays competition race guns it has limited applications that it's the best at.
2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. - "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
"Before you argue with someone, ask yourself, is that person even mentally mature enough to grasp the concept of different perspectives? Because if not, there’s absolutely no point."
– Amber Veal
"The Highest form of ignorance is when your reject something you don't know anything about".
- Wayne Dyer
I really, really like mine.
Yeah, a WC flush with the case mouth is all its strict diet will eat.
Even those are mid range. All its built to do is punch a hole in a piece of paper.
I fell into a unfired 52-2 awhile back.
It's as close to a hand built, custom, race gun as I'll ever get.
At the range, when ya check targets---- it will make Stevie Wonder look good.
In school: We learn lessons, and are given tests.
In life: We are given tests, and learn lessons.
OK People. Enough of this idle chit-chat.
This ain't your Grandma's sewing circle.
EVERYONE!
Back to your oars. The Captain wants to waterski.
I had one. Amazing accuracy. 3” groups for 50 shots at 50 yards. I had a 1-10 twist Douglas barrel in it. About 4” groups with the factory barrel. IIRC, the factory barrel was 1-18.
Don Verna
My 52-2 was built right before they shut down the line. I’m told the employees in that department went over to the performance shop afterwards.
The LGF connected to the indoor range I frequent recently had a really clean 52-2 on consignment, asking $1,049.00. I’m sure they would have taken $975.00. Sometimes their consignment prices are really good.
Sadly magazines are going for $200, if you can find them.
I know several guys that own 52’s in one iteration or another. A couple of them also own 952’s. Always wanted one but having shot theirs, I’m happy with a 52.
Several years ago Clark ran off a batch of model 52, 1-10 twist barrels. They were sold out before Clark started making them.Originally Posted by dverna
you will find out how good your follow-thru is when you shoot the S&W 52
Phil
"I fell into a unfired 52-2 awhile back." Ed, you should have bought a lottery ticket while that spell was on you.
IT AINT what ya shoot--its how ya shoot it. NONE of us are as smart as ALL of us!
Plated wadcutters are not recommended and you can shoot a flush 148 dewc for practice. Bullseye--231--and 700x are recommended powders.
I bought a Pachmayr Shooting box at an estate sale for $20..............when I got home and started sorting all the contents, there were 3, model 52 magazines in it!
Model 52's are a delight on the range. I enjoy the heck out of casually ringing steel with them. If you want hot rounds and love to do mag dumps... get another pistol. If you are happy with five wonderfully accurate mid-range wadcutters, excellent iron sights, a superbly crisp trigger, and mags that are hard to find, then a Model 52 is for you.
Also don't laugh at 38 Wadcutters on game. A friend of my dad's who was one of my shooting mentors swore by a 52 as a critter gun in the yard. Those flat faced lead bullets will put a smack on a raccoon.
I often tell people I might be the luckiest human you'll ever meet.
And like catching a chimney sweep on the sidewalk--- you'll have good luck if you shake hands with me.
Years ago, a fella bought this one, but never fired it because he couldn't find ammo for it.
Then he sold it to a life long friend of mine,,, who also couldn't find ammo for it.
Then he needed money for something, and sold it to me.
I loaded for it and shot it a little.
Then I needed money and sold it back to him.... And he never fired it.
Then the stars came together, and I bought it back a couple years ago.
A new spare magazine & the 1200 rounds I'd loaded for it for $900. I don't think it'll be back on the market anytime soon.
In school: We learn lessons, and are given tests.
In life: We are given tests, and learn lessons.
OK People. Enough of this idle chit-chat.
This ain't your Grandma's sewing circle.
EVERYONE!
Back to your oars. The Captain wants to waterski.
How close are M52 magazines to M39 magazines? There's got to be a block to shorten the front to back dimension for the 9mm in the M39, but that might be removable...This bubbled up when I remembered seeing a Colt 38 wadcutter gun work with stock 38 Super magazines.
What I've found out-- Not quite close enough to work.
If it was practical to convert model 59 mags:
Model 52 mags. wouldn't cost over $200. each, if you can even find one.
Not to gloat,,,, I got my 2nd one from a local gun store back around 2010.
It was hanging on a display rack, dusty, the package yellowed from old age, with a price tag of $35.oo.
Even as lucky as I am, I don't think I can repeat that deal.
Last edited by Winger Ed.; 04-03-2024 at 01:19 PM.
In school: We learn lessons, and are given tests.
In life: We are given tests, and learn lessons.
OK People. Enough of this idle chit-chat.
This ain't your Grandma's sewing circle.
EVERYONE!
Back to your oars. The Captain wants to waterski.
Triple K recently made a run of repro mags for the Model 52, but so far range reports have been mixed to poor. I have one I bought for Dad because he thought he needed one. It’s been in the safe since he passed away about 7 years ago. I really should sell it.
Froggie
"It aint easy being green!"
I'm sure the M52 would work fine for self defense work - just shoot the bad guy in the left eye tear duct...
Good Lord!!!!
“You should tell someone what you know. There should be a history, so that men can learn from it.
He smiled. “Men do not learn from history. Each generation believes itself brighter than the last, each believes it can survive the mistakes of the older ones. Each discovers each old thing and they throw up their hands and say ‘See! Look what I have found! Look upon what I know!’ And each believes it is something new.
Louis L’Amour
The Californios
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