New to me Smith and Wesson model 52-2

Calfed · March 10, 2020, 06:18 PM

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...

DaleA · March 11, 2020, 01:27 AM

New Gun Day (NGD) is always a reason to celebrate.

But when you get something you've always wanted and it's in good shape like yours is it's almost a rejoicing occasion.

A fine, fine gun indeed.

Good luck.

P.S. Might be blasphemous but I like the Pachmayr grips, I used to put them on almost all my handguns. (It's really great that you got the wood grips to though.)

flyer898 · March 11, 2020, 10:21 AM

Enjoy. You have one of the finest and most accurate handguns ever made.

dgludwig · March 11, 2020, 06:01 PM

I've used mine in Bullseye matches over the last several decades and it's still pounding the "X" ring with boring regularity when I do my part. Looks like your box has a dual personality; the cut-out accommodating a Model 41 as well as the Model 52 it came with.

Calfed · March 11, 2020, 10:08 PM

Thanks, Guys!

Do you use factory ammo or reload?

dgludwig · March 12, 2020, 03:47 PM

Mostly reloads. A favorite combination for me is 2.9 grains of Bullseye behind a Speer 148, HBWC bullet (though I prefer solid base wadcutter bullets when I can find them, which, for whatever reason, isn't often).

Calfed · March 14, 2020, 09:55 AM

Thanks! Not currently loading pistol calibers, but will keep that load in mind

jrothWA · March 14, 2020, 04:20 PM

LUCKY!!!!!

Enjoy it. based on the 39 series for target shooting.

Calfed · March 15, 2020, 01:59 PM

Thanks, jroth.

jonnyc · March 15, 2020, 09:59 PM

My best shooting buddy has one, got it on a whim from a used case. Clover-Leaves all day long, if you do your part. Very unforgiving of minor errors.
We have a "Death Deal" to help the widows with out collections.......I'm hoping he goes a bit before me so I can "deal" with his 52! ;-)
Enjoy!

Calfed · March 18, 2020, 01:15 AM

Thanks, jonny

Calfed · April 25, 2020, 03:40 PM

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.

Jim Watson · April 25, 2020, 04:20 PM

Looks nice. I like that M52/M41 combo box.

Have you shot it? Probably not in the past 50 minutes.
Will you shoot it?
Is there a place you CAN shoot it?

mk70ss · April 25, 2020, 04:35 PM

That is a gun I have wanted and just never found one.......for a reasonable price.

Calfed · April 25, 2020, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Looks nice. I like that M52/M41 combo box.

Have you shot it? Probably not in the past 50 minutes.
Will you shoot it?
Is there a place you CAN shoot it?

Thanks Jim.

Not yet...just picked it up yesterday. Most of the ranges around here are closed or operating under severly restricted hours.

Quote:

That is a gun I have wanted and just never found one.......for a reasonable price.

Same here. It took me a long time for one that I could afford to finally pop up. I really lucked out on this.

dgludwig · April 25, 2020, 09:04 PM

Quote:

I agree with the people who say it looks better with the wood grips.

Way better!

buckey · April 25, 2020, 09:21 PM

Dumb question? Can these still be had new?

Calfed · April 25, 2020, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Way better!

Quote:

Dumb question? Can these still be had new?

Nah...S&W stopped making them around 1993.

stinkeypete · April 25, 2020, 11:06 PM

You are killing me. There is one for sale very near me and I fear that $1200 is a fair price. But that's at a price where one is in to lots of drool worthy things.. but... 38 wadcutter gun... sooooo cool!

Calfed · April 25, 2020, 11:24 PM

Quote:

You are killing me. There is one for sale very near me and I fear that $1200 is a fair price. But that's at a price where one is in to lots of drool worthy things.. but... 38 wadcutter gun... sooooo cool!

Now you are really going to hate me...

https://hallbergauction.hibid.com/lo...son-model-52-2

Brit · April 26, 2020, 04:18 AM

I bought one, many years ago, when I lived in Toronto. A police officer, going through a divorce. Yes a good price, cash. At that time I lived in an apartment with my Son. The trigger was not the best! A phone call to S&W, Springfield?
And off it went. At that time I ran a Rustproofing company, as I was there 9 am till 6 pm. I used that address as a return address.
It was returned in the mail, with the muzzle sticking out of that box! Not damaged in any way! A miracle.
The postman said it came that way in his bag? Cleaned and lubed, as I only ever used factory wadcutters, off to the range that night. An indoor 20M range.Two clicks to the right on the rear sight. The first two rounds, side by side 10 ring. I think the hammer dropped at 3 lbs. Why indoor? Canada, aye!
That was my match gun, till I discovered the European 22LR/.32 rimmed cased revolver rounds. Interchangeable slides, same frame. Made in France, do not remember the name. I loaded the centre fire. Swagged 90g soft lead totally enclosed wadcutters, ahead of 1.5g of 700X. A Dupont powder. Loaded on a Star progressive machine. That was made the same year I was, 1935!
Sorry to slide off the mod. 52 S&W story.

Drm50 · April 26, 2020, 08:46 AM

I had one I bought new back in 70s. I forget what I paid for it but was a tidy sum for the day. In fact I was heavy into Target pistols and had several. Got into Win m70s and traded most off. I just bought a 52 and two 41s in last 5 yrs. I had to pay from $800-$1000 for them. Not that bad when you compare 1970 dollars to today’s buck.
I cast my own WCs and have selection of molds in 38cal. My standard bullet is Lyman button nose WC in 52, the HBWC is my load for K38.

Calfed · April 26, 2020, 11:50 AM

I've gotten interested in target pistols in the last few years myself. I glommed a Model 41 a few years back and it really accurate. Hoping for the best with this one

**4V50 Gary** · April 26, 2020, 11:53 AM

Whoa! Model 52. I should have bought one when I had a chance.

Calfed · May 6, 2020, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Whoa! Model 52. I should have bought one when I had a chance.

It isn't too late.

March 10, 2020, 06:18 PM	#1
Calfed Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Posts: 295	New to me Smith and Wesson model 52-2 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...

March 11, 2020, 06:01 PM	#4
dgludwig Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Location: North central Ohio Posts: 7,486	I've used mine in Bullseye matches over the last several decades and it's still pounding the "X" ring with boring regularity when I do my part. Looks like your box has a dual personality; the cut-out accommodating a Model 41 as well as the Model 52 it came with. __________________ ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED ...Aristotle NRA Benefactor Life Member

March 12, 2020, 03:47 PM	#6
dgludwig Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Location: North central Ohio Posts: 7,486	Mostly reloads. A favorite combination for me is 2.9 grains of Bullseye behind a Speer 148, HBWC bullet (though I prefer solid base wadcutter bullets when I can find them, which, for whatever reason, isn't often). __________________ ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED ...Aristotle NRA Benefactor Life Member

March 14, 2020, 04:20 PM	#8
jrothWA Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2006 Posts: 2,519	One word... LUCKY!!!!! Enjoy it. based on the 39 series for target shooting.

March 15, 2020, 09:59 PM	#10
jonnyc Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,731	My best shooting buddy has one, got it on a whim from a used case. Clover-Leaves all day long, if you do your part. Very unforgiving of minor errors. We have a "Death Deal" to help the widows with out collections.......I'm hoping he goes a bit before me so I can "deal" with his 52! ;-) Enjoy! __________________ 2024 PA Cartridge Collector Show; Aug. 16-17, 2024!!! Buy...Sell...Trade All Types of Ammunition & Ordnance PM or email me for 2024 show details.

March 11, 2020, 01:27 AM	#2
DaleA Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2002 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 5,313	New Gun Day (NGD) is always a reason to celebrate. But when you get something you've always wanted and it's in good shape like yours is it's almost a rejoicing occasion. A fine, fine gun indeed. Good luck. P.S. Might be blasphemous but I like the Pachmayr grips, I used to put them on almost all my handguns. (It's really great that you got the wood grips to though.)

March 11, 2020, 10:21 AM	#3
flyer898 Member Join Date: May 15, 2013 Posts: 35	Enjoy. You have one of the finest and most accurate handguns ever made.

March 11, 2020, 10:08 PM	#5
Calfed Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Posts: 295	Thanks, Guys! Do you use factory ammo or reload?

March 14, 2020, 09:55 AM	#7
Calfed Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Posts: 295	Thanks! Not currently loading pistol calibers, but will keep that load in mind

March 15, 2020, 01:59 PM	#9
Calfed Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Posts: 295	Thanks, jroth.

March 18, 2020, 01:15 AM	#11
Calfed Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Posts: 295	Thanks, jonny

April 25, 2020, 03:40 PM	#12
Calfed Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Posts: 295	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.

April 25, 2020, 04:20 PM	#13
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	Looks nice. I like that M52/M41 combo box. Have you shot it? Probably not in the past 50 minutes. Will you shoot it? Is there a place you CAN shoot it?

April 25, 2020, 04:35 PM	#14
mk70ss Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,598	That is a gun I have wanted and just never found one.......for a reasonable price. __________________ Say when.....

April 25, 2020, 09:21 PM	#17
buckey Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2016 Posts: 148	Dumb question? Can these still be had new?

April 25, 2020, 11:06 PM	#19
stinkeypete Senior Member Join Date: July 22, 2010 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 1,293	You are killing me. There is one for sale very near me and I fear that $1200 is a fair price. But that's at a price where one is in to lots of drool worthy things.. but... 38 wadcutter gun... sooooo cool!

April 26, 2020, 04:18 AM	#21
Brit Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2005 Location: Orlando FL Posts: 1,934	I bought one, many years ago, when I lived in Toronto. A police officer, going through a divorce. Yes a good price, cash. At that time I lived in an apartment with my Son. The trigger was not the best! A phone call to S&W, Springfield? And off it went. At that time I ran a Rustproofing company, as I was there 9 am till 6 pm. I used that address as a return address. It was returned in the mail, with the muzzle sticking out of that box! Not damaged in any way! A miracle. The postman said it came that way in his bag? Cleaned and lubed, as I only ever used factory wadcutters, off to the range that night. An indoor 20M range.Two clicks to the right on the rear sight. The first two rounds, side by side 10 ring. I think the hammer dropped at 3 lbs. Why indoor? Canada, aye! That was my match gun, till I discovered the European 22LR/.32 rimmed cased revolver rounds. Interchangeable slides, same frame. Made in France, do not remember the name. I loaded the centre fire. Swagged 90g soft lead totally enclosed wadcutters, ahead of 1.5g of 700X. A Dupont powder. Loaded on a Star progressive machine. That was made the same year I was, 1935! Sorry to slide off the mod. 52 S&W story.

April 26, 2020, 08:46 AM	#22
Drm50 Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2014 Posts: 1,382	I had one I bought new back in 70s. I forget what I paid for it but was a tidy sum for the day. In fact I was heavy into Target pistols and had several. Got into Win m70s and traded most off. I just bought a 52 and two 41s in last 5 yrs. I had to pay from $800-$1000 for them. Not that bad when you compare 1970 dollars to today’s buck. I cast my own WCs and have selection of molds in 38cal. My standard bullet is Lyman button nose WC in 52, the HBWC is my load for K38.

April 26, 2020, 11:50 AM	#23
Calfed Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Posts: 295	I've gotten interested in target pistols in the last few years myself. I glommed a Model 41 a few years back and it really accurate. Hoping for the best with this one

April 26, 2020, 11:53 AM	#24
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,841	Whoa! Model 52. I should have bought one when I had a chance. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*