While shooting my Model 52 recently I noticed that the rear sight had come loose. As put the pistol down on the bench the r/sight along with the ejector plunger & spring fell onto the bench. It would appear that the rear sight lock screw had worked loose - it is very small and requires a very small Allen key (size?) - or has something else failed to cause the problem?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
As a BTW - Have never had any problems with this pistol in the 10 years I have owned it, have shot several 1000 rnds thru it, and have never had to tamper with it - in fact it's one of the most reliable pistols I own.
Thank you all in advance.
Dave

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DCCUK

Might want to check out this thread - it has schematics of the gun:

Complete Disassembly & Assembly of ALL S&W Model 52s

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

In my limited experience with 52s and quite a bit with 5.5" bbl 41s (same site). generally have to drift the rear sight out (left to right, after loosening the locking screw). Never saw one loose enough to slide out with finger pressure. What is the age (SN) of your 52. If very late, maybe the S&W factory guy on this site may have some thoughts. I do have the correct hex wrench if you don't find one.

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TOMBECK

Many Thanks to both Tom S & Tombeck for the prompt posts and kind offer concerning the rear sight hex key on my Model 52.
Have since discovered a lengthy thread on the Forum confirming the S&W hex key size - 1/16 inch/0.0625" and r/sight removal techniques etc... (of course, out of about four sets, the smallest hex key I have is 0.077" fortunately, now taken care of, a pal had about 10!)
But I'm still puzzled why my r/sight tried to "escape"? I've not had to remove, or move it, since I got the pistol - in fact, I'm very much "if it ain't broke don't fix it" type. Maybe I should have checked the lock screw for tightness from time to time?
But something else I'm curious about on the Model 52 is the unusual D-shape of the ejector plunger. Is this a S&W patent design used only on the Model 52?
Again, Many Thanks
Dave

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DCCUK

Yes in all probability it is a patent design except that it is probably being used in the Model 39 as well but I'm not certain of that. It is part of the magazine safety though. To explain, when a mag is inserted into the 52, it pushes the Ejector and Magazine Depressor up which negates the magazine safety allowing the 52 to fire. When the magazine is removed, the spring loaded Ejector Depressor Plunger pushes down on the spring loaded Ejector and Magazine Depressor this initiating the magazine safety negating the ability to fire when the magazine removed. I hope that this is helpful for you.

Thanks kidcom for explaining so concisely the workings of the Model 52 Mag Safety/ejector plunger system etc.
But I'm sorry to say that the rear sight hex key for my Model 52 is not 1/16"...0.0625" is too big...the hex appears to be next size down, I think, is 0.050"? Smallest instrument screwdriver I have measures 0.055in at the tip just fits in the hex enough to wind the locking screw (0.110dia) back and forth but cannot apply much torque with it to lock the rear sight assy in the dovetail. Would the use of Loctite be advisable?
Thanks
Dave

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DCCUK

Dave you need a Torx T5 screw driver in order to remove the Rear Sight Lock Screw. No don't use loctite as you never know if you need to make any rear sight adjustments in the future. I just tighten mine down but not overly so and I've never had problems with rear sight movement. John (kidcom)