Just signed up as a newbie, after buying a 52-2 to use in my pistol club bullseye shoots.

Used to shoot a loaner 52 in the 70's--everything I remembered it was!

Question though--I'd like some general advice for things to look or do (or NOT do) as far a maintenance or adjustments. I also think I'd like to buy another rear sight blade to widen and deepen the rear sight picture. Anyone know good parts sources for S&W 52's? (other than eBay, Gunbroker, Gunsamerica and Numrich?) How is Brownell's stuff for S&W?

Thanks in advance!

An outstanding choice! One of the best target guns I have every owned.
Lucky enough to own all three variants......love them all!

I handload for mine and have had great results.

As for availability of rear sights....not sure, but I am sure others on this forum would know better than I.

As for maintenance, do NOT use the spanner wrench or you will mar the finish. A wrench is not required to install the threaded bushing. Keep her oiled well...but not too much. Keep the extractor clean. Go shot it!

3D

VERY nice-looking 52s there, ThreeD. That one's my next purchase, when I can scrape the bucks together--next year, I hope. I do want another dedicated target auto to complement my 41 A-series, but, man, in 95% and up they tend to run more than the 41, and there are fewer of them.

Any tips on what to look for?

Since I am relatively new to owning Model 52's.....I can only offer limited advise that I have received from others.
First, check out the slide stop for excessive wear, if it's peened over that will tell you the gun has been shot quite a bit. Not that that's a bad thing, but just something to look for.
Second...if you are wanting to put the weight on the gun, be sure you find either the Model 52-1 or 52-2 as the weight does NOT work on the 52 no dash.

Good luck in your search!

3D

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Does anybody know who would make aftermarket weights for the 52-2. I've heard that someone does manufacture them and I've looked but haven't found anything out. I don't want to pay the prices for the e-bay S&W originals.

Kirmdog

There were weights remanufactured on GB earlier this year. I believe that they were in the $70-75 neighborhood IIRC.

Don't know if they are still available.

These are pretty much continually offered on GB by GUNPARTSTORE. As stated above, $75 plus shipping.

Hope this helps.

- TS

"In a moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the worst thing you can do is nothing." - Theodore Roosevelt

Thanks Tex


Kirmdog

I know this is an old post but i'm interested in the "peened over".Where on the slide stop would this be?I'm looking at mine and see(if your holding it straight up with the part that goes in the frame facing you,to the right where it is shiny),a small ridge before and after the shiny surface.That actually just looks like machining to me.

__________________
Resist or serve

I'm not sure where "threedflyer" is talking about, but I have a model 52-2 slide stop that is worn on the top of the pin that slides in the frame from side to side. Looks to me the wear comes from contact with the bottom of the barrel. Hope that helps. I also noticed that with the worn stop the slide goes forward a little more than normal Aaron

Model 52,
What are you using to remove the threaded bushing. Just got another
52-2 having been without one for 20 years. Boy did I miss it. I call these guns the "Truth". It will tell you exactly what kind of shooter you are.
Thanks, Joe

I think those weights are for sale on e-b also, for the same 75. was an original there a few weeks ago. Goodluck Bob

I used to use this one for the Centerfire phase and international. I had a BoMar rear installed for a deeper notch (front sight was also built up). A superb pistol, albeit very unforgiving.
Bob