problems with small pistol primers with model 52

[guncoach]

Hi, I am new to the forum, but love the concept, and hope to use it a lot more in the future.
I have noticed that my model 52 suffers misfires when I use S&B primers. I am trying CCI's right now, and they seem better.
I can also buy Winchester SP primers, but in competition, if they don't work, it costs you a lot of points when you get disqualified for multiple malfunctions.
What make of SP primers is best for the Model 52?
thanks for your advice. Shaun Johannesburg

[jrm53]

A few years ago the thinking among the folks I knew was that Federal primers were the most likely to fire every time. I have a 52-2 and it seems to like all brands but I have never used S&B brand. Jeff

[guncoach]

Thanks for your comment. Around here the guys who shoot the NPA 1500 event all swear by Federal primers, but they are tough to find in South Africa.
I will have to keeping trying from what's available here, so far so good with CCI's, they just cost a bunch more than the rest.
I want to reduce the trigger pull on my 52 - is sear/hammer engagement the only adjustment, done with oilstones and a chunk of careful elbow grease?
your comments welcomed. thanks

[M29since14]

Your 52 should work fine with any of the primers from the major U.S. manufacturers. If not, you may need a new mainspring. Maybe someone has been tampering with it? (before you got the gun)

The trigger of the 52 should be pretty good just as it is. I never had my gun adjusted but I remember when I used to inquire about it no smith I talked with wanted to fool with it. The reply was basically, "Shoot it. You'll get used to it." I never cared for the feel of the 52 trigger, but I admit I am probably spoiled by 1911s. I can't offer any info about that.

[planojack]

I've owned four 52-2's. The only trigger complaint I ever had was one was too light. I suggest you leave it alone. I would not even the S&W factory gunsmiths to mess with my 52. If it is not broke, don't fix it.

[Krell1]

Originally Posted by guncoach

Thanks for your comment. Around here the guys who shoot the NPA 1500 event all swear by Federal primers, but they are tough to find in South Africa.
I will have to keeping trying from what's available here, so far so good with CCI's, they just cost a bunch more than the rest.
I want to reduce the trigger pull on my 52 - is sear/hammer engagement the only adjustment, done with oilstones and a chunk of careful elbow grease?
your comments welcomed. thanks

The trigger on my 52 is so sweet I'd never think of changing it. People who are not familiar with the gun have tried it and more than one has said "I gotta get me one of these".

[Aussie Collector]

I have not used SB so cannot comment on their performance in the 52.

Primers differ in many respects the most important for us competition shooters is the hardness of the cup.

CCI being very hard give me a few “failure to fire” so I no longer use them for the 52. I do however use CCI for my 357 very hot magnum loads with Win 296 as the cup thickness gives me piece of mind, plus the fact I need to use them up.

Winchester and Federal never fail in my 52, Winchester being a little harder (than Federal) will not work in some of my revolvers consistently which have been tuned for federal.

The cup hardness aside there is another possibility that can cause the odd failure, which is the primer not seated correctly in the pocket. If the primer is high in the pocket the firing pin upon striking it will seat it, this reduces the inertia enough to mark the primer however not igniting it. A very high primers can be felt and seen, other times you can tell by standing the round on a hard flat surface and seeing if it rocks on the primer. Another tell tail sign can be the firing pin strike being a very light impression.

I agree that Federal are the best small pistol primer for competition (light) loads.

I would leave the trigger as is, unless you know exactly what you are doing. My 52s have great triggers out of the box which I also use in 1500 pistol match.

[rwsmith]

and a hound dawg Howdy from SC, USA

I use in this order:

CCI
Winchester
Remington
Federal

I've never had complaints about any of them, but supposedly in these days of shortages, quality has suffered. I'd go along with the Federals as M.L.T.D. (Most likely to detonate) I believe CCIs are hard and you don't need that.