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Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols Other Smith & Wesson Semi-Automatic Pistols from the 1950's to Present


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Old 10-11-2015, 06:37 PM
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I've read some of the older threads here concerning the 52-2 and it sounds like a very fine gun to have even though it only seems to serve one purpose.

I have the opportunity to see/buy one tomorrow and would like a little input. I'm primarily a revolver guy but I do have a pair each of 22 lr, 9 mm and 45. I do know this gun has been fired, probably a lot. The serial number is A483xxx. You can see the condition from the pics.

I'm not really looking price guidance, just thoughts and suggestions.

Thank you for your help.

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Old 10-11-2015, 06:51 PM
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Serial number dates it to 1978. I don't care for the big grips included but the pistol is probably a complete tack driver.

As long as you have no problem handloading or purchasing full wadcutter .38 Special and you can swing an affordable price then yes, by all means, buy that pistol.
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Old 10-11-2015, 07:04 PM
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My 52-1 is one of the last guns I would sell. It is indeed a tack driver.
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Old 10-11-2015, 07:04 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sevens View Post
Serial number dates it to 1978. I don't care for the big grips included but the pistol is probably a complete tack driver.

As long as you have no problem handloading or purchasing full wadcutter .38 Special and you can swing an affordable price then yes, by all means, buy that pistol.
As noted - the price point you can stand is the next issue. From the brief pics provided - it appears to be in pretty good condition & if the seller knows what he has - it won't be cheap. Depending on your locale - I'd guess around $1k - perhaps a bit more. IMO
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Old 10-11-2015, 07:10 PM
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Those are Jay Scott or Siles grips, but the originals are in the box.
I say buy it, it's only money after all...
I have owned three M52's and only have the 1968 M52-1 currently.
You will enjoy the hell out of it.

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Old 10-11-2015, 07:55 PM
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LOL, Thanks for the support concerning buying it. I don't have a problem there. Its actually just the opposite, I've probably bought some I shouldn't have.

What I really need to know is if there is anything that I should look for that would keep me from buying it?
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Old 10-11-2015, 09:27 PM
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I've owned three 52-2's and loved them all. They are restricted as to use, target only, but for that no better exists. When I share mine with my shooting partners it has gained the "no alibi" title. If you can't hit with it, you can't shoot.
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Old 10-11-2015, 10:24 PM
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SN dates to 1980 but Jinks/S&W to verify your SHIP date. Suggest you give a good look at bbl. and verify bbl bushing is not cracked. Pictures indicate a very clean piece. Made near the end of the "better ones".
Suggest you try with factory ammo first to verify feed and function. Reloading can take some learning to get it tuned to the pistol. Due to low velocity, do not limp wrist. ENJOY!
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Old 10-11-2015, 10:34 PM
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Yes, it is a one trick pony. But, for that one trick, there is no better choice.
My 52-1 killed my lust for a Colt Python.

If you hate shooting a pistol that is so accurate that it makes you look a lot better than you really are, then you should not buy it.

However, if you like shooting the best of the best, you should dislocate your shoulder reaching for your wallet (like I did).

When you own a S&W 52, you own a very exclusive gun. You own something truly special.
If you think a K-38, 19, 586, or 27 is sweet, just wait until you pull the trigger on a 52.
I waited 34 years to get one. It was worth the wait.
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Old 10-11-2015, 10:57 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TOM BECKWITH View Post
SN dates to 1980 but Jinks/S&W to verify your SHIP date. Suggest you give a good look at bbl. and verify bbl bushing is not cracked. Pictures indicate a very clean piece. Made near the end of the "better ones".
Suggest you try with factory ammo first to verify feed and function. Reloading can take some learning to get it tuned to the pistol. Due to low velocity, do not limp wrist. ENJOY!
Thank you Tom, this is the kind of info I need. I do reload but if I do get this 52-2 it comes with 400 rounds so I'll have time to figure out the reloading.

Does it break down like a normal autoloader or is there something special I need to know?
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Old 10-11-2015, 11:37 PM
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It breaks down like a typical S&W auto. The barrel bushing threads into the slide. The bushing wrench is not needed. Just hand tighten the bushing on re-assembly and you are good to go. Epic pistol. Shooting that pistol will bring a wide smile to your face every time.
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Old 10-12-2015, 12:38 AM
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It breaks down like a typical S&W auto. The barrel bushing threads into the slide. The bushing wrench is not needed.
I understand that there is a pin on the end of the barrel that needs to be pushed in. Is that correct?
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Old 10-12-2015, 12:49 AM
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The 52-2 is my favorite gun. I had a 52-1 in the 70s when I shot competition in the Air Force and I acquired the 52-2 in the 90s just before S&W ended manufacturing. Factory ammo is somewhat hard to come by but, if you reload, a 148gr. Hornady HBWC over 2.8 gr. of Bullseye, will shoot great all day, and inexpensively, to boot. With the light loads, brass lasts a long time.
Get it. You won't regret it.
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Old 10-12-2015, 12:55 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RKCarl View Post
The 52-2 is my favorite gun. I had a 52-1 in the 70s when I shot competition in the Air Force and I acquired the 52-2 in the 90s just before S&W ended manufacturing. Factory ammo is somewhat hard to come by but, if you reload, a 148gr. Hornady HBWC over 2.8 gr. of Bullseye, will shoot great all day, and inexpensively, to boot. With the light loads, brass lasts a long time.
Get it. You won't regret it.
Thanks for the recipe! I have plenty of Bullseye, just need to pick up the Hornady WC's if I get the gun.
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Old 10-12-2015, 08:57 AM
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Quote:
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I understand that there is a pin on the end of the barrel that needs to be pushed in. Is that correct?
Yes. The pin fits into a recess (ratchet style for lack of a better description) in the bushing. I just use my fingernail to push the pin in while I'm either tightening or loosening the bushing. The bushing does not need to be tightened to the point of using the wrench. Finger tight has worked for me for over 30 years. This thread needs more pic's, and since we are talking Model 52's, here's a pic of my Model 52-2.


Last edited by 824tsv; 10-12-2015 at 08:58 AM. Reason: Spelling
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Old 10-12-2015, 09:48 AM
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Thanks to everyone for the input. I'm looking forward to getting it in my hands later this afternoon.
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Old 10-13-2015, 04:54 PM
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Well, I decided to take a chance on it. Got it home last night and cleaned it. I was very pleased with the condition of it. As I stated earlier it also came with several hundred rounds of ammo. I did run a few mags through it today with poor results - none of which were the guns fault. What a sweet trigger. I will reload for this as soon as I can get some 148 gr. HBWC.

Here's the proof:
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File Type: jpg 20151012_222608 (Copy).jpg (55.3 KB, 51 views)
File Type: jpg 20151012_222829 (Copy).jpg (46.1 KB, 47 views)
File Type: jpg 20151012_223604 (Copy).jpg (38.3 KB, 51 views)
File Type: jpg 20151012_224023 (Copy).jpg (65.2 KB, 52 views)
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Old 10-13-2015, 05:05 PM
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Ah, what a nice target pistol.

I only got to fire one a single time: I was in the air force in the mid 1970's and the outfit had a pistol team! I did not know that until one afternoon this lieutenant asked if I would like to go help waste the last of the ammunition as the team was being dis-banded.

We spent the afternoon shooting up the last of the ammunition and I fell in love with the platform - the only way to miss the bulls eye was to try to miss.

However, I didn't like being limited to the 148 grain wad cutter cartridge - so I went with the S&W Model 39-2...........still have it plus a few dozen other firearms!! Dang that lieutenant!!!

Congratulations on getting your hands on one fine S&W!!!!
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Old 10-21-2015, 10:11 PM
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Very nice G- dad. I am a little jealous.
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Old 10-21-2015, 11:06 PM
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lol, no need to be jealous. I'm sure there's one to be had somewhere in your neck of the woods!
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Old 10-22-2015, 01:48 PM
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Hello g-dad, glad you sprung on that 52-2. I have one LNIB. I have been putting together a spread sheet on Sns. and ship dates. Your 52-2 falls between A483274, July 1980 and A483742, Mar 1980. There is no logical sequence on Sn. and ship date. They are all over the place. I have A107906, Nov. 1969. I have found five earlier Sn. that shipped two years after mine. If you are curios I would letter the gun or request a ship date from Mr. jinks on the Forum. If you need my help, please PM me. Good shooting.
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Old 10-25-2015, 01:44 PM
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Nice purchase, a model 52-2 is on my wish list.
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Old 10-25-2015, 10:45 PM
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g-dad, may want to consider a bbl weight. There are aftermarket weights that are much cheaper than factory and generally fit as good or better. Bad fit ones tend to come off in the middle of a string.
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