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Old 01-11-2012, 02:53 PM
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There doesn't seem to be a lot of 952 talk here. I realize that its price probably makes it a bit rarer. I'd really like to hear from owners about their experience with it. I'm interested in the blued 952-1, but also have the Sig P210 and Walther P88 on my list. Pics would be great too! Thanks.
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Old 01-12-2012, 01:43 PM
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My 952 no dash. Serial #29, early 2000 vintage(I think).



Still looks and runs like new, and I've put may 10's of thousands of rounds though it.

Has always functioned with what ever ammo I've tried. Boringly accurate.
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Old 01-14-2012, 09:27 AM
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Very nice Joe! Kinda surprised yours was the only response. So I'm curious about pricing on the 952-1 and 952-2. A 952-1 just sold on a GB auction for $1351 (excellent condition with case and all papers), and a NIB 952-2 sold for $2775. I realize NIB is more valuable, but is anyone else surprised that the stainless 952-2 is THAT much more valuable than the blued 951-1?
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Old 01-14-2012, 09:48 AM
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I had a 952-1.A truly wonderful gun,the best version to have imo-beauty and function and no billboard.It sold for about the same amount as you referenced,which was in the neigborhood of what it cost new.The stainless guns hit the market at a higher price.I am simply a rimfire guy,so I sold most of my centerfires.
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Old 01-14-2012, 09:48 AM
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The 952 is an incredible target pistol. It has the second finest trigger of anything I have ever fired. The finest was on a Hammerelli Air Pistol.
Accuracy is way past what one would expect on a 9mm.
A dear friend of mine in Idaho Falls has one that is extremely accurate with CCI Blazer of all things. None of our reloads came close....
At a measured 50 yard range firing 10 rounds it will carve the X ring out of the target with many of the rounds cloverleafing.
You will never regret owning one!
Randy
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Old 01-14-2012, 12:33 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by growr View Post
At a measured 50 yard range firing 10 rounds it will carve the X ring out of the target with many of the rounds cloverleafing.
You will never regret owning one!
Randy
That was very helpful, thank you. I've also been considering the same gun.
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Old 01-14-2012, 12:52 PM
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Guess I'm the odd man out.

My experience with a 952-2 has been disappointing.

The gun is totally reliable with any type factory or handload ammo.

However the accuracy in my hands is ordinary at best.
I easily out shoot it with almost any randomly selected revolver.

It's groups are indistingishable from those shot with my model 39 or HiPower. And is always bested by my model 52-1 and believe it or not my model 59!

I try and work with it regularly. Tried dozens of different brands ammo and handload combinations. It's even been back to the factory once.

Maybe it's just me. I'm no bullseye champion but am a pretty good shot with a wider range of handguns. But for me, it was a waste of money.
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Old 01-14-2012, 12:59 PM
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I have a used 952-2 I just offered to a fellow forum member for $1,300 shipped. Didn't get a reply yet. PM me for pics if interested.
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Old 01-14-2012, 01:12 PM
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Originally Posted by robctwo View Post
I have a used 952-2 I just offered to a fellow forum member for $1,300 shipped. Didn't get a reply yet. PM me for pics if interested.
Stainless. Right? If so, thanks, but I'm set on a blued model. I'm sure it will sell - sounds like a great price!
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Old 01-14-2012, 04:23 PM
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Just out of curiosity, have you ran any aluminum case CCI Blazers through your gun? When Clem and I were testing all kinds of 9mm ammo in his 952, the Blazers were by a significant margin the most accurate of all which included many different combinations of factory and reloads. Go figure on that one........

Randy

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Originally Posted by sjmjax View Post
Guess I'm the odd man out.

My experience with a 952-2 has been disappointing.

The gun is totally reliable with any type factory or handload ammo.

However the accuracy in my hands is ordinary at best.
I easily out shoot it with almost any randomly selected revolver.

It's groups are indistingishable from those shot with my model 39 or HiPower. And is always bested by my model 52-1 and believe it or not my model 59!

I try and work with it regularly. Tried dozens of different brands ammo and handload combinations. It's even been back to the factory once.

Maybe it's just me. I'm no bullseye champion but am a pretty good shot with a wider range of handguns. But for me, it was a waste of money.
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Old 01-14-2012, 06:54 PM
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Hello italia, I have owned all three of the guns you mentioned. I bought a new Walther P88 years ago, when they were in production. Beautifully made and supposed to be super accurate. The grip though was so bulky and uncomfortable to me, I knew I would never be satisfied with that gun, no matter how accurate it might be. I sold it NIB without ever firing it. If you pursue a P88, I'd strongly suggest you try to handle one first.

I have owned at least four SIG P-210s, the 210-2 and adjustable sighted 210-6 versions. All were excellent in every way. Beautifully machined inside and out, very precisely fitted, super accurate and totally reliable. As long as you can live with the European, heel type, magazine release, you simply cannot go wrong with the Swiss P-210, IMHO. I have no experience with the current German made versions.

I owned both an early 952 and later a 952-1. Beautifully made guns in general and both totally reliable for me. Both of mine unfortunately required several trips back to S&W before they were really right. The early 952 was the more accurate for me. My 952-1 just never really shot as well as I thought it should. Probably more just gun-to-gun variation than anything else. I too am amazed at the prices on the stainless 952-2, but have no experience with these, beyond handling them. I eventually liquidated both my 952 and 952-1. I am more just comfortable with, and just shoot the 1911 style guns better.

Anyway, all three are very nice, high end, type guns, but I'd have to rate the SIG P-210 as the highest quality gun of the three... ymmv
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Old 01-14-2012, 07:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by italia View Post
There doesn't seem to be a lot of 952 talk here. I realize that its price probably makes it a bit rarer. I'd really like to hear from owners about their experience with it. I'm interested in the blued 952-1, but also have the Sig P210 and Walther P88 on my list. Pics would be great too! Thanks.
I can tell you from my breif range time with the owner of the P88 it is worth the price of admission, if I wasnt a walther P38 boy i'd have one by now.

although I have big hands, the kind that make the 1911 in .45 acp seem small to me and makes the model 29 seem like the perfect size for my hands so if you have small hands a smaller walther, something like the single stack P38 is probably the one to pursue, albeit I'd go for a HP if possibile if you've got the money.

dont know about the 952 though but my dad had one of the decendants of it the model 52 back in the early 60's and despite it only taking .38 wadcutters and having a 5 shot capacity he still misses it as he sold it only because he had to, not because he wanted to.

although ironically that led to him inadvertantly buying a rare steel framed model 39 a few years latter that he still has so its all good I guess.

Last edited by Kavinsky; 01-14-2012 at 07:51 PM.
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Old 01-14-2012, 08:36 PM
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I have a 952-1 and a -2. Both are more accurate than I am but I haven't really had the opportunity to shoot them a lot yet. They're more accurate than the Sig I had and my HP.
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Old 01-14-2012, 08:44 PM
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I love my 952-1, like everyone says, it's totally reliable, but I have never found anything that shoots close to my 52-1. I keep hoping and trying different ammo, which I think is the problem, not much really compares to 38 wadcutter. Sorry for the edit, had to run to the safe for the dash #'s.

Last edited by mbnatt; 01-14-2012 at 08:48 PM.
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Old 01-14-2012, 09:52 PM
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No experience with the 952 . I always assumed they shot as well as the PC 5906 single and double action versions. Ive had or have most or maybe all those guns and everyone shot under an 1" at 25 and 2" at 50. Even the 4" goes under 1" at 25 so Im suprised that the 952's dont do that.
And I dont know about 2700, maybe for a rare model or the 6" if a couple guys got into a bidding war.Even the 6" ppc model 5906 arent going for that much , close though. Bob
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Old 01-15-2012, 03:35 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by italia View Post
Stainless. Right? If so, thanks, but I'm set on a blued model. I'm sure it will sell - sounds like a great price!
I have a blued, unfired, as-new 952-1 that I've been giving thought to selling...either that, or a likewise unfired black 945 4"...or both. Still need a bit more $$ to buy that new motorcycle in the Spring that I have my eye on. But I've been having a hard time pulling the trigger on selling it, if you'll excuse the pun, so it still sits in my safe.

So I can't tell you anything about the performance of the 952-1, unfortunately, as I've never fired it. What I can tell you is that the fit and finish is remarkable, finer than any other gun I've owned and I've owned a number of 945 models, a Baer 1911, Dan Wesson, a PC1911, and so on (though I've not owned a SIG P210, but I've heard the two often mentioned favorably in the same sentence). I've carefully dry-fired it a few times (holding on to the hammer so it doesn't slam down) and the trigger is absolutely incredible.

I was surprised to read a few posts in this thread that claimed the dash-one was less expensive than the stainless. When I was shopping for this gun, I found the opposite to be true; since the blued dash-one was only made for one year, I found it much scarcer and more expensive than the widely available stainless models. Perhaps that's changed since I last checked prices, I don't know. I do know that as an owner (present and past) of a number of Performance Center models, I've found that the earlier models (like this dash-one) are by far of better quality than the later models.

Anyway, here's a pic of my blued 952-1...enjoy.


Last edited by at-home-daddy; 01-15-2012 at 03:56 AM.
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Old 01-19-2012, 03:23 PM
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Quote:
Just out of curiosity, have you ran any aluminum case CCI Blazers through your gun?
Yup. The 1st 10k rounds or so, through my 952 were all CCI aluminum cased Blazers.

These two targets were both fired at 75', rapid fire, 6 mags, using Blazers.




Yes, the Docter helps, but the gun runs fine with the aluminum cased ammo.
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Old 01-19-2012, 03:47 PM
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I know you don't want stainless, but you want pictures. So, here's mine:



Like other 952 owners I like mine because of the tight tolerances, it's quality made, and it looks rather neat. But, I'm unlike other owners who state they have a tack driver. I'm not doubting them, but I've got a couple $500.00 auto's that are more accurate (with me shooting) than my $1500.00 PC auto. I had a friend shoot my 952-2 and he wasn't that accurate either. I just don't shoot mine much.
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Old 03-04-2012, 09:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by robctwo View Post
I have a used 952-2 I just offered to a fellow forum member for $1,300 shipped. Didn't get a reply yet. PM me for pics if interested.
IF still available please send pics.
Thanks
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Old 03-04-2012, 10:16 PM
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I replied to your pm. Send me your email.
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Old 03-05-2012, 12:44 PM
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I have both a 952-1 and a 945. I also had a 52-1. While the 952's trigger is very good it pales in comparison to the 52's trigger. In terms of accuracy I have not used the 952 for bullseye pistol and thus have not experimented with super accurate loads. Overall the 952 is the most accurate 9mm I won and has a superior factory rigger.
The 945's trigger is excellent with outstanding accuracy - I use the 945 for bullseye pistol.
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Old 03-05-2012, 08:53 PM
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Oh wow guys, this thread is incredible. Are these what are referred to as 3rd generation autos? I know very little of Smith autos other than my 52-2 and M&P's

If someone has the answer, great but please don't let me hijack this thread.

More of these pics and testimonials PLEASE!

Edit: Please pardon me, Ms. Lynn. I had not read the entire thread before opening my big mouth. It's not just the guys who know their Smiths.

Last edited by Avery11; 03-05-2012 at 09:03 PM. Reason: Manners
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Old 03-06-2012, 06:51 PM
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A few years ago I decided that I would buy a 952. I did and ended up being disappointed. I had hoped that it would be as nice as my 52-2. The fit and finish were OK but the trigger never was as good and the barrel bushing was a royal pain. I sold it after a few months. (still have the 52-2) Later after 9mm fever struck again I bought a Sig 226 X5. It's supposed to be as accurate as a 210. I don't know about that but it is very accurate, reliable and has a great trigger.

Jeff
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Old 03-16-2015, 01:22 AM
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Default Anyone selling

I'm having a hard time aquireing a shooter 952.
Have been on the hunt about 6months now but the only ones found are lnib unfired collector guns.
Anyone feeling the urge to aeperate with one?
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1911, 5906, 945, 952, bullseye, dan wesson, model 29, model 39, model 52, p210, performance center, ppc, rimfire, sig arms, wadcutter, walther

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