I saw a beautiful 952-1 on the consignment shelf at my LGS today. It appears to be ANIB (the PC aluminum case) and comes with two mags. The asking price is $1400, but I suspect a slightly lower settlement price might be possible.

I am still mostly a revolver guy, but I confess I find some S&W semi-autos extremely attractive. This one sure was. It seemed large to me for a 9mm single-stack gun. I realize it is considered a match-grade pistol.

Does anyone have any advice for me on this? Positive or negative is fine, and I am as happy to be warned off a model as I would be to have it praised. I am pretty sure I'd like to have a 945 some day, and I wonder if this 952 would make me happy until that day comes.

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David Wilson

100 views, 22 hours, no reply. Should I take the silence to mean there are reservations about the 952 series? Or maybe just the 952-1?

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David Wilson

I had one,which I thought was a truly superb gun.The trigger pull on mine was extremely light.I sold it,as I've come to the realization that I'm just a rimfire guy when it comes to automatics.
In my opinion,I think the 952-1 is the best version of the three.

Thank you, that's exactly the kind of personal feedback I was hoping for.

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David Wilson

The 952s' are great guns but somewhat limited use for them. They are really designed to take up where the 52 left off as a Centerfire Bullseye gun. The thing is most Bullseye shooters simply use their 45s' for both Centerfire and 45 divisions, sticking to one gun. They are tack drivers and solve the feed problems that do seem to pop up with the .38wc used in the 52s'. They usually shoot good with whatever ammo you put in them.

Picked up a mint stainless 952-2 here a few months back. Took her to the range and was crazy about it. After shooting it, I looked at my friend next door and said "money can't buy love, but it sure buys one big ole ragged hole"
I ended up buying a 952-1 and 945 from a member here after that. They have not been shot outside the factory and are happy with all their friends in my safe. I say you will love it.

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Rick
SWCA #2396

The 952 is fantastic. It is best suited for range shooting which is exactly what I do. I've had a stainless model about a year and just got a blued model just to have it. They are fairly rare and don't come up for sale that often. The $1400 price is very good, I paid more than that for both of mine. If you buy it you won't regret it. If you don't let me know where it is, I wouldn't mind a third. I also have the 945 and it out shoots three other 1911s that I have. Very good pistols.

I have one and I love the laser engraved grips that are on the gun.

She's a keeper, even though she is a 9mm.

Fun gun for the wife or kid to shoot too!

TAKJR

My wife has a 952 and I have a 945. Both are excellent guns and tack drivers! At 1400.00 it's a steal!!

Thank you all for your advice. I bought this gun today and will be able to take possession in a week or so. The gun is a beauty, and I will post photos once I have it in hand. As the specialists know, this model comes from the factory with a Wilson combat sight, so I will be thinking of this gun as my custom "Smith & Wilson." The trigger feels like simple perfection. I can't wait to put my first few rounds down the five-inch tube of this gun, the finest semiauto I will probably ever own unless I come across a 945.

The Standard Catalog made reference to a decocker on the 952, but this gun seems to have only a rotating safety block. Also, I am not sure how the grip safety is intended to function. The trigger could be pulled and the hammer would drop whether the floating backstrap was compressed or not. Has some kind of internal interlock been removed?

Thanks again to all who spoke up. I made the deal at a little below the asking price. The gun has its original combi-lock aluminum case and accessories, but any docs that came with it are gone. As I expected, the cartridge case envelope was dated to 2003.

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David Wilson

I have both a 952-1 and a 945. I used the 945 for bullseye psitol and it has a superb factory trigger. The 952-1 has a good trigger but nowhere near as crisp and light as my old 52-1.

Yes the safety just locks the firing pin and blocks the hammer, no effect on the trigger. The grip safety just works the firing pin block, again no effect on the trigger.