Shot my 52-2 today for the first time . I trimmed the brass to 1.145 " , 2.8 gr of Bullseye, 148 gr HBWC Hornadays. Everything fed fine until the last one or two rounds in the magazine. I assume the springs are weak. Can these be replaced by a gunsmith or by oneself ? Thanks

it's my guess that the mag springs are either weak/old or have been clipped by a kitchen table gunsmith. If the gun feeds OK with the top 2 or 3, I believe your recoilspring is OK. New gun or used?

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

It is a like new used gun.....99%.

They can easily be replaced by you, the hardest part is removing the floor plate. Some are easy to slide off, others were stamped and the floor plate is extremely tight.

Make sure your magazine is clean. When I get a used magazine, I usually soak it in a good gun solvent for 10 mins or so then blast it clean with brake cleaner. Once it has dried, lube it with a light gun oil like Birchwood Barricade. If that doesn't fix it, a new spring is probably in order.
George

What is your cartridge overall length ?

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B.E.Master in&outdoor
D.R.#99

I'll check......

The COL is 1.145

The dia of the case midway is .375 and at crimp it's .378.

Southj;

OAL is good, so not concerned with the bullet head dragging the inside front of the magazine.
Just an FYI, keep the COL below 1.170" or rubbing may occur.

Case OD at .375" is about the norm.

If you have a .378" crimp, then you have no crimp at all, but a .003" bell at the case mouth which may cause an issue.
I roll crimp mine to .369"-.370".

Make sure the magazine follower runs very smooth up and down.
The magazine bodies can be easily squeezed causing the barrel that rides in the follower groove to bind.
With the magazine spring removed, install just the follower and barrel, it should move from top to bottom under its own weight when you tip it up and down.

I have replaced all my magazine springs with Wolff, not because I ever had an issue with them, but for piece of mind.(still have all of my original springs in a bag around here).

And yes, the floor plates on a couple of mine are a bear to remove but can be done.

Just a note, you may just want to take the magazines apart and clean real well.
Also tighten your crimp, may cause a better burn of powder and slide movement when firing.

The M52 can be finicky but once you work the little bugs out, it will be flawless and a real pleasure to shoot.

Let us know and good luck;
Clarence

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B.E.Master in&outdoor
D.R.#99

As another Model 52 fan, I thank you for that information.

Found a photo of my first M52 which was a -2 with a bullseye target I shot from 50yds just before I sold it cause it was in too good of condition for a bullseye gun.

Now I shoot my M52-1 which is just as accurate if I do my part.

Also had a third M52 in a -2 that I sold.

Kind of wish I had all 3 instead of the 1, but hey, at least I kept one, it is my centerfire bullseye gun.

Clarence

2012_0708cp0002.jpg

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B.E.Master in&outdoor
D.R.#99