52 question?

[Drm50]

From the standpoint of shooting( not collecting or value ) which
M52 is the one to seek, and is practical to find for sale.

[505Gibbs]

The -2 had the highest volume of all the three types made.

[gmborkovic]

Lots of discussion here. You have a wide spectrum to choose from.
If you want a shooter, any of them are superb. If you enter at a low price , $900-$1100, you can find a little worn gun with one mag and no box.
A side note, mags are pricey. They are a little finicky on their diet of ammo. I have a few and do not know what a collectible Mod 52 is?
You are pursuing a world class target gun, never to be produced again.
Best

[Drm50]

That's not my point. What I was getting at is there a dash or
serial range that is sought after as the best 52 for shooting.
I just got a 52 no dash made 1963. I need to get another one
and want to look for it on the bases of best model made for
shooting. I have read up on them and am aware of triggers
ejectors, ect. No one seems to put one above the other as far
as series ect, as shooters. I know there is a lot of difference in
41s the newer they are. Is it the same with 52s?

[ontargetagain]

Here is a plethora of information regarding your question on a recent thread I recently started, some excellent contributions of experience and information!
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-w...#post139588302

Karl

[gmborkovic]

Hey Drm, a little snippy are we not. Wink. All the series of 52s shoot great. I have had a few of all the ranges. They all shot better than me.
The secret is finding the correct diet and shooting skill. One secret for any 52, chamber a round from the magazine. The early 52s won a lot of championships back in the 1960s. Just make the the plunge and enjoy
a new adventure. Best, Mike

[kidcom]

I'd go for a 52-2 as they solved the extractor breakage problem.

[Sevens]

I believe there are four distinct Model 52 pistols.

1) original no-dash 52's, made from 1961-1963. Supposedly 3,500 made. These have the old style extractor and this extractor is a scarce part if you have a problem. These guns are actually DA/SA, but the DA can be locked out so that the pistol operates strictly in SA mode. All of these have a 5-digit serial number that begins with a 5.

2) 52-1, made from 1963 to 1970ish, these guns have no DA ability and it is often said that the sweetest 52 triggers ever are the 52-1 pistols. These also have the old-style long extractor that can be difficult to fix if you experience a failure.

3) the A-prefix 52-2 pistols, these have the newer and more modern coil-spring loaded shorter extractor and are perhaps the most "popular" to own and shoot, these ran from 1970-ish to around 1984, these are the most popular mix of everything including modern extractor, deep blue finish, "old school" and collectible & shootable.

4) the three-alpha prefix 52-2's that ran from 1984 until production ended in 1993. These often aren't as bright, deep blue and the wood stocks are often of a lighter and plainer grain, these were the last of the 52's and may generally be regarded as perhaps a bit less sought after than the A-prefix 52-2 pistols.

Which is the one you want? Probably #3, followed by #4 and then #2 and #1. I have a pair of #3's and a #4 and the #4 is what I love to shoot... I would love to have a #2 next.

[smithrjd]

Don't really know that one model is better than an other. 52 no dash, 52-1, 52-2. Supposedly the short extractor on the 52 no dash and the 52-1 have been noted for breaking the extractor. Personally never seen that happen. From sales on Gunbroker, internet reading etc, the 52-2 is the most sought after. Not really any difference in the prices. It comes down to condition, number of magazines and box, tools etc. as to value. Any will be a wonderful shooting target machine. Parts and magazines for any of them are hard to come by. IE extractors, barrels, and bushings.