Imagine that you had a gorgeous Model 52-1 and you also had a very clean nickeled Model 59.

If you took the slide and barrel off that 59 and put it on the Model 52-1 frame, assuming that the two would assemble, would you think or guess that would be "okay" for the 52-1 frame? I ask this because I don't actually know but I do know that 52 pistols were all hand-fitted and precisely fitted guns with slides/frames that were mated together.

To go a step further beyond simply putting the 59 slide on the 52-1 frame, what if now you loaded 9mm in to a 39 magazine and went ahead with live fire and all the physical movements involved.

Would all of this compromise the 52-1 frame or at least the sweet fitment between the 52-1 and it's original slide/barrel which you still have?

I suppose that I'm just curious what a "Fat Cats pistol pack" might do to compromise a fine 52-1 pistol.

Well, among other things, the M39 is a double action pistol, while the M52 is single action. I don't know if the machinery is compatible. As mentioned, the M52 is a finely fitted target piece, while the M39 is more of a service pistol. Personally, I'd discourage this swap, but they're your guns.

Larry

If the slide fits and dummies hand cycle through the action, it should cause no harm to the frame.

If your knowledge and experience has not given you the ability to look critically at the pieces; to fit, test, and dry fire them; and make the assessment without wondering if it will "damage the frame", then you shouldn't do it.

John

That would be akin to mixing holy water and bourbon, IMHO. The fact that you can do it doesn't make it right. :-)

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Dave

Haha, well, to give out a hint... I would -NEVER- even consider such an idea, and to be honest, I couldn't even conceive such an idea. And if it's not already obvious... I don't see anything GOOD coming from the idea.

Just something I have seen offered for sale at a price as silly as the concept.

slides are not interchangeable - different barrel lenghts

Slide, barrel, bushing, guide rod and recoil spring together as a unit.

Bear in mind that the 52 is made for low powered target loads. Not sure how hot 9mm loads might batter it with a 59 slide assembly on it. Then there is the magazine issue.

sounds like you just (re) invented the Model 952

Hahaha, I'm sorry, no disrespect intended but no way. A 52 is a historic work of art and a 952 is a modern work of art and simply putting a pedestrian 59 upper on it won't ever approach what a 952 is.

I am risking complete evaporation of this discussion by saying that some guy is trying to sell this out there on the internet. I just think it's a horrible idea. That's the purpose of this discussion.