I don't shoot bullseye competition any more, but I remember shortly after the Model 52 first came out - around 1962. I was in the Army then, and one of the men on the pistol team was proudly showing off his brand new Model 52 - I was SO envious! That gun was easily more than a match for the accurized 1911A1 I was shooting in the center fire matches.

But the lust for a Model 52 stuck with me for 54 years, and I finally found one - and for the right price, too! A friend of mine had invited me to a members-only mini-gun show that the local arms collector group was running today. I really didn't see much of affordable interest until the last table I visited. An older gentleman had this Model 52-2, and it was calling my name big time. It looked to be in excellent shape except for the right side stock, which had been banged up a bit. No matter, they are available, and I could easily pick up a replacement.

He was asking a fair price, but ever the negotiator, I talked him into an even better deal - cash on the barrel head. Fortunately, I had decided to bring along my gun-buying stash, and so we shook hands on it. Roy Jinks tells me the gun was shipped in October, 1978.

Here are some pictures I took today. I hope to be coming out with an article on the 52 before too long now!











Just for giggles, here's an interesting comparison between the 52 and its parent Model 39.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I envy you. That is a beautiful find. Should you ever tire of it, I would be more than willing to take it off your hands!

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Judge control not gun control!

Very nice!! People don't understand the attraction of the model 52 until they shoot it. Every friend who I have let shoot mine, have gone on the hunt to find their own.

You've made a terrific find. Excellent acquisition.....Enjoy...

How sweet it is. Enjoy.

Very nice, good job on the photos as well. A 52-2 is on my wish list, the model 52's are nice shooting pistols.

Already looking forward to your article. And, as always, your photos are superb!

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Ukraine -- now more than ever

I'm in the process of learning more about this superb target pistol. Above, I included an illustrative picture of an interesting feature - the spherical section of the barrel that mates with the barrel bushing. This allows tilting of the barrel in unlocking with absolutely no slop in the barrel- bushing interface. Slop would be necessary to allow the barrel to tilt if there were no spherical section - and this would be normal in the 1911 system. A simple but innovative solution to the problem, making lockup the same each and every time the gun is fired. The magazine configuration is unique - designed to reliably feed a rimmed flat-nosed cartridge. It was a challenge well met.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

It least you can still act upon the lust that you had 54 yeas ago!