Please let me know what ammo you've found to perform best in your 952. Doesn't matter if it's store bought or hand rolled, i can do either.

Would also be interested in knowing any bullet weight and types you've found that perform best. I've used 115 grain SWC's in my other 9mm target gun, but the load that works well in that gun (a Browning GP Competition) don't seem to do as well in the 952.

Also wondering if anyone has put put a red dot on their gun.

Thanks in advance!

Just a reminder guys, it doesn't have to be hand loads if you have a particular brand that's done well, I'd like to know.

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

I am posting to subscribe to the thread more so than to offer quality help. I am still working on my "best" loads for my 952-1. I have found that a very pedestrian load certainly prints a tighter group through my 952-1 than it does through my production S&W pistols (39-2's, 639, 659, 5906's, Pro Series 1911) but at the same time, my pedestrian load through 952-1 doesn't quite match up with what I can get from my Tanfoglio Elite Match.

So, I'm working to better that. For me, load development is a painfully long process. It is not painful (it is fun and rewarding) but it takes an irrationally long time because my range trips are typically spaced 3-5 weeks apart and I cannot shoot at home. Arrrrgh.

I have certainly shot my share of cast lead in 9mm in years past but I have basically abandoned lead in 9mm simply because I feed -SO- many 9mm guns that it just didn't feel worth the effort. And I have secured a large pile of plated 9mm slugs... so cast lead in 9 is in my rear view mirror.

My pedestrian load is the 124gr Xtreme plated RN over 4.5gr Hodgdon Universal. I would never expect Bullseye quality performance out of this bullet.

The load I am currently working on and seems to be returning positive results BUT needs more testing is the 125gr Hornady HAP over a middle-road charge of Hodgdon Longshot.

I would love to update this discussion with positive and solid results... but I cannot do that yet.

Also, no optical sight of any manner for me, none planned.

I have 5 (including one long slide) that I rotate thru and shoot on a weekly basis. I use 115 grn Zero brand bullets exclusively with excellent results. I have tried lead and plated but to me nothing is as good as FMJ. I don’t load hot rounds, maybe slightly warm. Years ago I talked to someone at S&W and he basically said you couldn’t put enough powder in a 9mm shell to hurt a 952. You can do all the sampling and testing you want but to me it all comes down to practice, practice, practice.

Well that sounds catchy but that dude is off his rocker and I'll be the first one to say it, if anyone disagrees than send me a 952 and I'll use Titegroup and we'll all regret it when it's over.

No need to do that, just use a standard load and seat the bullet too deep. The guy may have been extolling the build qualities of the 952, but nothing is idiot proof.

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

The load that works very well in my 952-1's is as follows:
Starline Brass (from same lot)
3.5 gr 700X
Remington small pistol primers, Rem. small pistol magnum primers OK, no difference in group size or location.
122 gr TC lead cast bullets sized .356 from Rim Rock Bullets
Seat to where they just chamber in your barrel.

This load also works well in my Sig P210 Target.

I find my 952-1's shoot about 10 - 20% more accurately than my Sigs. This is based on over 50,000 rounds @ 88 yards. Both Sig Targets had to go back to the factory for work, the 952-1's have been flawless.

Ed, 700X burns slightly less than 231 (one of my go to powders) and looks interesting. How well (as in clean) does it burn? Also, are the Rim Rock coated or just lubed?

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

Rim Rock Bullets are just lubed. I do not fool around with coated or jacketed bullets in my target pistols.

All I have used for a long time is 700X simply because it was usually available during the drought. Sorry but I cannot judge how clean it is, every 500 rounds or so I soak the pistol in alcohol and blow it dry with compressed air, then lube with break free, blow dry the excess, then use bore butter for lube in the action and barrel.

The TC bullets are much more accurate than the 115 gr. round nose in my Sigs and S&W's.