Greetings!

Today is one of THOSE days where my mind is wondering, and today's wandering topic is "how can I improve my NRA 2700 center fire stage score".

While I could use my 1911 in both the center fire and 45 stages, extended firing of the 45 (even with my light SWC loads) tends to aggravate my upper body injuries from the accident.

While I currently use a 3T K38, I am of the belief that using a medium bore semi-auto could improve my scores. That is what is fueling today's questions.

1) since I don't see the 52 still on the S&W website, I was wondering, when was it discontinued?
2) while I realize prices can be affected by the area, what would be a ballpark price for a shooter-grade 52?
3) are quality spare magazines on the market for the 52? If so, what brands are preferred?

My thinking is that it may be a more affordable route to seek a Model 52 Master than locating a 9mm target grade 1911 with a barrel bushing.

As always, thanks in advance for your help!

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Judge control not gun control!

1. Discontinued 1993
2. If you are lucky just under $1K
3. $200-250, I hear.

HTH
AJ

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Correct on 1993. Reportedly the last was in June 1993 if I remember what the SCSW says.

Price is always going to be a “viable range” but I would also say that anything under $1,000 is a BUY price.

Magazines are silly. I have still occasionally run in to them under market, in March of this year I snagged two at $40 each. If you are talking Gunbroker for a magazine… I think they are far better ignored there than actually buying any.

There have never been any aftermarket magazine options for the Model 52, only real deal S&W mags.

The Model 52 is a marvelous gun. I love mine.
I agree, anything around $1000 is a buy now.
The problem is magazines. Hard to find and priced plumb stupid. With a bit of searching you can probably find a couple of used ones in the $100-150 range each. Brand new in the package generally goes for $300+.

I zeroed my 52 with a Vortex Venom red dot aboard today, it pretty much held the 10 ring on the slow fire target at 25 yards so I'm going to try it in a match next week. The 52 is a real pleasure to shoot, next to no recoil and the empties land right at your feet. There are two recent completed magazine sales on this forum, $75 / pair and $125 / pair so there are good deals out there, just need to keep your eyes open.

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Hand tighten only

I think these days you might be better of with a 9mm, loaded down. Simply because of the magazine issue. I have a 5" distinguished gun, PPC 9 from PPC shooting(1911 would work also), that I replaced the Aristocrat rear sight with a mount that Aristocrat makes to allows an optic to be mounted. They make 2 types for a RDM and a rail. Recoil is pretty light especially with subsonic, or 115 gr. If you reloaded it could be lessened.
I guess it would be up to you to decide about cost difference between getting a 9mm 1911 built to shoot bullseye v/s a used PPC 9 and setting it up. The PPC 9s are very reliable and ammo friendly, BUT Im not sure if S/W can do much with them these days. As long as the bushing is good most other parts can be found. I only know of 1 guy who broke his trigger messing with the set screws, outside of that loose bushings is about it.

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Given your injury and the desire to improve your CF scores while reducing recoil, you might be better off looking into the Pardini 32 Bullseye Pistol.
It's purpose built for American 2700 shooting.
Lots of options in configuration (barrel length, weights, sights, fantastic adjustable trigger, etc.)
Plus, it's popular and in production. Service and parts are readily available. Pardini USA customer service is excellent.

The attached image is the 6" optic model (available in .22 & .32), but can be had in 5" and/or with just iron sights.
There's also an aftermarket brass catcher that attaches to the magazine base. Very nice perk that let's you stay focused on shooting and saves extra time & effort.

Jim

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The 52's are sweet shooting guns, I don't have one but I have shot a friends and would love to have one. Check out the Bullseye-L Forum forum there is a lot of info on 52's and 1911's in 38 special. A nice 1911 built by a bulls eye smith will cost you north of 4k if you can find one. There are also Colt NM 1911's in 38 special but they are not the traditional 1911 action. Some bullseye shooters are also messing around with downloaded 38 supers.

Model 52’s are a pleasure to shoot but require more emphasis on follow through due to the low bullet velocity and slow cycling speed. The big plus is that mastering the 52 has improved my performance with my other pistols.

FWIW from an old 2700 shooter , 9mm recoil will be too snappy as you state 45 is too much . Assuming you shoot outdoors with 50yd SF a 38 Super 1911 would be a good possibility as it can be downloaded with acceptible accuracy , will shoot lead accurately ( something a 9mm will not do @ 50yds ) & can be as soft shooting as a 38 Special . 38 Special @ 50yds forget the 52 , 1911 with proper twist barrel or your K38 with a custom tube will be much more competitive . 32 S&W same deal with barrel twist being too slow for 50yds , 32acp has shown promise enough that it's being offered as factory chambering .
Normally I'd tell someone to just shoot the 45 as you must shoot it anyway . It makes a bigger hole , loves lead . More trigger time one can get with it the quicker they'll master it .
Something I found to be a great help was shoot a conversion for 22 . Make trigger as close to your wadgun as possible . Scores will suffer initially , but once you become acustom to same trigger pull ( 3.5lbs ) scores will pick up . Where it'll really payoff is your 45 scores . Why ? Because you learned to focus on trigger control , one trigger to learn is easier than 3 different ones .
IMHO a 38 Super 1911 if you insist on a CF gun or rebarrel / build a K38 with a faster twist barrel , add a reddot etc. BTW longtime Womens Champ Ruby Fox shot a Bob Marvel built 38 Super , to great effect I might add .

Will the NEW Clark barrel for the 52 get you to the 50 yard line? Clark built the barrel with a different twist rate.

My suggestion is to buy a 52 and sell it if you don't like it. it's delightful to shoot and my 952 9mm just doesn't have the same "feel" as it's 'snappier' in recoil and the gun feels like it has a higher profile(even if it may not)
only downside is the cost of mags but once you have 2-3 you're good to go and they're always worth what you pay for them.
larry in reno

I remember working at a small shop in 1974 and a customer ordered six factory mod-52 mags. I picked them up at the dist. What in the world would somebody want with six spare mags?
He had just bought a brand new 52 with two mags.
Please take me back in time!

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

A model 52 with two magazines is your cheapest option. I guarantee you will improve your scores over a revolver. Remember the gun demands follow through.

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Made it, Ma! Top of the world!

No doubt the 52 magazine market has gone bananas. When I take one of my 52’s to the range, it’s a safe bet the pistol is worth a grand. However I bring ten magazines with me, so the entire package is worth a wee bit more.

I have lots of target autos and revolvers. The one I take to the range most often is a Nighthawk Enforcer in 9mm. Very accurate, quick reset on trigger and gentle on my cripple hands.

The 52 only makes sense if you only shoot @ 25yds or less , ditto a Euro pistol in a 32 caliber . If you shoot outdoors with a 50yd Slow Fire you'll find neither will suffice . All this assumes OP actually wishes to compete . They do however make a fine training tool in that if shooters technique is lacking , it'll provide immediate feedback . IMHO I find it squirms around in TF / RF & without barrel weight is like trying to hold a willow wand still . I'd never shoot mine in competition , I know better .

When I had a decent range and club to go to I bought an F.Bob Chow 45 an Officers Model Match and a 41 with a Packmeyer Box. I was all set.
First match I entered, I was positioned next to the club champion and he just used the 52 and I never paid attention after that. I couldn't even hit paper at 50 yds. I had fighter pilot eyes and was almost crying out of them. He was like a machine. That's when reality hit me. I was a fair hand with a rifle but couldn't hit a lick with the pistols beyond 25 yds. At least I knew that it wasn't an equipment issue...

The Clark barrel is supposed to be the solution for using the 52 at 50 yards.