Model 52C Sporter Re-issue at local gun show

[BB57]

I went to the local gun show today in Greenville NC, expecting to find pretty much nothing of interest. Local gun shows have devolved to mostly area or regional gun shops selling their new stock with very few of any collectible firearms, used firearms or military surplus firearms.

There was less than usual this show. There was the usual table with a few over priced Mosin-Nagants and a PSL that he keeps marking up higher at every show (up to $3400 now), and a guy with an over priced CYQ P.38, amongst the new firearms he buys off GB and tries to mark up and sell.

The vendor that usually draws me to the show (he normally has some surplus pistols, and the occasional nice military surplus rifle or collectible Winchester) wasn’t at the show at all. The forecast was typical southern “OMG it’s gonna snow and we’re all gonna die!!!” gloom and doom, while the actual weather was just a few snow flurries. But I suspect it kept some vendors away.

So…it was looking like a waste of effort and $7 for admission when I saw a Model 52 “reissue” sporter - a bit of wood and color in the middle of a long table of all black ARs, AKs and tactical shotguns.

On closer inspection it proved to be a Browning marked “C” Model in superb condition. There was one very small and almost Un noticeable handling mark on the bottom of the stock and a very small mark on the receiver from a scope mount base. I asked them if they had the bolt and the box and they did.

It had the or original Browning marked magazine as well as a set of Burris scope mounts. The vendor said it was out of the owner’s collection and was infired. No doubt unfired only on Sundays by a little old lady on her way to church. The bolt, bolt face and breech face suggested otherwise as there was a bit more wear and residue than you’d have just test firing but the round count was clearly still quite low.

If it had been the more common Winchester marked “B” version I may (or may not) have passed as I already have two of those, one of them with exceptional wood for a Model 52 reissue. But a I haven’t seen a C model reissue in the world in over a decade and I rarely see them on GB.

At $1149, the price was fair, if not a deal. There were only 2 relatively recent completed sales for Model 52 reissue sporters on GB, both Winchester marked B models with no box. One sold for $1126 (about what I would expect) and the other was (IMHO) over bid selling for $1585 with a Leopold M8 6x scope.

I took it home and went digging in the gun room where I found a Leopold 12x 40mm scope and a set of Burris Signature Zee rings with 25 MOA worth of inserts in them that I’d taken off something in the distant past. My other two Model 52 reissue sporters shoot 1.25 MOA 5 shot groups at 100 yards with SK Std Plus. This one should shoot as accurately and this set up should be near ideal for a 100 yard rimfire.






In may case, it’ll look good with my other two Model 52B reissue sporters.

Background wise, There were only 5,000 Browning marked Model 52”C” re-issues produced in 1991-1992, compared to 10,000 Winchester marked re-issue Model 52s made between 1992 and 1998.

The Browning marked rifles will be found with "BA" (rare) or "NZ" in the serial numbers, while the Winchesters will have"BS", "WBS", "NR-80" or "NP-80" in the serial number - going from earlier production to later production.

There were also a couple distributor specials and a commemorative version, all with fairly low production numbers and all Winchester marked:

400 - Winchester with Fajen Stock (maple stock), mfg. 1998
500 - Winchester Heavy Barrel With Satin Stocks, Mfg. for Zanders 1998
500 - Winchester Heavy Barrel With Gloss Stocks, Mfg. for Zanders 1998
1000 - Winchester Utah Centennial 1896-1996 Standard Barrel, Mfg. 1996

I *think* the 2,400 Winchester marked rifles above are included in the 10,000 total, with the Fajen and Zander dealer exclusives more or less rounding out and wrapping up production in 1998, but I could be mistaken on that.

The Zanders rifles are highly prized and will bring more money than a regular B or C. Eight or nine years ago when I was up on their prices, they were selling for around $1,500-1,800, compared to around $800 for the regular B and C rifles.

Similarly, the Fajen stocked rifles were bringing $1800-$2000 at the time, although I personally don't like the way they look.

The UT commemoratives have never seemed to bring much if any more than a regular 52B re-issue. The UT commemoratives all have "UT" in the serial number.

All the Zander heavy barrel Model 52 re-issues seem to have "NP-80" in the serial along with all the other final year (1998) rifles.

Even the regular Model 52 reissues have become much less common on the used market as owners seem to hold onto them. They are steadily rising in value and should continue to do so. They are very nicely finished, are generally good shooters and are arguably the best production quantity (15,000) .22LR sporters ever made.

I also have a Kimber 82 Classic and a Remington 541S and the Model 52 reissue sporters look better, feel better in the hand, and shoot better slightly better, although the Kimber comes close. The Remington 541S is plagued with a poorly designed plastic magazine.

[LVSteve]

Nice rifle and I learned some stuff.

1) I learned about the Model 52.

2) I learned that $1k+ .22LR rifles are a thing.

[woodsltc]

Congrats on finding a very, very nice rifle.......thanks for the info and sharing of the pics.

Don

[BB57]

Originally Posted by LVSteve

Nice rifle and I learned some stuff.

1) I learned about the Model 52.

2) I learned that $1k+ .22LR rifles are a thing.

LOL, yes they are a thing.

- Kimber 82 Classics will sell anywhere fsdfdz $1200-$1800;
- Remington 541S and 541T rifles will sel for around $1200;
- Ruger 77/22s come close at around. $800-900; and
- the less common boat paddle 77/22 models will sell for more than $1000.

All of them share the same common trait of being adult proportioned .22 LR bolt action rifles that are well made, with the 77/22 less so than the others.

The Winchester 9422s will sell for $1100-1600 depending on the variant and they are also both adult proportioned, and very well made.

The Model 52 reissue sporter rifles are bargains compared to the original Winchester Model 52 Sporters. They will sell for anywhere from $3500 to $6500.

[SS336]

Very nice Model 52 reissue you have there. Great rifle, high end .22 bolt actions are an addiction. An expensive one. 😎😁
When you find the right ammo they are amazing shooters.
Never had a Winchester but have had 3 Kimbers. 2 Oregon and 1 Yonkers.
My NY Kimber will shoot 1” of less with Wolff Match at a 100yds. It really is amazing how accurate a .22rf can be on a calm day.
A good friend of mine shoots .22rf benchrest . His rifle is amazingly accurate. Pretty much one hole at 50yds.
Reading conditions is the key to success for sure.
Wish you lived closer, would be fun to get together and wring them out at 100yds. That would be fun!

[350mag]

Thanks for the information on the 52 reissue. Mine has NZ serial number and is stamped M 52 with no B or C. I fitted it with a reissue 7/8” 6x Leopold Steel tube Alaskan scope in Browning rings and bases. Darn mouse chewed most of the label off the box in the basement.
I got a M 42 Browning reissue around the same time in the early nineties.


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[BB57]

Originally Posted by 350mag

Thanks for the information on the 52 reissue. Mine has NZ serial number and is stamped M 52 with no B or C. I fitted it with a reissue 7/8” 6x Leopold Steel tube Alaskan scope in Browning rings and bases. Darn mouse chewed most of the label off the box in the basement.
I got a M 42 Browning reissue around the same time in the early nineties.

On the original Winchester Model 52 rifles, the difference between the “B” and “C” target rifles was the switch to the “Micro motion” trigger on the C model. The relatively rare original Winchester Model 52 B Sporters and Model 52 C Sporters had a different stock shape and that’s the difference reflected in the “B” and “C” reissue Sporters and the reason for the informal distinction, even though none of them are marked “B” or “C”.

The barrel, actions and triggers on both the “B” and “C” reissue rifles are identical except for the roll marks. In a Model 52 forum you are likely to see both of them referred to as the “Model 52R” to reflect the “reissue” status.

The Browning marked reissue rifles have the "C” style stock with a mild monte-carlo comb and a larger cheek-piece. The Winchester marked “B” reissue rifles have the older “B” style straight comb with a smaller cheek-piece and a bit of drop in the comb.





The Winchester “B” model Sporter also has a screw in the forearm to adjust forearm pressure on the barrel that isn’t present on the Browning marked “C” model. You’ll also notice a very slight difference in forearm tip profiles.



Another difference is found in the butt plates. The Winchester marked “B” has a Nieder style checkered steel butt plate with a widows peak inletted into the stock. The Browning marked “C” rifle has a conventional shotgun style plastic butt plate.



The additional butt plate detail and fore end screw arguably make the Winchester “B” re-issue rifles a little fancier, but only 5000 of Browning “C” rifles were made compared to 10,000 of the Winchester “B rifles, so they are less common. Overall, both the B and C are very well made and are very nice looking rifles.





The B reissue above has exceptionally nice wood for the type, as generally both the Winchester and Browning marked re-issue Model 52 Sporters have pretty standard straight grain wood, typically found on Winchester rifles historically, unless high grade wood was specifically ordered.

In this picture, you can see the Browning marked “C” at the top with pretty average wood for the type. My two Winchester marked “B” rifles at the bottom show the range in stock figure that can be found. The center “B” rifle has the uncommonly nice wood. I’ve only seen three Model 52 Reissue rifles in person or on line over the last 20 years with that degree of figure in the stock. The “B” on the bottom has darker than normal straight grain wood and is one of the least inspiring Model 52 reissue stocks that Ali have seen.

[BAM-BAM]

Nice; old school and one to carry with pride..........congrats. .22s have a way of multiplying!! Shot Winchester 52s in High School (Rifle team) always wanted a sporter.

The selling prices took me a bit by surprise!

I've become a fan of the CZ rimfires the last 10-12 years... .22lr ,.22mag and .17hmr $300 to $600 for a 2008 453 Varmint .17hmr with the fluted barrel (new old stock about 5 years ago).

My last buy was before this latest round of craziness .... a used 452FS/mannlicher in .22mag for $500 which was the same price I paid for my first one in.22 mag. new in 2011.

Great shooters, old world style and good to exceptional wood!

[BB57]

Originally Posted by BAM-BAM

Nice; old school and one to carry with pride..........congrats. .22s have a way of multiplying!! Shot Winchester 52s in High School (Rifle team) always wanted a sporter.

The selling prices took me a bit by surprise!

I've become a fan of the CZ rimfires the last 10-12 years... .22lr ,.22mag and .17hmr $300 to $600 for a 2008 453 Varmint .17hmr with the fluted barrel (new old stock about 5 years ago).

My last buy was before this latest round of craziness .... a used 452FS/mannlicher in .22mag for $500 which was the same price I paid for my first one in.22 mag. new in 2011.

Great shooters, old world style and good to exceptional wood!

They do multiply.

I have a few vintage training rifles including:
- A Springfield 1922 M2 (with a low 4 digit serial number receiver and roll marks indicating it was one of the not so successful 1903 gallery practice rifles that was rebuilt by Springfield as a 1922 M2);
- A Remington 513;
- A Stevens 416; and
- A Winchester Model 52A.



Slightly newer is a Remington 541X, along with its sporter relative the 541S. The 541X is very accurate, while the 541S has always been a bit of a disappointment at around 1 3/4 MOA accuracy although it’s a nice sporter hindered only by a poor plastic magazine design:





I also have a Romanian M69 trainer:



My most modern trainer is a Kimber 82G, which I mostly use for long range plate shooting along with a Kimber 82 Classic, shown alongside a Model 52R:





My other two long range tactical trainer .22 LRs are a CZ 455 Varmint heavy and Bergara B14R. The CZ 455 outshoots the Bergara for about 1/3rd the cost:



I also have an Anshutz 64 Match that I put into a Master class stock as the original stock just didn’t fit me well. It does the bulk of my 3P and prone shooting and it shoots extremely well:



At the other end of the CZ spectrum I have a CZ 513 Farmer. It’s based on the 452 action but with a truly horrible trigger. However, for shooters who can manage a bad trigger, it’s actually the most accurate CZ I own:



I also have an early Ruger 77/22, a CZ 453 American, and both a Zastave Cz 99 Precision and the Remington Model 5 version of the same rifle:



I have a CZ 453 Varmint that rounds out both my CZ and sporter collections. It’s an interesting rifle with a tiger stripe stock and a matte finished receiver.

[BAM-BAM]

NICE group......


For decades a Remington 511X Scoremaster; that my Dad gave me for my 11th Christmas meet my .22lr needs. A couple of Ruger 10/22s came and went as "toys" until I got my first 10/22 International/mannlicher in the mid-90s.

I'm a sucker for Mannlicher stocks so when I saw a CZ 452FS in .22mag for just under $500 in 2011 I bought it for the stock not expecting anything special from a .22mag...... boy was I wrong!!

But the bulk of mine now are CZ 452s and the 453 Varmint...... all shoot way above their paygrade.... one hole at 50 and around MOA at 100. My first 452FS in .22mag will shoot under the crosshairs of it's 1-4X20 scope at 100 with many groups at/around .9

These earlier CZs FS, Trainers, Scout (for the Boys) and American are the best bang for the Buck going IMHO!

[bdGreen]

My beautiful Winchester Model 52B with Conetrol mounts and Leupold 2X-7X Variable Rimfire scope.

Enjoy,

bdGreen

Tap on image to enlarge.

[InTheWoods]

I am on my second Winchester 52r. The previous owner of the first one had messed up the stock somewhat, so I sold it (shouldn't have bought it in the first place). My present one was new in the box with serial number BS0005, the fifth one produced with the Winchester name on it. While the wood on it isn't great, it is above average for these guns.

I shoot this one quite a bit on my backyard 50-yard range. I took out the 'lawyer pin' from the trigger and now have usable pull. It wears a Leupold 3-9 x 40 AO scope. It is not the most accurate bolt rimfire I own, but does quite well. It is about on par with my CZ 452 (5-shot, 50-yard groups averaging .4 inch with CenterX), but not as accurate as my Sako Finnfire, Anschutz 1710, etc. I will not part with this 52r.

[RetCapt]

This has been an extremely interesting thread for me since I have a repro Winchester Model 52.

I too like full size .22 rimfire bolt action sporter rifles. I have always liked bolt action rifles. But since I am not a hunter, I don't really have any use for center fire bolt rifles. So I default to .22.

BB57 said that the repro 52s "...are arguably the best production quantity (15,000) .22 sporters ever made". Based on my limited observation and experience I agree.

That quality has both good and not so good sides to it.

The good side is these rifles exemplify the quiet elegance and class of walnut and blue steel impeccably done. Miroku has it nailed for fit and finish.

The not so good side is that I am almost paranoid about marking up this rifle, so it seldom comes out. I just don't want to mar perfection.

I have not tested this rifle for grouping ability. I had just started the barrel break-in process which I wanted to finish before group testing. But then life got in the way though so I have never finished that break-in.

Speaking of full size .22 bolt action sporters, since a couple of other posters have already broken the ice, I also have a Ruger 77/22. Mine is the varmint model, which means stainless steel and a laminate stock.

When I got mine, although I really wanted one, I was aware of the reputation of inconsistent grouping ability of these rifles. What I should have done was start testing the rifle to find out what ammunition it did and did not like, then have a plan to go from there. But that was too sensible an approach, so I immediately discarded it in favor spending money. Since I had had experience with Volquartsen, I put on their muzzle weighted barrel and installed their sear/spring assembly. I also put on a trigger shoe. The muzzle weighted barrel in the varmint stock resulted in the barrel floating. I decided to test it this way and then decide if I wanted to put in a support pad. To this day the barrel is still floating. The Vq sear/spring assembly brought the trigger down to a very smooth, crisp 1.5-2# pull. I sent the bolt to CPC in Ct for his bolt tightening procedure. I called Vq and asked about barrel break-in before group testing. Vq said the barrel was lapped, so fire 75 rounds of whatever I had, then get on with the testing.

The testing got interrupted because I had to help another shooter. What I did find out was that using low end target ammunition I could easily group well under MOA at 50 yards. And this was with a 3-9x scope. If I were to really do some work I am convinced that this is now a very exceptional sporter. I do not regret a dime of the loot I put into this rifle.

Admittedly the fit and finish are not in the league as my repro 52. But I like the stainless steel for its functional advantages. I also like the appearance of the laminated stock. I prefer the 77/22 bottom metal to the stamped 52 bottom metal.

I was/am so pleased with this rifle I even added some bling. The 77/22 varmint model does not come with a wrist cap. About the time I was customizing my 77/22, Ruger came out with a stainless steel version of the Model #1 centerfire single shot rifle. This one, being stainless, also had a laminate stock. But this stock had a wrist cap. In reading a couple of road tests of this rifle, the writers commented on this wrist cap, calling it the nicest one in the industry. I decided to order one to find out if it would work on the 77/22. It was perfect fit. So I made a rubber spacer and installed it. It looks as if it came on the rifle. It was a perfect finishing touch.

One other thing I like about the 77/22 is how strong it is. What was intended to only be a .22 LR rimfire rifle ended up being chambered for .357 and .44 magnum ammunition. I love things overengineered.

If/when I get the repro barrel broken in and get to do some comparative testing, the 52 is really going to have its work cut out for it to shoot with the 77/22.

Fortunately I own both, and that is not going to change.

[rockquarry]

I bought two of the Winchester 52B reproductions with consecutive serial numbers about twenty-five years ago from CDNN at good prices. Much of their stuff, back then at least, was closeout material at good prices, so these guns probably weren't real popular when originally marketed.

I put a Unertl scope on one rifle and had a ramp front sight and a Lyman aperture sight installed on the other. Both rifles are very accurate, but no better than a plain early Ruger 77/22 and a Ruger 77/22 laminate/ stainless steel "varmint" rifle (as someone already mentioned). I bought the Rugers before the Winchesters.

Anyone interested in good quality .22s would probably not go wrong with any of these .22s straight-out-of-the-box. I have no idea as to current prices.

I now use only CCI SV in all .22 handguns and rifles because it generally shoots very well in most any .22.

[BB57]

Originally Posted by rockquarry

I bought two of the Winchester 52B reproductions with consecutive serial numbers about twenty-five years ago from CDNN at good prices. Much of their stuff, back then at least, was closeout material at good prices, so these guns probably weren't real popular when originally marketed.

I put a Unertl scope on one rifle and had a ramp front sight and a Lyman aperture sight installed on the other. Both rifles are very accurate, but no better than a plain early Ruger 77/22 and a Ruger 77/22 laminate/ stainless steel "varmint" rifle (as someone already mentioned). I bought the Rugers before the Winchesters.

Anyone interested in good quality .22s would probably not go wrong with any of these .22s straight-out-of-the-box. I have no idea as to current prices.

I now use only CCI SV in all .22 handguns and rifles because it generally shoots very well in most any .22.

I recall seeing one new at Scheels around 1992. Very nice and I’d have bought it - except it was around $800 at the time. In terms of actual buying power, $800 then was roughly the same as $1665 today. I made about $25K a year then, so it was way over my budget.

I think it’s telling that the last 1400 of them went out the door as dealer exclusive models in 1998. It speaks strongly to them not selling well.

——

I have an early 77/22 and how well they shot really depended on luck of the draw barrel wise. 1973 to 1991 were the Wilson years and they were notoriously inconsistent when it came to accuracy.

My 77/22 wasn’t bad at about 1.75 MOA accuracy with Sk Std Plus or CCI SV, but it took some bolt shims, and a bedding job to make it shoot like my Model 52s out of the box (1.25 MOA 5 shot group accuracy).

Still, I’m a big fan of the wood and blue steel 77/22s. They are well made, are well proportioned and look good. Their used price suggests I’m not alone feeling that way as they seem to bring $800 or so in excellent condition.




———-

The CZ 452, 453 and 455 were all exceptionally good shooters for the money. My CZ 453 American, CZ 513, and CZ 455 Varmint a heavy are all solid 1 MOA 5 shot group rifles with SK Std Plus. My CZ 453 Varmint isn’t quite as consistent it will post some superb 1/2 MOA or slightly less groups, but those are offset by an equal number of 1.5 MOA groups.

——-

4-5 years ago the Zastava Cz99 precision could be found for around $175-$200 and they are also adult proportioned rifles that are very good shooters. Stocky’s bought up all of the Remington Model 5 left over stock inventory several years after Remington had stopped importing the rifle under its label, so for awhile you could get a Model 5 stock for a Cz99 for very little money. It let you replace the dark and fairly plain stock for under $50.

Zastava USA is the current importer, but the MSRP for the CZ 99 Precision (renamed the MP 22) is now $459, so it’s a bit more expensive than it was when it was imported by CAI.





The Zastava rifle has a very heavy receiver for the caliber and it’s very reminiscent of the Winchester Model 43. It’s ironic that Zastava seems to have largely copied a Winchester design, that Remington then imported and sold under its label for a few years as the Model 5 (along with the Zastava Model 70 Mauser and Model 85 Mini Mauser as the Remington 798 and 799).

[SF VET]

Back in about '95, I bought one of the Japanese 52 rifles, have a 4X Burris on it from then. It is an exceptionally accurate rifle with CCI Mini Mags. My barrel simply says Winchester 52, and my rifle has the adjustable trigger, which I have never "adjusted." I still have the box and manual for it. I can't recall exactly what I paid for it, I think something like $500 or so. Have since acquired about 6 magazines for it, all steel of course.

Will pass it down to my grandsons someday. Elegant rifles.

SF VET

[mauser9]

I see some awesome wood here. So refreshing for a change. And to think took it all for granted in the 60s-70s with these superbly built guns. thanks to all for the great pics of those classics.

[wundudnee]

Here is the Winchester's grandpa and grandma of the 52 sporting and target.

A mode 56 sporting and a model 57 target.

[ko41]

Thanks, BB57 for all the info on the 52 reissues.
I bought one of the Winchesters new in '94 and picked up a LNIB Browning about 15 years ago.






Having grown up shooting dad's Mossberg 44US, I have always been a fan of full-size blued steel and wood bolt action .22s

Some new, some old.

















KO