Would like to converse with the Mod 52 expert. Just got one Sunday and my info. is coming up short. Mike 2796
Who is the Mod 52 go to guy?
- Thread starter gmborkovic
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2015
- Messages
- 1
- Reaction score
- 0
S & W model 52 Manual
Would you know where I could find a manual for a S&W Model 52? My father recently passed and left his Model 52 to me. I
Would you know where I could find a manual for a S&W Model 52? My father recently passed and left his Model 52 to me. I
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2007
- Messages
- 27,669
- Reaction score
- 21,351
Member linde knows quite a bit. A manual may be found with a Wanted to Buy ad here.
CelticSire
US Veteran
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...102-wanted-scan-model-52-1-owners-manual.html
Try T-Square, he may be able to help
The owner manuals are usually useless, they are 90% designed to prevent the manufacturer from being sued when you do something stupid. Google should be able to find one for you. I would think Brownells might have one. It will have a blow up parts diagram and part numbers along with limited disassembly instructions but you should be able figure that out anyway.
rog8732
US Veteran
You might get more information if you state your concerns and questions to the semi-auto forum in general, but this forum no doubt has an expert or two on anything Smith& Wesson.
Don't think I know a REAL expert that will step forward with that declaration..... Kinda like asking for the most handsome guy in the room to step forward. The one that does, probably "ain't".
I know, for instance, they are a refined version of the S&W model 39; in two or three "dash" variations. They came new with a special bushing wrench and two magazines; that are restricted to only one type bullet nose profile, of a maximum five per magazine.
That bullet is a flush seated .38 special, flush seated to the mouth of the case.
Most, (not all) functioned flawless....Seems I heard, not all (??) parts are interchangeable within the "dashes", but I can not testify to that.
The dash 2 seems to be the most prevalent when they come up,(rarely) for sale; they were/are considered by most "bullseye" competitors to be the most accurate center fire semi-auto handgun ever produced for the masses.
By "centerfire", I refer to the older matches where the competition consist of 3 gun, rimfire-centerfire-big bore. That type match is seldom seen these days, and anyway, the middle,or "centerfire" part began to allow the "big bore" pistols to be used in both, which; to my mind has contributed to the profound development of the 1911 types, as one of, if not the most, accurized, (and accurate) of all handguns in a centerfire cartridge.
As the use of .32 and .38 handguns in the centerfire portion of the old matches began to wane, so did the further development of the pistols that were set up for them. This includes Colt's version, the Colt MK III National Match Mid-range .38 special; as well as the various Match Target revolvers by Smith, Colt, and others.
The model 52 is considered a good buy lately, at any price below a thousand "duckies", and spare mags will be upwards, of 75 of said duckies,(if found).
The more accurate loadings were low velocity HBWC, "match target" ammo and are the most expensive of '38 special ammo; but likely the easiest to reload.
Beyond that, all I know about the 52 is: I want one, I have shot several, I'm glad you got one, and I wish it had been me.
The last one I saw for sale at a gunshow,(2013) was a dash 1,seemingly new in the box with an asking price of $1800.00. I "oogled" and "drooled" but did not make an offer.
As for the "expert" comment. If you put all the experts over yonder on the westward horizon, and then look over to the eastern, "non-expert" group; I'll be over on the eastern side,... with the larger crowd.
Don't think I know a REAL expert that will step forward with that declaration..... Kinda like asking for the most handsome guy in the room to step forward. The one that does, probably "ain't".
I know, for instance, they are a refined version of the S&W model 39; in two or three "dash" variations. They came new with a special bushing wrench and two magazines; that are restricted to only one type bullet nose profile, of a maximum five per magazine.
That bullet is a flush seated .38 special, flush seated to the mouth of the case.
Most, (not all) functioned flawless....Seems I heard, not all (??) parts are interchangeable within the "dashes", but I can not testify to that.
The dash 2 seems to be the most prevalent when they come up,(rarely) for sale; they were/are considered by most "bullseye" competitors to be the most accurate center fire semi-auto handgun ever produced for the masses.
By "centerfire", I refer to the older matches where the competition consist of 3 gun, rimfire-centerfire-big bore. That type match is seldom seen these days, and anyway, the middle,or "centerfire" part began to allow the "big bore" pistols to be used in both, which; to my mind has contributed to the profound development of the 1911 types, as one of, if not the most, accurized, (and accurate) of all handguns in a centerfire cartridge.
As the use of .32 and .38 handguns in the centerfire portion of the old matches began to wane, so did the further development of the pistols that were set up for them. This includes Colt's version, the Colt MK III National Match Mid-range .38 special; as well as the various Match Target revolvers by Smith, Colt, and others.
The model 52 is considered a good buy lately, at any price below a thousand "duckies", and spare mags will be upwards, of 75 of said duckies,(if found).
The more accurate loadings were low velocity HBWC, "match target" ammo and are the most expensive of '38 special ammo; but likely the easiest to reload.
Beyond that, all I know about the 52 is: I want one, I have shot several, I'm glad you got one, and I wish it had been me.
The last one I saw for sale at a gunshow,(2013) was a dash 1,seemingly new in the box with an asking price of $1800.00. I "oogled" and "drooled" but did not make an offer.
As for the "expert" comment. If you put all the experts over yonder on the westward horizon, and then look over to the eastern, "non-expert" group; I'll be over on the eastern side,... with the larger crowd.
M19-5
Member
Mark;
What are your concerns ?
Clarence
What are your concerns ?
Clarence
smithfan4152
Member
52
Hello, and welcome to the world of model 52s.
I have been shooting and collecting them for the past 10 years.
They are really the first of what is now the Performance pistols.
These were match grade out of the box, to shoot a certain size group at 50 yards. I will send you an article on the 52s, and also have many model 41 articles to share as well.
I would also be happy to share what I know of these, for some reason, I hit the target much better with this pistol than any other center fire I own.
Mid range is a big part of it, but the pistol does do the delivery part of it all.
My e-mail is in my profile, so contact me and I will forward you the info.
Hello, and welcome to the world of model 52s.
I have been shooting and collecting them for the past 10 years.
They are really the first of what is now the Performance pistols.
These were match grade out of the box, to shoot a certain size group at 50 yards. I will send you an article on the 52s, and also have many model 41 articles to share as well.
I would also be happy to share what I know of these, for some reason, I hit the target much better with this pistol than any other center fire I own.
Mid range is a big part of it, but the pistol does do the delivery part of it all.
My e-mail is in my profile, so contact me and I will forward you the info.
OP
Thank you for all posts. This is what I know:
1. Mod 52 Sept. 28, 1961 90 mfg.
2. 1,078 mfg. in 1962
3. Mod 52-1 May 13, 1963
4. Mod 52-2 1971
Please add and expand. Appreciate it. Mike 2796
1. Mod 52 Sept. 28, 1961 90 mfg.
2. 1,078 mfg. in 1962
3. Mod 52-1 May 13, 1963
4. Mod 52-2 1971
Please add and expand. Appreciate it. Mike 2796
The third edition of the Standard Catalog (Jim Supica and Richard Nahas) says that 3,500 of the no-dash 52s were mfg c.1961-1963; 52-1s 1963-1970 and 52-2s from 1971-1993. Last serial number was TZW9149 completed on 7/23/1993 and delivered to S&W gun vault.
Agree with everything he says--a few more comments--I had a 52-2 for a few years--you might even find some old posts of me here. "No dash" was the earliest, then the 52-1 then the 52-2.
The cartridge is called a "wadcutter" and guns that shoot them are often called "wad guns". completely flat nose bullet, flush with the end of the shell. Has an inverted cone base inside the shell. Reminton for one still makes this ammo. Box will say "38 Special / 148 gr. Wadcutter" on the end.
Accuracy--The only thing my gun was missing was the test fire target. Did some research and in the manual and the gun was guaranteed to keep 5 rounds in the 50 yrd. 10 ring off a machine rest before it was shipped--my manual did not give it in inches, so you'd have to measure an NRA 50 yard CF pistol bull to find out.
Next, they can have feed issues, just like a High Standard, you may have to adjust the feed lips of the magazine. One of my 6 mags fed the bullet nose high and the center of the slug hit the top the chamber--I slightly bent the top of the magazine feed lips inwards a few thou. and it was fine ever after.
Also, the 52-2 was the "good one". It had a modified extractor as the earlier versions were prone to break. I've heard from a few people that a Mod. 39 extractor can be made to fit, but don't have any leads on who does it, and I hear 39 extractors are now like hens teeth to find as well.
There was one guru, Jim Barta, aka RoadRunner, but he passed @ 2 years ago. Don't know anyone else at this time. His links for the Smith 52 are now gone nearest I can find.
They are incredibly accurate, but they can be bear to shoot well, again, IMHO. A "trick" I learned is to hold it in a very tight grip--worked for me. In fact, I'd heard two recommendations for this gun. 1) Run it wet, until the oil spatters your glasses. (An exaggeration I'm sure). 2) "Grip it like you were squeezing the oil out of it". I heard but am not sure that the tight hold was due to the low pressure round, which made the action cycle slowly and so you were subject to muzzle flip before the bullet left the barrel, slide action, and the need to keep a good followup hold as well.
eBay for an OEM manual, or Rediscovered Shooting Treasures for flawless reproductions--Here at these two links;
Backgrounds & Buttons
http://www.rediscovered-shooting-treasures.com/index.htm
Ultimately sold it as it was hard to shoot well and I modded my Beretta 92 for bullseye (like the current Army team guns, and I needed a 45 for pin shoots and needed the funds. Just didn't shoot it enough to keep it.
Do I regret selling it? You betcha! Just a gorgeous firearm--mine was complete with barrel weight, box, papers, 6 mags and all. Some day I'll look up the local guy I sold it to and see if he still has it and will sell it back to me.
Hope this helps
Steve
Last edited:
