I will need an education on Model 52....Update 9/08/17 Update 9/13 Pics Update 9/19

625smith's rounds look a little different from mine, he trims his brass and I don't and we use different bullets.

Sorry I have no picture -- but if you look at mine directly from the side (no viewing angle in to case mouth) then my loaded 52 ammo looks absolutely no different then clean, empty brass. If you don't pick one up and you can't see case mouth, you would guess it was empty brass.

Nothing whatsoever sticks out from my brass.
 
625smith said:
Here are some of loaded rounds. A slight taper crimp is all that is needed.





My 52-1 likes 3.0 grs of W231 with 148 gr HBWC.

Click to expand...

Thanks, I put a few together last night to try in my revolver. Some with BE, some with HP38 and some with Titegroup. I taper crimped back to case OD size at the mouth. This is like having the 'cart before the horse' LOL Loading bullets for a gun I don't have yet LOL
Karl
 
Most pertinent things about the fine Model 52 have been covered very well in this thread. I don't know if anyone has mentioned it yet, but this pistol comes with a unique "dry-fire" feature. I used to compete in Bullseye matches (the genre the Model 52 was exclusively developed for) and, over time, settled for 2.9 grains of Bullseye as being the most accurate in my pistol.

As sort of an aside, years ago I read an account of a tester encountering a serious problem with hollow-base wadcutter bullets, when he experienced a part of the bullet getting lodged in the barrel, creating a potentially dangerous bore obstruction. I'm sure I still have this report somewhere and can recount it here should anyone be interested in it.
 
I am currently getting very tight groups at 25 and 50 yards out of my revos with a 138 gr. Bayou Bullets wadcutter. These are high quality polymer coated lead. I no longer have a M52 to test them with, someone who does may want to try a few.
 
Toolguy said:
I am currently getting very tight groups at 25 and 50 yards out of my revos with a 138 gr. Bayou Bullets wadcutter. These are high quality polymer coated lead. I no longer have a M52 to test them with, someone who does may want to try a few.
Click to expand...

Well I picked up some HB lead WC's and they shot great in my 686-3, seated flush, Titegroup, HP38 and BE.

I have just loaded up some Berrys DEWC's plated to try also with 3.1 of BE and some with 3.1 Titegroup and will see how they shoot seated flush.

It will be great to have a round that shoots well in my 686 and eventually in a Model 52:)
I will look into some of the offerings in Hytek coated DEWC's, I have shot Bayou and Missouri and Badman coated in other style bullets.
Karl
 
From all of the above discussion, I think I just may have to break out my 52-1 and try it. I got the gun in a trade deal about 25 years ago and it has sat in the safe, never seeing the light of day. I not a big revolver fan so lack of ammunition has been my excuse for not shooting it. I just may have to buy a box and try it. Maybe I'll surprise myself!
 
**UPDATE**

Whooweeee I am excited to say that I have secured a purchase on a Model 52-2 'A' prefix serial# gun from the original owner with: original box and tools, two mags, original and custom wood grips!!
I was patient, well at times inpatient but on a whim with a WTB listing I got the right contact and worked out the deal.

All the information that was shared was so very helpful and the positive input by the Model 52 owners of any version kept me very motivated to acquire one. Should be in my hands within a week, let the fun begin:) Now I need to develop my favorite or its favorite loads.

I'll share some pics when I get it, thanks again to all those who commented here and to those that contacted me via PM or emails with good things to share, greatly respected and appreciated.
Karl
 
donk52 said:
When you get it check the stamp on the bottom around mag well. If it's a c or an o, that would be one I built. congrats on the 52!
Click to expand...

Did you build any of the 52-1s?
Say, for instance, an early 1965 model with a slide that is "scratched up" to the tune of "1965 NRA Center Fire Pistol Champion"?

If so, I'd love to discuss this pistol with you.

To the OP, I bought my 52-1 from a buddy who never even shot it. He's a big 1911 fan who just couldn't fall in love with the feel of the Smith grip.
Even though I'm a big 1911 fan, I have no such qualms about the 52 grip.
And, the trigger is fantastic. The sights are fantastic.
S&W hit it out of the park with the 52 and 41.

I wanted one from the time I was 10 years old, until the time I was 44 years old.
I don't understand why anyone would ever sell one.

(goes to look at stamp on bottom of gun)
 
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Jaymo said:
Did you build any of the 52-1s?
Say, for instance, an early 1965 model with a slide that is "scratched up" to the tune of "1965 NRA Center Fire Pistol Champion"?

If so, I'd love to discuss this pistol with you.

To the OP, I bought my 52-1 from a buddy who never even shot it. He's a big 1911 fan who just couldn't fall in love with the feel of the Smith grip.
Even though I'm a big 1911 fan, I have no such qualms about the 52 grip.
And, the trigger is fantastic. The sights are fantastic.
S&W hit it out of the park with the 52 and 41.

I wanted one from the time I was 10 years old, until the time I was 44 years old.
I don't understand why anyone would ever sell one.

(goes to look at stamp on bottom of gun)
Click to expand...

I never worked on the 52-1's. I started fitting 52-2's about 1979 and switched over to building all of the other autos, 41's, 59's 39's about 1986 and built the very first batch of 645's.
 
The anticipation is killing me! LOL my 52-2 is to arrive today, hope to break away from work and pick it up then get some pictures up later this eve:) Also hope to find the markings that donk52 mentioned in hopes he is the one who built it.................more to follow later.....................
Karl

Got out to pick it up, quick look.............ohhhh my it's a beauty and it has the 'C' stamping on magwell so donk52 was the builder, how cool is that:) More to follow later tonight..............
 
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Well it's in my hands now!
Here are a few images to share.....
p2515992135-4.jpg


p2515992138-4.jpg


p2515992140-4.jpg


p2515992134-4.jpg


and the marking I was looking for 'C' for donk52 as the builder of this pistol!
p2515992128-4.jpg


p2516011899-4.jpg

p2516010749-4.jpg


Oh, and the trigger..........well it is truly amazing, I had a 1976 High Standard Citation Target 22 that had an amazing trigger but this Model 52 takes the cake, thanks Don:) (donk52)
If anyone has more to share on the labels please join in! Build date??

** I am looking for an owners manual for this gun**

Does anyone recognize these finger grips as to maker by chance? They are quite comfortable actually
Also, in ink on the end of the box in the blue is 501.90? Could that have been the price of this gun at that time??

This purchase was the result of a WTB on Armslist. It was just a matter of days when the seller contacted me, said he hadn't shot this gun in a ling time and he was going to put it up for sale, he was the original owner of it! Wasn't sure if he had the original grips he said, wasn't sure if he had two magazines he said............it all came together and I am impressed and excited!
A very special thanks to the original owner for taking such outstanding care of it:)

Karl
 
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That's awesome that a member here built that one. After seeing that, I had to check mine and it is marked with a 'K'!
 
Oh yeah, I remember that one! just kidding. That's a nice set of stocks on there. The trigger pull is one of the areas of fitting that requires finesse. there's a lot going on with trigger, drawbar, sear and hammer all having to wok together with no creep. Final adjustments are to the upper and lower trigger screws. There's a specific process to setting those too. The pulls are measured with special set of weights, spec is to pick up 2 lbs fire at 2.5 lbs. The 501.90 probably is the price. I remember that the model 52 was the highest priced stock gun sold at the time I was working there, $500. By the way I could never afford a 52. I was only making around 5 to 6 bucks an hour. I've never even fired one! Maybe I will soon get the chance since a friend of mine just bought one.
 
donk52 said:
Oh yeah, I remember that one! just kidding. That's a nice set of stocks on there. The trigger pull is one of the areas of fitting that requires finesse. there's a lot going on with trigger, drawbar, sear and hammer all having to wok together with no creep. Final adjustments are to the upper and lower trigger screws. There's a specific process to setting those too. The pulls are measured with special set of weights, spec is to pick up 2 lbs fire at 2.5 lbs. The 501.90 probably is the price. I remember that the model 52 was the highest priced stock gun sold at the time I was working there, $500. By the way I could never afford a 52. I was only making around 5 to 6 bucks an hour. I've never even fired one! Maybe I will soon get the chance since a friend of mine just bought one.
Click to expand...

You mean they all look alike? LOL
I looked at the distance of the trigger to the stop and thought, there is no way that can release the trigger in that short distance! Well I was way wrong.............and happy to be wrong:) Amazing!
If I didn't have to drive all the way across New York I would meet up with you for a greet and shoot. Well if I were retired I would make the drive to you but I am not retired..........yet.
Karl
 
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