What S&W 9mm semi is going to give me Model 52 accuracy?

[Al W.]

Kind of dreaming out loud and wonder if its possible.
I shoot several different pistols.
Semi Auto and revolver. I'm shooting my 9mm DW PM9, a 38sp M51, a 22lr High Standard Trophy, a S&W 422 and M14 and M15 revolvers . I'm also practicing with a few .380 but they don't count.
I'm shooting bullseye style.
I was at the range today and its the same thing every time.
My S&W model 52 outshoots everything else in my pistol box.
I have a pretty good 1911 style 9mm and its OK but not in the class of the M52 in terms of my ability to shoot 10's.
My 9mm isn't a S&W its a DW.
I was wondering if you S&W guys have a recommendation of a 9mm S&W that approaches the M52 for accuracy.
S&W has a few different 9's that have the same superficial styling but do they have any that have the same accuracy ?
Is this the impossible dream. I know the rounds are not in the same ball park ballistically but there are no dumb questions right?

 

[350mag]

The 952 looks like a good one.


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[Al W.]

The 952 looks like a good one.


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Yeah good call , might be a trick to find one though...

 

[kidcom]

You can't beat a 952 but finding one is anther matter. Good luck....

 

[Sevens]

952's are not difficult to find. The largest marketplace for them is Gunbroker and they appear there often.

You are not likely to take one home for less than $2,000. Most go a little higher than that.

 

[Stentor]

PPC 9 long slide or 952 long slide should do the trick.

 

[Al W.]

952's are not difficult to find. The largest marketplace for them is Gunbroker and they appear there often.

You are not likely to take one home for less than $2,000. Most go a little higher than that.

None on there today..

 

[Stentor]

None on there today..

There is a 952-2 5" currently listed; and several that were listed/sold over the last month.

 

[z4lunch]

Don't forget about the 3566.)
Steve

 

[-db-]

My "Poor man's 9mm 52", a Model 539:

 

[Al W.]

There is a 952-2 5" currently listed; and several that were listed/sold over the last month.

At $3,995 in nickle . I'll have to pass. A shooter would do me fine.

 

[Al W.]

My "Poor man's 9mm 52", a Model 539:

Yes , this is the right idea. That 4" barrel will do pretty well at 25 yards . Not a bad idea.

 

[M29since14]

From reading your post, I’d say start saving for a 952. My own choice would be a Premier II from Les Baer, but apparently you shoot the Model 52 type gun very well, so I would stick with finding a 952.

I mention the Premier II only because I’ve really enjoyed mine. It’s a .38 Super that has had an additional 9x19 barrel fitted. I’m not familiar with your Dan Wesson, but I thought those guns had a good reputation for accuracy. Is your gun in need of a tune-up? A new barrel and/or some trigger work will be cheaper than a new gun.

 

[TAROMAN]

Not a bad idea.
This one did well after a replacement top end thanks to NYTEMAN44:

 

[colt_saa]

Kind of dreaming out loud and wonder if its possible.
I shoot several different pistols.
Semi Auto and revolver. I'm shooting my 9mm DW PM9, a 38sp M51, a 22lr High Standard Trophy, a S&W 422 and M14 and M15 revolvers . I'm also practicing with a few .380 but they don't count.
I'm shooting bullseye style.
I was at the range today and its the same thing every time.
My S&W model 52 outshoots everything else in my pistol box.
I have a pretty good 1911 style 9mm and its OK but not in the class of the M52 in terms of my ability to shoot 10's.
My 9mm isn't a S&W its a DW.
I was wondering if you S&W guys have a recommendation of a 9mm S&W that approaches the M52 for accuracy.
S&W has a few different 9's that have the same superficial styling but do they have any that have the same accuracy ?
Is this the impossible dream. I know the rounds are not in the same ball park ballistically but there are no dumb questions right?

There is no 9MM pistol that has been offered for sale from Smith and Wesson that will give you Model 52 Performance

While I found my 952 to be superior to a production gun, it was not the outstanding shooter that the Model 52 is.

I would call it more of an accurized model 39 than a successor to the Model 52 blood line. However, I do think the Model 952s are very attractive looking auto loaders.

The same goes for the PPC9, 5906PC, 3566 Limited and all the other target variations of double stack model 59 lineage.

They are all superior to their production brethren just like the Model 952, but they are not successors to the Model 52

The closest pistol in the Smith and Wesson lineup that approaches the Model 52's legendary performance that I have found so far is either of the Model 845 variations

Obviously that is a 45 ACP firearm and not a 9MM

 

[Sevens]

There is simply going to be a LOT of conjecture in this discussion, there's no way around that. My point is basically that we will have a strong collection of opinions and experiences here but not solid answers.

I would say that I have genuine trouble agreeing completely with what colt_saa posted -- generally... but what's interesting is that my experience comes extremely close to what he's said!

I have a number of PC 9mm pistols and my shooting bro has a few more and we too have not matched our 845's ability with them yet.

It seems to me that the pistols themselves are 100% absolutely built to the same standards (I mean the 952's, PPC-9's, my SD-9 and the 845's) but the 845's are easier to put down tighter groups.

The 52's are pure pleasure but my experience with my small group of them has mirrored what so many have said over the years, these pistols are difficult to shoot at a top-level absolutely every single time. I love them but there are reasons that Bullseye competition shooters moved beyond 52's.

Forgetting all the models for just a second... we must admit that shooting tight groups with a .38 Wadcutter and it's 12,000-14,000 PSI cartridge which is legendary for accuracy is just hard to keep up with... especially with a 9mm running 2.5 times the pressure and a bullet that has nowhere near the accuracy potential of a swaged, hollowbase wadcutter.

I won't be able to find the right words to profess my love for my S&W Performance Center pistols, they are what I love most in firearms. But thousands of rounds in, I can still outshoot my three 9mm-chambered PC guns with my Tanfoglio Elite Match 9mm.

I am NOT DONE TRYING YET, and while the results aren't what I thought they would be (so far), it's been a lot of fun working at the task.

Back to the original question...
The 952 is most definitely the closest 9mm chambered S&W that offers an experience and performance like the classic Model 52. But God Bless you if you can outshoot a 52 with a 952. But quite simply... I believe you'll struggle to do that with -ANY- 9mm pistol made.

 

[boatbum101]

9mm accuracy especially @ 50yds does not come cheap . Current prices for a nationally known 'smith to build either a 1911 or M9 match pistol will run 2,800 to 3,500 dollars , but the gun will be guaranteed to shoot 10 round groups of 1 1/2" @ 50yds . 9mm has to be pushed 1100fps or faster for best accuracy & is a major PITA to load for to get that kind of accuracy repeatably . Jacketed bullets , new or 1X fired brass only etc . One can build a 38 Super that'll shoot lead bullet slower loads with same accuracy . Semi-custom guns that might be close are either Rock River or Les Baer 1911's . 9mm barrel twist vary from 1 in 10 to as slow as 1 in 32 . Depends on bullet weight & distance you shoot . For target accuracy from a semi - auto 38 Super & 45acp are much easier to get that kind of accuracy .

 

[Sevens]

Other items of note...
The one single live 952 up now is up simply because someone a few weeks ago paid NUTBAR money for a 952 on Gunbroker and this seller listed this one the next day. It costs very little to list a gun perpetually with a sky-high price and this same seller did exactly the same thing a couple years ago with a 6-inch long slide 952 after a similar event. It was perpetually listed for over a year and yeah... eventually it also sold for a very high price.

In other words... that particular one is NOT the real market for the 952. And it isn't nickel, it is stainless. The real market is as I said above... $2000 and up depending on which 952 and it's condition and what's included. If you are truly interested in owning a 952, being diligent on Gunbroker WILL you net you a 952 in the price range I quoted.

Meanwhile, if you just want a seriously accurate 9mm pistol, there are other options. As I said, I have had amazing results with the Tanfoglio Elite Match and you can nail down one of those for under $800. The CZ Tactical Sport also has a helluva reputation for accuracy and ability, cost you about $1100. The newest Sig P210A is disappointing Sig 210 purists but it's making other casual buyers quite happy, it'll probably run you $1600 or so.

 

[Al W.]

Other items of note...
The one single live 952 up now is up simply because someone a few weeks ago paid NUTBAR money for a 952 on Gunbroker and this seller listed this one the next day. nail down one of those for under $800. The CZ Tactical Sport also has a helluva reputation for accuracy and ability, cost you about $1100.

I've got 12 hundred in my CZ PM9
Don't think its a bad gun but its not on the level of the 52.
At least I can't shoot it as well. By a long shot.
A member offered me a 952 in blue , that he was asking 3k for.
Too much for a production gun.
Hell 52's are going for 12 hundred , but its an obsolete gun.
I get that , but still 3k ?
I know I prefer the look and feel of a S&W.
No doubt the 952 is a ripping gun.

 

[Al W.]

There is simply going to be a
The 52's are pure pleasure but my experience with my small group of them has mirrored what so many have said over the years, these pistols are difficult to shoot at a top-level absolutely every single time. I love them but there are reasons that Bullseye competition shooters moved beyond 52's.

Forgetting all the models for just a second... we must admit that shooting tight groups with a .38 Wadcutter and it's 12,000-14,000 PSI cartridge which is legendary for accuracy is just hard to keep up with... especially with a 9mm running 2.5 times the pressure and a bullet that has nowhere near the accuracy potential of a swaged, hollowbase wadcutter.

I won't be able to find the right words to profess my love for my S&W Performance Center pistols, they are what I love most in firearms. But thousands of rounds in, I can still outshoot my three 9mm-chambered PC guns with my Tanfoglio Elite Match 9mm.

The fact is the ballistics favor the 38sp over the 9mm.
In fact , I don't love the 9mm round. It hasn't impressed me , but target shooting is my hobby so the quest continues.