Model 52-1 with German proof marks

[da172]

Hi everyone,

I have recently acquired S&W Model 52-1 with German proof marks of 1969. Serial number is 101389. What would be a production date? 1968 or 1969?

It is a beautiful pistol and shoots great if I'm not disturbing however with factory ammo available here (Poland) S&B .38 Special WC 148 grains it is not cycling well. Most of the time I have to manually pull the slide to complete the ejection and loading cycle. Is that an ammo issue (maybe too week) or is there some mechanical issue? If so - how to fix it?

Would post a pictures but do not know how ;-)

Regards

Daniel

 

[cherrypointmarine]

That's been discussed here before , but I'm guessing you don't know how to search . When my 52-2 was having the same problem it turned out to be the magazine spring . I'm sure others will jump in , it could be something else , but this was my experience .

 

[H Richard]

There is possibility the recoil spring has bee replaced and there is a too strong spring in place. Also check the cleanliness of the chamber. If too dirty or rough it can retard the ejection. Often a good cleaning can fix the problem. The gun should be set up to handle mild mid range loads. The old standard hand load is 2.8 gr of Bullseye with the flush set HBWC 148 gr..

There are some European based powders in the same burning rate that should work as well. If memory serves me right VV320 (?) is one.

 

[da172]

That's been discussed here before , but I'm guessing you don't know how to search . When my 52-2 was having the same problem it turned out to be the magazine spring . I'm sure others will jump in , it could be something else , but this was my experience .

Thanks for sharing your suggestion.
I actually have 2 magazines and the issue happens with both. Is it likely that both magazine springs are too weak?

 

[da172]

There is possibility the recoil spring has bee replaced and there is a too strong spring in place. Also check the cleanliness of the chamber. If too dirty or rough it can retard the ejection. Often a good cleaning can fix the problem. The gun should be set up to handle mild mid range loads. The old standard hand load is 2.8 gr of Bullseye with the flush set HBWC 148 gr..

There are some European based powders in the same burning rate that should work as well. If memory serves me right VV320 (?) is one.

Thanks H Richard.
I am not sure if anybody changed the recoil spring but if I wanted to get the proper one where shall I look?
Not easy to get parts for US arms in Europe.

 

[fjruple]

da172--

Original S&W 52 parts are like hen's teeth if you can find them. It sounds like someone changed out your recoil spring for standard 9mm recoil spring. Wolff Spring Company has replacements. If you go to their web site and look under S&W "Numbered" guns It will list all of the 9mm pistols. They list low powered spring 8lb springs that is what you want. Standard 9mm springs are 14lbs is probably what was put in your pistol by the previous owner and that probably why it does not function correctly and the reason why the previous owner sold the pistol. I do not know if Wolff will ship outside of the US. Good luck!! It is a great pistol!
PS-- The 9mm spring are the same diameter and size as the .38WC 52 springs except heavier in lbs.

 

[brians356]

The gun should be set up to handle mild mid range loads. The old standard hand load is 2.8 gr of Bullseye with the flush set HBWC 148 gr..
\

The commonly available factory 38 Spl wadcutter is Winchester 148 Grain Super Match Wadcutter. Lucky Gunner Lab lists chrono velocity (4-in barrel) at 764 fps. Is this cartridge considered a "mid-range" load appropriate for the Model 52-2?
-

 

[gmborkovic]

da172, Sir, try something that no body ever mentions. Take the mag apart
and clean. Look thru the empty shell to see just how dirty it is. Also check the mag spring for any major kinks. See if it will lay nice and flat on the work bench.