Revolver M65
Member
Hey I am looking for a 38. Spl pistol I don't know a lot about them or even if they were made I have been able to find very little on line does anybody know anything about this
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38. Spl Semi Auto ???
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forindooruseonly
Member
S&W made the Model 52 which is the only .38 special automatic they made. It was a premier target pistol in its day, and while it has fallen out of favor to the 1911 for bullseye work, it is still perfectly capable of competing. They only handle wadcutter bullets seated flush with the case, and the magazines hold 5 rounds. Single action only, and lighter springs for target work. Don't load to +p level, lol.
Not sure why you are looking for a .38 automatic. For target work, they are awesome. Not designed for any type of defense. I see them run around $800, but I wouldn't sell mine for that. It's one of my favorites.
Not sure why you are looking for a .38 automatic. For target work, they are awesome. Not designed for any type of defense. I see them run around $800, but I wouldn't sell mine for that. It's one of my favorites.
handgunner356
Member
The most common would be the model 52 S&W, there were some Colt 1911s' chambered for the .38 mid-range wadcutter but they were very limited. S&W made the the 52 up till '93 but more or less have replaced it with the 952 in 9mm. Designed for Centerfire Bullseye competition the 52 will either make you a better shooter or show you how bad you are.
civil1977
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Sounds like you're talking about the S&W Model 52. It is a 5-shot autoloader that shoots .38 S&W Special wadcutters only and was developed for the Centerfire portion of Bullseye competitions. The Model 52 came out in 1961 and was made until 1993 with two engineering changes......the 52-1 and 52-2.
Most collectors favor the older 52 and 52-1 while shooters favor the 52-2 due to the improved extractor design.
Here's my 52-2 from the mid 1970s.
a
Most collectors favor the older 52 and 52-1 while shooters favor the 52-2 due to the improved extractor design.
Here's my 52-2 from the mid 1970s.
forindooruseonly
Member
I did not know that. Learn something new all the time. Good grief, I shudder to think what one would cost.
Like new about $2000 for the MkII & III Nat'l Match Mid-range and $1650 for the Mk IV Series 70 Gold Cup NM.
Not only that but if I remember correctly, the original Colt 1911 set up used a special 0.38 which was semi-rimmed and known as the 0.38 AMU (Army Marksmanship Unit). I do not know if the Colt ever was made for the regular 0.38 Special WC like the M52. Coonan Arms have just reissued their 1911 version in 0.357 Magnum and there are "reports" that it will also chamber 0.38 Specials due to the head spacing on the rim. Dave_n
smith10
Member
Don't forget the Coonan arms 357 which can also run .38s.
civil1977
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Don't forget the S&W 52A, which was chambered in the .38 AMU for the military.
OP
Revolver M65
Member
Thanks
Thanks for all your great info I can always count on this site for that.
Thanks for all your great info I can always count on this site for that.
The Sig/ Hammeri P240 can be had in .38 SPL caliber, but one would have to have pretty deep pockets to buy one. They list for around $2,500. If you want something that will shoot accurately, the S&W will shoot rings around the Colt. There are some custom 1911's chambered in .38 SPL out there that come up on the used market for around $1,000; give or take a few hundred. Clark, Giles, Shockey, Dinan and Behlert are some names that come to mind.
forindooruseonly
Member
That's actually less than I expected. Still a big chunk of change though. Very cool, I'll have to keep a look out for those.
