52-2 converted to 9mm?

[Jeppo]

No idea how to search the forum for prior discussions of this topic.

Anyone tried this? I’m under the impression 9mm barrels have been produced in the past. I’m also wondering whether anyone has tried 39 or 59 slides on a 52.

 

[Greyman50]

IIRC saw a 952 at a show few years ago, 9mm version of 52?

 

[Heymatt]

This is from Sevens on a previous thread:
We’ve heard of the existence of these before and as far as I can recall, they almost always end up being some in-house creations that end up out in the wild as a result of something an employee did for himself or something special made for some VIP, but no, never anything that an average customer or even a stocking dealer could call up and order.

If the 52 had continued on past 1993, we might have seen the Performance Center doing things like this, because they did things very much along the same lines with PC guns of the day.

Found this searching “52-2 conversion”

 

[AJ]

I have a friend that owns a 52 that belonged to the Illinois State Police Pistol Team. When he bought the pistol a Model 39 upper came with the gun. The story is that their armorer had gotten the upper and modified them to function on the 52 frames. The one he has fits and works, nowhere near as accurate as when set up as a 52 though.

 

[824tsv]

Here you go:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...52-2-9mm-slide-bbl.html?607979=#post140635413

 

[H Richard]

The performance Center 952 was available in a couple different variations. If you had $2500 to $4000 you could buy one.

 

[Jim Watson]

Yeah, I feel that I missed the boat on the 952-0. Lots less interest after they added the grip safety.

 

[smitholdtimer]

Sounds Very Interesting

Hope you and all the S&W Semi-Auto gurus learn that there is something we can try if it is feasible and actually works. I am not a re-loader so am not able to make my own .38 Special Wadcutter ammunition. By the way "GURUS" is meant to be a compliment.

 

[Jeppo]

I’m not convinced

Hope you and all the S&W Semi-Auto gurus learn that there is something we can try if it is feasible and actually works. I am not a re-loader so am not able to make my own .38 Special Wadcutter ammunition. By the way "GURUS" is meant to be a compliment.

I also don’t reload and that’s one of the motivations for trying to solve this conundrum. My 52-2 is a sensational gun and the idea of being able to load “readily available” (whatever that means today) ammo is tempting.

Motivated by a mutual friend in South Carolina, I’ve spent the afternoon trying various other “top ends” on the 52 frame. A 39-2 slide fits, the gun hand cycles perfectly, it feeds and ejects 9mm snap caps (from the 39 magazine) and fires a pencil almost to the ceiling.

However, it seems to me the 52’s accuracy results not only from the amazing trigger but also the barrel to slide and bushing fit. So, while I suppose this Frankengun might actually function, I’d be afraid I’d be disappointed by the accuracy.

 

[AJ]

Hope you and all the S&W Semi-Auto gurus learn that there is something we can try if it is feasible and actually works. I am not a re-loader so am not able to make my own .38 Special Wadcutter ammunition. By the way "GURUS" is meant to be a compliment.

Do you know anyone who does reload? Ask to use their press. If you can find components then you are in business. Most reloaders will be glad to teach you and there is always YouTube.

 

[gmborkovic]

Im still looking for a 52 in .30 Luger and 38AMU.
Anybody see one or have onw, pls. PM me. Mike

 

[6string]

WHY????

This came up in a thread a few months ago.

The whole idea is absurd.

Just about EVERY gun shop in the nation has dumpster loads of 9mm handguns. It's almost to the point where it's only thing you can get! Do we really need to be converting guns just to have yet one more 9mm?
If you want a 9mm, go buy a 9mm!!

Please leave something like a nice model 52 to the guys who do reload 38 and who may actually be target shooters!!

 

[smitholdtimer]

Hello 6string

I cannot speak for jeppo but in my mind I was thinking of something similar to the .22 LR Rifle conversion kit for the M-1911A1. Not intending to make any permanent alterations just something to facilitate having a duel caliber handgun as accurate firing the 9mm as with the .38 Special. I would think it to be sac-religious to permanently alter the M-52.

I attempted to clarify my thinking by editing the original post

 

[AJ]

To get a .22 upper for a 39/52 frame would take some serious money. While some of the owners of these pistols may opt for a conversion unit, I do not think there would be enough interest in it to may it cost effective. If you want the one frame, several uppers concept look to the Eaa Witness pistols. A friend has several uppers that will fit on one frame.

 

[colt_saa]

saw a 952 at a show few years ago, 9mm version of 52?

A 952 is not a Model 52 in 9mm.

It is an accurized Model 39

Now the 952 is a very attractive pistol on it's own. That just does not give enough of a return on the investment necessary when buying one.

However, it seems to me the 52’s accuracy results not only from the amazing trigger but also the barrel to slide and bushing fit. So, while I suppose this Frankengun might actually function, I’d be afraid I’d be disappointed by the accuracy.

Exactly.

There have been several folks that have made the Model 39 slide work, but it was just not satisfying enough

 

[Greyman50]

The performance Center 952 was available in a couple different variations. If you had $2500 to $4000 you could buy one.

A guy I knew in Va. that had a reloading business had one at a show. I was buying some 38 wadcutters and mentioned the 52. He said look at this and pulled his from under the table. Remember asking him how accurate it was, he said close to a .38. Thats been back quite a few years. Said it was “ cheaper” to load for. Don’t think I asked what projectile he used. BTW, this guy had plenty of $$$$, lol.

 

[Green Frog]

To get a .22 upper for a 39/52 frame would take some serious money. While some of the owners of these pistols may opt for a conversion unit, I do not think there would be enough interest in it to may it cost effective. If you want the one frame, several uppers concept look to the Eaa Witness pistols. A friend has several uppers that will fit on one frame.

Pachmayr sold just such a conversion unit many years ago; IIRC it was something they copied from or marketed for some outfit in Germany. I've got one in the basement, but I've never had it on my 52-2.

From the advertisements, it should just be a field strip and reassemble operation to make the conversion. I don't know about the level of accuracy, but the same company also made the same style kit for a Colt Gov't Model.

Froggie

 

[AJ]

Pachmayr sold just such a conversion unit many years ago; IIRC it was something they copied from or marketed for some outfit in Germany. I've got one in the basement, but I've never had it on my 52-2.

From the advertisements, it should just be a field strip and reassemble operation to make the conversion. I don't know about the level of accuracy, but the same company also made the same style kit for a Colt Gov't Model.

Froggie

Would like to see it if possible. Thanks for the info.

I have Colt Conversion Unit for my Gold Cup. Bought them both from my LGS. Had come in through the door.

 

[RWJ]

Pachmayr sold just such a conversion unit many years ago; IIRC it was something they copied from or marketed for some outfit in Germany. I've got one in the basement, but I've never had it on my 52-2.

From the advertisements, it should just be a field strip and reassemble operation to make the conversion. I don't know about the level of accuracy, but the same company also made the same style kit for a Colt Gov't Model.

Froggie

It may have been Peters-Stahl (?) or something like that.

 

[donk52]

9mm magazines are rather loose in a 52