52-2 converted to 9mm?

[Green Frog]

AJ,

Here is the Conversion Kit I mentioned. AFAIK, the gunsmith from whose estate I got it may have assembled it on his Model 52, , but it looks unused. Notice that he added a second magazine which, while different in finish, appears to have been chosen to match in function.
As for price, I’ve only seen one for sale (on Gun Broker) and it had an asking price commensurate to a rare collectible, which I guess is appropriate.

Froggie

 

[Green Frog]

RWJ,

You’re right… the company I was thinking of was Peters-Stahl, gmbh of Germany. I don’t know what if any the connection was back then.

Froggie

PS I did a quick Google search and Pachmayr did market the for P-S… but only for about a year or two, apparently.

 

[Model52guy]

S&W only made one model to shoot the 38WC cartridge. Everybody makes 9mm pistols. Why would you want to change a M52 to shoot 9mm?

 

[Green Frog]

This current thread isn’t the first one we’ve had here.

.22 conversion for 39

Froggie

 

[Green Frog]

S&W only made one model to shoot the 38WC cartridge. Everybody makes 9mm pistols. Why would you want to change a M52 to shoot 9mm?

In Germany there was a limit at one time of one each, handgun, rifle, and shotgun per citizen. The multi-caliber concept is a good one under those circumstances.

Froggie

 

[AJ]

AJ,

Here is the Conversion Kit I mentioned. AFAIK, the gunsmith from whose estate I got it may have assembled it on his Model 52, , but it looks unused. Notice that he added a second magazine which, while different in finish, appears to have been chosen to match in function.
As for price, I’ve only seen one for sale (on Gun Broker) and it had an asking price commensurate to a rare collectible, which I guess is appropriate.

Froggie

Something new to be on the hunt for! Thanks!

AJ

 

[Green Frog]

AJ,

Due to its rarity, the price on one of these conversions will approach that of a Model 41, so converting an already expensive Model 52 would probably be a money losing proposition for what would probably be just an OK performer. While I know there are some conversions that work great, I wouldn’t try to build my Bullseye battery around this one, YMMV.

My reason for posting this into the thread was to demonstrate what can be done, not necessarily what should be done.

Froggie

 

[824tsv]

I have a Pachmayr (Peters-Stahl) 1911-22 Conversion Unit. It’s nicely finished but it’s not Bullseye Competiton accurate.

 

[Green Frog]

There were/are quite a few “real” Bullseye quality 22 conversions for the 1911 platform… the military teams were developing them back in the ‘50s and ‘60s, IIRC. The Day, Kart, and other commercial versions also had their followings.

BUT the really competitive ones were closely fitted to a specific frame… it was not a simple “field strip and reassemble” process in most cases. Bullseye shooters back then were a peculiar bunch and were known to make extreme efforts just to improve their score potential by a few points. Now it’s all about speed, with relatively large targets to hit, so pure accuracy is not the goal of many current handgun shooting sports.

JMHO, maybe I should have my coffee now!

Froggie

 

[AJ]

AJ,

Due to its rarity, the price on one of these conversions will approach that of a Model 41, so converting an already expensive Model 52 would probably be a money losing proposition for what would probably be just an OK performer. While I know there are some conversions that work great, I wouldn’t try to build my Bullseye battery around this one, YMMV.

My reason for posting this into the thread was to demonstrate what can be done, not necessarily what should be done.

Froggie

Froggie,

It will be something to be on the lookout for. If the price is reasonable, then I would buy it. Do I need it? No. I don't shoot the Colt Conversion Unit for my Gold Cup very often. If I want to shoot a accurate .22 LR, I use my Browning Medalist or my S&W 17.

Thanks for the info!
AJ

 

[824tsv]

I should have also said that the concept of a .22 Conversion Unit has come leaps and bounds for the 1911 platform since the late 60’s with the original pioneering of Fred Kart, the S&W pistols were really overlooked. In my part of the world, bullseye shooting has fallen out of favour to the action pistol sports. As mentioned above the cost to design and build something for the now obsolete 1st/2nd/3rd Gen S&W’s wouldn’t justify the return in investment. The Pachmayr branded Peters-Stahl .22 Conversions are fun, but expensive plinkers.

 

[AJ]

I should have also said that the concept of a .22 Conversion Unit has come leaps and bounds for the 1911 platform since the late 60’s with the original pioneering of Fred Kart, the S&W pistols were really overlooked. In my part of the world, bullseye shooting has fallen out of favour to the action pistol sports. As mentioned above the cost to design and build something for the now obsolete 1st/2nd/3rd Gen S&W’s wouldn’t justify the return in investment. The Pachmayr branded Peters-Stahl .22 Conversions are fun, but expensive plinkers.

Colt built their first conversion unit in 1938. There have been three conversion units from them over the years.

 

[Green Frog]

This is pretty far astray from the original thread topic, but 35 years ago I was given a LNIB Series 70 Colt Ace. I almost immediately acquired a Gold Cup slide assembly and had it “deconverted” to the 45 caliber that the Good Lord and John Browning intended it to be. For that process I had my gunsmith actually fit the upper assembly and it is a proper Bullseye gun now.

I guess all in all, I like my serious guns to be in their intended caliber. I doubt my 52-2 will ever experience conversion to 22, much less 9mm.

Froggie

 

[824tsv]

This is my last post in this thread as I dont want it to drift anymore than it has. To respond to AJ's post above, Yes Colt produced their .22 Conversion Units in the 30's. They remained virtually unchanged during their entire production run. They were designed as a training aid, not serious target work. The 2 that I own will hit the broad side of a barn door, but will never be capable of serious bullseye accuracy. There are much better and cheaper options available for the 1911 if accuracy is your goal. Sadly, S&W was basically forgotton and those days are long gone. The Pachmayr is an expensive but neat accessory but in my opinion not worth the investment unless its too cheap to pass on, or you are a nerd like me who collects .22 Conversion Units. Your opinion may vary.

 

[dave1918a2]

I have a Pachmayr (Peters-Stahl) 1911-22 Conversion Unit. It’s nicely finished but it’s not Bullseye Competiton accurate.

I also have one and it is super accurate with Federal match, and of all things RWS Biathlon.

 

[Rick H.]

I guess with all the contributions to this topic the crux of the matter has become lost. Is it to have a multi-caliber pistol for shooting more readily available ammunition, or is it because the OP can't find ammunition for his Model 52? I have never been a fan of multi-cal conversions as more often than not, one or all of the conversions suffer in some form. They are either inaccurate or unreliable.

If the OP REALLY wants to correct his inability to find .38 wadcutter ammunition for his Model 52 than he should put his big boy pants on and get into reloading. There is no other caliber that has more information on it for reloading than the .38 Special. In fact having a desire to reload for my Model 52 is what got me into reloading and into a deep rabbit hole. Reloading is not only fun and rewarding, but YOU can custom tailor your loads to what YOU want, not what the ammunition companies sell. I recall completing my first .38 wadcutter on a single stage press. I looked at that round and thought to myself, "Well you cost me a lot of money for one cartridge, you better work good." It did and I have far expanded my reloading infrastructure.

Certainly setting up for reloading isn't cheap, but you can save a ton of money on used equipment. I simply can't imagine shooting as much as I do without having the ability and desire to save money by reloading. This is almost always a win-win for me as my reloaded cartridges perform just as good if not better than store bought ammunition. However a word of caution should be given. Start out by the book(s), don't go off on a tangent thinking you know more than the loading manuals. Buy a GOOD chronograph and use it! Only a chronograph will give you the proof in the pudding you are looking for.

You may never feel the need to reload for a slew of calibers, but I have the equipment necessary to load for every firearm I own except .22's. It is extremely comforting to know I can shoot whatever I have, when I want to, regardless of what's on the store shelves. Now if only I could reload .22's that perform like Tennex or Center-X I would be completely self sufficient. Go for the gusto Mr. OP, give reloading for your Model 52 a try. You might be surprised at the results.

Rick H.

 

[AJ]

I guess with all the contributions to this topic the crux of the matter has become lost. Is it to have a multi-caliber pistol for shooting more readily available ammunition, or is it because the OP can't find ammunition for his Model 52? I have never been a fan of multi-cal conversions as more often than not, one or all of the conversions suffer in some form. They are either inaccurate or unreliable.

If the OP REALLY wants to correct his inability to find .38 wadcutter ammunition for his Model 52 than he should put his big boy pants on and get into reloading. There is no other caliber that has more information on it for reloading than the .38 Special. In fact having a desire to reload for my Model 52 is what got me into reloading and into a deep rabbit hole. Reloading is not only fun and rewarding, but YOU can custom tailor your loads to what YOU want, not what the ammunition companies sell. I recall completing my first .38 wadcutter on a single stage press. I looked at that round and thought to myself, "Well you cost me a lot of money for one cartridge, you better work good." It did and I have far expanded my reloading infrastructure.

Certainly setting up for reloading isn't cheap, but you can save a ton of money on used equipment. I simply can't imagine shooting as much as I do without having the ability and desire to save money by reloading. This is almost always a win-win for me as my reloaded cartridges perform just as good if not better than store bought ammunition. However a word of caution should be given. Start out by the book(s), don't go off on a tangent thinking you know more than the loading manuals. Buy a GOOD chronograph and use it! Only a chronograph will give you the proof in the pudding you are looking for.

You may never feel the need to reload for a slew of calibers, but I have the equipment necessary to load for every firearm I own except .22's. It is extremely comforting to know I can shoot whatever I have, when I want to, regardless of what's on the store shelves. Now if only I could reload .22's that perform like Tennex or Center-X I would be completely self sufficient. Go for the gusto Mr. OP, give reloading for your Model 52 a try. You might be surprised at the results.

Rick H.

If he is just going to reload for the 52 he can do that fairly easily. I started out with an old Lyman 310 Tool. These are still out there and are easy to use. Reloading 50 or so cases may take and hour or so using one of these. But compared to the cost of a fancy reloading press and equipment it is a lot cheaper. Taught me a lot about reloading by starting small and working my way up over the years. Reloaded with the 310 for two years before I got my first press.