52-2 troubles **Update post #10

[g-dad]

I picked up this Nickel 52-2 a couple of yrs ago and have never been able to get it to eject cases. I initially post about it here.

52-2 fail to eject

I tried the new mag springs and that was no help. So I put it back in the safe until today. My granddaughter wanted me to take her to the range today and I selected several different guns for her to shoot, including both of my 52-2s.

She enjoyed the one that worked correctly and I fiddled with the one that didn't.

This evening while cleaning todays shooters I disassembled both 52s and compared them. It seems that I may have an ejector issue with my problem gun.

Here's a couple of pics. of both ejectors. The first one is the gun that works. Do you see what I think I see is the problem in pic 2?

Thanks for looking and for any constructive imput.

 

[Sevens]

I don’t believe that part is all too difficult or expensive to source or to replace.

I have never had the ejector fail on any S&W 1-2-3rd Gen and they are all quite similar.

 

[adrianolsen]

First, clean the chamber. Second, check extractor hook/spring strength. Third, check recoil spring, switch from other gun and try

 

[AJ]

Keep us posted.

 

[gmborkovic]

It all falls on the ammo. The m-52 can be finicky on what you feed it.

 

[Sevens]

Did any of you gentlemen look at the pictures to see the chipped ejector that is missing it's tip?

 

[reddog81]

Did any of you gentlemen look at the pictures to see the chipped ejector that is missing it's tip?

LOL, That's cheating!

Numrich has replacements for sale for under $10.

 

[gmborkovic]

Yea, we all saw it. An engineer asks, how would that happen? Its hitting a brass base of a shell.

 

[g-dad]

Ejector and spring are ordered. I'll update when parts are installed and function tested.

Thanks for the comments!

 

[g-dad]

Update

I've had the new ejector installed for a while but haven't had a chance to test it until today. Still no love. Out of 3 separate mags, I had two that extracted properly. One stove pipe and the rest just didn't eject.

Is it possible that the speed of the slide - too fast or too slow- could be the cause?

 

[Heinz Heisters]

Ejector and spring are ordered. I'll update when parts are installed and function tested.

Thanks for the comments!

Unfortunately, I don't have the option of ordering from Numrich from Austria. Therefore, I'm asking you or any other friend of this forum to purchase an ejector for an S&W Mod. 52-2 and ship it to me. That would be very very kind! I would pay all costs in advance. I live nearby Vienna, Austria, and there is absolutly no chance for getting parts of this wonderful pistole which I bought actually! Again: thank you so much for your help! Greetings Heinz

 

[Tom S.]

It might also be illegal. The US has some funky laws about sending gun parts to foreign countries.

 

[Rick H.]

Tom is correct. All things firearms related going out of country have to be approved for sale by the U.S. State Department. They have untold numbers of regulations that one must follow and the same rules apply for buying anything firearm related from outside the U.S. Now would CBP "catch" a small metal part being shipped out of country as a favor for someone? May be, may be not. I for one would love to help a fellow Model 52 owner out in a jam, but not at the expense of HSI knocking on my door with a warrant. Not going to happen.

Have you contacted Numrich to see of they have a broker in Austria that they can legally ship parts to and will then ship to you? Going thru a firearm broker is normally how things like this are done for overseas or out of country shipments. If Numrich can't help you out then I think it would require some investigation on your part with a few firearm dealers in your country. There must be a source for parts somewhere in Austria for old parts like this. You could even contact someone like Jack First Firearms to see if they have any ideas on shipping you a part for your pistol. I know Brownell's has a European outlet of some sort and they may be able to help you. At one time they were a source of Model 52 parts, but I don't know what they have today.

Good luck in your quest.

Rick H.

 

[AJ]

Don't they have gunshops and gunsmiths in Austria?

 

[Heinz Heisters]

Don't they have gunshops and gunsmiths in Austria?

Hallo Rick H., hallo AJ
Of course, there are skilled gunsmiths in Austria; Brownells is also active there, of course; and of course, there are also internationally operating gun dealers here, including those who carry spare parts. But getting spare parts for the S&W 52 is purely a matter of chance. So, I was lucky enough to find an extractor at the wholesaler Waimex and a set of recoil springs (8.9 and 10 lbs, but unfortunately none with 7 lbs) at Ferkinghoff. But that was it. A magazine spring, on the other hand, is unobtainable. As for suitable factory ammunition, I wanted to try the Winchester and Federal brands (mind you, 38 spl LWC!) recommended by some American users. They aren't available here. I now shoot this wonderful weapon with great enthusiasm, which even surpasses the accuracy of my S&W 14-1. Congratulations to all S&W 52 owners! Best regards from Austria, Heinz

 

[Troystat]

Just an fyi the magazines for a Sig/Hamelli 240 in 38 special fit the model 52’s and vs versa.

 

[Sevens]

That’s a very interesting nugget.

At the same time, not sure where on this planet I would ever find a Sig Hammerli 240.

Tell you this however— knowing that I already have a slew of magazines that will work, it definitely makes me hope I find a 240 some day for affordable dough!

Troystat, do you have a Sig/Hammerli P240?

 

[Dan W. Cady]

I picked up this Nickel 52-2 a couple of yrs ago and have never been able to get it to eject cases. I initially post about it here.

52-2 fail to eject

I tried the new mag springs and that was no help. So I put it back in the safe until today. My granddaughter wanted me to take her to the range today and I selected several different guns for her to shoot, including both of my 52-2s.

She enjoyed the one that worked correctly and I fiddled with the one that didn't.

This evening while cleaning todays shooters I disassembled both 52s and compared them. It seems that I may have an ejector issue with my problem gun.

Here's a couple of pics. of both ejectors. The first one is the gun that works. Do you see what I think I see is the problem in pic 2?

Thanks for looking and for any constructive imput.

It looks broken to me.

 

[Rick H.]

From a cursory look at your picture Dan it certainly appears the tip of the extractor is damaged or possibly broken. I am not sure because the picture is somewhat difficult to get a clear image of for me. It seems the tip of your extractor runs off at an angle when it should be straight as on my spare extractors.

I would get a new extractor for your pistol and make the swap. I think Gun Parts has them, or at least they did. You may have some final fitting which is not a big deal. Just use the proper tools for disassembly. I would also get a new extractor pin and spring, but Gun Parts is out of the springs.

Rick H.

 

[Sevens]

From a cursory look at your picture Dan it certainly appears the tip of the extractor is damaged or possibly broken.

His picture does not show any extractor. His picture shows the ejector. And… the original poster who attached the pictures has already replaced the ejector shown in the pictures.