I have been lucky enough to have had several 52 conversations with a retired factory fitter the last few days. He was there the last seven years of its manufacture. He than moved on to 41s and other autos. Only on this great Forum. Thanks Don. You have been a great help. Mike
A 52 conversation
- Thread starter gmborkovic
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It was good to hear from someone that was there! First time I've seen it on this forum unless it was a looong time ago. Helps to correct the rumors one hears. 
OP
Sure. He was teaching me how to fit the slide stop and how it functions.
They had to turn out ten guns a week to meet quota. That is all I got for right now. The parts not needing fitting were some pins and springs,
recoil rod and spring, grips and mags. And the bushing does not have to be rock tight in the slide. It was fitted to the barrel. Best
They had to turn out ten guns a week to meet quota. That is all I got for right now. The parts not needing fitting were some pins and springs,
recoil rod and spring, grips and mags. And the bushing does not have to be rock tight in the slide. It was fitted to the barrel. Best
donk52
Member
If anyone has questions about the Mod 52" I would be happy to help.
Don
Don
OP
Don. were any of the slides serial numbered to the frame?
donk52
Member
No, the frame and slide came as a box of frames and a box of slides no finish just plain steel. The process was, grab a slide and find a frame it would start to go on, tight, then proceed to file, sand and fit to the point of no hang ups but free with little play as possible, a long process, 10 at a time, one "rack". Apply my fitters stamp on bottom of frame, then send out for finishing and bluing. From there the frame/slide pair would stay together for good. they would come back still paired, and fitting would begin. I usually started fitting the barrel/bushing/slide sub assembly first, always 10 at a time.
OP
Homie, exactly what I was thinking. "Model 52- Start to Finish".
Now we have to talk Don into it.
Now we have to talk Don into it.
The barrel bushing on my October, 1978 example is jammed in so tight that I find it virtually impossible to remove, even with a factory bushing wrench. I finally decided just to leave it alone - not worth the trouble.
John
OP
Hello John, Wow. Get a third hand and push the plunger in and loosen with the wrench, pre soak with oil. Please ,no pliers or vise grips.
I would add to do it before you shoot it as it's been reported that tight bushings were prone to cracking and getting a replacement would be very difficult.
I have never tried it myself but have heard it suggested that the proper sized 12-point socket actually fits the bushing quite well and if this is true, a socket would also push down the pin nicely. If it were my pistol, I would squirt some Kano Kroil in there, let it sit for a day and then carefully attempt to loosen that bushing.
I personally believe the original 52 bushing "wrench" was a genuine mistake/oversight by Smith & Wesson. Here you have a legendary pistol that represents the full ability of S&W and the "wrench" is stamped sheet metal junk.
Reminds me of an oil filter wrench. The only time you ever need to put a wrench on an oil filter is when some previous FOOL torqued it down as if it were a load-bearing fitting.
An oil filter should be hand tight or less, and the 52 bushing is the same way.
The OEM bushing wrench for the 52 is scrap metal and simply doesn't even approach the elite and beautiful Model 52.
I personally believe the original 52 bushing "wrench" was a genuine mistake/oversight by Smith & Wesson. Here you have a legendary pistol that represents the full ability of S&W and the "wrench" is stamped sheet metal junk.
Reminds me of an oil filter wrench. The only time you ever need to put a wrench on an oil filter is when some previous FOOL torqued it down as if it were a load-bearing fitting.
An oil filter should be hand tight or less, and the 52 bushing is the same way.
The OEM bushing wrench for the 52 is scrap metal and simply doesn't even approach the elite and beautiful Model 52.
OP
then stop a darn snap on truck and get the socket.
donk52
Member
Remove recoil guide /spring, push barrel out an inch or so, get the wrench on firm and flat, depress plunger and give the wrench a few taps counter clockwise. If it's stubborn sometimes I would hold in the plunger and tap the bushing plate counter clockwise with a hard plastic face hammer to partially cover the plunger then work the bushing.
