Chance to Purchase a Model 52-2

[GaryDZ]

Hi All - new to the forum. Not sure if I should have posted this here or in the Semi-Auto Pistols Forum.
I shoot NRA Bullseye and have a chance to buy a Model 52-2 from a club member. I had a cursory look at the gun and it appears to be in very good condition. I comes with 4 magazines and the barrel weight. I plan on shooting it and breaking it down for further inspection. What should I be looking for? If all is well, is it worth his price of $1,200 firm?
Thanks!

 

[Ignatz]

Sounds high to me. Would this be your only or first centerfire gun? A good 45 wadgun will be more accurate than the 52 at 50 yards.

 

[wewaslim]

I had one years ago, and the loads have to be tailored to the gun to function properly. The magazines are hard to find now, and are usually very expensive ($ 100.00 each and up).

 

[505Gibbs]

If the weight is factory and not a replica - that adds a bit but $1200 for a used one is pretty stiff - IMO.

 

[505Gibbs]

I had one years ago, and the loads have to be tailored to the gun to function properly. The magazines are hard to find now, and are usually very expensive ($ 100.00 each and up).

S&W still sells the mags - may not be like they were 25 years ago but they still offer them.

 

[CGM]

If all is well, is it worth his price of $1,200 firm?
Thanks!

I would keep looking....In my area they run around $800.

Be sure you really like the 52.....Yes, they are fine guns but, very ammo fussy. I had one for many years and was never able to master it (my fault, not the gun). Ended up selling it. I now use the 45 for both centerfire and the 45 portion of the 2700 comps. and I get better scores this way.

 

[GaryDZ]

Thank you for all your replies. I really appreciate your input!

"A good 45 wadgun will be more accurate than the 52 at 50 yards."
I would be shooting this at 50 ft indoors. I'm sure I could get better scores than with my 45 - especially in rapid fire.

"The magazines are hard to find now, and are usually very expensive . . ."
S&W sells the magazines on their web site for $64.

"If the weight is factory and not a replica - that adds a bit . . ."
The weight is factory but I don't know if I will need it.

" . . .they are fine guns but, very ammo fussy."
I reload so tailoring the round to the gun will not be a problem.

 

[civil1977]

I would say the gun is probably worth $800 with one mag, $50 for each additional mag, $150 for the weight and, if it has the box, $100 for matching numbered box with papers and tools. The older mags have metal followers and the newer mags have plastic followers. Most shooters prefer the ones with metal followers and they tend to be worth more than the plastic ones.

Here's mine.

 

[NE450No2]

I shot Bullseye Pistol for many years. I even shot at Camp Perry in the Nationals one year.

My 45's were Clark Long Heavy Slides.
I had shot a buddies Clark in 38 Special a bunch and I had a S&W Mod 52.

The Model 52's were pretty much considered to be 2.5" guns at 50 yards with factory wadcutters or GOOD handloads. My Mod 52 would do this not problem.

It tales a GOOD 1911 to do this. A Clark Long Heavy Slide was a GOOD 1911.
Mine was scary accurate.

At 25 yards in Slow Fire and Rapid fire the 38 Special does have an advantage over a 45 ACP as it has less recoil. The exception might be a Clark Long Heavy Slide, they are one sweet shooting 1911.

I liked my Mod 52 and when I was holding good it shot great.

However it was not as forgiving as to grip and hold as a 1911.
If, on a particular string, you were not a hard holder you might flip one out...

I NEVER had any ammo/reliability problems with my Mod 52. And this includes shooting it at some ranges in a fairly hard rain that had no cover over the firing line.

I always shot 2.7gr of Bullseye under a 148gr HBWC with a taper crimp.

In big matches I shot Factory 148gr wadcutters at 50 yards.

After a few years I went totally to the 45ACP in the Centerefire stages, just to keep things simpler, and after all, I am a 1911 kind of guy...

Still the S&W Mod 52 is one of the best factory handguns ever made.

It does EXACTLY what it is designed to do.

I, most likely should not say this, but I did load some 148 HBWC backwards over the standard 2.7gr of Bullseye, and shot rabbits with them when my buddy and I went out to feed his horse. They shot great at "bunny distances".

 

[NE450No2]

I would say that gun is definately worth $800.

For target shooting the weight is a great accessory.

For an accurate paper shooting gun [good for small game, as well],
If you want a semiauto the Mod 52 is the pick of the litter IMHO.

From a rest 1" groups or under at 25 yards should be very do able.

Sometimes I wish I still had mine.
When I get "too old and decreped" to shoot 44's and 45's I may get me another Mod 52.
I still have my Mod 14 PPC gun with a Bomar rib.

 

[DaTerminat'r]

The mags only carry 5 rounds. Is there a way to convert it to six?

 

[civil1977]

The mags only carry 5 rounds. Is there a way to convert it to six?

Yes, this has been done. You have to lengthen the follower guide slots very carefully.

 

[dotdsd334]

I shot Bullseye Pistol for many years. I even shot at Camp Perry in the Nationals one year.

My 45's were Clark Long Heavy Slides.
I had shot a buddies Clark in 38 Special a bunch and I had a S&W Mod 52.

The Model 52's were pretty much considered to be 2.5" guns at 50 yards with factory wadcutters or GOOD handloads. My Mod 52 would do this not problem.

It tales a GOOD 1911 to do this. A Clark Long Heavy Slide was a GOOD 1911.
Mine was scary accurate.

At 25 yards in Slow Fire and Rapid fire the 38 Special does have an advantage over a 45 ACP as it has less recoil. The exception might be a Clark Long Heavy Slide, they are one sweet shooting 1911.

I liked my Mod 52 and when I was holding good it shot great.

However it was not as forgiving as to grip and hold as a 1911.
If, on a particular string, you were not a hard holder you might flip one out...

I NEVER had any ammo/reliability problems with my Mod 52. And this includes shooting it at some ranges in a fairly hard rain that had no cover over the firing line.

I always shot 2.7gr of Bullseye under a 148gr HBWC with a taper crimp.

In big matches I shot Factory 148gr wadcutters at 50 yards.

After a few years I went totally to the 45ACP in the Centerefire stages, just to keep things simpler, and after all, I am a 1911 kind of guy...

Still the S&W Mod 52 is one of the best factory handguns ever made.

It does EXACTLY what it is designed to do.

I, most likely should not say this, but I did load some 148 HBWC backwards over the standard 2.7gr of Bullseye, and shot rabbits with them when my buddy and I went out to feed his horse. They shot great at "bunny distances".

DIDO-
My 52 outshoots my 45 and I have a custom built bullseye 45 that will hold about 1.5" at 50 yds. The 52 is less forgiving but so much fun to shoot. Less recoil than the 45 by far. I also shoot 2.7 grains of bulls with HBWC, prefect load no function issues. $1200 is high unless you have the box. Just my 2 cents