Controlling the Model 52 better

[mikemyers]

I don't know why you're griping, Mike. Three targets with 10-shot strings, yielding a 92 and two 95s. Those are solid Expert level scores. Many guys would kill to be able to shoot three 90+ targets in a row at 25 yards..........If you want to make Master keep working on fundamentals and consistency. That's the secret, and it ain't no secret! Stance, grip, breath control, sight picture, trigger control, follow through.
Hope this helps.

Hello again!!!! You have all kinds of great information about the M-52! ....and Thank You!

First, I hope to shoot a 3", maybe 3 1/2" group at 25 yards. Not sure if I'll ever get there, but I think it's within reach. Of course, every time I meet one of my goals, I want more!

About the M-52, I would also like to learn how to shoot one handed, but I still am lousy at it. I guess I should start working at that goal as well. I will never make "master" until my left hand stays in my pocket.


Not sure where that chart came from, but it has something in it I never realized. Yet one more thing I should have known, but didn't. I thought that you fire the gun, and keep your trigger finger all the way "in" for a couple of seconds. Now I see I'm wrong. From your chart, you continue to apply pressure to the trigger, the gun fires, but you still continue to apply additional pressure in one un-interrupted motion. The shot happens while the trigger is still moving inward, not after!! After seeing your illustration, it's now obvious to me, but I never even considered that before. You are the first person who showed this so clearly.

I now have a whole new way to think about shooting, and the real meaning of "follow-through".

 

[H Richard]

I have fond memories and hateful memories of my 52-2. I had many high 90 scores in bullseye with it, but could just as easy have disaster. When I was "on", I could hold fine, but when I was off, any little problem could make a 10 into a 7. I would seldom get a 9, but I would blow one into the 7. Whenever I had one of those days, I would get out the sandbags, and prove it wasn't the gun it was me. Eventually I found the 1911 more forgiving, and my miscues could often be 9's and not 7's. That's when I parted company with the 52.

 

[mikemyers]

The only difference between the above targets and the following ones is that I am now using the "barrel weight".

I tried using the tip of my trigger finger, but that did not work for me.

What I did before, and with the weight mounted, the targets got slightly better.

I do better when I load the magazine with five rounds, rather than loading one at a time for a single shot.

 

[Al W.]

Well, the 1911 is over 100 years old, and I can't see any reason to replace it with something made from plastic. For that matter, given a choice between a 1950 Chevy, and today's version, ain't no choice for me.

I guess these guys are driving at the point that you can not source parts for a 52. S&W doesn't produce the barrel any longer so you have to scrounge around.
Guys shoot out the barrel and then they have a paper weight , so if they have a clean 52 with complete boxes and etc. they don't shoot them.
They feel that time has passed the 52 by, but that it still scores high on the "cool gun" points list.
With a 1911 parts are not a problem , unless you are using an antique.

 

[Protocall_Design]

Clark Custom is making M52 barrels now, I think.

 

[mikemyers]

Yep, most likely true, but can the other guns do this?

I will never do it, but I can dream......

Image came from here:
Show off your target .38s!!

 

[Sevens]

That's interesting! He did that with a no-dash 52 (not a surprise) but if his recording is accurate... his load was a 148gr wadcutter over 2.3gr Bullseye?!

Most use 2.7 or 2.8. I've never heard of trying a wadcutter with 2.3 grains Bullseye. In fact, I'll say that in a revolver with a flash gap (that bleeds much needed pressure), I would not try that load. In a 52 with a sealed chamber/barrel, I would imagine that it's fails to function the pistol, but it would be interesting to try.

 

[BE Mike]

Back in the day when I was using my S&W model 52-1 for the centerfire match (with iron sights) I shot these targets in the timed fire stage of an outdoor "1800" (25 yards). The key to shooting the model 52 is consistent grip and follow-through. You have to do this every shot. If you let down in any fundamental, you'll get a wider shot than expected from a 1911 or .22 auto. If you can get your level of proficiency up, it is a great gun to use for bullseye pistol matches. If you can't, it'll teach you better fundamentals, which will help your 1911 bullseye shooting.

 

[Sevens]

Gorgeous targets! Pictures like that make me smile. I was 11 years old when you laid down those 100's. Those targets are inspiring.

 

[mikemyers]

Beautiful targets! Something to aim for... er, no pun intended, well, yes.

"The key to shooting the model 52 is consistent grip and follow-through. You have to do this every shot. If you let down in any fundamental, you'll get a wider shot than expected from a 1911 or .22 auto."

That's my problem, and maybe the solution, if I practice enough. It is so much easier for me to do better with a 1911 wad gun.

I've been printing my own targets. My club uses B-8 for everything, so that's what I copied. I think I'll revise what I'm printing, so the 8 ring is white. Not that it should matter - I am trying to ONLY concentrate on the front sight, but who knows. Gee, I wish I had bought the M-52 long, long ago. Consistency, and follow-through....


Those targets you posted -- SO nice!!!!!

 

[Al W.]

Clark Custom is making M52 barrels now, I think.

Yes they are, but with a different twist rate on the rifling than the original barrel.
So its not the same.

 

[BE Mike]

Yes they are, but with a different twist rate on the rifling than the original barrel.
So its not the same.

I heard that Clark Custom was going to make model 52 barrels over a year ago and even had a price in mind of $259.95, but I haven't seen anything since then. They don't have the barrels on their website, that I can find.

 

[mikemyers]

For the M-52, is it better to have your right elbow locked, or not?

 

[Tony C.]

While I own and shot my M 52-2 from time yo time, just not able to shoot it as well as my 1911, trigger; grip angle; slow cycle time...etc, all seems to make it a much difficult gun to shoot well.

However, all is not lost, here are a couple of links I think will be helpful to all bullseye shooters:

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXWoJ2arPuI[/ame]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHy0KdyIDkw[/ame]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8Fbh-_B9Ek[/ame]

These video feature Brain Zins, a 12 time NRA pistol champion.

 

[mikemyers]

Thanks - the first two I am (trying) to do now. The third video is new to me. From what Brian says, I'm doing it wrong. Back to the drawing board, er, dry-fire room.

So, as the front sight settles within the rear sight at the proper height, I should be firing.

 

[mikemyers]

Encyclopedia of Bullseye Pistol

 

[Al W.]

I heard that Clark Custom was going to make model 52 barrels over a year ago and even had a price in mind of $259.95, but I haven't seen anything since then. They don't have the barrels on their website, that I can find.

One of the range guys had them on the phone. Different twist rate so he wasn't interested. His thought was why change perfection.
I sort of agree.
If they are going to do it , do it.
That $259.95 price point is pretty high.
If they want that number they have to make the correct replacement part.
Meanwhile my 52 doesn't need a barrel , so what do I know...

 

[mikemyers]

You might be interested in what Jerry Keefer wrote about this eight years ago, here in this forum:

PPC .38Spl Barrel Twist Rate? 1:12 or 1:14?

From this, and what I read long ago about the Model 52, the twist rate is not critical - having a high quality barrel is.

 

[Al W.]

You might be interested in what Jerry Keefer wrote about this eight years ago, here in this forum:

PPC .38Spl Barrel Twist Rate? 1:12 or 1:14?

From this, and what I read long ago about the Model 52, the twist rate is not critical - having a high quality barrel is.

Always happy to consider new information !

 

[mikemyers]

I spent a few hours at the range this morning. The advice helped, again, as each time I go things are (a little) better. When I finished with the M-52, I decided I'd shoot a few targets with my Salyer 1911. First impression - something is wrong. By comparison, it's as if my 1911 is made from plastic. I couldn't believe how light it felt! Then, as "BE Mike" posted up above, I found that working with the Model 52 improved my targets from the 1911.