I am now the proud owner of a S&W 52 (s)

[Jerry in SC]

Had one in the early 70's, nice shooters. They weren't easy to find even back then.

Give the hand loads a light roll crimp and it will function perfectly.

 

[Kp321]

If you don't reload, you need to start. Not much 38 wadcutter ammo available these days. It takes a lot of patience to produce great performing wadcutter ammo but when you get there, it's worth the effort. You can't cut any corners and produce good results. When you get your new pistols out of jail, drop me a PM and I'll share all of the tricks I have learned over the years.

 

[Krogen]

If you don't reload, you need to start. Not much 38 wadcutter ammo available these days. It takes a lot of patience to produce great performing wadcutter ammo but when you get there, it's worth the effort. You can't cut any corners and produce good results. When you get your new pistols out of jail, drop me a PM and I'll share all of the tricks I have learned over the years.

Would you be willing to share the tricks with the forum? I'd certainly appreciate learning some good techniques to use with my Model 52 if you're open to it.

 

[Rick H.]

Ditto! I want to see what I may have missed...

Rick H.

 

[Fishjager]

Krogen, having shot with you, you need to hold your hands steady. Also don't show your 52 to friends, otherwise they go down the rabbit hole as well. I speak from experience.

 

[Kp321]

I have picked up tips and tricks from friends and other forums. What follows is what works for me, your experience may be different. First, all loading is done on a Dillon 550.
For matches, I use all the same headstamp brass, RP in my case. For bullets, HBWC's have proven to be the most accurate. Remington are best but not currently available, I am now using Magnus. They shoot well but leave a little leading that the Remingtons did not. Since the hollow skirt is easily deformed care needs to be taken with brass when reloading. A 38 Super sizing die is a little bigger than 38 Special but will still produce loads that feed well. I also use a PhotoEscape expander that is designed to prevent collapsing the HBWC skirt. I have used both 2.8 gr of Bullseye and 3 gr of 231/HP38, the 231 load is marginally more accurate in my pistols. Seat the bullets flush with a small roll over crimp for positive feeding.
Like I said, this works for me, no guarantees.

 

[Krogen]

Thanks, Kp321! Much appreciated. I now have a few new things to try.

 

[Demetrix3775]

A few weeks ago a friend let me handle his model 52 no dash. Another friend had a S&W 52-1, and still another had a S&W 52-2. They were all shooting them at the same time. I have to say I fell in love with the gun when I got to handle it. So off to the internet I went. Right away I scored a 52-1, no box or papers, but it did have an extra magazine. Well while it sits in jail (10 day waiting period) I found another one that tempted me beyond self control. (52-2) So I bought it as well. It is still in transit and I will have to wait 10 more business days after I do that paper work. But this one has a box and two magazines with tools and paperwork. I know I'm sick right? I also have a couple of Model 41's in jail as well.............Then there are the two Colt Woodsman Match Targets. Wow, I think I need to take a rest.

Fishjager,your a lucky man.,Enjoy the reloading loading ie3.1 gr of 331 Powder&148 gr HBWC),shold get you good results.l have a M52,Master.Can you tell me what the difference between the M52-1 and the M52-2 is.Just curious in fiding out.Is mine a 52-1 or 52-2???

 

[Demetrix3775]

If you don't reload, you need to start. Not much 38 wadcutter ammo available these days. It takes a lot of patience to produce great performing wadcutter ammo but when you get there, it's worth the effort. You can't cut any corners and produce good results. When you get your new pistols out of jail, drop me a PM and I'll share all of the tricks I have learned over the years.

Kp321, I'm a club target shooter,with MISC,in Australia and I too would be interested in some of your tips and advice.I have been reloading for competition, useing 148 gr HBWC and 3.1 gr of 231Powder.Thanking kindly Demetrious, Email, [email protected]

 

[Sevens]

Can you tell me what the difference between the M52-1 and the M52-2 is.Just curious in fiding out.Is mine a 52-1 or 52-2???

The only difference between (most) 52-2's and the 52-1 is the style of extractor on the pistol. The 52-1 uses the old style long extractor that appears very similar to the Model 39 (no dash) while the Model 52-2 uses the more modern shorter and more slender pivoting extractor similar to what is on the 39-2… and, well, basically every other center fire semiautomatic that S&W has made since 1970.

 

[Fishjager]

One of the reasons I bought the 52-2 is the more common extractor. Also the fact it had the box and all the goodies. It also looks like new.
I bought it for a song compare to what they are bringing on the market today. I just couldn't resist.

 

[Demetrix3775]

The only difference between (most) 52-2's and the 52-1 is the style of extractor on the pistol. The 52-1 uses the old style long extractor that appears very similar to the Model 39 (no dash) while the Model 52-2 uses the more modern shorter and more slender pivoting extractor similar to what is on the 39-2… and, well, basically every other center fire semiautomatic that S&W has made since 1970.

Sevens,thanks for your information and description,therefore my gun is the M52-2.yehhhh

 

[Fishjager]

I picked up my new to me 52-1 today. It works great. I am very happy with it. 20 yards 6in bull.

 

[Sevens]

Hell yeah!

 

[Fishjager]

I went up today to the LGS and got my second 52 out of jail. Darn 10 day waiting period. They look pretty good together. Just a show and tell time.

 

[Road Rat]

I only had a one time experience with a 52. The air force outfit I was in had a pistol club - I found out the day they were disbanding and had to shoot up all the leftover ammo!! I was invited to join. I fired a couple of magazines through the52 and found it impossible to miss the bull! I was madly in love with the platform. But not the ammo limitation.

I went looking and found the 39-2 in 9MM. Bought one for my Christmas gift that year. I now have three. They fit the hand so well.

 

[bobsguns]

Yes they are out there, but wow at the price.

In the late 1980s to the end of their run, they were affordable & slow sellers for retailers. The switch to dbl stack pistols sank the 52. But because we all want what we can't have, shooters began to admire the quality & accuracy of the gun. Much like the H&K P7 series, prices climbed steadily, IMO. And here we are today.

I own a 52-2, no box, bare gun. I once was blessed to have a one-on-one discussion on the qualities of the 52 with the esteemed Roy Jinks. He too admitted it might be his fav Smith. To this day I still treasure him taking the time to allow me to pick his brain. He is such a class act.

At a gun show about 30 years ago there was the Mag Guy. He had an impressive array of mag offerings, some of which were probably ok to buy & use.

I had the 52 only a week or three by then. So, being a smart aleck, I asked him for a 52 mag. I had two, but want three for almost any semi I own. Anyway, he looked up in thought, paused for about 15-20 seconds & bent into a 3-4 foot tall box. Rooting his arm around, he dug & he dug & dug. Then he pulled his arm up & laughed while handing me an in-the-wrap OEM Smith mag. Heck, I HAD to buy it after he went through all that.

The mag is still in wrap, I still have the 52 & plenty of ammo. I like to think of it as my "gentlemen's gun".