OP
I will need an education on Model 52....Update 9/08/17 Update 9/13 Pics Update 9/19
- Thread starter ontargetagain
- Start date
It's in the main thread listing of "Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols" or - Complete Disassembly & Assembly of ALL S&W Model 52s -.
OP
ontargetagain
Member
Did you build any of the 52-1s?
Say, for instance, an early 1965 model with a slide that is "scratched up" to the tune of "1965 NRA Center Fire Pistol Champion"?
If so, I'd love to discuss this pistol with you.
To the OP, I bought my 52-1 from a buddy who never even shot it. He's a big 1911 fan who just couldn't fall in love with the feel of the Smith grip.
Even though I'm a big 1911 fan, I have no such qualms about the 52 grip.
And, the trigger is fantastic. The sights are fantastic.
S&W hit it out of the park with the 52 and 41.
I wanted one from the time I was 10 years old, until the time I was 44 years old.
I don't understand why anyone would ever sell one.
(goes to look at stamp on bottom of gun)
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donk52
Member
I never worked on the 52-1's. I started fitting 52-2's about 1979 and switched over to building all of the other autos, 41's, 59's 39's about 1986 and built the very first batch of 645's.
OP
ontargetagain
Member
The anticipation is killing me! LOL my 52-2 is to arrive today, hope to break away from work and pick it up then get some pictures up later this eve
Also hope to find the markings that donk52 mentioned in hopes he is the one who built it.................more to follow later.....................
Karl
Got out to pick it up, quick look.............ohhhh my it's a beauty and it has the 'C' stamping on magwell so donk52 was the builder, how cool is that More to follow later tonight..............
Also hope to find the markings that donk52 mentioned in hopes he is the one who built it.................more to follow later.....................Karl
Got out to pick it up, quick look.............ohhhh my it's a beauty and it has the 'C' stamping on magwell so donk52 was the builder, how cool is that
More to follow later tonight..............
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OP
ontargetagain
Member
Well it's in my hands now!
Here are a few images to share.....
and the marking I was looking for 'C' for donk52 as the builder of this pistol!
Oh, and the trigger..........well it is truly amazing, I had a 1976 High Standard Citation Target 22 that had an amazing trigger but this Model 52 takes the cake, thanks Don (donk52)
If anyone has more to share on the labels please join in! Build date??
** I am looking for an owners manual for this gun**
Does anyone recognize these finger grips as to maker by chance? They are quite comfortable actually
Also, in ink on the end of the box in the blue is 501.90? Could that have been the price of this gun at that time??
This purchase was the result of a WTB on Armslist. It was just a matter of days when the seller contacted me, said he hadn't shot this gun in a ling time and he was going to put it up for sale, he was the original owner of it! Wasn't sure if he had the original grips he said, wasn't sure if he had two magazines he said............it all came together and I am impressed and excited!
A very special thanks to the original owner for taking such outstanding care of it
Karl
Here are a few images to share.....
and the marking I was looking for 'C' for donk52 as the builder of this pistol!
Oh, and the trigger..........well it is truly amazing, I had a 1976 High Standard Citation Target 22 that had an amazing trigger but this Model 52 takes the cake, thanks Don
(donk52)If anyone has more to share on the labels please join in! Build date??
** I am looking for an owners manual for this gun**
Does anyone recognize these finger grips as to maker by chance? They are quite comfortable actually
Also, in ink on the end of the box in the blue is 501.90? Could that have been the price of this gun at that time??
This purchase was the result of a WTB on Armslist. It was just a matter of days when the seller contacted me, said he hadn't shot this gun in a ling time and he was going to put it up for sale, he was the original owner of it! Wasn't sure if he had the original grips he said, wasn't sure if he had two magazines he said............it all came together and I am impressed and excited!
A very special thanks to the original owner for taking such outstanding care of it
Karl
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03Fatboy
Member
That's awesome that a member here built that one. After seeing that, I had to check mine and it is marked with a 'K'!
donk52
Member
Oh yeah, I remember that one! just kidding. That's a nice set of stocks on there. The trigger pull is one of the areas of fitting that requires finesse. there's a lot going on with trigger, drawbar, sear and hammer all having to wok together with no creep. Final adjustments are to the upper and lower trigger screws. There's a specific process to setting those too. The pulls are measured with special set of weights, spec is to pick up 2 lbs fire at 2.5 lbs. The 501.90 probably is the price. I remember that the model 52 was the highest priced stock gun sold at the time I was working there, $500. By the way I could never afford a 52. I was only making around 5 to 6 bucks an hour. I've never even fired one! Maybe I will soon get the chance since a friend of mine just bought one.
OP
ontargetagain
Member
You mean they all look alike? LOL
I looked at the distance of the trigger to the stop and thought, there is no way that can release the trigger in that short distance! Well I was way wrong.............and happy to be wrong
Amazing!If I didn't have to drive all the way across New York I would meet up with you for a greet and shoot. Well if I were retired I would make the drive to you but I am not retired..........yet.
Karl
The Standard Catalog suggests that serial number dates to 1979. I also believe the price... Final MSRP by 1993 was $908.
Plug either a $500/1979 or a $908/1993 in to any inflation calculator right now and then check your favorite market for a clean, gorgeous used S&W Model 52 pistol and you will see the value in these pistols in possibly a different light than before.
They are simply amazing handguns and if the casual reader hasn't at least handled one (let alone shot one!) then you honestly may not know what you've been missing.
Plug either a $500/1979 or a $908/1993 in to any inflation calculator right now and then check your favorite market for a clean, gorgeous used S&W Model 52 pistol and you will see the value in these pistols in possibly a different light than before.
They are simply amazing handguns and if the casual reader hasn't at least handled one (let alone shot one!) then you honestly may not know what you've been missing.
Hey donk52, I checked my 52 and it has an o stamped on it. So I'm a proud owner of one of the pistols that you built.
OP
ontargetagain
Member
Well I got a chance to shoot my 52 today. I started off with some DEWC plated Berrys and then moved to HBWC' lead.
Here are my first 5 shots at 25 ft with the plated and either HP38 or Bullseye @ 3.2gr. The high to the right was #1 shot, the shot on yellow/black is a double. The black is 1.86" dia and the red is 1" dia. Yes the gun is only as accurate as the shooter! LOL
The gun also shot the HBWC's with 2.7gr of the new Alliant 'Sport Pistol' very well. What a fun gun to shoot! Now to hone my skills
I had 2 failure to extracts, happened only on first rounds, no issues otherwise with close to 100 rounds fired of varied brass and a mix of lead and plated WC's.
Karl
Here are my first 5 shots at 25 ft with the plated and either HP38 or Bullseye @ 3.2gr. The high to the right was #1 shot, the shot on yellow/black is a double. The black is 1.86" dia and the red is 1" dia. Yes the gun is only as accurate as the shooter! LOL
The gun also shot the HBWC's with 2.7gr of the new Alliant 'Sport Pistol' very well. What a fun gun to shoot! Now to hone my skills
I had 2 failure to extracts, happened only on first rounds, no issues otherwise with close to 100 rounds fired of varied brass and a mix of lead and plated WC's.
Karl
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OP
ontargetagain
Member
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