I am working on a 52-1, that I am getting firing pin tears on the primers. This undoubtably comes from the barrel dropping down to unlock before the firing pin has retracted fully. This first was noticed with the original factory 8lb recoil spring. I purchased a Wolff S&W 52 calibration pack. I replaced the original firing pin rebound spring, with the included extra power rebound spring. Still does it. I tried the extra power 9 and 10lb recoil springs, and it still does it, although less. Not much difference in tearing between 9 and 10lb recoil springs. I am using 2.7 gr of Bullseye with a 148 gr cast WC @ 762 fps. Is this an issue that is an accepted tendency with the 52, that you just have to live with?
This gun is nearly 50 years old and is still tight. Ransom rest tests at 25 yds with the factory springs, run 1.25 to 1.5" for 10 shots. Groups tend to be oblong vertically. If I could eliminate the two or three outside shots out of the ten, I would have sub 1 inch groups. I had been advised that a weak recoil spring can cause vertical stringing, so I am anxious to try again with the 10 lb recoil spring.
This gun is nearly 50 years old and is still tight. Ransom rest tests at 25 yds with the factory springs, run 1.25 to 1.5" for 10 shots. Groups tend to be oblong vertically. If I could eliminate the two or three outside shots out of the ten, I would have sub 1 inch groups. I had been advised that a weak recoil spring can cause vertical stringing, so I am anxious to try again with the 10 lb recoil spring.
