Mod 52 mags

[Rick H.]

As of right now M52 magazines on Fleabay are running between $225.00 to $350.00! I have more in magazine valve than the pistols I own. Unreal, who would have ever thought......
Rick H.

 

[Sevens]

I don’t visit ebay. Are those idiotic prices just prices? Or are you saying that people are paying those prices?

 

[toddcfii]

I've just recently gotten into the Smith 52 and what a dandy pistol it is!

I shoot PPC where stages are typically shot in multiples of 6 to appease the commonplace revolvers typically in use. I have been researching on how to do this modification to the 52 magazine properly because it's a $175 USD mistake if it goes wrong.

I've since gotten the procedure pretty much perfected with tools common to the gun enthusiast, such as a drill press, files and a dremel or the like.

I've taken good photos along the way and I will be finishing up the article this weekend. I will post it on this forum with hopes of creating a helpful sticky-worthy how-to cook book for this mod.

Once the factory magazine is modified, it can still be used to fire 5 rounds without any issues so it is a worthwhile endeavour, particularly if you're a PPC shooter. I can't see why this modification would at all devalue the mag. Apparently, if you're gutsy, it can be altered further to hold 7 rounds too.

Maverick

I considered doing what you are considering for PPC a few years ago. I think a zealous referee could throw your gun out of competition for breaking Section 3.1 under Prohibited items for All Guns and you would be out a lot of money. I think this could rightly be considered an external modification. You might get away with it but I wouldn’t take the chance. Here is a quote form the PPC rule book Section 3.1:

Prohibited:
1. Compensators, barrel venting, barrel porting.
2. Internal modifications that would render the firearm less safe than originally designed by the manufacturer.
3. Any external modifications, except those allowed within each rule.

 

[bearpa]

It works for Midrange Colt 38 magazines as well. They too are priced way out of sight for factory! Just lengthen the cut, but be accurate!

 

[Protocall_Design]

When I had a M52 and shot PPC with it, no one cared about a modified mag. They were glad to have more shooters. I modded mine to hold 6 rounds. The trick here is to extend the slots in the side downward parallel to the front (and back) of the mag. Do not make it straight in line with the original slot, because the follower will run into the front of the mag and not go down any more.

 

[Rick H.]

As of right now M52 magazines on Fleabay are running between $225.00 to $350.00! I have more in magazine valve than the pistols I own. Unreal, who would have ever thought......
Rick H.

I don't keep a close eye on M52 magazine prices on Fleabay but if you need a M52 magazine(s) you are more or less at the disposal of those that have them. So if it means paying big bucks what choice do people have? It's that or sell the gun or put it on the mantle. It is sad that none of the magazine companies have made an effort to recreate the M52 magazine but I suppose there is no large market for them, only a handful of people that still use them. Besides the high prices of M52 magazines who would have ever thought people would pay $250 to $300 for 1000 primers???

Rick H.