Model 52-2 Range Report and Question

[HKSmith]

About 1 month ago I was fortunate enough to pick up a LNIB Model 52-2 for $775. It's a beautiful piece of craftsmanship and shoots like a dream. I've shot many 100's with 5-7 X's at 25 yards timed fire (not as impressive as it sounds - I'm 66 years old now and use 2 hands). I'm sure the gun would shoot one ragged hole from a rest.

However, I've had one problem. About 2 rounds from each magazine fail to go into battery. A light push on the slide solves the problem, but this is obviously irritating if you're trying to shoot timed and rapid fire. It also feels like the slide is barely functioning compared to other semi-autos that I shoot.

I'm using my own handloads with Hornady 148 grain HBWC's and 2.8 grains Bullseye. I've been reloading .38 WC's since 1964, so I don't think I have an ammo problem. Just to be sure, I bit the bullet (so to speak) and bought a box each of Federal, Winchester, and Magtech commercial ammo. Exactly the same thing happened with all 3 brands; they also all seemed a bit weaker than my handloads.

I cleaned and lubed the gun prior to using it and the slide is very slick when I work it manually. Both the reloads and the commercial rounds drop freely into the chamber, so I don't think the chamber is too tight.

I'd certainly appreciate any suggestions from the Model 52 experts out there.

 

[HKSmith]

About 1 month ago I was fortunate enough to pick up a LNIB Model 52-2 for $775. It's a beautiful piece of craftsmanship and shoots like a dream. I've shot many 100's with 5-7 X's at 25 yards timed fire (not as impressive as it sounds - I'm 66 years old now and use 2 hands). I'm sure the gun would shoot one ragged hole from a rest.

However, I've had one problem. About 2 rounds from each magazine fail to go into battery. A light push on the slide solves the problem, but this is obviously irritating if you're trying to shoot timed and rapid fire. It also feels like the slide is barely functioning compared to other semi-autos that I shoot.

I'm using my own handloads with Hornady 148 grain HBWC's and 2.8 grains Bullseye. I've been reloading .38 WC's since 1964, so I don't think I have an ammo problem. Just to be sure, I bit the bullet (so to speak) and bought a box each of Federal, Winchester, and Magtech commercial ammo. Exactly the same thing happened with all 3 brands; they also all seemed a bit weaker than my handloads.

I cleaned and lubed the gun prior to using it and the slide is very slick when I work it manually. Both the reloads and the commercial rounds drop freely into the chamber, so I don't think the chamber is too tight.

I'd certainly appreciate any suggestions from the Model 52 experts out there.

 

[Ignatz]

Maybe the recoil spring is wore out and dos'nt have enough strength to return the slide.

 

[smithfan4152]

Get a box of factory ammo and shoot it again.
I have had some minor miss feeds with reloaded ammo.

 

[TSQUARED]

Limp wristing ???

 

[bluetopper]

I would also try a new recoil spring then go from there.
I've had my 52-1 for a year and it is such a joy to shoot.

 

[USBP SW]

I have to agree with tsquared, one of the most frequently encountered feeding problems with autoloaders is limpwristing. When you don't hold the pistol firmly and allow the recoil to snap your wrist, you rob the slide of its momentum and it can't function properly. I guess it can be likened to jumping off a chair as opposed to trying to jump off a chair with wheels. Just my thoughts, I hope it helps.
Steve

 

[mososodbob]

HK,

Do you have a dot sight on the slide? I'm not an expert...but have real world lessons learned as a 52 shooter.

I experienced the same problem when I installed an Ultra Dot onto the slide (BME slide mount). When I had it on a Cal Grip, there were no issues with functioning. I replaced the recoil spring with a reduced power Wolff spring and that appeared to have fixed the problem.

Additionally, I discovered the type of lube you use on the slide rails affects the function as well. I had used Tetra grease thinking it will "slick" up the acton...wrong...it induced more drag and caused the fail to go into battery malfunction you described. I went back to Hoppe's oil and the problem went away. My 52 loves oil...I put a few drops at the start of a 900, prior to my SF...then more for the NMC...and again for RF (about every 30-60 rounds).

I have been shooting military contracted WCC 88 WC ammo and if I do my part, the gun will shoot clean TF with lots of Xs. You are right about it being able to shoot one hole groups at the short line.

The Mod 52 is a great shooting gun...if you do your part.

Regards,

Bob
Lakewood, WA

 

[handgunner356]

I would also say to try a new recoil spring and maybe a mainspring to. The 52 doesn't have much slide velocity going for it to start with. Good lube is a must on them.

 

[fladiverbrad]

Make sure the chamber is clean, crimp,sizing and LOA is correct and replace the recoil spring as necessary. Brad

 

[HKSmith]

Thanks for all your suggestions. I don't think this was limp-wristing or an ammo problem. Winchester, Federal, and Magtech ammo all gave the same problem as my reloads.

I ordered a Wolff standard spring (8 lbs) and received it today. It's about 1/2 inch longer than the spring that was in the gun - I don't know if that's because the old spring has been in the gun for 30 years or the previous owner cut it down. I'll try the gun this weekend with the new spring and give you a report.

Again, thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[Stockhouse14]

Sounds like a weak recoil spring. Use the correct weight and you should be fine. Also give the barrel chamber a good brushing.

 

[palo2219]

I'll try the gun this weekend with the new spring and give you a report.

Hello to all, new to the forum!
I have the -1 model and am experiencing the same problem as you. I am hoping you will be able to post what the outcome is after installing the new spring.

 

[M29since14]

HK Smith - How many magazines have you tried? It sounds like maybe the magazine is causing some trouble.

One other thing you might try. Remember how we always used to have to tap the Colt .38 National Match magazines on the table to get all the shells lined-up, so the gun would function right? Did you try that with your 52 magazines? Loading those shells with their big rims in a semi-auto magazine can be a touchy thing. I always thought the Colts were junk because they never functioned when I was shooting them, until a more experienced Colt man explained how he loaded his magazines. After that, no problems! And then, I wished I had bought a NM .38!

If Winchester and Federal factory ammo do the same thing, I wouldn't worry about your handloads, for now anyway.

It is also possible the barrel is not quite properly fitted. You might give S&W a call for assistance. My 52-2 does this same thing. I am not a competition shooter and, being a little lazy about the 52 in general, never pursued it. Your gun is acting up much more than mine. Mine may choke maybe once every 50 or so rounds, if that.

The 52 is a fine gun, but mine never seemed to shoot up to my expectations! (Here, we can blame the shooter.

) I always had a terrible time with the trigger and shot the few NM .38s I was able to borrow a bit better - and with less effort.

 

[SwampWolf]

HKSmith, we have three things in common that I know of: we're the same age, we both live in Ohio and we've both experienced the same malfunction from our 52s. I've shot Bullseye competitively since the early sixties, starting while shooting with the U.S.AirForce Air Police team and as late as last year at Camp Perry. Though the eyes are a liability now, I still shoot irons and with one hand

.

Your stated experience (to me) rules out ammunition or "limp-wristing" factors. As you know, the 52 is one tight-fitted pistol and requires more than usual housekeeping standards to keep it running. It's also pretty sensitive to the choice of ammunition but mine has perked along for decades now on a diet of 2.8 grains of Bullseye.

I believe the "fix" has already been suggested by other posters: a new recoil spring. This assumes a clean gun and the correct ammunition. A secondary but far less likely scenario would be faulty magazines. And last on the list would be to check the clearance of the slide release/magazine relationship. But I'll be very surprised if the new spring doesn't do the trick.

Please advise as to what what you find out.

 

[HKSmith]

Thanks for all the replies. I got a new standard weight spring from Wolff's and installed it. Unfortunately, I'm still having the same problem. I have noticed that it happens less frequently when the gun has warmed up a bit, which suggests a lubrication problem.

SwampWolf's suggestion that this is a high maintenance pistol sounds like the probable cause. I'll field strip and scrub the slide and rails and use a lighter lube (RemOil) instead of the Miltech that I had been using.

SwampWolf: Yes, the eyes are a liability after about 50. I shot competitive Bullseye in the 1960's (mostly .22 indoors, 50 feet) on the Yale Pistol Team, which was, I'm sure, many rungs below the U.S. Air Force Air Police team. I do recall going to a match in about 1966 at an airbase near Springfield, MA. I shot .22 and .38 with a Model 18 and a Model 14. Did terribly, but got a lot of good advice from some very good military shooters, most of them in the Air Force. Maybe you were one of them!

 

[SwampWolf]

SwampWolf's suggestion that this is a high maintenance pistol sounds like the probable cause. I'll field strip and scrub the slide and rails and use a lighter lube (RemOil) instead of the Miltech that I had been using.

It may well be a "high maintenance" pistol but I wouldn't call it "finicky". If your clean and lubed 52 still malfunctions after having installed a new recoil spring (and I know you don't want to hear this), I'd send it back to Smith and let them sort out the problem. Life's way too short to be dicking around with a problem that a quality pistol like the 52 shouldn't be havig.

I would like to be able to say that I was in some way instrumental in helping you along the way in your pistol shooting expertise but, alas, I was never stationed anywhere near Ma. Most of my Air Force time was spent in Anderson AFB in Guam and at Wurtsmith AFB in Oscoda, Mi. Long time ago!

 

[palo2219]

Good morning, I too, am in the same situation with the 52 not seating all of the time, so this thread has been interesting to me. As far as sending the gun in to S&W,putting my 52 in a box and dropping it into a black hole makes me cringe a little. The way things are anymore, it would not surprise me if I never saw it again. Wolff sells a calibration kit which consists of 8,9 and 10 lb.springs, maybe you need a 9 or 10 lb. to overcome the binding you are experiencing.In 1966 I was 14 and looking forward to hearing from my big brother who was in the AF stationed as an MP in Chateaux France

I have been meaning to order one, just have not done so yet.

 

[SwampWolf]

palo 2219: if your brother was an "MP" in the Air Force, he was an AP (Air Police as opposed to Military Police).

I wouldn't worry too much about the "black hole". Chances are good that Smith will have it shipped to them on their dime-insured.

 

[HKSmith]

Thanks again for all the interesting discussion. I now think the problem may be temperature-related. I went to the range today and kept the gun on the front seat of my car instead of in the trunk - there were only 2 failures to go into battery out of 50 rounds instead of the 20-25 that I was getting before. I still feel the gun is a bit sluggish though and may talk to S&W about it.