Model 52-2 with slight feed ramp damage

[ggidzinski]

I am looking at an otherwise excellent Model 52-2 that has some damage to the left edge of the feed ramp. It is a relatively small divot with the metal protruding slightly to the left of the left edge of the ramp.

Can anyone tell me if this will cause any feeding issues. I won't be able to fire the gun before I decide if I should buy it. I would use it for Bullseye shooting

Thanks,

George

 

[S&WIowegan]

That divot can be cleaned up pretty easily with files and emery cloth. But the real question is how did it get there? Was it dropped on a floor or what? Was it struck by a hard object?

The barrel could have other damage not visible, so if you buy ask for a discount big enough to replace the barrel.

 

[colt_saa]

I would certainly use this disfigurement as a negotiating point on the price.

Odds are it will not affect functioning as long as it has not raised edges.

Also if the price is right, you can always replace the barrel.

 

[civil1977]

It doesn't look like it would interfere with a cartridge traveling up the ramp. If possible, I would manually cycle a few empty .38 Special cases to see if they hit or catch on this area.

Keep in mind that replacement 52 barrels are getting harder to find as the gun has been out of production since 1993. Barsto made some aftermarket barrels but they aren't easy to find either. A replacment barrel will likely require fitting to the bushing, frame and slide.

 

[S&WIowegan]

Jim Clark,Jr. at Clark Custom has 41 barrels that he installs for Bullseye shooters. They are NOT factory barrels but if you're a shooter that's not a problem. In any event, you don't throw the old barrel away.

 

[Krell1]

I have a 52 and comparing mine to the pics you posted it looks as if the only thing wrong is the damage on the left side of the ramp. I agree that it could easily be smoothed over with little effect to cartridge feeding. Someone must have dropped this to do that damage, don't think it would happen at all during normal use.

 

[ggidzinski]

I have no idea how this damage occured. It's a gun offered for sale and I am in the inspection period. It is an otherwise excellent gun so it was not generally abused.

What else should I look for to see if other damge occured to the barrel.?

Thanks,

George

 

[smithfan4152]

barrel

If you can shoot the gun, I doubt it would affect anything, also if you knew anyone that could laser weld those dents and it would be easy to blend back in again, it does not create a great deal of heat, if you were worried about appearance.

 

[ggidzinski]

I have cycled many rounds through the gun and they seem to climb the ramp with no problem. It looks like the rounds stay away from the edges and run in the center of the ramp. That said as I am hand ejecting, all of the rounds eject nicely except 90% of the time the last round hangs up in the chamber. The round hangs up rear to the lrft and the front right of the round caught on the slide opening. What is causing this problem? Unfortunately I cannot shoot the gun at this point.

 

[M19-5]

GeorgeG;

I have looked at a few M52's.
Owned three, a M52-1 and two M52-2's.

I currently own just the one, M52-1 that I shoot for Bullseye centerfire.
They are all fine firearms and very accurate in the right hands but very unforgiving on the days you are not totally focused

I looked at all three pic's of your barrel and even magnified them.
I would venture to guess that it came from the factory like that.
Reasoning is that it does not interfere at all with the function of the pistol, period.

The last M52-2 that I owned was missing the dimple on the bottom of the dust cover to hold the weight on in position.
S&W said "there was no design change that we note, so it must have been missed during the manufacturing process".
Shot fantastic with or without that dimple

The ramp looks fine, to me.

I wish you could fire it,(I know some inspection periods do not allow you to fire it, but...) but hand cycling a slide with dummy ammo or just empty casings or whatever does not in any way make a conclusion of how it will operate when live ammunition is used...ie...how are you cycling it by hand, fast, slow, hard, soft, etc...

I do not know the price, but firing it for a function test would be the bottom line.
I personally never fired any of mine prior to purchase and they always functioned as they should.
It is the chance you take.
Good luck.

By the way, are you using factory magazines with the steel follower.(the ones made a while ago and not the ones for sale by S&W currently ?)

Wolff makes a spring kit with a factory 8# recoil spring and a firing pin spring.
Something to consider if you buy it.
By the way, unless you are good with smithing, do not try and replace the firing pin spring yourself.(it is a little touchy, if you know what I mean).

Clarence