Model 52 and .38 Special

[Redcoat3340]

So all of a sudden I'm discovering the Model 52. (Not sure I can afford one, but at least I can learn about them.)

Did a bit of limited research and what I've discovered seems to say that these Model 39-based pistols shoot regular, run of the mill, pistol-brass .38 specials, except the lead needs to flush seated and only use wad cutters.

To me that means I can use all the brass I have for my model 10's and 38/44 but I have to get lead (?) wad cutters.

Yes? No?

And if anyone has a good source for lead wadcutters (what weight do folks recommend? Is there something special for these target pistols?) and a recommendation for powder (I currently have Bullseye, 700x, and Titegroup on hand) and loads, I'd appreciate it.

Finally, anyone have an idea of the going rate for one of these. Looks like folks are asking around $1,000 in gunbroker. Is this reasonable? I'll be looking here, but in the meantime, if anyone can help it would be appreciated.

I'll be doing some more research. I'm wondering if it would be worth selling a few other of my pistols to finance one of these. I'll assume they are wonderful shooters, accurate beyond my capability, and a pleasure to own. Comments about them are encouraged.

 

[Krell1]

I use a 148 gr double ended wadcutter. You have to make sure they are exactly flush seated or they won't feed or fit into the mag. Heck of a gun. I've had mine for 40 years now and would never give it up. Fantastic trigger pull as well. When I got mine it felt like a custom gun right out of the box.

2.8 grains of bullseye works well.

 

[pittpa]

I use a 148 gr double ended wadcutter. You have to make sure they are exactly flush seated or they won't feed or fit into the mag. .

I've not found that to be true. I load my wadcutters out 20 thousandths from the rim of the brass . The brass is trimmed. This was suggested by my bullseye linemate as it is thought the lead is a bit slippery to assist in feeding. We have no problem loading mags. .

 

[Cyrano]

Every custom bulletmaker makes lead wadcutters for the 38 Special. Weights vary from about 145 gr to 155 gr. Some of the big time bulletmakers also make them: I had some Hornady's once. And every mould maker has a 38 wadcutter in their line if you cast your own.

Some of the commercial bullets have hollow bases. I haven't found any difference in function between solid, flat base and hollow base.

I havn't had any difficulty loading for my 52-2 and it is wonderful fun to shoot. Of the powders you have, Bullseye would work fine. I suspect Titegroup would too, but I don't know that powder.

 

[colt_saa]

I load soft swagged 148 grain HBWCs.

A soft swagged HBWC is going to be more accurate in the gun than a hard cast double end wadcutter. However I bet that less than 90% of the model 52 shooters (myself included) are good enough to see that difference.

For decades I have been using the Remington or the Winchester HBWCs.

 

[4barrel]

I use a 148 gr double ended wadcutter. You have to make sure they are exactly flush seated or they won't feed or fit into the mag. Heck of a gun. I've had mine for 40 years now and would never give it up. Fantastic trigger pull as well. When I got mine it felt like a custom gun right out of the box.

2.8 grains of bullseye works well.

You speak the truth -My group-Likes to shoot a 148 bnwc hard cast & turned around with 2 tenths more powder than the recommended load seated flush. I have plenty of hbwcs but the dewc or bnwc shoots fine as long as it has a flat base to the outside. This is an old target I shot a few years ago with my reloads & my friends gun. If you don't know how to run one they are a pain in the butt. They are hard on a newcomer. 38 wad cutter autos will make you lose hair at an early age. I still own 3 and most of my hair.

 

[6string]

There's a comprehensive article on the 52 written by famous bullseye shooter and dealer Gil Hebard. He machine rest tests several 52s with factory ammo and handloads. It was published in his book Pistol Shooters Treasury and reprinted in Greatest Guns of Gun Digest. The article is pretty objective.
Another great resource is US Military Match and Marksmanship Automatic Pistols by Bill Jenkins. The development of the 52 is covered in good depth.
For what it's worth, I like the 52, but greatly prefer 1911 38 special conversions.
They are a good bit more flexible regarding bullet choices. I also prefer the trigger. It's pretty easy to tune a 1911 trigger to whatever you want. Accuracy-wise, depends on the smith who built it, but I've machine rest tested 1" 50 yd groups with my own cast wadcutters.

Best regards,
Jim

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

Suggest you target a 52-2 due to ease of parts VS the 52 and 52-1 (primarily the extractor) and due to higher number manufactured, easier to find. An unaltered one will grow in value if cared for.

 

[625smith]

Here is my well used 52-1 and a 5 shot target from 10 yards rested. 3.0 gr W231 with a 148gr HBWC.

 

[jmoser]

Get some HBWCs and experiment with seating depth on 5-10 each +/- .010" from flush.

I use Remingtons 148 gr HBWC if you can find them; I seat flush or just under flush. With a mild crimp they feed 100%.

The double end bevel base WCs might work OK seated further out since the bullet 'nose' will taper in.

BTW don't buy a gun if it doesn't have 2-3 mags; good luck finding extras.

 

[Wolvey]

I have had a Model 52-1 for a number of years and have ran loads of hard cast DEWC's through it. Powder is always BE. 2.7 to 3.1 grain loads. I saw the bonded ivory grips on a post and although already have original, replacement new original, rosewood, I had to get a set! Now I have a minor problem of the mag release not working. I believe I will need to dremel out some relief on a section of the non op side grip.
These were bought on ebay and are from Thailand. I will post a pic soon.

 

[Redcoat3340]

Thanks to all who responded....good stuff here. Now I'm on the lookout for one.

 

[Wolvey]

52-1 with the new grips.

 

[Ben_hutcherson]

I just bought a new in box and unfired outside the factory 52-2 a few weeks ago. I had it in my hands about two days before I fixed the "unfired outside the factory problem."

For my initial batch of ammo, I used assorted range brass loaded with a Hornady swaged HBWC over 2.8gr of Bullseye. As others have said, the HBWCs are theoretically more accurate but I'm not a good enough shot to tell the difference. I use them, though, because I prefer soft lead bullets in 38 special target loads(I find that it reduces leading). Mine were seated flush with the case mouth with a light roll crimp over mouth.

The gun functioned perfectly with this load and all the brass fell pretty much in the same place. I've heard of different M52s liking anything from 2.7 to 3.0 gr of Bullseye. IMO, it's the perfect powder for a Wadcutter.

If you really want to be picky, Remington and W-W used to load their wadcutters into special "Wadcutter" brass. This is readily identifiable by having a double cannelure around the middle. I keep my segregated, although I don't always load wadcutters in it.

One last thing-I picked up a box of factory wadcutters the other day just to compare to my home made ones. All I could find were Federals at $35/box. In any case, the bullet is actually recessed into the case slightly and has a noticeable roll crimp at the case mouth. I haven't had a chance to try these in the gun yet.

 

[Constrictor]

Is there a place to buy new magazines for my 52?

 

[samnev]

I use a 148 gr double ended wadcutter. You have to make sure they are exactly flush seated or they won't feed or fit into the mag. Heck of a gun. I've had mine for 40 years now and would never give it up. Fantastic trigger pull as well. When I got mine it felt like a custom gun right out of the box.

2.8 grains of bullseye works well.

I use the same load as ^^^^^ and seat flush to the case mouth with a slight roll crimp and use swaged 148 grain HBWC in my 52. My trigger also felt like a custom trigger right out of the box.