Model 52 Barrel replacement

[Brister1984]

After many years of shooting and collecting S&W Model 52s, I finally got burned. Bought a 52-2 on an online auction and found the barrel bulged.
Any suggestions for finding a replacement barrel? I know Clark Custom offers a replacement barrel and bushing (at least they used to), but it appears they don't offer fitting services to install.
(waiting on reply from Clark)
Hate to just write this one off, as the rest of the gun appears to be in very good condition.

 

[6string]

The best option would be if Clark Custom Guns can sell you a barrel. Fitting? I suspect they would do the job.

Another option is to have a gunsmith cut off the barrel from the breech block, then drill the block a fit a barrel blank. I know two gunsmiths who build Bullseye guns that can do this work. One is Dave Wilson. You can track him down through the Targettalk forum or the Bullseye-L forum. Another guy is Dave Salyer in Rock Hill, NC. He does nice Bullseye 1911 builds. I used to shoot with him when he was experimenting with a 1911 chambered for 30 Luger. He built this for the centerfire stage of the 2700 match. He made the barrel just as I described. It shot very well.

There is also a company called IGB in Austria. They make replacement match grade pistol barrels and they do custom work.
Every so often, they do a run of Hämmerli P240 barrels in 38 Spl. If you know that gun, you perhaps are aware that it shares the same Achilles Heel as the M52, namely an easily bulged barrel.
I don’t know if they do M52 barrels, but you could ask.
Incidentally, anybody curious about this discussion can read up about one man’s journey to get his precious Hämmerli P240 repaired. I don’t think I’m allowed to post links to other forums, so…Go to the targetalk forum and search “Got the pistol back” by astigmat2000, and his other thread “Bulged barrel on my SIG Hämmerli P240”.
Both threads contain a wealth of images and details about the topic of bulged 38 special barrels in specialized target autoloading pistols.

Best wishes. Hope you get your M52 fixed!

 

[Aussie Collector]

I gentleman at my club bulged his 52. Fired a second round after a squib. Yes he racked the slide to fire the second. I guess he would have fired a third if the gun had not jammed.
The barrel was bulged enough to not allow it to be removed, easily anyway.
A machinist made up a set of dies and using a 200 tonne press removed the bulge pressing the barrel back to original external diameter. I was impressed with the repair and accuracy after the job. There was no evidence of a bulge internal or external. I ended up buying the 52, mainly because it came with 4 mags as I already had two 52s. It worked a treat.
I hope this helps if you cannot find a barrel.

 

[gmborkovic]

Mr. brister, does the 52 still function with the bulge?

 

[Kp321]

I have “rolled” bulges out of pistol barrels with a pipe cutter. Replace the cutting wheel with a third roller wheel, hardened and polished. You can still see a ring inside but they shoot great unless the bulge is near the muzzle.

 

[Rick H.]

Clark Custom should be able to install a new barrel, but the person that does them is working towards retirement I believe. I spoke with him several months ago after he installed a new barrel on one of my M52's. I was very happy with the results and I think I will have another one done. Let us know what they have to say to you.

Rick H.

 

[gmborkovic]

Hey Aussie, how did that rolled 52 group after the operation?

 

[6string]

I’m sure there’s a lot of factors at play (steel type/hardness, degree of distortion, etc), but I wonder how a barrel with a “rolled out” bulge would fare under a Magnaflux test?
I bet a lot of bulges exhibit microscopic cracks that may not be apparent to the naked eye. You can roll it back, but the steel won’t mend itself.

 

[gwpercle]

After many years of shooting and collecting S&W Model 52s, I finally got burned. Bought a 52-2 on an online auction and found the barrel bulged.
Any suggestions for finding a replacement barrel? I know Clark Custom offers a replacement barrel and bushing (at least they used to), but it appears they don't offer fitting services to install.
(waiting on reply from Clark)
Hate to just write this one off, as the rest of the gun appears to be in very good condition.

Clark Custom is still in the fitting business ... Use their replacement bbl / bushing and have them fit it .
I would also have them do one of their magically wonderful Trigger Jobs while they have it .

I don't know what them boy's do ... but I love their Target Trigger Jobs ... I smile thinking about shooting mine ( S&W model 41 Target ) ...sooo sweet !.
Gary

 

[Rick H.]

Not to dispute what you say, but the triggers on my M52-2's are fantastic just from the factory. I don't know how they could be improved on, but I suppose Clark could for a fee.

Rick H.

 

[Aussie Collector]

Hey Aussie, how did that rolled 52 group after the operation?

There was no difference in the grouping or performance. It was very surprising. When the gun came up for sale I did not hesitate buying it.
I'm pretty sure I no longer have it, I ended up with 1/2 dozen or more 52-2s and sold a few off.

 

[gmborkovic]

Mr.Aussie, Im not surprised. There were smiths rolling 45ACP barrels
back in the 1950s with the same results. Thanks for info. Mike