Model 52 help

[mikeyv]

I have been searching the forums looking for help with my model 52-2. Last weekend it suddenly stopped ejecting the spent casing. This coincided with finishing one box of reloads and starting another. If I keep an empty magazine in and feed rounds by hand they fire then I close the slide and pull it back and it will eject the casing every time. I took the gun home and gave it a good cleaning and inspected the extractor under a magnifying glass. There was some crud behind the extractor but it does not appear broken or severely worn, nice sharp hook. I went back to the range with a different box of reloads and am still having the same problem.

Any suggestions offered would be greatly appreciated.

Anyone know the year this was made serial #A105xxx?

I love this gun and will never part with it, but I would like to shoot it a bunch more.

Thanks
Mike

 

[Jimmymac46]

I can only venture a guess and I would have to blame the ammunition. My Model 52-2, as do all models, has a very tight chamber. If your reloads aren't sized properly, meaning they are not somewhat undersized, they may be sticking in the chamber and causing the extractor to 'slip' passed the casing lip. Also, if they are relatively 'hot', the model 52 won't like them. Another possibility is a dirty chamber. You might also scrub the chamber out throughly to make sure you have no fouling. Then finish the cleaning with a good CLP, leaving a 'very' light wet chamber. Earlier models, the 52 and 52-1 did have extractor problems, but that was corrected with your model. That being said, I still believe the problem is ammunition related.

The Model 52 is designed for flush seated, full wadcutter, 148 grain, mid-range ammunition exclusively. Again, I am only guessing from your description of events and I have never fired reloads in my 52. I shoot only factory mid-range flush seated ammo and I have not experienced your problem. Suggestion....find a friend who will loan you or purchase a box of factory ammo as I have described and see if the problem persists. If it does, disregard everything I have said here!!!

In summary, high end, quality, target firearms like your Model 52, or a model 41, require high end, quality, target ammunition IMO.

 

[Jimmymac46]

I looked up your serial number and with A105xxx, I believe you may have a model 52, not a 52-2. Does it indicate model 52-2 on the gun? I could be mistaken, but I believe the model 52-2, which has an extractor and related parts upgrade began in 1971 and started (roughly) with serial numbers A115xxx. Again, there are much more knowledgeable owners/experts on the model 52 then I, so perhaps some will view this thread and correct or agree with my opinions.

If, as your serial number might indicate, you have a pre-model 52-2, then the extractor and spring might be the culprit. It may still function well with factory fodder.

 

[smithfan4152]

The fact about when the A prefix started is that far off. I have other 52-2 in the same serial number range.

 

[Papa John]

The best solution when that happens with any semi-auto is to try some factory ammunition. If that fails to eject, then you probably have a problem with the extractor. My 52-2 caused me some problems with ejection a couple of years ago, but factory ammunition convinced me that my reloads were slightly larger in diameter than the factory ammo.
Try it.

 

[mikeyv]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have tried a couple of other boxes of reloads with the same results. I have always shot reloads. Can anyone recommend factory loads that they have good luck with. I have been looking around my area but can't find anything that is flush mounted. Any place online to get some from? I want to try some factory loads and see what happens.

Thanks

 

[Jimmymac46]

If you are unable to find factory target rounds, Black Hills makes new/reloaded ammo out of cleaned and polished once fired 38 brass. They are flush seated, 148 grain loads, with mid-range velocity. I have used them for years, they are cheaper than new Winchester, Federal or other brands and I have had great success with them. I believe you can order them via Midway. As stated, they are cheaper because the brass is once fired, but I feel their quality is equally as good as anything else.

Another way to go is to mic your loaded (not fired) reloads and determine the largest diameter of the exterior of the casing and the interior of the chamber of your pistol. Easier yet, contact Hornady or any other quality die maker and ask them if they have a full length sizer for auto pistols. I did not research it for you, but a call to them with your problem will determine if a die is available. In rifle calibers, all die makers have, for lack of a better term, semi-auto sizer dies, which effectively undersizes cases to avoid them sticking and provide reliable functioning. Again, this is assuming the reloads are your problem. Good Luck

 

[mikeyv]

Thanks for the advice. I did not realize there was a different resize die for autoloaders. I know the die I have is for revolver since it is my dads and he only shot 38 special in revolvers. I will look into this.

Still don't know I have tried other reloads (148gr bullet and 2.7gr bullseye) with no better results. I got to try some factory loads and see what happens.

Thanks

 

[Spotteddog]

Stick with it Mikeyv,
This place is a MEGA resource for knowledge!
Your pistol (52) was my Dad's "grail gun". He waited a lifetime and never got to enjoy one. You've got THIS place as a resource!
Please post your functioning dilemma in the "Reloading" and "Gun Smithing" headings. While I never got the chance to enjoy one with my Dad, there's a bunch of folks who know and love them around here!