haroldj
Member
I recently acquired a 52 no dash and a 52-2. What's the minimum muzzle velocity of a factory load required to cycle the action? I had an old box of Sellier & Bellot that failed to cycle.
Model 52 question
- Thread starter haroldj
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I'd say about 775fps should do it - all things being equal.
My hand loads are designed for about 750 fps with 148 grain HB wadcutters. If it doesn’t cycle well, replace the recoils spring with the standard factory 8lb.
Rick H.
Member
Part of the answer is in your question, you stated you "had an old box of Sellier and Bellot". S&B was never considered really good ammunition to begin with. Adequate? Yes, but good? No, certainly not in .38 Special wadcutter form. Find some recent production quality ammunition with flush seated bullets and give it a try. If nothing else chronograph your old S&B and see what the stuff is running for velocity. I gather you don't handload your ammunition, so that avenue maybe closed. There are still some quality ammunition manufacturers supplying the ammunition you need, but not many just look at how the bullet is seated before you buy any. I run my handloads at around 700 to 750 FPS in my M52's with good results. Any slower and they get sluggish. Faster and leading starts to take place which is not good. I have some red box Federal .38 Special wadcutter match ammunition that I chrono'd several years ago and it ran an average of 710 FPS.
Be extremely careful with questionable ammunition in your 52's. Make sure every bullet exits the barrel or you risk serious damage. Barrels for these guns aren't growing on trees. If you fire a round and it doesn't feel or sound right stop and check the barrel before firing another round. Don't assume the barrel is clear! I carry a short nylon dowel rod in my range box for checking barrels. Give your pistols a very thorough cleaning and lubrication. I clean mine completely after I shoot them regardless of how many rounds fired, but I don't fire more than 50 or 60 rounds thru mine in one session. Use quality oil for lubrication. Both my M52's like to be run wet. If you still have problems with the pistol after a good cleaning and lube and you know you have decent ammo, then look at replacing springs.
The Model 52 is a hoot to shoot and can be super accurate even by modern standards. Recoil is next to nothing and if the pistol has been taken care of the accuracy will surprise you. Some will argue its accuracy at 50 yards with a .38 caliber wadcutter bullet, but at 25 yards it can be a killer. When you own one you accept the responsibility of taking care of it. These pistols were made at a time when quality reigned supreme at Smith and Wesson and shooting a good one is a reward in itself and a fun trip back in time. You may even decide to start reloading for this pistol if you aren't already. Have fun with your new to you pistols. Pictures would be nice for us.
Rick H.
Be extremely careful with questionable ammunition in your 52's. Make sure every bullet exits the barrel or you risk serious damage. Barrels for these guns aren't growing on trees. If you fire a round and it doesn't feel or sound right stop and check the barrel before firing another round. Don't assume the barrel is clear! I carry a short nylon dowel rod in my range box for checking barrels. Give your pistols a very thorough cleaning and lubrication. I clean mine completely after I shoot them regardless of how many rounds fired, but I don't fire more than 50 or 60 rounds thru mine in one session. Use quality oil for lubrication. Both my M52's like to be run wet. If you still have problems with the pistol after a good cleaning and lube and you know you have decent ammo, then look at replacing springs.
The Model 52 is a hoot to shoot and can be super accurate even by modern standards. Recoil is next to nothing and if the pistol has been taken care of the accuracy will surprise you. Some will argue its accuracy at 50 yards with a .38 caliber wadcutter bullet, but at 25 yards it can be a killer. When you own one you accept the responsibility of taking care of it. These pistols were made at a time when quality reigned supreme at Smith and Wesson and shooting a good one is a reward in itself and a fun trip back in time. You may even decide to start reloading for this pistol if you aren't already. Have fun with your new to you pistols. Pictures would be nice for us.
Rick H.
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Rick H.
Member
That should be very good ammunition for your Model 52's. Make for dog-gone certain you chrono some of it and see how it performs. Let us know as some of us would be interested in your results.
Rick H.
Rick H.
Given the age and the storage location it might be interesting how it runs!
Let us know!!
My 52-1 cycles fine with my reloads that use 2.9 grains of HP-38 over a 148 grain Bear Creek HBWC. These chronograph at about 650 FPS. The only factory ammo that I have tried was some Remington 148 grain HBWC, those are supposed to be running at about 710 FPS.
