Model 52 questions

[Leon Narozny]

I recently acquired a model 52, and as I dont reload metallic anymore I am having a problem feeding it. My old reloads
of which I have only about 100 left function it fine, but I bought
a quantity of Fiocchi 38 wad cutter that wont function it.
I ordered a 7# spring from Woolf hoping I can get the Fiocchi
to work. I also ordered some Magtech 38s that a reviewer said
will function it. I would like to find some Federals, but it seems everyone is out of them.Any suggestions for me? Thanks

 

[2alphas]

52 ammo

I have had great experience with Parabellum Ammo out of Knoxville, TN in my 52-2. Functions and laser beam accurate. Ryan is a great guy to boot.

Just my .02
TC

 

[loeman]

Welcome to the forum. The Md 52 is a very special gun and you and all the rest of us that have one are very fortunate. I don't shoot mine much, but when I do I get great big grins! I'm still flawlessly shooting from a huge trove of hand-loads that were given to me when I bought the gun.

 

[gibekim]

Congrats on your new 52 and welcome to the brotherhood. They are a pleasure to shoot but can be finicky especially with feeding issues. Most often the feeding issues can be corrected by tuning the magazines. Check for sharp corners on the top part of the mag that retains the cartridge. Also you may want to slightly expand the opening on the top (very slightly). I wouldn't mess with the recoil spring unless it is broken, these guns are well engineered as is. It is only necessary to go with a lighter recoil spring if you are going to mount optics directly onto the slide. As far as ammo goes, stay with mid-range ammo only. Some 148gr wadcutter ammo is rated at 800fps (the 52 is not the only .38 wadcutter gun out there). You want to stay in the 710-730 fps range. Hotter ammunition will only lead to premature wear on a gun that has very limited replacemnet parts available. MIdway has a good selection available in stock. Look at the Winchester Super X. Some factory ammo is not seated perfectly flush which can cause feed jams. These may need to be re-seated a bit. If you intend to load your own, go with the Speer LHBWC or the Hornady LHBWC with 2.7 Bullseye.
Good Luck and enjoy.

 

[colt_saa]

Welcome to the Forum.

I have been shooting a model 52 for more then 2 decades now

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When I do not hand load for it, I shoot Winchester, Federal or Remington 148 HBWC match ammunition.

I have never had a problem finding and ordering ammunition for this Firearm.

As of this moment MidwayUSA has the Remington and Winchester instock and ready for delivery. They are currently out of the Federal.

This is probably the finest shooting target pistol Smith and Wesson has ever produced. Do not try and feed it the cheapest commercially loaded ammunition you can buy.

 

[g27racing]

Leon:

I too had trouble with the Fiocchi ammo in my model 52-2. Seems like it was just a little underpowered. I have tried the Remington and Winchester ammo and found it worked better. (I don't reload) I got lucky in that I found a guy locally selling a 2000rd case of Winchester for a really good price so I just ration what I take to the range when that gun goes with me. The 52 is somewhat finicky (at least mine is) but its a joy to shoot when not being a lil bitch.

 

[Troystat]

You might give the folks at Precision Delta a call they have ammo that should work for you. https://precisiondelta.com/

good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[Ruzneb]

Gibkekim is exactly right-start with the magazine before making any changes- spring, etc., to the pistol. I shoot the Colt equivalent of the 52- the Mid Range National Match. I've had it for 25 years and for 23 years it never fed properly. Fiddled with springs, had throat polished, etc. with no improvement. Then I bought another magazine and the troubles went away. Took the old one to my gunsmith and he adjusted-bent- the "ears" on top of the mag to match my new one. It now functions properly. Don't try to do it yourself- the mag is hardened and you'll scratch the finish. My load is 2.7gr Accurate#2, Hornady HBWC 148gr. I seat the bullet slightly below the rim and use a separate Redding crimp die. The ctg must have distinct roll crimp to feed properly.