Modern Mystery: no-dash 52

[Sevens]

I think many of us realize that there were two key differences between the original S&W Model 52 pistol and the 52-1 pistol. (If there are more than two, please share them!)

The 52-1 had the frame adorned with a rail specifically to wear the accessory counter weight that S&W offered.

But the other difference is more significant — the shape and contour of the trigger of the no-dash 52 is different than the 52-1 (and the 52-2 for that matter) but it is more than just the physical shape.

The original Model 52 is actually a double action capable pistol.

And here is the subject of this thread… the modern mystery of the double action Model 52!

I have read where there is an internal lock-out device to prevent the pistol from actually being capable of a double action first shot. And indeed, nearly every picture that’s ever been shared or captured of a no-dash 52 shows the trigger far back in the guard, ready for single action work but only for that.



Doesn’t that look simply odd? Any long time admirers of the 52 want to admit they have never seen this strange oddity?

I saved that picture from a Gunbroker auction that ran nearly a decade ago! If you have never seen a 52 look quite like that… well, welcome to the party.

I’ve never seen one out in the world with the double action activated. And being that I have never owned a no-dash 52, I have also never seen the inner workings that show where this mysterious “lock out” device is located or how it works.

Now who amongst us -HAS- seen this? Who has a no-dash 52 and uses the double action setting?

Is it particularly difficult to lock out the double action? I have heard it mention that this task can be fussy… but on that, I have zero experience.

This subject seems to be nearly untouched. I don’t think I have ever seen it discussed here.

 

[knightkrawler00]

My 52 is at home and I don't have pictures, but there is a screw in the frame above the trigger that simply blocks the trigger from swinging forward enough to engage the DA portions of the trigger. Just think of it as a pre travel screw with a whole lot of adjustment. I have never messed with mine, though I've been tempted just to see if the DA pull is as nice as I wish it was.

 

[cougar015]

My M52 has the trigger set for SA shooting only and I have never tried to adjust it to a DA pull. As far as I can recall, all the 52's I have seen are set up this way. in the SCSW 5th edition on page 409 there are pictures of two model 52's with on showing the trigger set up for SA and the other set up or DA/SA.


Wikipedia tells us that "the first version, known simply as the Model 52, retained the basic trigger mechanism of the Model 39, with the Double-Action function selectable via a simple frame-mounted setscrew, allowing the pistol to be fired in either single-action or double-action mode depending on the setscrew's adjustment.
In 1963, the Model 52-1 was introduced with a separately developed single-action trigger system and was manufactured until 1970, when it was succeeded by the Model 52-2. Changes to the 52-2 included an improved extractor and this version was manufactured for 23 years.