Mounting a Red Dot on a 52

[Lorance]

I would like some recommendations for mounting a rail and red dot on a 52-2. I know that there are rear sight only mounts and right grip mounts but I have not heard any praise for either system. I am open to having it bored and tapped if necessary if you have found the right rail to start with.

What did you do that DID worked or did NOT work?

Pictures will be help full.

Lorance

 

[TSQUARED]

BME makes a mount which fits on the frame in the rail slots designed for the S&W factory optional weight, thus no drilling or tapping is necessary. I have used that mount but sold it and my 52-1 a few months ago.

 

[boatbum101]

I use a BME mount that replaces the factory rear sight . Requires no drilling or tapping . Can return gun to stock configuration in 15 mins or less . I use a 1" Ultradot & a 7lb recoil spring . Functions just fine with the usual 38 wadcutter loads . See attached pic .
Andy

 

[Lorance]

I use a BME mount that replaces the factory rear sight . Requires no drilling or tapping . Can return gun to stock configuration in 15 mins or less . I use a 1" Ultradot & a 7lb recoil spring . Functions just fine with the usual 38 wadcutter loads . See attached pic .
Andy

Thanks for the recommendation for the rear sight replacement version. I also use the 1 inch Ultra Dot. Where should I look for a replacement spring?

 

[boatbum101]

Wolff gunsprings . Wolff Gunsprings - Firearm Springs for Semi-Auto Pistols, Revolvers, Rifles, & Shotguns . 7lb stock # 47007 , factory 8lb stock # 47008 .
Andy

 

[7cstevan]

I would like some recommendations for mounting a rail and red dot on a 52-2. I know that there are rear sight only mounts and right grip mounts but I have not heard any praise for either system. I am open to having it bored and tapped if necessary if you have found the right rail to start with.

What did you do that DID worked or did NOT work?

Pictures will be help full.

Lorance

Aimtech makes one that replaces the right grip panel. Comment are;
1) Sight is mounted high, but that allows you to use the iron sight if the red dot or it's battery goes kaput in a match (at least you have the iron sights to complete the shoot)
2) No drilling or marring of the gun
3) Fairly easy to install with a small small punch, hammer and screw driver (DO USE loctite med. strength on the screws). Will take you about 20 min or less. You MAY want to adjust your trigger overtravel slightly when you are done.
4) No need to change recoil spring.
5) Negative is you have to remove it or loosen it a lot to clean the slide. But, it does go back to zero when you reinstall.
6) Most don't like the flat right hand grip panel--my solution was a rubber gripper, that I would have done anyway.
Here's a pic on a 52-2

 

[Muddy Dog]

I have a Cal-grip mount that replaces the left side grip. I leaves the right side open for ejections. I use an Ultra dot sight system.

 

[7cstevan]

I have a Cal-grip mount that replaces the left side grip. I leaves the right side open for ejections. I use an Ultra dot sight system.

Nice to know, got any contact infor on Cal Grip? Can you dismantle the gun (take of slide) without taking the grip off?

(I don't have any eject problems with the AimTech, but cant figure out why they didn't make both a left and right grip model, nor make it just a little wider to be able to clear the sight to take the slide off)

 

[Muddy Dog]

Oh gawd. I was hoping you wouldn't ask where I got it. This was about 10 to 15 years ago. Could have been Champions Choice. To much brass has been reloaded since I got it. Yes you can take the slide off while the grip is on. But, it is much easier to remove the grip and leave the Ultra-Dot still attached to the top of it as one piece. Then dismantle the slide. I wish I had a camera to take a picture of it to show you. Maybe someone can help us both out. I'm sorry that I don't remember where I got it. My question to you is where did you get that neat slide on pistol grip, I shoot bullseye comp. and that rubber(?) grip looks like it might help me.

 

[7cstevan]

Oh gawd. I was hoping you wouldn't ask where I got it. This was about 10 to 15 years ago. Could have been Champions Choice. To much brass has been reloaded since I got it. Yes you can take the slide off while the grip is on. But, it is much easier to remove the grip and leave the Ultra-Dot still attached to the top of it as one piece. Then dismantle the slide. I wish I had a camera to take a picture of it to show you. Maybe someone can help us both out. I'm sorry that I don't remember where I got it. My question to you is where did you get that neat slide on pistol grip, I shoot bullseye comp. and that rubber(?) grip looks like it might help me.

Slip on is a Hogue semi-auto "Handall" Slip-on grip, from my local gunshop, about $9.00--Brownell's has them too, but forget the part number for a Smith 52 (same as for a 39). Not sure if it was the Lg or the Med. size but Hogue or Brownell or Midway could tell you--the applications are on the box. The rubber thumbrest on the left side is just a hunk of rubber I had kicking around in my workbench area--tapered like a door stop--think it was actually a spare part from a storm door or something, but superglued it to the Handall and works fine. Yankee's are "thrifty" if noone's told you!)
Like it a lot-- put one on my Beretta 92FS as well.

 

[boatbum101]

Cal grip scopemounts are no longer made . I've got a used one I'll let go quite reasonable if someone wants it . I didn't care for it as it makes gun unwieldy / cumbersome for me . I much prefer the BME mount shown in my earlier post in this thread . PM or e mail me if you wish .
Andy

 

[Muddy Dog]

I really like the idea of the thumb rest. It has me thinking how to attach something like it to my Cal Grip. I'm still trying to remember where I got it.

 

[Duke Aquaro]

This was really helpful. I have a 52 and it is in outstanding condition. My eyes are not as good as they once were and I wanted to use a DOT with it. BUT, I am not willing to drill and tap it. Now I have some info on "bolt-on" mounts. Great help!! Thanks for posting this great info.

 

[7cstevan]

I really like the idea of the thumb rest. It has me thinking how to attach something like it to my Cal Grip. I'm still trying to remember where I got it.

I was going to get a small scrap of walnut and whittle a small piece act as a thumb grip to slip inside the rubber Hogue grip (superglue it to the rubber grip to keep it from sliding around), maybe even oil finish it to match the regular walnut panel grip, but then found that piece of wedge shaped rubber kicking around my cellar "junk drawer" of miscellaneous hardware parts, and decided to put it to good use. Thought I'd get laughed at when I showed up with it, but a couple of guys at my league actually liked it--maybe when I get bored this winter and need a small project I'll do the thumbrest in wood.
Darned if I can remember what it came from though

 

[Lorance]

Thanks to everone who answered my question...

I ended up ordering a wolff spring in case I bore the slide, bought a almost new Millit from 7csteven and a left hand CalGrip from another member who I can not find in this tread.

My 52-2 is still in the California DROS system and because I am traveling I can not get it out until November 3... Then I will post pics.

 

[7cstevan]

Thanks to everone who answered my question...

I ended up ordering a wolff spring in case I bore the slide, bought a almost new Millit from 7csteven and a left hand CalGrip from another member who I can not find in this tread.

My 52-2 is still in the California DROS system and because I am traveling I can not get it out until November 3... Then I will post pics.

Well, you didn't buy the Millett from me (maybe a typo) as I never had one ! Someone else should get the credit

Keep us posted with the pics asap--what is CA "DROS"?

 

[Lorance]

what is CA "DROS"?

Ever since some crazy bought a gun and tried to shoot Reagan on the same day, California has a 10 day cooling off period where the gun physically has to stay at a FFL dealer's safe.

So now only bad guys buy guns and take it home with him.

Doesn't make you feel a whole lot safer?

 

[Ronx52]

Cal grip scopemounts are no longer made . I've got a used one I'll let go quite reasonable if someone wants it . I didn't care for it as it makes gun unwieldy / cumbersome for me . I much prefer the BME mount shown in my earlier post in this thread . PM or e mail me if you wish .
Andy

Hi, I am looking for a cal grip for a s&w model 52. Do you still have yours or know of one elsewhere .. Thanks..Ron