My 952 Collection

Wow indeed!! Recall seeing them on the front cover of one of the magazine rags. Sure wish I would have moved on a blued version. Thanks for showing.
 
BRatliff said:
Hey Bill, great to see a post from you again, it's been a while. Hope things have been going well.

Simply outstanding collection of 952's, as well as the rest. I still recall vividly helping you unload the van in Baton Rouge for your display.

As a relatively new member, I was honored to assist you in setting up. I distinctly remember opening each box like a little boy on Christmas morning. The dinner afterwards with a few close friends was also quite memorable.:):cool::)

All the best my friend, Bob Ratliff.
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Thanks Bob, that's one of my best memories as well. Good to hear from you.

Bill
 
Definitely add my vote for this thread to become a "notable thread" and a sticky at the top of the forum. It is an all-inclusive and beautifully graphic display of what the Smith & Wesson Performance Center created in the 952 series.

And it is breath taking that you also have the vaporware 952 dash-3 pistols in 9x21 made for Italy! I've never seen anyone that claims to own one and I've never seen one for sale. The owner's manual (more like a leaflet but anyway) says that it covers the 952, 952-1, 952-2 and 952-3 and I had assumed it was for an eventual model that simply never happened until I dug further.

I also love the stainless dash-1 with the old school stamped "KAZ" prefix, I can only imagine how that one single "one-of-one" came to life, who on the PC team had their hands on it and maybe even sent some rounds through it?

Excellent thread with some genuine eye candy and also Bill, thanks for taking my phone call a few months back to learn more about your 1-of-1 4006 Limited! :D
 
mauser9 said:
Was a real privilege to view a fine collection. Not sure what the M.S.R.P was on them when they first came out but have seen prices on Gunbroker of $2,500 or more.
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They originally retailed for around $1250 in 2003, and in collectors condition with the case and all paperwork they go from around $2750 to well over $4000 today, depending on model. And for the ultra rare ones, well, let's just say you would need oxygen after pricing one. :cool:
 
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MSRP's:

In the S&W 2007 catalog
952-2 5" 170244 $2,070
And $2,157 in the 2008 catalog.

The 6-inch Long Slide 170274 was $2,441
And $2,554 in the 2008 catalog.
 
skjos said:
Absolutely a beautiful collection and thanks for sharing. Any chance of adding the product codes for each of the pistols?
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I've added the six I know. The dash-1 billboard model may have had a different code from the dash-1 non-billboard gun, but I'm not sure. The stainless prototype probably didn't have a product code since it was a one off. Production of the two-tone black/stainless 5" and 6" dash-2 was reportedly limited to a handful of each, and I don't know those either. The code for the black 5" dash-3 may be different from the stainless version, but I'm not sure. I also don't know the code for the 6" Masterpiece.

Hope this helps. If anyone can fill in any of the gaps, please let me know and I'll add those too.
 
They're all beautiful! Thanks for posting.

Just out of curiosity, did the Performance Center ever consider selling their products to left handed people? I'm amazed by the dearth of right side safety levers on this collection of high end works of art!
 
I'd just like to also add my thanks for posting, Bill. You acquired beautiful collections of all the PC autos. I was especially impressed with your collection of 945's.

I'm also grateful that you let me share in a couple of your "extras".

I'm sorry that you won't be able to make Tulsa, but some of us will hoist a cold one to you.

Carmine Petracca
 
Bill, you have been such a valuable resource here on the Forum, and your collection of these 952's and so many of the other notable series like the 945's is wondrous to behold. That looooong table of Performance Center products is astounding, and I would love to have seen it. I'm sure those who did have never forgotten it. "Museum-worthy" hardly even begins to describe it.

I'm sure there are many, many collectors who would jump at the opportunity to own some of these if you decide to pare your wonderful collection. Something in me, though, says that the complete series groups should be kept together for all time, and that somewhere, there is someone who would do that. I hope that whoever it is will make themselves known to you. Only wish it could be me!

Thanks so much for sharing this, and so much else in your collection, with us!:)
 
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D Brown said:
Just out of curiosity, did the Performance Center ever consider selling their products to left handed people? I'm amazed by the dearth of right side safety levers on this collection of high end works of art!
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The PC of that era made them as we see them but they were VERY open to requests for alterations after the fact, and many guys sent their gun back to the PC with specific needs. Swapping in an ambi safety lever was a very common request and not a difficult one either.

The PC does not exist today regardless of what new guns you may see with our classic logo or what anyone may say about "sending their gun back to the PC" but if you yourself decide to jump in to one of these classics, you can swap in a regular 3rd Gen two-sided safety and it will work.

Unlike putting one in to a DA/SA 3rd Gen, there is no decock feature on the 5 and 6-inch Limited target guns, it merely acts as a hammer block safety.
 
Bill are you adopting any children at this point ???
I would love to be one of them. lol
 
Wow you Sir have just won the inter web for best collection of 952's ever.

I had my chance to buy a few at the factory store when it was open but I cheaped out at the time. Young kids and all.

As the saying goes I wish I pulled the trigger at the time.

Congrats on the collection and future owners.
 
Absolutely stunning, every single one of them. Since you asked, I will confess to liking the longslides more than the five-inchers, and to my eyes (and heart) the two-tone longslide is the standout specimen.

Several years ago I came across a PC 952-1 on the consignment shelf at my Range/LGS, and even though I am mostly a revolver guy I didn't waste a second dithering about whether or not to add it to the safe. It doesn't have the long barrel that I admire, but I am completely delighted to have any 952 at all. KAZ1170, test-fired April 2003 according to the label on the cartridge case envelope. I don't know how closely design changes observe serial number order, but mine is a non-billboard specimen. I imagine it probably shipped not long after the test date, but I haven't lettered it or asked for a shipping date. Guess I ought to. [UPDATE: Shipment in April 2003 has been confirmed.]

Once again, terrific post and a spectacular single-model subset from your enormous and even more spectacular PC collection. Gotta say it: Wow.
 
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