Plinkasaurusrex
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I have an opportunity to buy a late Model 52. The asking price is kind of high, so I would like some input from those of you who own or have owned on of these. Thanks.
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Need experiences and opinions Model 52
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What do you want to know?
How many mags does it have, Impossible and costly to find them
Ammo is expensive unless you reload your own. Only shoots wadcutters.
Sn. and asking price?
Pictures please.
A Thought:
If you are collecting, all the above questions are valid. (I have several myself.) If you are going to be a serious shooter, especially Bullseye, get a Kart 22 upper and a good worked out 1911 lower for 22 cal, and get a well built 1911 (Kart bbld etc.) and use it for mid-range and 45. Learning one gun VS three is much easier.
Another thought: Late 52s had problems. If A450XXX or OLDER a safer bet. Parts and smiths who know 52 are also scarce.
Add - Thanks Tom for my goof.
In addition to the bbl bushing breaking (I have sold several of them) and sear problems, the under bbl weights tend to drop off in the middle of a match. Getting a 52 (NO DASH) back to target after pulling the screw is about impossible.
If you are collecting, all the above questions are valid. (I have several myself.) If you are going to be a serious shooter, especially Bullseye, get a Kart 22 upper and a good worked out 1911 lower for 22 cal, and get a well built 1911 (Kart bbld etc.) and use it for mid-range and 45. Learning one gun VS three is much easier.
Another thought: Late 52s had problems. If A450XXX or OLDER a safer bet. Parts and smiths who know 52 are also scarce.
Add - Thanks Tom for my goof.
In addition to the bbl bushing breaking (I have sold several of them) and sear problems, the under bbl weights tend to drop off in the middle of a match. Getting a 52 (NO DASH) back to target after pulling the screw is about impossible.
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Tom, what breaks on a m-52?
The barrel bushing for one thing, especially if over-tightened.
Aftermarket mags are in the process of becoming available. I don't know if this will lower prices but at the very least, it might stabilize them, provided the copies are good quality.
Define "kind of high".
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Tom, come on, an aftermarket mag from KKK is going to be of high quality? I thought Clark was doing bushings.
You mean older?
Rowlf
Member
My M52-2 likes to loose sear spring tension and lower the trigger weight. Not good for competitions where the trigger weight is weighed. Trigger distance can be awkward.
Also, hard to make good 50 yard ammo.
I consider it an ok International Center Fire pistol, even though the US teams used 1911s for International CF when they had the choice.
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OP
Plinkasaurusrex
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Thanks all.
s/n 5636x
M52-1
3 mags
Asking $1500
s/n 5636x
M52-1
3 mags
Asking $1500
A Model 52-1 with 5636x serial number is the polar opposite from a late Model 52. A 56xxx pistol is probably pre-1965. A late Model 52 would be a 52-2 with the TZx-xxxx serial prefix. A late Model 52 would be from 1991-1993 and these last guns were fitted and assembled by the newly organized Performance Center gunsmiths and craftsmen.
If you are in the market for any Model 52 from 1961 to 1993, the first thing that helps is that these guns are NOT as scarce and hard to find as you might imagine and the easiest proof of that is to peruse Gunbroker, where there are always many, many examples available every day, all the time.
I own three, I will probably own more before I quit, I love these pistols. I think $1,500 is more than I would pay unless it was absolutely stone cold mint with all original everything including a mint box.
The 52-1 has the improved trigger VS the 52, but does have the old long extractor which is a small negative due to availability, although I have sold only one in years. I believe, for collectors, the -1 is the most rare. If it was mint, with a correct box, I would think $1500 is at the top. A good clean one without box can be picked up in the $800 to $950 range if one is patient and a good searcher. Steel follower would add $100 or so considering the new mags coming out. Just my opinion?
Does any one have a good estimate how many M-52, -1 and -2 were made? Thanks, Mike
AJ
US Veteran
Well, did you buy it? In my neck of the woods a shooter 52 goes for $800 - $1000. Have seen NIB pistols with all the trimmings that the sellers were asking $2000 and up. I paid $1000 for mine with a S&W aluminum case and two magazines........thought I did OK. It is a joy to shoot. I have a bunch of factory match, but usually shoot my reloads in it. Bullseye 2.8 grains with a HBWC.
Kp321
Member
I own two 52-1’s. One to shoot and one to look at.(99%) The extractor breakage can be minimized by never dropping the slide on a round in the chamber. Always feed from the magazine.
Personally I would not pay $1500 for one but I wouldn’t take that for mine.
Personally I would not pay $1500 for one but I wouldn’t take that for mine.
OP
Plinkasaurusrex
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AJ
US Veteran
The mags are worth about $200 each. A nice 52 is going for that here with 2 mags,
A clean 52-2 with a couple of extra mags will rarely sell for less than 1200 dollars, I know I looked for a long time and did not find one. I ended up with a shooters grade 52-1 with one mag that I bought at RA auctions, the hammer price was not so bad but by the time I paid for the fees, shipping, sales tax and FFL transfer it ended up costing close to 1300 dollars. As for magazines if you are patient you can pick them up on flea bay for less than 150 each. My local dealer sold me one for 75 bucks. That's a long winded answer for you. They are nice pistols and fun to shoot and if you can get a nice one for less than 1500 dollars out the door with a couple of mags you probably won't regret it in the long run.
