Problems/Questions on S&W52-1

[BigBoy99]

I've had my S&W52-1 for a while and finally got some flush seated wad cutter ammo. I took the gun the range this AM expecting to have a fun day shooting. Lucky for me I brought other guns as I couldn't get one round out of the S&W52-1! The problem was, after the magazine had been seated, the hammer would not fall when the trigger was pulled. I tried seating and reseating the magazine with no affect. The trigger would not make the hammer fall. I gave up and put it in the box and came home with it. I've been "playing" with it since I got home and I think I've discovered the problem. The magazine cut-off which prevents the gun from firing when the magazine is NOT in place, doesn't recognize there is a magazine present and seated. If I slam the magazine into the gun and slam it bottom, sometimes the magazine cut-off will realize the magazine is in place and permit the hammer to fall when the trigger is pulled. Other time with the same slamming procedure, it is a non-functioning gun.

Is this a problem easily fixed or should I send it back the S&W? Would S&W repair this gun as it left the factory about 50 years ago. Any estimates on the cost if S&W does the repairs? If S&W would repair it, how would I get in touch with them to send the gun back to them? Appreciate any help.

 

[cherrypointmarine]

I myself would not send it back . There is a gentleman on here who used to build these at S&W . There are others who know these guns inside and out . One , Sevens , I am sure will chime in .

 

[505Gibbs]

As already stated - DO NOT RETURN to S&W! They have no one to work on model 52's.

 

[Sevens]

Hey, thanks for the shout out!

I would guess it is possibly more likely that the trigger stop/overtravel screw has "migrated" rather than this being a magazine disconnect issue. The biggest reasom I say this is because the ejector itself is what controls the magazine disconnect and it needs to be WAY down to disconnect that trigger -- it needs to be so far down that it wouldn't eject brass. If you are sure that the mag disconnect is the issue... then I think it may be your MAGAZINE that could be the problem. Check the rearmost left side magazine lip.

However, if it is the overtravel screw:
Take off left stock and use appropriate allen wrench to "unscrew" the overtravel screw to allow trigger more range. Don't forget that when adjusting/testing, have to stick a magazine in each time.

If that doesn't fix it, there is ANOTHER adjustment screw, the trigger pre-travel. And if it is maladjusted, it won't let the hammer reset. Same allen wrench, but top-down in the frame above the trigger with the slide off.

Hope that helps. If not... pictures maybe?
Good luck and report back!

 

[Sevens]

Also may be worth mentioning...
Numrich has had 52 ejectors in stock (on and off) in the "near recent past." If you need a new ejector, it isn't an expensive part.

 

[BigBoy99]

Hey, thanks for the shout out!

I would guess it is possibly more likely that the trigger stop/overtravel screw has "migrated" rather than this being a magazine disconnect issue. The biggest reasom I say this is because the ejector itself is what controls the magazine disconnect and it needs to be WAY down to disconnect that trigger -- it needs to be so far down that it wouldn't eject brass. If you are sure that the mag disconnect is the issue... then I think it may be your MAGAZINE that could be the problem. Check the rearmost left side magazine lip.

However, if it is the overtravel screw:
Take off left stock and use appropriate allen wrench to "unscrew" the overtravel screw to allow trigger more range. Don't forget that when adjusting/testing, have to stick a magazine in each time.

I've adjusted the overtravel screw to the point where there is about a 0.065" gap between the rear of the trigger and the screw head when the hammer does fall. I don't think the overtravel screw is involved.

If that doesn't fix it, there is ANOTHER adjustment screw, the trigger pre-travel. And if it is maladjusted, it won't let the hammer reset. Same allen wrench, but top-down in the frame above the trigger with the slide off.

I have not done anything with the trigger pre-travel screw. I don't think it is related. On several occasions the trigger won't make the hammer fall but if I press very firmly in the bottom of the seated magazine and keep pressure on the magazine base, the trigger will make the hammer fall. I'm sure the gun doesn't recognize when the magazine is in the gun and this is the problem. What is the part/area of the magazine which contacts the magazine cut-off inside the gun? What is the part on the inside of the gun called which is the magazine cut-off? Could that part be worn/need replacement or adjustment? In looking at a diagram, that piece is not obvious.

Hope that helps. If not... pictures maybe?
Good luck and report back!

Appreciate the help. Thanks.

 

[BigBoy99]

Also may be worth mentioning...
Numrich has had 52 ejectors in stock (on and off) in the "near recent past." If you need a new ejector, it isn't an expensive part.

Thanks, but until I can get it to shoot, I won't know if I need a new or not!

 

[Sevens]

I have not had a 52 apart. Poster kidcom definitely has and donk52 is the poster that used to build them.

I have had 2nd and 3rd Gens apart. To the best of my recollection, the ejector springs downward due to a spring-loaded nub on the underside of the slide. When the ejector is pushed down by this nub AND the magazine is not in place to prevent the ejector from doing so, the ejector then pushes the disconnect down, and the disconnect un-hooks the trigger linkage from the sear.

In a parts diagram , the disconnector appears as a tiny nipple protruding upward from the frame, the slide runs over it. The entire part looks like a letter "j" but with a horizontal cross pin, perpendicular to it's length.

Arrrgh, God bless the gifted that can properly author a technical manual.

I suggest removing your slide and with NO MAGAZINE, experiment with how and when the trigger allows the hammer to fall. You should find that with the ejector allowed to stay up, the pistol is ready to "shoot", and when you press the ejector down, the trigger will no longer let the hammer drop. Now -- put the magazine in and notice how the rear most left side magazine lip STOPS the ejector from being pushed downward. Or it should!

Don't allow your hammer to slam home and hit the pistol's frame while testing.

Sincere apologies that I actually understand what is supposed to happen... but cannot describe it well.

 

[Sevens]

Another suggestion that you may consider trying if you keep hitting a road block...

If you are able to move the rear sight from the slide itself... the spring-loaded nub that makes the magazine disconnect work is insider there. Theoretically... removing this defeats the magazine disconnect.

 

[donk52]

BB99, Remove the mag, empty chamber, remove the slide, remove stocks. The gun is now able to be cycled single action. dry firing is ok with the Mod 52. Cock hammer, press down on the ejector, the gun should not fire. Release the ejector, it should fire. If the gun seems to operate normally the problem might be in the slide. Lay the slide, sights down. The plunger under the sight should move freely up and down. When pushing it in, it should go below the surface level of where the frame slides. If everything seems ok, with the slide still off, insert the unloaded magazine. This will push the extractor up and the mag catch should engage normally without forcing the mag in. If all this seems to work it may be the upper/lower trigger screws. There are some things that can cause other things not to function. let me know what you find, hope I can help.

 

[BigBoy99]

Thanks to all of the comments and suggestions because the problem is solved.

Upon removing the slide and finding the plunger, it was the plungers fault. There must have been dried grease down around the plunger's shaft because it would not rise or rise very slowly when the magazine was inserted. I put solvent around the plunger and moved it up and down by hand. Slowly it started to move and after a while it was moving freely. Now when the magazine is inserted, the plunger is forced upward, permitting the hammer to fall.

I guess another trip the range is in order. Thanks.

 

[donk52]

BB99_Glad to hear the problem is solved. These 52's aren't space shuttles, but one tiny thing that's not to spec can really ruin a day at the range.

 

[Sevens]

The issue you experienced, described and fixed could happen in any 1-2-3rd Gen. The disconnector may not be exactly the same part across all models but it is designed basically the same way.

Good job!

 

[donk52]

The part sticking was the ejector depressor plunger. The disconnector is the part sticking up on center of the frame next to the ejector lever. They all work in unison. Plunger pushes extractor which forces the disconnector down which pushes the drawbar down to disconnect from sear to disable firing when mag is released. Parts aren't always able to be replaced without some sort of modification. They are not the same as the 9mm's

 

[jjohnl]

I got three 52's, good info for sure.