S&W 52-2 value?

[4-Screw]

I have a boxed 1962 Model 52, which is about 98%, and I shoot it often. The 52 is my favorite gun to shoot, bar none. Here is my 52-2, NIB, Nill grips added for the heck of it, shipped in September of 1979.

 

[jjohnl]

In my opinion...
It's all about price when you are looking at the potential purchase of a 52-1. Why I say this...? The market (generally, not specifically!) has basically the SAME feeling that you do. This is "oh, the long extractor was weak, will break, then the gun is unfixable" and because of this notorious legend, the 52-1 pistols that would almost assuredly otherwise be MORE valuable in the market tend to carry similar and quite often LOWER prices.

Folks that have actual long history of owning, shooting, competing with and loving the 52-1 will often tell you a couple things. First thing they often say is that the bluing is deeper, more lustrous and more beautiful. Next they will often say that their dash-1 pistols have slightly better trigger feel than their dash-2 pistols. Thirdly... many will say that they were well aware of the fear of extractor fail, so often they ordered a replacement (when they were still available) and they kept it at the ready.

And many of these guys will tell you that they never did end up using their replacement.

We have had discussions around these pages as to the validity of the legend of 52/52-1 extractor failure. My own personal opinion based on years of reading tales from owners boils down to:

--extractors can and do fail in any pistol
--52/52-1 extractor is a HARD to source part
--S&W makes changes on occasion and it isn't necessarily because an earlier design was weak, bad or prone to failure.

We could successfully argue that the 52-2 extractor is a better and more resilient design than the 52/52-1, however -- I don't believe it is necessarily fair to thusly label the 52/52-1 design as weak or prone to failure.

Bottom line on purchasing a 52-1, in my opinion:
The market typically says the 52-1 goes for same as 52-2 at most and often LESS money. If the price of the 52-1 in your opportunity to buy is right for you, I think you'll be buying a solid (and amazing) pistol. However, I can't ignore reality-- the replacement part is very difficult and expensive to source.

The market reflects that.

Seven


Thanks for the info, well I went ahead and bought the 52-1, gun is minty mint, comes with three mags, barrel weights wood and Pachmayr grips. Can hardly wait.



John

 

[jjohnl]

Now that they are available new again, no need to modify one for the other.

People can once again buy a spare if they are concerned and the whole "will it break?" discussion becomes academic.

John

John



Who has the 52-1 long extractors for sale? If I read correctly a member has some 39-1 but as mentioned they are different than the 52.

Thanks

John

 

[windypoint]

I bought a 52-1 extractor from Numrich several years ago. Still have it and probably won't ever need it. I see that Numrich has been out of stock for a while. They do show the Model 39 and 52-1 as having an identical extractor.

 

[Brassmaster]

A couple of questions from a 52-2 owner & Precision Pistol Competitor. 1) where did you get the mount & cost? what optics are shown on your 52 & cost?
Thanks, Brassmaster

 

[Tom S.]

A couple of questions from a 52-2 owner & Precision Pistol Competitor. 1) where did you get the mount & cost? what optics are shown on your 52 & cost?
Thanks, Brassmaster

Who are you asking? If me, the mount is made by forum member revolver_ph for $45 and the sight is made by Leupold, Delta Point Pro and runs between $350 - $400.

 

[batman4706]

BME makes several mounts for the 52, I have the one that uses the grooves for the weight. I have a number of the small sights and I believe the Leupold is the best.

 

[Sebring Pop]

Wow I have a 52-2 with 5 magazines, grip scope mount and original box I am thinking of selling for $ 2000.00 but it looks like I'm a little to soon

 

[Sevens]

$2000 is above market for what you describe, but it's certainly happened.