S&W Mod 52: my biggest regret in handgunning

[Sevens]

I started shooting in the late-80’s when .38 Wadcutter ammo was prevalent, to say the least. The fact that it’s a scarce product today is part of the reason that the Model 52 isn’t more sought after in the gun market.

I’ve built up a pretty good supply of component hollow base wadcutters.

 

[AJ]

I started shooting in the late-80’s when .38 Wadcutter ammo was prevalent, to say the least. The fact that it’s a scarce product today is part of the reason that the Model 52 isn’t more sought after in the gun market.

I’ve built up a pretty good supply of component hollow base wadcutters.

I have a couple of thousand HBWC's that are reserved for my 52. I have many more DEWC's that I use in my S&W K Frame PPC Revolver and my S&W 27-2. I cast my own boolits and need to look for a HBWC mold!

 

[6string]

I was 49 when I bought my 52-2 in 1990. I shot it until 2004 when I sold it. It probably had the nicest trigger of any handgun I ever shot. It would group my handloads under 2" at 25 yards (when I was capable). Unfortunately, it was the most demanding handgun I ever shot. It was unforgiving. If I did not hold it just right, break the trigger just right, it wouldn't just drop a point, it would throw the round into the 7 ring. With my 1911's if I mis-grip, or break the shot a little off, it might throw a 9 or possibly an 8m but very seldom a 7. My targets would be either in the 90's or the 70's and seldom in between. I wish you all the luck with yours, I loved mine until I became just too frustrated, and it had to go.

This is an honest assessment of how the model 52 really behaves for many experienced competitors. When I was regularly shooting the 2700 match circuit, a shooting buddy had a 52 for the CF match. He was trapped in Sharpshooter class because of that gun. His .22 scores were usually in the 850-860 range. Hiw .45 scores (with a long slide Les Baer Wadcutter gun) was very close. But, his CF scores with the 52 were always around 700. I tried it out on a number of occasions.

For me there was no magic there!

 

[AJ]

This is an honest assessment of how the model 52 really behaves for many experienced competitors. When I was regularly shooting the 2700 match circuit, a shooting buddy had a 52 for the CF match. He was trapped in Sharpshooter class because of that gun. His .22 scores were usually in the 850-860 range. Hiw .45 scores (with a long slide Les Baer Wadcutter gun) was very close. But, his CF scores with the 52 were always around 700. I tried it out on a number of occasions.

For me there was no magic there!

There is always that 10%.............

 

[Keith Brown]

Not a hard gun to find, usually the better part of a dozen or so 52-2s at the OGCA show, usually 15 hundred and up but for the most part nobody buying it appears. I bought my one and only years ago when the going rate was 900ish, walked out with complete boxed gun for 825. Is a joy to shoot. As it’s a purpose built gun I’ve never understood the need to modify magazines. Read once where someone wanted to use one for IPSC matches and couldn’t wrap my head around how that would even be done
Mine gets home cast wadcutters and Bullseye.

 

[Sevens]

Definitely not a dozen st OGCA these days. You can expect to see 3 or 4 at time there. Price is usually about what you said.

There’s always a dozen or more live on Gunbroker however.

 

[Keith Brown]

I go nearly every show and might be off a couple but don’t think much. Started paying closer attention to them this past year after letting my brother shoot mine so we’ve been kinda focused on them. Regardless they are another never to be reproduced gun so don’t pass up a decent opportunity to own one if you read this.

 

[Sevens]

If you were there for the last show then there was one you SHOULD have bought… A-prefix 52-2 and four magazines for $1,200.

Including that one, three total at the show on Saturday. I don’t go on Sundays because OGCA does not enforce the very clear rules about vendors that don’t show up or stay for Sunday, so it’s never 100% of a show and that really bothers me.

 

[AJ]

If you were there for the last show then there was one you SHOULD have bought… A-prefix 52-2 and four magazines for $1,200.

Including that one, three total at the show on Saturday. I don’t go on Sundays because OGCA does not enforce the very clear rules about vendors that don’t show up or stay for Sunday, so it’s never 100% of a show and that really bothers me.

That said and I understand. However, there are some better deals that can be had on Sundays. Sellers willing to sell something for less then tagged to make some money and maybe have a profitable weekend....

 

[Sevens]

Yes, I hear you and I get that, but it's more than an hour drive one way to get to this show. If it were a 7-minute jaunt, I might be on that.

 

[AJ]

Our local gun show about 250 tables is 4 miles or so from the house. The big show in Lakeland is a 2.5-3 hour drive one way. We have stopped going there.