S&W model 52 .38 master
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Congratulations,
A VERY Fine Addition to the Family
The Model 52 is a spectacular firearm. Probably the most accurate auto pistol that Smith & Wesson has ever produced.
If you do your part, the 52 will shoot one hole groups on a regular basis.
Just remember that with this firearm trigger follow through is very important. Spend lots of time dry firing and you will be happy with the outcome
I have been shooting the one in the top photo for about 35 years now. The second one has not been fired since it was engraved
A VERY Fine Addition to the Family
The Model 52 is a spectacular firearm. Probably the most accurate auto pistol that Smith & Wesson has ever produced.
If you do your part, the 52 will shoot one hole groups on a regular basis.
Just remember that with this firearm trigger follow through is very important. Spend lots of time dry firing and you will be happy with the outcome
I have been shooting the one in the top photo for about 35 years now. The second one has not been fired since it was engraved
Congratulations,
A VERY Fine Addition to the Family
The Model 52 is a spectacular firearm. Probably the most accurate auto pistol that Smith & Wesson has ever produced.
If you do your part, the 52 will shoot one hole groups on a regular basis.
Just remember that with this firearm trigger follow through is very important. Spend lots of time dry firing and you will be happy with the outcome
I have been shooting the one in the top photo for about 35 years now. The second one has not been fired since it was engraved
What is your load? Bullet, charge?
I am not going to be too helpful to you, but use the SEARCH function of the Forum. Hand loads for the Model 52 comes up as a new thread every year or two
I have not loaded for this pistol in many years and I do not recall the powder charge, but I was using the Hornady or Remington 148 grain soft swagged HBWC with Winchester 231 powder
For the last few decades, I have been shooting Federal and Remington factory 148 grain HBWC Match ammunition
About 15 years ago I lucked into a Estate Sale that had a pallet of 50 cal ammo cans. They were filled with 50 round boxes of Remington 45ACP, 185 SWC Match and Remington 38 Special 148 HBWC Match. They sold me the entire pallet as scrap because I had a truck big enough to take it away that day
When that happened, I sold off the 3000+ HBWCs that were in my hobby room waiting to be loaded and I have not loaded a single HBWC since
This post is useless without pictures! Gangster move though buying a pallet of ammo. Wish I had bee n there to help you load it in your truck.
A decade ago I probably would have been good with that.
However after years of shooting . . . . a pallet is not as big as it sounds
"Originally Posted by Troystat View Post
The 52 pistols are a lot of fun to shoot. There is a lot of good info about reloading for these on the Bullseye.net forum. I use 2.8 grains of Bullseye with a precision delta 148 grain hbwc for mine."
"Crimp? Roll or taper."
_____________________________________________
You can tell 'em where the information is, but you can't make them look for it on their own.
The 52 pistols are a lot of fun to shoot. There is a lot of good info about reloading for these on the Bullseye.net forum. I use 2.8 grains of Bullseye with a precision delta 148 grain hbwc for mine."
"Crimp? Roll or taper."
_____________________________________________
You can tell 'em where the information is, but you can't make them look for it on their own.
rockquarry
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I taper crimped very lightly for the 52 just like I do for all .38 Special loads, but a light roll crimp would probably work just as well.
Grayfox
US Veteran
Wonderful gun! You'll love it! 
I have a 52-1 but I haven't shot it in quite some time. Been too busy with other guns.
As for reloading: I forget the charge right off, but I use a 148gr HBWC over a light charge of W231. The 52 likes brass trimmed to minimum length. Flush seat the bullet and apply a light roll crimp.
I have a 52-1 but I haven't shot it in quite some time. Been too busy with other guns.
As for reloading: I forget the charge right off, but I use a 148gr HBWC over a light charge of W231. The 52 likes brass trimmed to minimum length. Flush seat the bullet and apply a light roll crimp.
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When I was still hand loading this cartridge I would do a Very, very slight roll crimp
Being a rimmed cartridge you do not have to worry about trying to head space on the cartridge mouth
Engine49guy
Member
Mark I have a Model 52 with the same exact Bomar rib and extended front site.
Btw have a Gold cup slide with a bolt on Bomar rib as well.
Btw have a Gold cup slide with a bolt on Bomar rib as well.
I love that rib
Our two Model 52s might have come out of the same gunsmith.
When I got mine 30+ years ago, it came form a Police Sgt that I worked with. He also worked part time at that gun store west of the Turnpike on Stirling. I can't recall the name of the shop or their gun smith. The gun smith worked for 3 or 4 different small shops back then
I shoot my Model 52-2 regularly. I load either 2.7grains of Winchester WST (preferred) or 3.0 grains of Winchester W231 or 2.7 grains of Bullseye depending on what powder I have on hand. I use a home cast 148grain DEWC seated flush with a slight crimp that just removes the belling at the case mouth. This has worked very well for me.
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Jim Watson
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Mine wants a roll crimp similar to factory.
44wheelman
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3.2gr W231. Just a tad on the heavy side, but I use the same loads in my M14 too.
Used to do a flush taper; now leave about .050” of bullet hanging out and give it enough roll crimp to bury the case edge. My pea brain seems to think it serves as a better lead-in. At the very least I feel it gives me more consistent neck tension because of all the various mixed lot brass I have. Some brands thicker, thinner, shot more, less, various lengths of trimming….
Used to do a flush taper; now leave about .050” of bullet hanging out and give it enough roll crimp to bury the case edge. My pea brain seems to think it serves as a better lead-in. At the very least I feel it gives me more consistent neck tension because of all the various mixed lot brass I have. Some brands thicker, thinner, shot more, less, various lengths of trimming….
I use the same brass all the time. 2.7 of bullseye and a 148gr Hornaday HBWC with a slight taper crimp.
