Shooting 52-2

[kornax]

Hey all,

Not sure if this is the right forum, but thought I would start here for this.

Today I took out my 52-2. I have only had for a few years, and have fired a handful of times. As I am slowly getting better with different firearms and reloading, I noticed an issue today that I thought was odd, and wanted to get peoples input.

For anyone who doesn't know, a Model 52-X is a target pistol that is very similar to a 1911, however it only fires .38 special Wadcutters.

Anyhow, the issue I noticed, was an awful lot of muzzle flip/recoil. What I thought was interesting, I was firing what I believe should be relatively light loads. The rounds were 148gr. Wadcutter and the boxes were marked 2.7gr. Bullseye. I did not reload these rounds, they were reloaded by a relative many years ago. I am just trying to run through some of the old reloads. I just thought for a relatively heavy firearm, with these loads, it should be pretty relaxed. Maybe its the 52-2, maybe its the loads?

Interested in thoughts.

 

[ontargetagain]

First of all you have a gun I have great interest in owning someday soon, so I am a bit (a lot) envious

I would set aside the 'hand loaded rounds' and perhaps pull one apart and weigh a load and if you have any Bullseye on hand compare the power in looks. I am not thinking that a 2.7 load of Bullseye should give much recoil at all but I have not shot one of these guns yet.

Karl

 

[Homie]

First of all you have a gun I have great interest in owning someday soon, so I am a bit (a lot) envious

I would set aside the 'hand loaded rounds' and perhaps pull one apart and weigh a load and if you have any Bullseye on hand compare the power in looks. I am not thinking that a 2.7 load of Bullseye should give much recoil at all but I have not shot one of these guns yet.

Karl

GREAT IDEA!!!

 

[TheoW]

The loads you have been given (2,7BE and 148 HBWC) are the only loads that should be used. Those and the 52 are inseparable for good shooting. If you find the recoil excessive then get used to it. You might want a set of fitted Herrett grips to feel more comfortable.....could help. You're fortunate to have the finest target .38 pistol that has been made and now discontinued because it was too expensive to produce,

 

[Rule3]

The gun is actually based on the M 39 and not really "like" a 1911 other than single action and has a bushing.

Anyway, the loads you state are the correct loads if indeed the powder is actually the weight indicated.

Here are some links:

Smith & Wesson's Model 52 .38 MasterGuns Magazine.com | Guns Magazine.com

Model 52 loads

 

[824tsv]

I would be very cautious of anyones, relatives included reloads. If I didn't make them, I wont shoot them. Buy factory, or make your own. Shelve those and start fresh.

 

[H Richard]

As a former owner and shooter of a 52-2 I will attest that the 2.7 Gr Blsye load is the "standard" loading. It is not an overly heavy handgun, and there is a slight muzzle flip with it, but a firm grip controls it. The fastest it needs to be shot is 5 rounds in 10 seconds (normal bullseye Rapid Fire), so a little muzzle flip is very easy to control.

 

[smithrjd]

2.7g Bullseye is my standard load with a 148g HBWC for my 52-2. The muzzle flip is very slight, and easily controlled with a good grip. I would be suspect shooting someone else's reloads. If you can break one down and measure the load, and look to see if it is Bullseye.

 

[mikld]

I'm in the "if I didn't make 'em, I don't shoot 'em" camp when it comes to reloads. As suggested above, put the reloads on the shelf, buy a few factory rounds, shoot a few to get the "feel" of the gun, then start reloading with known good components and load data...

 

[rockquarry]

In my gun, 2.5 grs. Bullseye is slightly more accurate than a heavier charge. This is probably minimum and I wouldn't load any lighter. I use a H&G #50 WC sized to .3575" (.358" die).

Recoil feels differently to everyone, but I never thought the 52 had much. The only handguns I have that kick less are probably .22s.

 

[boatbum101]

Many good loads . Best for your's will be found by careful testing . 148 HBWC , best are Remington or Zero . Seat flush with a slight crimp . Std SP primers . I vastly prefer 3.1 W231 or 2.7 WST to Bullseye . Barrel weight will help with muzzle light feeling & allows a steadier hold .

 

[hdwhit]

Kornax wrote:
...the boxes were marked 2.7gr. Bullseye. I did not reload these rounds,...

I would suggest you pull the bullet from a few of these rounds and weigh the powder. My guess is that the charge may be a little different from that indicated.

I'm largely in the "if I didn't load it, I don't shoot it" camp. You just don't know what the person who loaded the rounds did or did not do. There have been people on this very forum who have said that they think reloading data is intentionally reduced for liability reasons, so it's okay to exceed published maximums by at least 10% - maybe even more. Would you really want to shoot that guy's reloads?

I have a good friend that I learned to reload with when we were teenagers. We developed our technique - including written reloading procedures and a checksheet that accompanies each batch - together. So, if the checksheet was with it, I'd shoot a box of his handloads and vice versa, but no one else.

 

[kornax]

I appreciate everyone's comments/suggestions.

The reloads I do trust. They were reloaded by my father in law and grandfather before they passed. They were competition shooters for many years. I will definitely take a load apart to see how it weighs.

I did not mean to make it seem the 52 is uncontrollable, just noted that it was more than I expected out of this. I have other 38's that shoot just fine.

Thanks again!

 

[Qc Pistolero]

I used to own one 52 no dash.Sold it.Another mistake that's being put in the ''getting more experienced with age and mistakes''drawer.
2.7 Bullseye is the recommended load for HBWC.If cast solid base,2.5 is more like it.
I'd also pull the bullet on one and try to ID the components just to be on the safe side.
Qc

 

[epj]

Might also try a fresh recoil spring.

 

[noylj]

Did it come with the frame weight? Some folks always shot with the frame weight attached.
1) Buy a box of factory ammo and try it.
2) Never trust someone else's reloads
3) If firing L-HBWCs, be sure velocity is under 800 fps. Above that, and I get consistent separation of the skirt from the rest of the bullet and either get two holes in the target for each shot or I have a barrel obstruction left in the barrel. L-HBWCs are by far the most accurate, but you MUST keep velocity down.
4) If/when you decide to reload, I'll let you know the tricks I found to equal factory ammo for accuracy.

 

[kornax]

Did it come with the frame weight? Some folks always shot with the frame weight attached.
1) Buy a box of factory ammo and try it.
2) Never trust someone else's reloads
3) If firing L-HBWCs, be sure velocity is under 800 fps. Above that, and I get consistent separation of the skirt from the rest of the bullet and either get two holes in the target for each shot or I have a barrel obstruction left in the barrel. L-HBWCs are by far the most accurate, but you MUST keep velocity down.
4) If/when you decide to reload, I'll let you know the tricks I found to equal factory ammo for accuracy.

My only choice for this Model is wadcutter. It is all it will fire.

I won't fire it all that much unless i potentially get into competition shooting. I was more or less just interested to hear others experiences.

Again, I appreciate all the comments and suggestions.

 

[boatbum101]

Most factory 38 special 148 HBWC ammo runs 700 to 800fps . Good advise not to exceed 800 . Swaged will give best accuracy within the above velocity envelope . Stay away from plated as accuracy will suck & you have to bump powder charges so you won't stick one in the barrel . I watched a fella blow the extractor out of a 52-2 with 3.5 Bullseye & Berrys plated HBWC . Gun was designed to shoot mid range HBWC loads in the 8 - 10,000 psi range . Exceeding that limit will stress & batter / wear gun . Can offset this to a degree by changing main & recoil springs , but why take a chance . Parts are expensive & getting harder to find .

 

[gwpercle]

It's the reloads!
I shoot a lot of 2.7 Bullseye / wadcutter loads and it is a classic light recoiling target load. I would pull a bullet and weigh the charge...I would bet money it's not 2.7 grains.
Don't risk damaging your fine target pistol...shoot them out of a 357 magnum if you must .
Gary

 

[mikld]

Or perhaps shoot them in a good +P rated revolver? I'm pretty sure the Mod. 52 isn't delicate, but I'd hate to mess one up with "bad" reloads...