Smith and Wesson Model 52-2

[Calfed]

Several weeks ago I glommed something that has been on my wish list for a long time...A model 52. It landed at my FFL a few days ago and I got a chance to look it over before it went into his safe for the mandatory 10 day "cooling-off" period.

The auctioneer told me that it had been owned by a local collector who had passed away and was in excellent shape. After looking it over, I had to agree...

 

[Sevens]

SN is a bit tough to read clearly but I think it's A439xxx, making it maybe 1978. Love the original wood, looks like those stocks are brand new! It's been my experience that the Pachmayr grips can rub the blue off underneath, it would be a good idea to get a look under them and make sure all is well.

I waited WAY too many years to get my first Model 52 and I talked myself out of the chase over and over before I finally woke up and went after one. My only regret was waiting far too long. I love mine and I hope you do also!

 

[Troystat]

Nice, I hope you got magazines with it as well. Are you going to shoot it? a 52 is on my wish list. Would you mind telling us what you paid for it?

 

[gmborkovic]

Nice gun! Wood, box and paper. It will out shoot you with a good diet of food. Good snag. Mike

 

[chicog4]

Congrats to you. I purchased a 52-2 about 6 months ago and absolutely love it. It was a gun on the wish for a very long time so it feels wonderful to finally have one. Hopefully you will have much enjoyment with it.

 

[tlawler]

I just saw a 52-1 at a gunshow this morning. Condition looked nearly unfired. I think this is the first one I've seen in the flesh. Not knowing a lot about it, I didn't feel comfortable negotiating. I didn't have that much to spend anyway and he didn't seem to want to entertain any partial trades. Just out of curiosity, what should a high condition 52-1 with box, 2 mags, and tools go for?

 

[BigBoy99]

I just saw a 52-1 at a gunshow this morning. Just out of curiosity, what should a high condition 52-1 with box, 2 mags, and tools go for?

I would estimate in the $800-$1000 arena.

 

[AManWearingAHat]

Another one on the far off wish list. Maybe after graduate school....

 

[THE STEE]

picked up mine 52-2 with origional box tool and nine mags with 4000 cases of federal target --a joy to shoot

 

[Green Frog]

Sevens, my dad waited until he was well into his sixties to get his, which worked out well... he had slowed down so much by then that the 52's notorious reaction to flinches was not a problem... by the time he could flinch, even that slow moving bullet had time to leave the barrel. He shot it better than he had any right to!

Froggie

 

[Model52guy]

I would estimate in the $800-$1000 arena.

In the DFW area a High condition 52-1 in the original box would be in the $1200-1600 asking price.

 

[dave1918a2]

Around here a 52-1 like that will bring $1250+. With a spare extractor-$1500. A 52-2 like that asking price will start at $1500 with one mag.

 

[Sevens]

Sevens, my dad waited until he was well into his sixties to get his, which worked out well... he had slowed down so much by then that the 52's notorious reaction to flinches was not a problem... by the time he could flinch, even that slow moving bullet had time to leave the barrel. He shot it better than he had any right to!

Froggie

That's no joke! I've heard plenty of old salts talk about how the 52 is a gem but it isn't forgiving and my experience mirrors that! It really isn't like any other handgun out there and it's very rewarding when your skills are dialed in.

 

[reddog81]

I was bidding on that same gun. You got a great price if it comes with magazines. If no mags it was still reasonable. I almost bid again, but figured I'd be nice and let you have it...

I hope it shoots well.

 

[tlawler]

In the DFW area a High condition 52-1 in the original box would be in the $1200-1600 asking price.

Around here a 52-1 like that will bring $1250+. With a spare extractor-$1500. A 52-2 like that asking price will start at $1500 with one mag.

He was asking $1450, but would only come down to $1400. I didn't want to post that until the show was over, thought it might violate the active sale/auction rule.

 

[Calfed]

SN is a bit tough to read clearly but I think it's A439xxx, making it maybe 1978. Love the original wood, looks like those stocks are brand new! It's been my experience that the Pachmayr grips can rub the blue off underneath, it would be a good idea to get a look under them and make sure all is well.

I waited WAY too many years to get my first Model 52 and I talked myself out of the chase over and over before I finally woke up and went after one. My only regret was waiting far too long. I love mine and I hope you do also!

Thanks, it is a 439,000 series gun.

 

[Calfed]

I was bidding on that same gun. You got a great price if it comes with magazines. If no mags it was still reasonable. I almost bid again, but figured I'd be nice and let you have it...

I hope it shoots well.

Thanks, guys.

The bad news...it did not come with the mags. But...I have 1 mag!

The good news...I got it for an amazingly low price, so even having to buy another mag or two, I'm in good shape.

Reddog, I can't thank you enough for your forbearance.

 

[Kp321]

Have to brag a little. Just picked up an immaculate 52-1, one magazine, Bomar rear sight for $900 shipped. Collectors value decreased with the Bomar but it's a shooter anyway. I'll post pics when time permits.

 

[Kevin G]

LGS has an area I call the bargain bin. Boxes of used mags, grips, and miscellaneous stuff.
Couple of years ago there was a model 52 magazine with no price. Brought it up to the assistant manager and told them there was no price and asked how much. He looked at it, asked me if I knew what it was for. When I answered yes he asked if I had any use for it, again I answered yes. He responded with how's five bucks sound?
Kevin G

 

[Model52guy]

LGS has an area I call the bargain bin. Boxes of used mags, grips, and miscellaneous stuff.
Couple of years ago there was a model 52 magazine with no price. Brought it up to the assistant manager and told them there was no price and asked how much. He looked at it, asked me if I knew what it was for. When I answered yes he asked if I had any use for it, again I answered yes. He responded with how's five bucks sound?
Kevin G

I think Kevin wins. I've bought numerous M52 magazines but never for 5 bucks.

 

[Calfed]

I got a great deal on a pair over the weekend at an online auction...

 

[Green Frog]

Funny Mag story... my Dad's 52-2 came in the box with the papers but with just one mag. The mag was for a 38 AMU rather than 38 Special, so it wouldn't feed worth a hoot. Of course he got enough off the collector who needed an AMU mag to get well on his regular mags.

Of course if he had that AMU mag today, there's no telling what he could get for it, but this was over 30 years ago and he wanted to shoot his "new" gun!

Froggie

 

[Sevens]

Outside of a very lucky "buy it now", my suggestion is to -AVOID- Gunbroker for Model 52 magazines. Purchasing any 52 magazines from Gunbroker is basically adding your vote that you support a "$140 and rising" market price.

I'm totally in support of free trade, but the market reflects what people are willing to pay. I prefer a lower market price.

It seems that finding them at gun shows is probably going to get you a lower price. I have never paid more than $60 for a 52 magazine. That might be hard to replicate right now. (Actually, given the "social distancing", it seems that we have no guns shows right now)

We have certainly said it before, but if an aftermarket company tooled up to make new 52 magazines, it certainly seems as though it could be a profitable venture.

 

[Calfed]

I got the pair pictured above for $140 at the auction

 

[Calfed]

Funny Mag story... my Dad's 52-2 came in the box with the papers but with just one mag. The mag was for a 38 AMU rather than 38 Special, so it wouldn't feed worth a hoot. Of course he got enough off the collector who needed an AMU mag to get well on his regular mags.

Of course if he had that AMU mag today, there's no telling what he could get for it, but this was over 30 years ago and he wanted to shoot his "new" gun!

Froggie

That is funny. What was the difference between the AMU mag and the regular mag?

 

[Green Frog]

It's been 30 years or more, but IIRC the feed lips were just enough different that the 38 Spl rims got fouled up as each round was trying to be fed into the chamber. I can't remember how the mag body was marked, but I think it became a definite thing that what we had was a 38 AMU mag. I knew even less about S&Ws and their history then than I do now, and with the auto loaders that is sadly very little.

Froggie

 

[OIF2]

Goes well with my M41s...I use it for INT CF matches and 25 yd NRA short courses. I put a BoMar rear sight on it.
Bob

 

[Calfed]

Second mention of a Bomar sight. What are they exactly?

 

[OIF2]

Probably the best rear sight ever made. Out of production now, but Kensights makes a pretty good copy.
Bob

BoMar rear sight on a 41

 

[Green Frog]

I think Bomar, Micro, and Triangle were all outgrowths of the old King Gun Sight design. They had various levels of financial success, but as far as I can tell, all three worked well in Bullseye and other applications, but the Bomar was most economically successful and lasted the longest. It wa s"industry standard" for Bullseye shooters of the late '50s and early '60s and for the beginnings of action pistol (see "melted Bomar".)

Froggie