shooter0961
Member
If you have a SW 52-2 & 52-1 and are going to sell 1 to fund another project
Which would you keep & why ?
Which would you keep & why ?
SW 52-2 & 52-1
- Thread starter shooter0961
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Keep the '-2' since in supposedly has a better/improved extractor over the '-1'. Some users have not had issues with the -1 while others have.
Whichever one is most accurate and less finicky. 
I think it is a compelling question and the answer is variable depending on other factors!
I believe the 52-2 would be easier to sell for all the potential buyers who are afraid of the earlier 52-1 extractor.
I have owned three examples of the 52-2 and one example of the 52-1. From close shooting buddies, I have hands-on experience with either 4 or 5 more examples of 52-2 pistols. From this pool of many… my own 52-1 is definitely the one I like best.
I can't sit here and say it is THE one I would keep over the others, because I don't do silly nonsensical things like selling handguns that I love.
I think by and large, across the entire history of the model, you might find that folks with a lot of rounds through these pistols would select the 52-1 over the others.
The last nugget I will add is nothing more than my observation. In years of watching Model 52's for sale and for auction, I have found countless examples of 52-1 pistols being offered with EXTRA, never used old-style long extractors. It seems obvious to me that folks who loved their 52's saw that S&W updated the design of the extractor and they thought it made sense to get a supply of backup old style extractors before they disappeared… and then they never used them because they never needed them.
Knock on wood, but my 52-1 has never shown me a single functional issue and the trigger is phenomenal.
I believe the 52-2 would be easier to sell for all the potential buyers who are afraid of the earlier 52-1 extractor.
I have owned three examples of the 52-2 and one example of the 52-1. From close shooting buddies, I have hands-on experience with either 4 or 5 more examples of 52-2 pistols. From this pool of many… my own 52-1 is definitely the one I like best.
I can't sit here and say it is THE one I would keep over the others, because I don't do silly nonsensical things like selling handguns that I love.
I think by and large, across the entire history of the model, you might find that folks with a lot of rounds through these pistols would select the 52-1 over the others.
The last nugget I will add is nothing more than my observation. In years of watching Model 52's for sale and for auction, I have found countless examples of 52-1 pistols being offered with EXTRA, never used old-style long extractors. It seems obvious to me that folks who loved their 52's saw that S&W updated the design of the extractor and they thought it made sense to get a supply of backup old style extractors before they disappeared… and then they never used them because they never needed them.
Knock on wood, but my 52-1 has never shown me a single functional issue and the trigger is phenomenal.
OP
shooter0961
Member
Well I took them out yesterday & both were flawless. all 148 gr wadcutter rounds .. some of my reloads , old factory wincheser super match & newer federal .
After shooting I decided to put them in my sonic cleaner to clean them up well
I appreciate all the info & havent decided which to keep & sell the
other
thanks again
After shooting I decided to put them in my sonic cleaner to clean them up well
I appreciate all the info & havent decided which to keep & sell the
other
thanks again
Sevens, because you charge the chamber from the mag, as designed.
As I have 8 model 52's including one no dash, 3 52-1's and the rest 52-2's. I would always keep the 52-1. The Dash 1's have better triggers and seem to be smoother.
cherrypointmarine
Member
Sevens , I thought at one time you had mentioned something about the -1 triggers . Could be they were better , or is there some way to adjust them . I do know the -2 I got from you is a jewel !
The 52 no-dash has an odd trigger shape and design that is different than the 52-1 and 52-2.
I believe the 52-1 and 52-2 have no difference in the trigger size/shape itself and the design in & around it, but I agree that the 52-1 trigger feels lighter, smoother and better than the 52-2 trigger, but I am certain this would also vary gun to gun.
I believe the 52-1 and 52-2 have no difference in the trigger size/shape itself and the design in & around it, but I agree that the 52-1 trigger feels lighter, smoother and better than the 52-2 trigger, but I am certain this would also vary gun to gun.
Tis an interesting question posed by the OP. I once had several M52's and as time progressed I culled the herd a bit. I am now down to 2 M52-2's. One is for all intents and purposes almost NIB and the other is a very nice pistol that I had a Clark barrel and bushing installed on. If I had to sell one of these pistols it would definitely be the almost NIB one. The one with the Clark barrel shoots exceedingly well and is an absolute breeze to clean up. I must a bit different than others as I could never tell the difference between a properly adjusted M52-1 or M52-2 trigger. Sometimes people get them adjusted too light and claim it is a great trigger, but have issues with "surprise" discharges when they didn't expect or want one. Both my remaining M52-2's have trigger pull weights at just about 2.25 pounds and that is right where I like them.
I will go to my final reward with both these pistols as I know I would severe sellers remorse if I let one go. They are both keepers to the end.
Rick H.
I will go to my final reward with both these pistols as I know I would severe sellers remorse if I let one go. They are both keepers to the end.
Rick H.
OP
shooter0961
Member
Ill do a trigger test
stanmerrell
Member
When I was a young the local hardware store had a model 52 in the case for years...I think someone must have ordered it by accident, because it was not the type of gun a hardware store would normally carry. I felt I must have been one of a few people in town who knew what it was and how to use it. I had a model 19 at the time that I worked all Summer to procure by mowing lawns, so another Smith was out of the question. When I moved away at age 18 to attend college, it was still there. Maybe I'll get one some day. On the original question, keep them both if you can.
If the 52-1 letters to 1963 , you should sell that one to me. I've been looking for a birthyear 52 for years.
Is a 52-2 adjustable for weight of pull?
AJ
US Veteran
Mike,
Bring yours down sometime. Smitty and I both have 52's that we shoot fairly regularly.
AJ
As far as I know, none of the three 52 variants has a trigger that is user-adjustable for pull weight. I know that some folks with TOO light a 52 trigger will replace or bend the sear spring to combat that issue.
The 52-1 and 52-2 are adjustable for pretravel and over travel.
It has been my own personal experience that -ANY- handgun ever that has a single action trigger is improved with a properly adjusted over travel stop. And the easiest example I can think of is my S&W 745's. Neither of these pistols has a light trigger pull weight, but they have an over travel stop and in my experience, it greatly enhances my appreciation of the trigger.
The 52-1 and 52-2 are adjustable for pretravel and over travel.
It has been my own personal experience that -ANY- handgun ever that has a single action trigger is improved with a properly adjusted over travel stop. And the easiest example I can think of is my S&W 745's. Neither of these pistols has a light trigger pull weight, but they have an over travel stop and in my experience, it greatly enhances my appreciation of the trigger.
I have a 52 no dash en route. A buddy has a 52-1 and another buddy has a 52-2. We are planning a "contrast and compare" event at the gun club. Granted these are single examples of each variant, but it will be interesting, methinks. I'll strive to remember and post a range report.
OP
shooter0961
Member
I have a 52-1. Also had many chances to buy a 52-2 over the years but couldn't justify it.
Every now and then I think about selling the 52-1, instead I take it to the range and always decide to keep it a little while longer.
I also bought into the spare extractor needs. I owned three extras at one time but the original never failed so I sold two of them. I still keep one spare but doubt I'll ever need it.
Every now and then I think about selling the 52-1, instead I take it to the range and always decide to keep it a little while longer.
I also bought into the spare extractor needs. I owned three extras at one time but the original never failed so I sold two of them. I still keep one spare but doubt I'll ever need it.
