AveragEd
Member
Please give me some good advice as far as what I should look for and/or avoid with both models. Thanks for any help!
Ed
Ed
thinking of buying a Model 41 or 52
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I've had 2 41's and have a 52-2. I like the mystique of the 52 and am not considering letting it go. The 41's shot well but I have many 22's. The 41's are gone.
It really depends on your use as to which to buy.
It really depends on your use as to which to buy.
I have two 52-2s and one 41. None will I sell!! Quite entertaining at the range when people with "Combat Tupperware" cannot work out why what looks somewhat like their idea of a 1911, keeps spitting out rimmed cases. I wish I still had my Coonan. That really blew them away!! Dave_n
Whisky Tahoe Foxtrot
Member
Thumbs up on Models 41 and 52
growr says it best... buy both!
I am fortunate to have both and can share some considerations.
Model 41: Very good looking gun.
You don't even have to shoot it all the time to enjoy owning it.
Take the time to find which ammo works best in your gun.
Avoid unlubed ammo like Remington Thunderbolt. It will foul quickly and you spend more time cleaning than shooting.
Model 52(-2) I have a -2 so variances with earlier models I'm less familiar with.
The best ammo is 1) flush seated wad cutters 2) reliable feeding 3) accurate
I started to reload to avoid the ammo that wasn't perfect as the gun can be rather picky. Watch out for ammo where the bullet is seated above the case mouth. On mine, it prefers a flush seat. It can be hard to find ammo that is flush seated with anything other than lead bullets. Plated bullets prefer being seated not quite flush with the case mouth and you will get failures to chamber with these rounds or at least I have.
I simplified my life and use lead hollow based wad cutters which are fun to use as hole punchers.
grab a few extra mags so you can spend more time shooting than loading mags. I only get 5 rounds in my mags.
growr says it best... buy both!
I am fortunate to have both and can share some considerations.
Model 41: Very good looking gun.
You don't even have to shoot it all the time to enjoy owning it.
Take the time to find which ammo works best in your gun.
Avoid unlubed ammo like Remington Thunderbolt. It will foul quickly and you spend more time cleaning than shooting.
Model 52(-2) I have a -2 so variances with earlier models I'm less familiar with.
The best ammo is 1) flush seated wad cutters 2) reliable feeding 3) accurate
I started to reload to avoid the ammo that wasn't perfect as the gun can be rather picky. Watch out for ammo where the bullet is seated above the case mouth. On mine, it prefers a flush seat. It can be hard to find ammo that is flush seated with anything other than lead bullets. Plated bullets prefer being seated not quite flush with the case mouth and you will get failures to chamber with these rounds or at least I have.
I simplified my life and use lead hollow based wad cutters which are fun to use as hole punchers.
grab a few extra mags so you can spend more time shooting than loading mags. I only get 5 rounds in my mags.
I want to shoot the gun and honestly lean toward the Model 52 as I have a Dillon 650 on which I load my .38 Special wadcutter ammo and I already have some good .22LR semi-autos. I explored Model 52s years ago and learned that having the take-down tool is a must and that they are hard to obtain. For reasons of simplicity and style, I would prefer a 1911 in .38 Special but the few I could find were very pricey so I have an Advantage Arms match conversion kit for my 1911s, a platform with which I am very familiar.
Meanwhile, let's forget about the 41 - what is the preferred Model 52 and what are the pitfalls to avoid?
Ed
Meanwhile, let's forget about the 41 - what is the preferred Model 52 and what are the pitfalls to avoid?
Ed
Okay Ed, first is de-bunking old myths. The take-down tool is simplistic junk and it is ultra-low in cost and horribly easy to find, and it isn't worth the $8 to $14 they charge for them. Instead, a 12-point SAE 3/4" socket is a far better tool.
Please read my post #9 for why.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...725-52-2-questions.html?587725=#post140394451
The Model 52-2 is the third and final version of the 52 and likely the one you want. Be warned, magazines are scarce and very expensive.
As for 41 & 52 love... I shot BOTH today, anybody else do that?
Please read my post #9 for why.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...725-52-2-questions.html?587725=#post140394451
The Model 52-2 is the third and final version of the 52 and likely the one you want. Be warned, magazines are scarce and very expensive.
As for 41 & 52 love... I shot BOTH today, anybody else do that?
I've seen a couple of Model 52's with bulged barrels, something to look for when considering a purchase. The bushing wrench is not required. The bushing only needs to be hand tight. This fact is confirmed by a Forum member who built them at S&W in the late 70's-80's
batman4706
Member
52 vs 1911 wadfcutter
I have 2 model 41's, 2 52-2's and one each of 52 & 52-1. I also have a Colt NM 38 wadcutter pistol.
You can't go wrong with a 41 or 52-2, I find myself shooting the 52-2 more often, it's a pure joy to shoot. The 1911 is not as accurate or smooth as the 52. The 1911 magazines are a real pain to load. If you get a 1911 let me know and I'll show you how to make a simple tool to make loading easier.
I have 2 model 41's, 2 52-2's and one each of 52 & 52-1. I also have a Colt NM 38 wadcutter pistol.
You can't go wrong with a 41 or 52-2, I find myself shooting the 52-2 more often, it's a pure joy to shoot. The 1911 is not as accurate or smooth as the 52. The 1911 magazines are a real pain to load. If you get a 1911 let me know and I'll show you how to make a simple tool to make loading easier.
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