Value placement on 52-2 $$

ontargetagain

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This is certainly subjective being that this is a discontinued collectible gun but I need a little reality check here please:)

I learned a lot on my thread 'I need and education on Model 52' here so I ask again for some input on the money value currently of this gun.

If you have recently made a purchase or are one that follows current values on this model 52-2 let me know your thoughts on what one should expect to pay for:

52-2 in excellent condition, 2 mags, NO box or papers
What value adder would the original box and papers bring?
Thanks
Karl
 
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Depends entirely on condition. A bullseye gun can be well used and still looks like "excellent" condition. I'm currently in the market for one, I used to own a NIB example.

In the box, all the paperwork, tools and two mags looks like $1500, more with the right buyer.

A gun and mags is $800 to $1200 in my area an they are not common.
 
Are you looking to buy a model 52 shooter or a collector.

52el.jpg

I probably would not pay more than $1000 for one that I intended as a shooter.

A collectible with the box that I was intending to keep in pristine condition . . . different story. The term excellent condition means different things to different folks, I would need a photograph. However proper condition, on a complete package? $2000 would not be out of the picture
 
Karl, I follow them closely. Condition and included goodies are expensive. I have bought shooters and one mag, no box, for $800.
I have bought pristine factory originals for north of $2000. Some like the old 52s, some the 52-1s. As a shooter I like the 52-2. Due to extraction.
Magazines are an other study. I like the steel followers. The plastic followers just dont measure up. Re-loads Im ignorant on. I have a friend who I buy mine from. They appear periodically for sale or on the auction sites. Just be frugal and take the plunge. Best
 
Depends entirely on condition. A bullseye gun can be well used and still looks like "excellent" condition. I'm currently in the market for one, I used to own a NIB example.

In the box, all the paperwork, tools and two mags looks like $1500, more with the right buyer.

A gun and mags is $800 to $1200 in my area an they are not common.
Yeah, this is about right. :) Cheapest one I've seen locally was $750 (asking) and $700+Tx (actual selling price I later found out). No box or papers with that one but 2 magazines and almost a case of reloaded ammo. Clearly a used gun, but it was in good shape generally and I probably should have bought it. :o The trigger was less than stellar plus I had other priorities at the time and I really didn't want to get back into reloading so...? :rolleyes:

Highest one I've seen lately is listed at $1,499. That's about the high-end limit around here. I haven't seen that particular gun in person yet, but based on others for sale recently, I assume it's in top condition with everything. :cool:
 
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Gunbroker is the largest and most active single place where 52's appear regularly and are sold. You can learn a lot about this particular slice of the market by paying attention to the 52 trade there.

I have had an extremely close eye on the comings and goings of Model 52 pistols for about three years. I feel safe in saying that if you find a 52 with two magazines, no box, and it is fully functional... I don't care if it's totally beaten in appearance and perhaps even has drilled holes in the slide for some horrendous optic mount -- that pistol will likely sell at $800 minimum, and if it sold any less the buyer paid under market.

Your question... a 52-2 with two mags in fine shape with nothing else added? $950 would be a fantastic deal but I would expect it perhaps higher. The market is fluid and some steals can still be found.

Add to note: there is -NO- genuine clarity that I have found when it comes to "which is better?" in the 52-2's, as there are two distinct groups. There are the A-prefix guns whose serial number is the letter A followed by six numerals... and then there are the three-alpha prefix guns that were the very last of the model produced.

The quick answer is the the A-prefix guns are "better" and while the market and the prices tend to support that assertion, I believe when you dig deeper there is MORE to the story.

A-prefix 52's tend to have prettier, deeper blue finishes and it also seems as if the wood stocks tend to have more attractive and often darker toned wood. However, I have also found that plum color slides appear far more often in the middle A-prefix pistols than in later guns.

The three-alpha guns have more modern lettering/stamping, they lack the "four lines" of S&W information on the left side of the slide and the bluing tends to be more spartan, dull, not as bright, shiny or polished. But every single three-alpha prefix 52 anyone seems to wring out and report on is a genuine tack-driving machine.

Yes, sure, we could say that about "all" 52's or at least most of them. But Roy Jinks has penned in a factory letter in the past that the last of the Model 52's were built by the early Performance Center team of craftsmen, and it was with this hands-on experience that led the Performance Center to create the first 200 units of the ubiquitous Model 952 pistol.

I have a TZT-prefix Model 52-2 (that would make it extremely late in the production run) and of the three 52's I own, that's the one I shoot and it's an absolute machine. It goes out west with me on a prairie dog hunting trip and has made me awfully proud.

My best summary? When all else is equal, the A-prefix 52-2 may be prettier and have more appeal and garner a higher sales price, but there is NO evidence that the three-alpha 52-2 pistols are inferior in any possible way when it comes to shooting, build quality, trigger and accuracy. They do tend to look a little more plain and they may be a little lower in price.

The three-alpha 52-2 is the sleeper in the market. I'm pretty sure I need more of them! :D
 
Well I have eight 52s in my collection which consists of 2 x 52, 2 x 52-1 and 4 x 52-2. All are in excellent condition except one which is somewhat beat up with a corroded barrel and rough finish. Believe or not, it's still a tack driver and I keep for spare parts.
 
Fantastic info here that is a great help!

Colt_saa- Looking for a shooter, it will be babied though as I don't shoot outdoors and don't get to shoot too often.
Sevens- Wow what can I say other than that is a wealth of knowledge that you shared and I thank you as I am sure others do too:)

All replies are appreciated, a little bit of input from everyone all adds up nicely at this point for me.
Thanks!
Karl
 
I bought my 52-2 TBC serial series so 80's for $1K in almost unfired condition with two mags. No box as the owner lost it.. Plastic follower mags are said to be not as good, but I have never had an issue with mine. I also have three metal follower mags, no difference in the way the pistol operates with either in the well.
 
I just got one yesterday. Guy had it tagged at $1000. I looked it
over and could see that it was a low rd. count gun. I don't know
much about 52s as collector items, but do know the mechanics
of them. Didn't want to put out $K on it, later in day I ended up
trading him out of it. I got to read up on them myself, my brother
wants me to get him one too.
 
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