Is the S&W Model 52 Still Used?

I just acquired one of my Grail Guns, a Smith & Wesson Model 52-2. I took it out for a couple “test drives” and it’s a sweet shooter indeed. I’m loving it, frankly. My question is does anyone still shoot the Model 52 in matches, or is this pretty much just a “fun gun” these days? I’ve never seen one at any of the matches I’ve been at, but I’m not averse to being the oddball.

Plenty of us do, congratulations.

Now to find good hbwc bullets...

bruce martindale wrote:Plenty of us do, congratulations.

Now to find good hbwc bullets...

I used what I already load for my Model 14: 2.8gr of BE behind Zero 148gr HBWC. I may experiment with that, but it worked fine and if I can use the same for both guns that would be nice.

You can, just make sure the head is absolutely flush with the end of the shell. I like roll crimps.
Good luck

TRY 2.7 WST, SWAGED 148HBWC BULLET LOADED FLUSH OR JUST BELOW FLUSH. MUCH CLEANER, ALSO SLIGHTLY BETTER ACCURACY.

PLENTY OF MDL 52'S BEING USED IN INDOOR LEAGUES AROUND HERE STILL.

Your load is fine, I'm loading 2.6 BE under Remington HBWC roll crimped. I'm using mine in indoor league, outdoor matches & Int'l center fire. I was the only one at USA Shooting nationals with .38 caliber.

Also new to the 52-2, but loving it! You'll be fine tuning your "Hold after Fire", aka "Follow Through". It is an unforgiving gun, but with trigger finesse and follow through, a great shooter. Not many guns were made specifically for us Bullseye (Precision) shooters like the 52 was.
Also using 2.8 WST and Zero 148g HBWC.
Enjoy!

bruce martindale wrote:Plenty of us do, congratulations.

Now to find good hbwc bullets...

Bruce- How about you go into making us some?

I lost in my bid to buy a press....

Not too long ago people here suggested I check with Terry at Magnus Bullets.  He makes a bullet specifically for the Model 52, his No. 514.

Regarding bullets for this, Precision Delta's 148 HBWC with "match lube" seems to be the best substitute I've found for the old Remington dirty 148's. I haven't tested them, but they seem a tad harder than the Rem's, and I can say they do work pretty well in the 52. I've had one for 15 years, don't shoot it half as much as I should, but when it (me) works it really cuts satisfying holes in the 9-10-X. You have to treat the whole thing like dry firing--follow through is everything.  For loading, the bullet has to be absolutely flush, if not sub by .001 or so, and put a healthy crimp on it; I've found it helps with feeding. Oh, and stay away from DEWC *anything*, unless you want to wonder why the gun shot great yesterday, and now is throwing everywhere.

patrgro26 wrote:Regarding bullets for this, Precision Delta's 148 HBWC with "match lube" seems to be the best substitute I've found for the old Remington dirty 148's. I haven't tested them, but they seem a tad harder than the Rem's, and I can say they do work pretty well in the 52. I've had one for 15 years, don't shoot it half as much as I should, but when it (me) works it really cuts satisfying holes in the 9-10-X. You have to treat the whole thing like dry firing--follow through is everything.  For loading, the bullet has to be absolutely flush, if not sub by .001 or so, and put a healthy crimp on it; I've found it helps with feeding. Oh, and stay away from DEWC *anything*, unless you want to wonder why the gun shot great yesterday, and now is throwing everywhere.

Have you tried and noticed a difference between their regular remanufactured and their PDP new ammo?
Also, any idea on muzzle velocity of both?

jwax wrote:

patrgro26 wrote:Regarding bullets for this, Precision Delta's 148 HBWC with "match lube" seems to be the best substitute I've found for the old Remington dirty 148's. I haven't tested them, but they seem a tad harder than the Rem's, and I can say they do work pretty well in the 52. I've had one for 15 years, don't shoot it half as much as I should, but when it (me) works it really cuts satisfying holes in the 9-10-X. You have to treat the whole thing like dry firing--follow through is everything.  For loading, the bullet has to be absolutely flush, if not sub by .001 or so, and put a healthy crimp on it; I've found it helps with feeding. Oh, and stay away from DEWC *anything*, unless you want to wonder why the gun shot great yesterday, and now is throwing everywhere.

Have you tried and noticed a difference between their regular remanufactured and their PDP new ammo?
Also, any idea on muzzle velocity of both?

[size=12]Honestly, I've never used reman ammo. Tried some one time, and it didn't fit--it wasn't totally flush, and that matters a bunch in my gun, at least. Every feeding problem I've ever had was because of under-seating or not enough crimp. I just looked last night, and my last load was 3.1gr of HP-38. I didn't chrono it last summer, but I *believe* when I did a few years back it was just over 700fps. If it's sunny today, I might be able to get out over lunchtime, but this is SE Michigan, and March isn't known for sunny days. [/size]

patrgro26
NRA Classification : NC
Posts : 2
Join date : 2019-02-13
Location : Michigan

 

I shoot mine indoors. 2.7 WST for me

Yes, there is even a company selling adapter plates for different red dot sights.

I found a nice NIB 1978 made 52-2 a couple of years ago.  The downside is of course ammunition and 38 does have a tougher time in the wind and it will punish you if you do not have good follow thru on every shot.  But, when it works, it is a thing of beauty.