Smith and Wesson 52-2

I just purchased a S&W 52-2 for league centerfire.
It came with a BME mount that attaches at the weight grooves and 
I'm not thrilled with it for several reasons.
The way it tightens up seems prone to problems and it must be removed
the remove the slide from the frame.
BME makes a weaver style mount that attaches in the rear sight dovetail and has five set 
screws.
I prefer a tube type dot sight and have a ultra dot ready to go however 
I'm not sure about attaching this to the slide of the 38 SP gun.
I needed to up the bullet weight from 185 to 200 GR for my 1911 45ACP gun to get function 
to where it is 100%.
I'm sure this has been worked out by others in the past and would like to hear 
opinions.
Thanks,G

I have a similar mount, no problems, just shoot it and see how it goes.

Some folks have put a scope on the slide with mixed results

Suggestion to consider:
(...and don't lose the magazine disconnect with plunger and spring located under the rear sight.)

How I set up mine.  Shoots well, and no adjustment in load 2.6 BE with a Speer WC functions just fine.

I took my BME mount out for a test drive last year and got these results. I was testing for function so I shot it totally Bullseye style. One handed non-supported just standing there. I was testing for function and movement. Don't forget to put the green Loktite BME recomends. It ran flawlessly with my standard load. Scope was a in-expensive 30mm I stuck on there to test. I have a Micro on it now.

(Long ago, I liked what LenV did, so I copied him.)

The bottom of this page has lots of mounts for the Model 52, depending on what sight you want to use.  I like the Vortex Venom because it's small, light, low, and guaranteed for as long as you own it.

I have Vortex Venom on a 45 that I could take off and try.
As I said, I prefer a tube sight and the Vortex has no 
clicks for corrections.
 Once your on target your OK
but, and not sure if I will shoot this gun outside in 2700
any adjusting from 25 to 50 yards without clicks would be 
tricky.
I'm still in the just thinking this through stage.
I will try the mount that came with the gun and see how that goes.
The original owner was an old time camp Perry shooter
and did well as it is so?
( WILL WORK FOR SMALL PISTOL PRIMERS )

Gary Collette wrote:......( WILL WORK FOR SMALL PISTOL PRIMERS )   .....

So true.....


While you're thinking about it, compare the weight of the Vortex Venom to the other choices.
I didn't think that much about the Venom until its previous owner told me more about it.
No matter what happens to it, if you send it in for repairs, they'll take care of it.
I now have two of them.  I think I like my 1" Ultradot more than the Venom, but the Vortex/BME combination feels like it was made for the Model 52.

I now have two Model 52 guns - the other one has the stock sights.
No matter how much better I get with the steel, the Venom always allows me to shoot better.

I'm not a licensed engineer, but the Venom on a 52 "feels" like the steel sights on a 52.  
Any time I get better with the steel sights, I just get better yet with the Venom.

At some point I wanted to put an Aimpoint H-1 or H-2 on the 52, but the Venom is lower, and puts less strain on the mounting system.

Hey, Gary,  Here is mine with the EGW mount and Vortex Venom
https://i.imgur.com/CBfLfGB.jpg

PS: we all need small primers...and depending on this election they may be impossible to get.

Last time I remember, a year later, it was all better and the shortages were vanishing.  Specifically, once again I could find Bullseye.   :-)

I did order a lot more reloading stuff than I thought I needed of everything, but in retrospect I wish I had ordered even more - but it's that kind of thinking that means everything gets sold out.  Fortunately, there's always Black Powder to shoot.

'mustachio', I've gotten to really enjoy my Vortex Venom, but a lot of that has to do with the size and weight.  The way it fits on an M-52, it could easily have S&W printed on the side.  It's as if it was specifically made for these guns.  It weighs about the same as the steel sight it replaces.

Update:
I checked the 52 as best as possible after removing the mount allowing me
to remove the slide.
Everything looked very clean and no wear to speak of.
I then mounted an Ultra dot to the mount in place of the old Aimpoint that came on the pistol.
10-15 rounds later at the range I'm on target at our 25 yard indoor.
Put down slow fire target and shot a 93
This matches my best slow ever fired with the 45 cal 1911. First target.
Next came timed shot using range commands on my cell phone.
Shot a 97 5X. Much better than my best with the 45.
Rapid, an 89 2X. Had a nice group of 9s but couldn't find the 10 just two Xs.
I did jerk three into the 8.
Now I know, in the past,shooting a different gun forces me to really concentrate and have 
seen good results because of that.
However I am very encouraged by what I felt.
Very mild recoil as you would expect from 2.8 BE and a 148 HBWC.
The trigger is sweeet,take up to a wall and no creep. gotta weigh it.
Grips will take a while to figure out. i have a deformed thumb knuckle from an injury and was able to 
get a comfortable grip.
I most likely will have Dick Horton make a set to match the high figure walnut set he made
for my Pardini.
I'm really glad I mentioned to a fellow shooter after shooting his 52 that i need to get one of these.
The next day I got a call from a friend of his that was looking to reduce a sizable collection and 
had a 52 and a bunch of bullets and brass he would consider selling.
The rest is history as they say.

G

G

Mike and Mustachio,
I have a Vortex Venom on a 1911 that I could take off and try.
I saw mounts on the BME web page and they do indeed look 
like a very good option. 
I figured I would try the Ultra dot first because i had it and I really
wanted to try the pistol.
The only 52 I ever tried had a Vortex mounted using an BME plate at the rear sight dovetail.
Time will tell.
Good to have options.
G

Gary, I have a set of Herrett Target grips for the 52 that I do not use.  Would you be interested?  Had I known you needed grips I would have mentioned it when you bought my 1911. I will add a picture of them mounted on the 52. Let me know if you would like to try them...I would give you a good deal.
mike g.  aka mustachio

https://i.imgur.com/7hlAaLR.png?1

PS: that was good shooting you did there

mustachio wrote:Gary, I have a set of Herrett Target grips for the 52 that I do not use.  Would you be interested?  Had I known you needed grips I would have mentioned it when you bought my 1911. I will add a picture of them mounted on the 52. Let me know if you would like to try them...I would give you a good deal.
mike g.  aka mustachio

https://i.imgur.com/7hlAaLR.png?1

PS: that was good shooting you did there

I know this post is old but are your Herrett grips for the 52 still available?

Copyman303 wrote:

mustachio wrote:Gary, I have a set of Herrett Target grips for the 52 that I do not use.  Would you be interested?  Had I known you needed grips I would have mentioned it when you bought my 1911. I will add a picture of them mounted on the 52. Let me know if you would like to try them...I would give you a good deal.
mike g.  aka mustachio

https://i.imgur.com/7hlAaLR.png?1

PS: that was good shooting you did there

I know this post is old but are your Herrett grips for the 52 still available?

Sorry, they are long gone.
mike

I used to have a set of M52 target grips, but I doubt I still have them.  I'll search for them - if I've still got them, you are welcome to them.

I have two Model 52's, one  the way it came, and one with the red dot Vortex Venom.  I usually shoot the one with the dot sight - the other gun is barely used.  Some day I'll likely sell it, as I shoot better with optics.

mikemyers wrote:I used to have a set of M52 target grips, but I doubt I still have them.  I'll search for them - if I've still got them, you are welcome to them.

I have two Model 52's, one  the way it came, and one with the red dot Vortex Venom.  I usually shoot the one with the dot sight - the other gun is barely used.  Some day I'll likely sell it, as I shoot better with optics.

hello by any chance did you find the 52 grips?
thanks

No.  I found lots of other "stuff" I no longer need, and will eventually post for sale, but no target grips for Model 52.  For that matter, I don't "need" two Model 52's; the "cleanest" one will be posted for sale early next year.

Gary Collette wrote:I have Vortex Venom on a 45 that I could take off and try.
As I said, I prefer a tube sight and the Vortex has no 
clicks for corrections.
 Once your on target your OK
but, and not sure if I will shoot this gun outside in 2700
any adjusting from 25 to 50 yards without clicks would be 
tricky.
I'm still in the just thinking this through stage.
I will try the mount that came with the gun and see how that goes.
The original owner was an old time camp Perry shooter
and did well as it is so?
( WILL WORK FOR SMALL PISTOL PRIMERS )

Come over and paint my house and I'll give you a brick of SP Primers.
Powder Valley lists CCI #500 Small Pistol Primers in stock.
NFI.

mikemyers wrote:No.  I found lots of other "stuff" I no longer need, and will eventually post for sale, but no target grips for Model 52.  For that matter, I don't "need" two Model 52's; the "cleanest" one will be posted for sale early next year.

ok especially if you have anything for a smith 52. thanks

I am looking for a set of the original grips.

https://www.sarcoinc.com/s-w-model-39-pistol-grips/

Model 39 grips are interchangeable.

Another option is the Pachmayr grips, for the Model 39, but fit the 52-2 perfectly-

https://www.lymanproducts.com/brands/pachmayr/handgun-grips/semi-auto-grips/signaturetm-grips

I have had the best luck with EGW mounts on my target pistols. I have red dots on all of the pistols I regularly shoot, about half and half Burris FF III’s and Vortex Venoms, all on EGW mounts.