Model 52 Gunsmith needed

I am in need of a gunsmith with model 52 experience. Clark Custom Guns only does barrel work.

Thank You

Roddy Toyoda, Dave Sams or KC Crawford for sure. Maybe Jon Eulette , I am not sure?

rich.tullo wrote:Roddy Toyoda, Dave Sams or KC Crawford for sure. Maybe Jon Eulette , I am not sure?

Good to know!

Val

Cylinder and Slide used to work on them, but I think they gave up on them for lack of parts.  The wait for return was rather long from them though..  They did some work on a 459 for me and the gun is outstanding now.

Rick H.

What is problem requiring gunsmith?
Jon

I have a S&W Model 52 I purchased new in the late 80's and has no modifications to it and only has about 1000 rounds through it.
 
The gun started performing a double feed situation. I first thought the round was getting hung up in the chamber, I thoroughly cleaned it. The round freely moves in and out by just tilting the barrel. This did not solve the problem.
 
I did remove the extractor and spring, thoroughly cleaned the area, and reassembled. The extractor looked fine to me. This did not solve the problem.
 
After making some dummy rounds I removed the recoil springs and guide rod so I could hand cycle the rounds. What I noticed is the round in the chamber would start to be extracted when it comes in contact with something. If this happens fast enough the extractor comes off the round being extracted and the slide will pick up a new round out of the magazine and a double feed incurs. 
 
The attached pictures shows how far back the slide will travel before it hits something and won’t allow me to move the slide rearward by hand. I can move the slide rearward if I hit the magazine release.
 
The attached pictures shows how far back the slide will travel before it hits something and won’t allow me to move the slide rearward.
 
A close-up picture shows the bottom of the round being extracted is coming in contact with the top front of the round in the magazine. The round in the magazine has an olive color head. With no rounds in the magazine the slide moves very smooth and freely.
 
This happens with both my magazines. I tried a brand-new magazine, that was still in the package and got the same results.
 
I did remove, clean and re-install the magazine catch. No improvement


I am sorry but I don't know how to post pictures.

I doubt this will solve your problem, but if you remove the rear sight, you will find a small spring and a plunger that is part of the magazine disconnect.  I had a different problem than what you're describing, but you could try removing those two parts and seeing if it makes a difference.  For me, the "plunger" under the spring was worn out of shape, and interfering with how things were supposed to work.  You could try this.

Also, in the S&W Forums, there is a user named DONK52, who used to assemble the guns at the factory.  He helped me solve my problem - and there were lots of other people in that forum involved in Model 52 "issues".  It's worth posting there, and see what they suggest.

The ejecting case head doesn't clear the mouth of round queued up in magazine by much.
Is there any chance that your crimp is straighter than it was before, or your brass is longer, or you have a little bit of bullet out of the front of the case? Do you have any of the ammo that used to work left over?

Also are you using the newer mags, with the plastic follower, I have never had an issue with double feeding, my original pistol is from the early 1970s. I don't care for the plastic followers.

I am using the same factory ammo as before. The followers are metal. Thank you for your suggestions.

This gunsmith has done some work for me on my Model 52-2:
Gunboat Outfitters. 7800 Salt Rd. Clarence Center, NY 14032. (716) 741-3187
(Since you're in Buffalo)
You and I may have met! Are you actually in Pendleton?

Update on problem - Following the advice of a master gunsmith, I replaced both the extractor and extractor spring and the gun works flawlessly now.

Thank You for all your help and suggestions.

Congrats!  Enjoy the gun.  It's "the best".   :-)

brdrgrd wrote:Update on problem - Following the advice of a master gunsmith, I replaced both the extractor and extractor spring and the gun works flawlessly now.

Thank You for all your help and suggestions.

Where did you get the parts?  They're so hard to come by.

Val

Try here for parts:

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/359780

Then scroll down.