S&W 52-2 question.

Guys,

Am hoping someone here can tell me the approximate value of a 52-2 in Excellent condition in the box, but with only 1 magazine and without the original grips.   I've got a hankering for one of these and don't want to pay too much.   Thanks in advance for your replies.

Don

Close to $1k would be a good deal. I lucked out and made someone on GB an offer on a like new in box 52-2 with 2 mags and original grips and untouched factory cleaning kit for $1100 or so a couple years ago. The times have jacked up prices some so you may be good to get it for $1200 +/-. The mags are at least $100 so keep that in mind.

Anything is only worth what you are willing to pay. If I was looking to buy a model 52, at most I would pay $1200-1400. However for me, a 52 would be more of a novelty.

Thanks zanemoseley.   Yeah, I knew the mags aren't cheap, but I would probably have to pay even more for a set of original grips.

Don

Yeah, just a novelty for me as well.   I could see the $1200 - $1400 with original grips and both magazines, but wondering how much it detracts by not having them.

Don

A friend just bought a 52 No Dash for $900.  Came with 2 mags, a spare barrel, and trigger parts.  It was in excellent shape.

So $1000-1200 should get you a “shooter grade” 52 with two mags.  You might have to search a while, but they’re out there.

Wobbley,

I'm looking at $1050 as I described.   Thinking that is too much.

Don

The dash 2 brings more as well due to the improved extractor. Don't be afraid to wait a bit and make some offers if you're not dying for this one, they aren't that rare. I personally don't like the arched housing so I don't shoot mine much at all but it's an amazing piece of target shooting history.

Jon is nearing completion of a 1911/38sp for me which should be my new CF gun. If you're more interested in a 38sp auto then a 52 in particular you might look at Clark 1911/38sp they are more rare but good for shooting the same platform you're used to.

North of $100 on grips from what I've seen, magazines 125-160

I’m not sure $1050 is “too much”.  Not without seeing it.  It seems even  the more “well used” command at least $900 now.  The original grips are identical to S&W Model 39 grips and there are some of those out there.  Here is a set of aftermarket 39 grips for $40… 
https://www.ebay.com/itm/254097853012

Magazines are getting pricey, but the plastic follower ones that I’m using are just fine and have done so for many years.   There were some in commercial row recently for around $150.

Did not realize that the 39 and 52 grips are the same.   No sense buying aftermarket grips for it, as it comes with aftermarket grips.

Don

One thing you have to understand is that a portion of the 52 market is driven by collectors/investors. Truthfully the one I bought was close to collector grade but I shot it anyway and will again. Your best value will come from high quality "shooter" pistols not collector items. Also non-original grips aren't necessarily an issue unless they don't fit you. But for a collector that would seriously affect value.

Before you dive into the 52-2(which is probably my favorite gun to shoot) remember they are notorious for being problematic at 50 yards. At 50 feet they are amazing. Is it twist, or a decline in factory ammo QA, or follow through…. who knows. My experience is great for indoors.  Frustrating outdoors.

Value is determined by what the market is TODAY.
Last year is gone.
Look at ammo prices ( and gas, houses and lumber).
If the purchase is for a collector grade pistol, if you hang on to 
it long enough you can't lose much if anything.
If your purchasing a shooter $1200-1400 is what I would 
Expect to pay depending on the number of mags.
I enjoy shooting my 52-2 a lot however I expect a 38SP
1911 ($ 4000-5000 with four mags )is in my future at some point.
My thoughts, G

I just bought a near mint one on Guns International last week for $2000.  I saw several cheaper ones but none in this condition.  It came with original box 2 mags, instructions and bushing wrench.

I have several extra sets of original grips. Not hard to find. One  set brand new  looking.

Don:  If you can get yourself into a "nice" shooter grade M52-2 for $1200 to $1400 with a couple of magazines I would go for it.  The key word there is "nice", but not collector quality.  M52's are all over the board price wise if you watch them long enough.  Magazines are anywhere between $150 and $300.  At one point I had 4 M52's and sold a couple off, but they had mostly plastic follower mags.  I personally have never had an issue with the plastic followers so it doesn't mean much to me and I certainly wouldn't pay a premium for metal followers.  I somewhat follow Gunbroker and Guns International for values especially on sold items.  What a seller wants and what they get can be two different situations.  Sometimes sellers entertain offers, but don't low ball them.  Make an honest offer that is fair.  Now here is the hard part, make sure you can return the pistol for a full refund less shipping if it doesn't meet your expectations.  Almost no one will take a gun back if it has been fired, but you can tell a lot from any firearm just doing a close hands-on evaluation.  Check barrel fit and inner barrel condition.  M52's love to hold lead if they aren't cleaned properly and it can lead to barrel pitting.  I could tell you a long story in that regard, but it is a valid statement.  I just had Clark replacement barrel installed on my "shooter" M52-2 and I couldn't be happier with it and it cleans up in a flash.  Look closely at the exterior finish.  People that don't take care of the outside of a fine firearm certainly aren't prone to take care of the inside.  While it is true there are any number of M52's available to purchase the really nice ones are getting harder to find as are the magazines.  M52's are an odd pistol in a way and not very forgiving of bad technique.  A good one will be a joy to shoot if you do your job right.  Do something wrong and it lets you know immediately.  Lastly, proper .38 WC ammunition can be difficult to find in factory form.  The good news is that it is easy to reload.  I only use Hornady 148 grain WC bullets these days with Solo 1000 powder and all my M52's respond well to that load.  My safe queen M52 will be going out for a Clark replacement barrel soon and I have no doubt it will be a better shooter than it currently is.  Good luck in your hunt for a nice M52.  They are a great pistol from a different era.  Oh and if you want to really have some fun with a M52 put a red dot sight on it.  My shooter M52-2 has a Trijicon 1 MOA SRO on it and it made the pistol even more fun to shoot than before which is hard to believe!

Rick H.

Rick H,

Thanks for that detailed response.   I'm going to have a look at it on Wednesday.   What's involved in putting a red dot sight on it?

Don

Best way is to get an adapter plate that goes in the dovetail.  EGW makes one.  You choose which mount and red dot combination.  Using a reflex red dot is fine and requires no load or spring adjustment.  This is mine wearing a Burris ast Fire 3 on an EGW mount.  Shoots well.

Wobbley hit the nail on the head.  There are multiple options for red dot sights out there.  You just have to decide which one is best for your needs.  I have pretty much stayed with Trijicon for many years and have several RMR's.  I recently bought an SRO and love it to death.  If you go with a well know optic you shouldn't have much trouble getting an adapter plate to mount to your M52.  Mounting the plate to the pistol is no big deal as long as you are careful.  Check with EGW first before you buy the optic and make sure they have a plate for it to mount on your pistol.  It's a bummer having the optic and no available mounting plate.  There are some other sources for mounting plates if push comes to shove.  Good Luck!

Rick H.

Yikes, Trijicon is expensive!   That's out of the question.   In looking at the Burris FastFire 3 on Optics Planet, they have 2 different 3 MOA sights: One with an attachment/mount type of picatinny for $229, and one with an attachment/mount type that says "no mount" for $249.   What gives?

Don

Buy the one with the Picatinny adapter and remove it.  You then have the same sight as the one with “no mount”.  BT,DT. Burris is pushing the ones with mounts as they are more popular with the AR “tacticool” crowd as secondary sights,

So, does the sight minus the picatinny mount directly to the EGW plate or is there something else that needs to be bought?

Directly on the plate.  The Picatinny adapter is a plate on the top and a clamping gizmo on the bottom.

But keep the clamping gizmo, which will be handy someday if you move the sight to another gun.