Looking for Winchester 52D or 52E

Anyone know of any sources other than the usual (Gunbroker, Gunsinternational, etc) or local gun shop who might have one?  Would appreciate any referrals.   Thanks.  Ed

I would post a WTB on RimfireCentral's classified section. You'll also avoid taxes since GB now charges tax on all sales.

or over on 

https://forum.accurateshooter.com/

Thanks. If anything surfaces please drop me a line.

You might want to also post a WTB on the CMP Forums.  I used to see a lot of them at the CMP North Store.

I am going to claim an "E" is going to be very hard to find.  Winchester M52's are uncommon on the Smallbore Prone firing line. The 2010 NRA Iron sight champion, Charles Kemp,  used a 52 D action, but the rest of the rifle was not Winchester. 

I did see one Win 52E in action, and I thought it was a Win 52D. It had been purchased new in 1981, the muzzle crown was deeply recessed, I don't remember if it had been stamped E or not.

You are more likely to find Win 52D's, and yes, the CMP sold a bunch. Which is where I got mine. (Not for sale!)

If you want to shoot it, be aware that the stock trigger will follow around 2.5 pounds. It was supposed to be a 3.0 (or 3.5 lb) trigger. I know a gunsmith who says he can duplicate the Kenyon modification to get the trigger pull weight down.

One just showed up on national match forum. D model, Freeland stock. $1400.

Slamfire wrote:I am going to claim an "E" is going to be very hard to find.  Winchester M52's are uncommon on the Smallbore Prone firing line. The 2010 NRA Iron sight champion, Charles Kemp,  used a 52 D action, but the rest of the rifle was not Winchester. 

I did see one Win 52E in action, and I thought it was a Win 52D. It had been purchased new in 1981, the muzzle crown was deeply recessed, I don't remember if it had been stamped E or not.

You are more likely to find Win 52D's, and yes, the CMP sold a bunch. Which is where I got mine. (Not for sale!)

If you want to shoot it, be aware that the stock trigger will follow around 2.5 pounds. It was supposed to be a 3.0 (or 3.5 lb) trigger. I know a gunsmith who says he can duplicate the Kenyon modification to get the trigger pull weight down.

Winchesters have been 'outdated' for 20+ years in competitions, 

and I will agree , E's will be a few and far between, since not as many were made compared to the rest, 



slightly off topic, 

a group I used to shoot with ,  (just friendly get togethers etc) used to laugh when I would show them my first 52,  
an early Pre A ,  that had the ladder rear,  and I have a Unertl for it as well, 

they all had hot rod 10/22's.  and were bragging about how well they shot and how that old gun I had did not have a chance, 


they did not laugh anymore after the first range sessoin

lyman1903 wrote:
 my first 52, an early Pre A, that had the ladder rear

I had one of those too. A '28 or '29. Opposed thumb screws for windage. Pretty cool, and a really good shooter. Don't have any idea now why I sold it.

Nice.

Sunlight in the morning makes it look really red. In normal light it is walnut colored. I’ve had several 52E’s over the years and after selling my last two I couldn’t wait to replace one of them. My first one was bought new in 1974 for $195!! Those days are long gone. This one is near excellent with little evidence of usage other than marks on the stock which I touched up. Looking forward to warmer weather to see how it shoots.

You have to be careful when buying a Model 52, any Model 52.  There are good ones and there are bad ones and everything in between.  The treasured "E" model is going to be a difficult one to locate and can be VERY expensive.  There are two types of "E's" out there.  The early ones are called by most to be transition rifles.  These will have the "E" designation in the serial number but will not have the recessed muzzle crown.  "E" models should have the receivers factory drilled and tapped for a scope mount plus the barrel will most often be equipped with the typical Unertl style scope blocks.  These rifles have to be looked at carefully because Winchester, or an owner could have installed a non-Winchester trigger in the gun.  The crown jewel is having a Karl Kenyon trigger in the gun.

"D" models tend to be much more prevalent and in many different condition stages.  I have both a "D" and an "E" transition rifle and they both shoot very well, almost as good as my 2013 Anschutz, but the edge goes to the Annie, but it is a much newer rifle with an outstanding trigger.  I had multiple Model 52's up until a few months ago and I started selling off all but my two favorites.  I have no need for a repeater so I kept the E and D.  The one downside to my D model is that the previous owner installed a hook style butt plate and cut the stock down by an inch to fit him.  I removed the butt hook and installed a recoil pad and spacer and it looks very nice.

Model 52's have been around for a long time since they went out of production and you have to be quite careful buying one.  If I were to buy one today it would have to be in person with my trusty bore scope in hand.  If that just wasn't possible I would have to make sure I had right of return if the rifle didn't measure up to what I was after.  While a Model 52 may be outclassed by much newer rifles they will certainly give them a run for their money when they are in decent condition and with a shooter that knows his rifle.  Good luck on your quest!

Rick H.

Smallbore shooters like to modify their rifle to fit them better, 

it can be difficult to find an example of just about any that have not been touched in some way
as in sights changed,  rail (freeland type) added , stocks modified etc etc, 

a lot of D's came thru the CMP as well, and those tend to show wear and tear from school use

yynick wrote:

That's a nice setup

Thanks.  It’s obviously the E model and I am pleased with the condition.  Looks like it was used very little based on minor wear to the metal.  Bore is as new.  Stock had a few scratches which I touched up and now hardly notice.

I have a 52E I may sell.

gunbroker #1039351670 just posted with a New in Box Winchester Model 52E $.01 starting bid.

I’m beginning to feel old….my first 22 prone rifle was a Remington Model 37.  Eerily accurate and a ghostly trigger because it feels like it broke with zero movement..  But relatively hard to modify because there’s basically zero aftermarket support.

My first prone rifle over 50 years ago was a 52B.  Since then I have acquired but don't know why, two 1413 Anschutz, 40x, Martini MkII, and Walther KKM II

52B also,Canjar trigger. Then a model 54

You can set up a saved search in Proxibid to show you all that come up for auctions that utilize Proxibid. 
Phil

Simpsons LTD seemed to have a number of model 52 Winchesters.  They may not be at all what you want, I do not know much about them.

DLB

gooch7472 wrote:gunbroker #1039351670 just posted with a New in Box Winchester Model 52E $.01 starting bid.

I see that ZABONE "stole" this rifle for a measly $4375.

I understand wanting the rifles of our youth.  I have way too many of the cameras of my youth (Psst, buddy can I interest you in a Leica M2R.........). These seem to be more than a brand spanking new Anschutz, Walther, etc.
  Any small bore I do is going to be on my belly with a scope!  The idea of kneeling makes me hurt just thinking about it!

DLB