S&W mod. 52-2 What’s it’s purpose

[Mij]

A friend has offered me one of these. I kinda want it but for the life of me don’t understand its purpose. 5 round mag. And in 38 spec. I’m thinking it’s primarily designed for some kind of competition, but I don’t know what it would be. It‘s designed for wadcuters. A bit on the heavy side 40+ oz. Anyone know what competition it is used for? Looks almost new.

 

[armalitesheepdog]

I think you may mean a S&W 52 in.38 wad cutter. Its a competition pistol and very collectable

 

[Mij]

I think you may mean a S&W 52 in.38 wad cutter. Its a competition pistol and very collectable

Yes I do. I mis spelled the title. It is a 52-2. I’ll fix that if I can.

 

[Mij]

I think you may mean a S&W 52 in.38 wad cutter. Its a competition pistol and very collectable

There you go. Thanks.

 

[armalitesheepdog]

There you go. Thanks.

If you can get a good deal on it o would get it.

 

[Mij]

It’s a bit pricey but I think I want it.

 

[Mij]

If you can get a good deal on it o would get it.

Seems like they are running from 1200 to 2000. This example has no box or papers but I’m gonna look at it this afternoon. I don’t think it would have been used for bowling pins and I’m not familiar with the other competition matches, other than what I’ve seen on t.v., and it doesn’t seem it would be appropriate for those. I am reading, the magazines are quite expensive and hard to find. I’ll keep looking.

 

[erasure]

What a strange gun. 5+1 capacity in .38 Spc, and just one painfully specific loading? I can just see this thing taking the world by storm back in 1961, replacing police revolvers across the nation.... okay no. not really.

 

[natdscott]

What a strange gun. 5+1 capacity in .38 Spc, and just one painfully specific loading? I can just see this thing taking the world by storm back in 1961, replacing police revolvers across the nation.... okay no. not really.

Good thing you weren't the target audience, and S&W didn't care what you think.

The 52 was constructed specifically for WINNING. Bullseye, the sport (with a capital "B"), was an area where few countries in the world could best the United States at that time.

Smith & Wesson was one of those at the cutting edge of technological support for Bullseye.

The 52 Wad gun was only EVER intended--from the drawing board up--to punch very (VERY) small groups of .38 holes at 25 and 50 yards. It is a speciality tool for a specialty purpose, and it did (does) complete that mission better than 99.5% of shooters that ever fired one.

If you wonder why it was built, or what purpose it could possibly have, then you're not in the 1/2%.

That's fine, but as it is with many things, an individual human's inability to utilize a specialty tool, plan, theorum, etc. is not an indicator of the worth of the thing. By saying it is useless, the critic may actually indicate more about themselves than the tool.

-Nate

 

[CB1911]

Those were used for Bullseye competition.

Designed to shoot the 148 grain mid range hollow base lead wadcutters loaded flush with the mouth of the case.

 

[Mij]

What a strange gun. 5+1 capacity in .38 Spc, and just one painfully specific loading? I can just see this thing taking the world by storm back in 1961, replacing police revolvers across the nation.... okay no. not really.

Ya, that all metal with a hammer thing. What were they thinking? Not to mention Made in America by an American company.

 

[Mij]

Those were used for Bullseye competition.

Designed to shoot the 148 grain mid range hollow base lead wadcutters loaded flush with the mouth of the case.

Thank god I’ve got a crap load of those, loaded a bunch for my pre mod number K-38 Masterpiece. 4 screw IIRC. One hole groups at 7 yards.

If I get it, I’ve got the ammo.

 

[patience0830]

You definitely want it.

 

[bgcatty]

From what I’ve read here you not only want it but need it!

 

[Creedmoor]

What is he asking you for it?
We have a few in our stable. If you shoot it, you will own it.

 

[Trapper Jim]

The 52 was indeed a tack driver. Co Inspired by my friend, the late Jim Clark Sr who converted 1911’s to feed and supply a rimmed case in a semi auto(hence the 5 round limit). A threaded bushing at the muzzle was cutting edge at the time. The 52 got a second life as a Model TSW 9mm extended.

Smith could never quite catch up to the lower axis of the 1911 but never the less would outrun the untuned samples coming out of Colt.


Enjoy

 

[Creedmoor]

The 52 was indeed a tack driver. Co Inspired by my friend, the late Jim Clark Sr who converted 1911’s to feed and supply a rimmed case in a semi auto(hence the 5 round limit). A threaded bushing at the muzzle was cutting edge at the time. The 52 got a second life as a Model TSW 9mm extended.

Smith could never quite catch up to the lower axis of the 1911 but never the less would outrun the untuned samples coming out of Colt.


Enjoy

I happen to own a couple of Smith and Colt wad cutter pistols, I'm not so sure of that.

 

[Mij]

What is he asking you for it?
We have a few in our stable. If you shoot it, you will own it.

Don’t know yet, he’s due at 5:30. Gonna shot it, then haggle. I’m doing as much reading and research as I can. You guys are kinda helping, but you’re all biased.

I’ll probably end up getting it if he’s not crazy about price. We’ve made several trades over the years some go well some not so much. He’s a rifle guy, me smith revolvers.

 

[Twangbanger]

Don’t know yet, he’s due at 5:30. Gonna shot it, then haggle. I’m doing as much reading and research as I can. You guys are kinda helping, but you’re all biased.

I’ll probably end up getting it if he’s not crazy about price. We’ve made several trades over the years some go well some not so much. He’s a rifle guy, me smith revolvers.

You probably knew this, but one thing to keep in mind - it doesn't just need wadcutters - it needs "flush seated wadcutters." The kind that cost upwards of $70 per hundred rounds these days:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1000192977?pid=136172

If you buy this pistol with the intention of loading it up with the same kind of 158 SWCs you'd use in revolvers, with a portion of the bullet sticking out of the case, it ain't gonna work. It's not a "Coonan in 38 Special." It is a bullseye pistol marketed toward people who were either going to reload _every_ round they shot in it, or else buy Remington or Federal flush-seated match ammo by the case.

It can still be a very fun shooter, as long as you're willing to reload for it or buy what it needs. In that role, it's going to be an expensive substitute for a 9mm 1911, but limited to 5-round mags and with very limited factory ammo choices. If you think a Smith 3rd Gen gun like a 5906 is esoteric - this is a level up from that.

With those caveats, buy away.

Second, as mentioned above: make sure it comes with magazines. This gun still has a following in the Bullseye community, and the magazines are sought-after by the people who have the guns. I don't think you're going to be able to get them from Mec-Gar.

 

[Magyars]

View attachment 343498

It’s a bit pricey but I think I want it.

They seem to be a big hit over on the S&W forum