My dad has a Model 52 1 that we have not yet shot. He was told it takes .38 S&W only. Not knowing this I went out and bought him the .38 wad cutters for his b-day like I saw you using here. I put the .38 wad cutter in the mag and it would not load into the chamber. It gets held up on part of the mag (I noticed this when I was attempting to empty the mag manualy) however the .38 S&W chambered just fine. Do you have any advice? have you actually fired wad cutters through this?
I have this gun aswell. It is one incredible fire arm. It is one of the most accurate factory made pistols ever made. The only thing that is a little annoying is that it won't feed unless the bullet is a full wadcutter, it won't take anything else. But never the less, if I could have only one pistol I would chose this one.
Fell in love with these back in the 80's-90's when I saw them. Have always wanted one but now the price is huge. Note also that the wadcutter ammo does make a good defensive round too as it also punches clean little holes in organs etc.
very nice pistol, i was lucky to shoot one when i was a member of the Aintree pistol club in Liverpool.
A lovely old gent used to let people shoot his guns whenever you wished.
I had a .357 Ruger Security Six, a six inch stainless model, a .22 Browning Medalist, a beautifull semi auto target pistol and a .22 Drulov bolt action target pistol. This one had a 10 inch barrel and was very hard to shoot well
The gun was designed for shooting national match competition,that is why it only has a five round magazine. The model 52 was never designed for a carry application,it was designed for competition only- if you ever get the chance to shoot one you won't want to give it back!!
Each one had lots of hand work done at the factory making it an excellent, and accurate target pistol. I think if you ever get the chance to shoot one and feel the action and accuracy possible, you wont be so critical. Its not a carry pistol, nor does it have any other purpose---just target shooting---and it does that very very well indeed!!!
Lots of pilgrims here, with negative comments on something they know nothing about!! HA!! These matches were originally for 6 shot revolvers that, long ago were carried most often with one chamber empty for the danger of dropping on the hammer and an accidental firing. The wadcutter bullet is a light load, and meant specifically for cutting wads, or punching paper with a cutting bullet edge so the hole was neat and making it easy to score results.
where do you find your ammo??? i cant get it locally so iv had to order it online. i got 2 boxes from cabellas for about 18 bucks each on sale...have you found anything cheaper?
@HiCapacity read above it was strictly for shooting competitions wad citters cut a cleaner hole in paper so scores could be more precise, think of it trying to feed a flat shape in and out, I have never even seen one, likely very expensivre if you could find one
the 52 was designed specifically to be shot in the centerfire match of an nra conventional pistol match (2700). it was not designed to have any other purpose. The same way a bullseye 1911 has no other use but to shoot the 45 match of a conventional pistol match. My Clark 45 wadgun is only used to shoot bullseye. i have different handguns for USPSA or carry. Just because you don't value the sport the gun was built for doesn't mean the design has no merit.
this is a personnal favorite of mine, i love the .38 special cartrige. I assume that with the overall precision of the firearm, added with the extreemly accurate wadcutter, this would yeald incredable accuracy. thanx
This pistol weirded me out one day, because as I was shooting I received brass pollution from the aisle on the left (no biggie, it happens), and the cases were 38 special. I was shooting just that with a revolver. The owner of that gun was teaching his buddy to shoot better and even told him "learn to shoot this 38 if you want to learn to shoot". I went to take a peek and was surprised to see it was indeed a pistol and exactly this model. So it does exist and some people have it.
This is a specialized target pistol designed for 3 gun Bullseye matches. Extremely accurate and easy shooting. It was never intended for combat or defensive use.
@zanuha Shooting yourself with a blank in the head would be a bad idea in itself. A blank can burn you and the sound will deafen you. I have a bit of a hard time believing you.
Hey Bud nice Video... Hey I have one of these guns I shot it a few times and it shoots great. My question is how much do you think this gun is worth? I have a local gunsmith by me that sold one of these a year ago and said he got 1800 for it. Also I live in NJ and having a hard time finding ammo, same gunsmith told me to reload my own but I'm just not into all that
This weapon does not shoot "38 special revolver ammunition" It shoots 38 special mid-range wadcutter only, which has a flush mounted bullet. Regular 38 specials won't even fit in the magazine.
It's pretty narrow minded to assume you know more about what people want (or wanted when this was made) than firearms companies that have been in business since the beginning..
@SuperSneakySteve I guess real men don't use target pistols according to you. Grow up dude, real men can use any gun without feeling insecure and don't need to always have a .45 in hand. Also by your standards anyone that has a revolver in any caliber is someone that only has sex with blow up dolls considering how every revolver can use wadcutters. What about .22s? Those are primarily target rounds aswell so I guess everyone only likes to have sex with blow up dolls.
if you have never shot one you wont get it. this was the premier target auto loader of its time and it will still hold it's own in competition. I have two of them and they are by far my favorite center fire pistols to shoot.
and if you call Smith and Wesson and ask REAL nice they will still make you one.... but at a terrible cost
@SuperSneakySteve This gun was designed to be a target ONLY shooter! This gun was designed for the dedicated shooter which you are not! Wad cutter ammo is easier to score because the holes it makes look like a paper punch was used--this makes scoring super easy- if you don't know what you are talking about keep your fingers home!
Yep, I have one, took 9th center fire/slow fire Expert at Camp Perry with it. One sweet pistol. Virtually no recoil, just a precision paper-puncher. I've retired from competition, mine's for sale ifn anyone has about a grand of spare cash.
@stealthyshooter Sorry to be so slow in reply. I have two mags and the weapon is mint, always in my padded pistol box. I might take a grand for it... they're out of production and gaining in value every day.
@GunWebsites They were made for match shooting for the Centerfire portion of a 2700. At the time, the 52, and the 1911s built in 38 special by Clark, and Giles (yes 38 special not super) were the only alternative to either shooting double 45 for centerfire and 45, or a revolver. At the time, 9mm was not considered an accurate enough cartridge for the 50yd slow fire. Now many smiths are building 9mms for centerfire matches in bullseye
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My dad has a Model 52 1 that we have not yet shot. He was told it takes .38 S&W only. Not knowing this I went out and bought him the .38 wad cutters for his b-day like I saw you using here. I put the .38 wad cutter in the mag and it would not load into the chamber. It gets held up on part of the mag (I noticed this when I was attempting to empty the mag manualy) however the .38 S&W chambered just fine. Do you have any advice? have you actually fired wad cutters through this?
Glock23Fire 4 weeks ago
Comment removed
Glock23Fire 4 weeks ago
I have this gun aswell. It is one incredible fire arm. It is one of the most accurate factory made pistols ever made. The only thing that is a little annoying is that it won't feed unless the bullet is a full wadcutter, it won't take anything else. But never the less, if I could have only one pistol I would chose this one.
knivesngunz 2 months ago
Comment removed
knivesngunz 2 months ago
Fell in love with these back in the 80's-90's when I saw them. Have always wanted one but now the price is huge. Note also that the wadcutter ammo does make a good defensive round too as it also punches clean little holes in organs etc.
gotindrachenhart 2 months ago
What would happen if you tried to use a more conical bullet in them?
chrismc410 3 months ago
very nice pistol, i was lucky to shoot one when i was a member of the Aintree pistol club in Liverpool.
A lovely old gent used to let people shoot his guns whenever you wished.
I had a .357 Ruger Security Six, a six inch stainless model, a .22 Browning Medalist, a beautifull semi auto target pistol and a .22 Drulov bolt action target pistol. This one had a 10 inch barrel and was very hard to shoot well
scousewillo62 3 months ago
absolute beautiful gun. shot one last week (mod 52-2) and these things are very very nice and precise shooters. wish I could find a nice one.
robin6512 4 months ago
so..if your going to have a Smith Wesson .38, why have a 5 rd magazine?
Gladeator123 5 months ago
Nice video.I have one of these and need to change out the recoil spring.looks like it is attached to the rod.If it is how does it come off?Thanks.
Demonbfg 5 months ago
Nice, I just bought one 52-2 Unfired still has the tags on and the original factory grease on, .not cheap though!!
Smith Wesson developped this pistol for Bullseye shooting competition.
it's a match target pistol and for many gunsmith, the best SW pistol ever made.
New in the box, if you find one, will go as far as $2000.00
it's now a collector's item
pichula5860 6 months ago
The gun was designed for shooting national match competition,that is why it only has a five round magazine. The model 52 was never designed for a carry application,it was designed for competition only- if you ever get the chance to shoot one you won't want to give it back!!
MRclean552 6 months ago
Each one had lots of hand work done at the factory making it an excellent, and accurate target pistol. I think if you ever get the chance to shoot one and feel the action and accuracy possible, you wont be so critical. Its not a carry pistol, nor does it have any other purpose---just target shooting---and it does that very very well indeed!!!
bill45colt 6 months ago
Lots of pilgrims here, with negative comments on something they know nothing about!! HA!! These matches were originally for 6 shot revolvers that, long ago were carried most often with one chamber empty for the danger of dropping on the hammer and an accidental firing. The wadcutter bullet is a light load, and meant specifically for cutting wads, or punching paper with a cutting bullet edge so the hole was neat and making it easy to score results.
bill45colt 6 months ago
where do you find your ammo??? i cant get it locally so iv had to order it online. i got 2 boxes from cabellas for about 18 bucks each on sale...have you found anything cheaper?
bigbre04 8 months ago
i have that exact same pistol with 2 mags and a checkered wood handle
bigbre04 8 months ago
would that be a good weapon for home defense?
SuperTechieJ 8 months ago
@SuperTechieJ It shoots wad cutters. There are plenty of better choices out there than 38 special wad cutters.
HiCapacity 6 months ago
@HiCapacity read above it was strictly for shooting competitions wad citters cut a cleaner hole in paper so scores could be more precise, think of it trying to feed a flat shape in and out, I have never even seen one, likely very expensivre if you could find one
j2bodydouble 4 months ago
the 52 was designed specifically to be shot in the centerfire match of an nra conventional pistol match (2700). it was not designed to have any other purpose. The same way a bullseye 1911 has no other use but to shoot the 45 match of a conventional pistol match. My Clark 45 wadgun is only used to shoot bullseye. i have different handguns for USPSA or carry. Just because you don't value the sport the gun was built for doesn't mean the design has no merit.
jmb1911na 9 months ago
I bet that bad boy makes one ragged hole.
scrateshooter 9 months ago
Great gun, thats probably rare. Hard to find a semi shooter with rimmed, Desert eagle, Grizzly, and coonan I think are the only ones.
japimportssuck 10 months ago
this is a personnal favorite of mine, i love the .38 special cartrige. I assume that with the overall precision of the firearm, added with the extreemly accurate wadcutter, this would yeald incredable accuracy. thanx
gunman848 11 months ago
Anyone know how rare or valuable this gun is??? My friend just inherited one from his father and I have no idea how much its worth.
11leeman 1 year ago
its kinda pretty but still a waste of money..if im gonna use revolver rounds id rather have a revolver
lyfe1zruff 1 year ago
This pistol weirded me out one day, because as I was shooting I received brass pollution from the aisle on the left (no biggie, it happens), and the cases were 38 special. I was shooting just that with a revolver. The owner of that gun was teaching his buddy to shoot better and even told him "learn to shoot this 38 if you want to learn to shoot". I went to take a peek and was surprised to see it was indeed a pistol and exactly this model. So it does exist and some people have it.
NicverAZ 1 year ago
Look at that finish!
TheHiddenPart 1 year ago
This is a specialized target pistol designed for 3 gun Bullseye matches. Extremely accurate and easy shooting. It was never intended for combat or defensive use.
frontpoints1 1 year ago
I heard that mistook a wadcutter for a blank and shot himself in the head with it.
zanuha 1 year ago
@zanuha Shooting yourself with a blank in the head would be a bad idea in itself. A blank can burn you and the sound will deafen you. I have a bit of a hard time believing you.
NicverAZ 1 year ago
@NicverAZ
How did I forget to put ''someone'' in my sentence?
Anyway, the guy wasn't familiar with guns at all. I remember that it was an actor shooting a movie and he was playing around with his buddies.
zanuha 1 year ago
Hey Bud nice Video... Hey I have one of these guns I shot it a few times and it shoots great. My question is how much do you think this gun is worth? I have a local gunsmith by me that sold one of these a year ago and said he got 1800 for it. Also I live in NJ and having a hard time finding ammo, same gunsmith told me to reload my own but I'm just not into all that
ckdogg4577 1 year ago
This weapon does not shoot "38 special revolver ammunition" It shoots 38 special mid-range wadcutter only, which has a flush mounted bullet. Regular 38 specials won't even fit in the magazine.
pferdflecker 1 year ago
Great gun..I was hopping to find a reload for it.
Tripleaught18 1 year ago
One of the better target pistols put forth by Smith and Wesson. I had one several years ago and I regret having sold it off.
catman351 1 year ago
Looks like it was designed off of the Colt 1911.
The safety (s) are different though, and it looks like it would take down differently.
Very Odd... I Like it ^_^
BlankPicketSign 1 year ago
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It's pretty retarded to have a pistol that only shoots wad cutters. Nice review though.
SuperSneakySteve 1 year ago
@SuperSneakySteve
It's pretty narrow minded to assume you know more about what people want (or wanted when this was made) than firearms companies that have been in business since the beginning..
GunWebsites 1 year ago 7
@SuperSneakySteve Its a target pistol moron, Wadcutters are target rounds.
AdmiralGST 1 year ago
@AdmiralGST People who have wad cutter guns only also like to have sex with blow up dolls because they are afraid of real girls and real guns.
SuperSneakySteve 1 year ago
@SuperSneakySteve I guess real men don't use target pistols according to you. Grow up dude, real men can use any gun without feeling insecure and don't need to always have a .45 in hand. Also by your standards anyone that has a revolver in any caliber is someone that only has sex with blow up dolls considering how every revolver can use wadcutters. What about .22s? Those are primarily target rounds aswell so I guess everyone only likes to have sex with blow up dolls.
AdmiralGST 1 year ago
@SuperSneakySteve It is a target pistol. It's defensive & tactical capaibility is non-existant because of that. It is a rarity, great for collectors.
NicverAZ 1 year ago
@SuperSneakySteve
if you have never shot one you wont get it. this was the premier target auto loader of its time and it will still hold it's own in competition. I have two of them and they are by far my favorite center fire pistols to shoot.
and if you call Smith and Wesson and ask REAL nice they will still make you one.... but at a terrible cost
trashbear1977 1 year ago
@SuperSneakySteve maybe he just wants it for competition shooting.
HeavyHiitter 11 months ago
@SuperSneakySteve This gun was designed to be a target ONLY shooter! This gun was designed for the dedicated shooter which you are not! Wad cutter ammo is easier to score because the holes it makes look like a paper punch was used--this makes scoring super easy- if you don't know what you are talking about keep your fingers home!
MRclean552 3 months ago
looks a little like a high power to me.
Jrhoney 2 years ago
Yep, I have one, took 9th center fire/slow fire Expert at Camp Perry with it. One sweet pistol. Virtually no recoil, just a precision paper-puncher. I've retired from competition, mine's for sale ifn anyone has about a grand of spare cash.
pferdflecker 2 years ago
Hello!
Have you ever detail-stripped the pistol? If you did, do you have a video or instructions?
Steve
stevenorlando100 2 years ago
not this one, but lots of people are posting disassembly videos
GunWebsites 2 years ago
How many mags you got with it ?
what state do you live in?
how much do you want for it?
stealthyshooter 1 year ago
@stealthyshooter Sorry to be so slow in reply. I have two mags and the weapon is mint, always in my padded pistol box. I might take a grand for it... they're out of production and gaining in value every day.
pferdflecker 1 year ago
I got one...possibly for sale
ckdogg4577 2 years ago
Dangit! I want one of those!!!!!!
mossy500camo 2 years ago
That looks more like a range conversation like the Tarus Judge. Are there just a limited number of these being made?
Halo2100 2 years ago
these are no longer made
From what I hear they were a trasition pistol when people were going from .38 revolvers to pistols
also for states where there were restrictions on ammo, etc
GunWebsites 2 years ago
@GunWebsites They were made for match shooting for the Centerfire portion of a 2700. At the time, the 52, and the 1911s built in 38 special by Clark, and Giles (yes 38 special not super) were the only alternative to either shooting double 45 for centerfire and 45, or a revolver. At the time, 9mm was not considered an accurate enough cartridge for the 50yd slow fire. Now many smiths are building 9mms for centerfire matches in bullseye
jmb1911na 9 months ago
@GunWebsites Where can I buy some wad cutters?
hippybigshot 2 months ago
Please shoot it
glock10mm 2 years ago
Huh, that's a really interesting pistol.
ManiacMarauder01 2 years ago
man i love your reviews no opiion just the weapion and its functions ty :)
lynette1953 2 years ago
sweet you should do a shoting video
aparatoso1 2 years ago 2
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2MCHNV 2 years ago