Smith & Wesson Model 52

The Smith & Wesson Model 52, sometimes referred to as the 38 Master, is a semi-automatic pistol developed by Smith & Wesson for Bullseye shooting. It was one of the first semiautomatic pistols chambered in .38 Special with flush-seated, full wadcutter bullets. The shape of the rimmed cartridge limited the magazine capacity to five rounds. A variant, known as the Model 952, in 9 mm Parabellum, is still produced in limited quantities by Smith & Wesson's Performance Center. The Model 52 was discontinued in 1993 when the machinery to manufacture the pistol broke down and it was deemed too costly to replace.^[1]

Smith & Wesson Model 52
S&W M52-2 with barrel weight
Type	Semi-automatic pistol
Place of origin	United States
Production history
Produced	1961–1993 (Model 52) 2000–2012 (Model 952)
Specifications
Mass	40 oz (1,100 g)
Length	8.55 in (217 mm)
Barrel length	5 in (130 mm)
Cartridge	.38 Special (Model 52) 9×19 mm Parabellum (Model 952)
Action	Short recoil, SA
Rate of fire	Semi-automatic
Feed system	5-round single column, detachable box magazine

History

In 1961, Smith & Wesson Model introduced the Model 52 as a match-grade target pistol derived from the Smith & Wesson Model 39. It was chambered in .38 Special Wadcutter for the sport of Bullseye shooting.^[2]

The first version, known simply as the Model 52, retained the basic trigger mechanism of the Model 39, with the Double-Action function selectable via a simple frame-mounted setscrew, allowing the pistol to be fired in either single-action or double-action mode depending on the setscrew's adjustment.^[2]

In 1963, the Model 52-1 was introduced with a separately developed single-action trigger system and was manufactured until 1970, when it was succeeded by the Model 52-2. Changes to the 52-2 included an improved extractor and this version was manufactured for 23 years.^[2]

By 1992, the 30-year-old machinery used to make the Model 52 was showing signs of age and was starting to fail. Smith & Wesson decided against replacing it and the handgun was discontinued. The last model 52-2 was completed on July 23, 1993. The pistol's serial number was “TZW9149” and it was delivered to the company's private gun vault as an archive piece.^[2][3]

Model 952

The Smith & Wesson Model 952 was introduced in 2000 as a Performance Center pistol based on the Model 52 but chambered in 9mm. Enhancements included a 5” match-grade barrel, titanium-coated spherical barrel bushing, 9-round magazine, loaded chamber indicator and a slide-mounted decocking lever.^[4] An enhanced version was produced in 2004 and a long slide variant with a 6" barrel debuted in 2006.^[5] Smith & Wesson would later on discontinue the Model 952 in 2012.^[6]

References

1. Jinks, Roy G.; Krein, Sandra C. (2006). Smith & Wesson (MA) (Images of America). Boston: Arcadia Publishing. p. 128. ISBN 978-0-7385-4510-3.
2. Supica, Jim; Richard Nahas (2007). Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (3 ed.). F+W Media, Inc. p. 267. ISBN 978-0-89689-293-4.
3. Hartink, A.E. (2002). The Complete Encyclopedia of Pistols and Revolvers. Edison, New Jersey: Chartwell Books, Inc. pp. 278–279. ISBN 978-0-7858-1519-8.
4. Ayoob, Massad (15 March 2010). Massad Ayoob's Greatest Handguns of the World. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 285. ISBN 978-1-4402-1503-2.
5. Ramage, Ken (2 November 2006). Handguns 2007 - 19th Edition. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 26. ISBN 1-4402-2676-8.
6. Free local gun classifieds. Gunlistings.org- Free, Local Gun Classifieds. (n.d.). https://www.gunlistings.org/michigan-gun-classifieds/jackson/pistols/319385/smith__wesson_model_952_performance_center_lnib