Plated full wadcutter loads for a S&W 52 pistol

S

Sevens

New member
The S&W Model 52 is so far from ordinary and I need the hands-on experience of not just handloaders... but of classic Model 52 people specifically.

I am actively on the hunt and in the market for one-- my first. Have handled but never had the pleasure of shooting one.

When I get mine, I will also shoot it outdoors where most of my fun happens. But for the genuine target work that it was built to do, that is something I do on indoor ranges. And I am sure that there are none left near me that allow lead bullets. Jacketed or plated only if it's center fire.

So that's my big question, after all that pre-amble!

Who has experience and success with plated full wadcutter slugs in a Model 52?

I love and use lots of Alliant Bullseye. 2.8gr is the classic target load... for the classic swaged 148 wadcutter. But what if you are running plated?

Unlike a revolver, this ammo needs to do more than just exit the barrel. It has to have enough hair to operate the pistol, but I cannot bear any chance that it beats up the pistol.

Help and experience please!
If I have some fantastic luck, maybe my 52 comes home tomorrow. If not, I sure hope it's before December.
 
Cannot offer any assistance on the use of plated .38s for the 52 but must express some acknowledgement for one of the greatest target pistols ever devised, the S&W mdl 52 .38 Special requiring flush seated wadcutters. Before I acquired mine, will always recall the time a sand-bagger, fresh out of something like the U S Army Marksmanship Unit, showed up at a match and really cleaned the hell out of the rest of us with his 52 during the center fire stage. This made everyone sit up and take notice. Get a 52 and forget about your .45 for center fire. But at any rate I use the cast duel-end WC for 52 loadings along with the factory 148 gr WCs. Good luck on your quest for a 52; my guess is that one will be difficult to find. Be aware that the achilles heel for the 52 is the ejector, they break off and that is common. Trying to find a new one is like trying to find a 52 itself. However, the 52 will still eject properly, most of the time, even without the ejector.
 
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I have heard of extractor issues possible on earlier pistols, but I hadn't heard of ejector issues.

The indoor range I frequent does indeed inspect ammo, but I could easily "slip through" given the volume of ammo I bring. However, they have their rules and it isn't my style to skirt them.

I am still on the hunt for the 52. Arrrgh, did not come home with one today as I had hoped. Not giving up however.
 
It is common with the ejector. It starts out with a bend that can be rebent but after doing that a few times it finally breaks off and Smith has seen to it that there are no longer replacements.
 
I've used several (like 4 or 5) bullets in mine. Included were some plated DEWC. A few people on the S&W forum said no-no but who can really tell. Seems some people think the 52 is made of glass and is on the verge of breaking at any time. I've got both HBWC and DEWC (Zero brand) and those will last me a long time. I also tend to run mine a little warmer than some. With that light load it just doesn't feel right and isn't that what we strive for, a good feeling load?
 
S&W Model 52-2

Sevens,
I recently acquired my 52-2.
It took me almost 10 months to find one in the condition I wanted and price I was willing to spend.
Google Smith and Wesson Model 52 for sale and check out all the sights that come up.
Don't settle for anything that looks hard used, anything that you have second thoughts about.

Picked up this pistol on gunsamerica.com

Here's the 52-2 that I purchased:


It came with everything you see except for 5 of the magazines!
I got the extra magazines on Gunbroker.com

I haven't used any plated wadcutters, however BERRYS BULLETS does offer a 148gr copper plated hollow base wad cutter and 148gr double end wad cutters in .38special.

Check out BULLSEYE-L FORUM for a lot of load information for the Model 52.

Good luck!
JD
 
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Looks gorgeous!
Some say these pistols are scarce but I see them out in the world so I will not panic-- mine will come with patience.
 
Model 52

Sevens,
They are not rare, but pistols like the one I got command a premium price:eek:

I wanted one for years before getting serious, you WILL find yours also.

I have absolutely no regrets for purchasing this pistol, it's amazingly accurate:D:D(when I do my part:D)

JD
 
I could have bought either of the two I found yesterday but part of my process is finding the gun -and- being comfortable with the deal I make to get it. One ace that I have up my sleeve is that my hand won't be forced by extra mags or accessories as I have the luxury of owning three magazines before I even find the pistol.

It will continue to be a fun chase! After swinging and missing twice yesterday... I quashed my sadness with a rimfire pistol to hold me off in the meantime. ;)
 
Sevens said:
2.8gr is the classic target load
Click to expand...

No! No! 2.7 gr! 2.7 gr! Now we know the source of your pressure signs! ;):D

Given how short the powder column under a flush wadcutter is, I'd be surprised if you needed to raise the load enough to be a battering issue. You can put a thin lube layer or even moly plating or powder coating on the surface of a plated bullet to bring its friction more in line with that of a standard lubricated cast bullet if you want to.
 
Haha, I assume you were kidding...
I don't have a battering issue because I don't even have the pistol yet and have never built even one round of ammo! ;)

I want to know WHAT charge of Bullseye under a 148gr plated bullet will run a 52 successfully with no battering.
 
Sevens:
Thanks are owed to you and your mdl 52 thread since it prompted me to again search for an ejector for the 52-2. This time successful and Brownells has it in stock--order placed. I had earlier suggested to Brownells that they manufacture the part themselves, since they seem to manufacture many of their tools, so maybe they actually did so. When you finally get your 52-2 look at the ejector to see how light weight it is designed. Easy to see how it can be knocked around and bent. At the time I was earlier trying to get a replacement, many others were in the same situation.
 
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