jerkface11
Member
I really want a semi auto chambered for .38 wadcutter. There are 2 currently on gunbroker a smith and a colt both are $1400 bucks. Is there a less expensive alternative?
I want a .38 wadcutter semi auto
- Thread starter jerkface11
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The Lone Haranguer
Member
I've been surprised at how much asking prices have gone up for the S&W 52.
ljnowell
Member
um do you mean .38 special or super? Its hard to find an auto that feeds wadcutters.
jerkface11
Member
Yeah I was shocked that it was that expensive. Of course it had 0 bids. Maybe someone will have a reasonable one at the tulsa gunshow. If not I may have to get one built for me.
jerkface11
Member
I mean .38 special wadcutter. There are 1911's and S&W's out there. I also saw a Beretta in a gun magazine a long time ago I don't know if it was a production gun though.
R.W.Dale
Member
I'm gonna speculate that both the examples you cite currently at auction are at least 30% overpriced. But I found one MORE
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=112188904
whilst not immaculate this might make a great shooter grade firearm.
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=112188904
whilst not immaculate this might make a great shooter grade firearm.
R.W.Dale
Member
jerkface11
Member
I'd prefer a 1911 but that doesn't look bad.
jerkface11
Member
Dang what did you search for to get those? I tried Wadcutter,.38 special and .38
R.W.Dale
Member
Yeah but you know well as I do that 1911 + 38 wadcutter = colt
thus 9 times in 10 COLT=$$$$$$$$
52-2 titles and descriptions my friend
The Lone Haranguer
Member
He means .38 Special wadcutter, all right.ljnowell said:
These were somewhat specialized target shooting pistols that were intended to combine .38 wadcutter accuracy with an autoloading action. TheSmith & Wesson Model 52 turns up with some frequency at the local big gun shows. It is all steel with a five-inch barrel, single-action (not double) trigger and a five-round magazine. I've never personally seen a factory Colt in this cartridge.
jerkface11
Member
Colt isn't the only one but the others are MORE expensive. I found an STI on another site but it was 2 grand. For that price it better load its own mags.
swampshooter
Member
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S&w 52
S&W 52 is an extremely accurate pistol with a very good set of sights and a superb trigger. Only drawback for some shooters is that they only have a 5-shot clip. IMO they're worth the price.
S&W 52 is an extremely accurate pistol with a very good set of sights and a superb trigger. Only drawback for some shooters is that they only have a 5-shot clip. IMO they're worth the price.
jerkface11
Member
I placed a bid on one we'll see what happens. If I can't turn one up I'll see about getting a local smith to build me one.
In bullseye competition the shooter is allowed to load only five rounds in the magazine so there is no need for the magazine to hold more.
I've owned both the S&W 52 and 1911's chambered for the .38 WC. They were used in the centerfire match in bullseye 900 matches. But only by new shooters who didn't know any better. Neither gun could be counted on to get through a match without a malfunction or two. Seasoned shooters soon learned to use their .45 in both the .45 and the centerfire matches.
Loading a wadcutter round into a chamber is little different from loading an empty case. It is difficult to get them to feed reliably. And the difficulty is compounded by having a rim on the case which prevents the cartridges from stacking flat in the magazine.
I don't know why you want a wadcutter pistol. They are no more accurate than a properly tuned .45 and much less dependable. But obviously you have your reasons so I will wish you the best of luck with your auction.
I've owned both the S&W 52 and 1911's chambered for the .38 WC. They were used in the centerfire match in bullseye 900 matches. But only by new shooters who didn't know any better. Neither gun could be counted on to get through a match without a malfunction or two. Seasoned shooters soon learned to use their .45 in both the .45 and the centerfire matches.
Loading a wadcutter round into a chamber is little different from loading an empty case. It is difficult to get them to feed reliably. And the difficulty is compounded by having a rim on the case which prevents the cartridges from stacking flat in the magazine.
I don't know why you want a wadcutter pistol. They are no more accurate than a properly tuned .45 and much less dependable. But obviously you have your reasons so I will wish you the best of luck with your auction.
krs
Member
x2 on owlhoot's post.
I bought a Smith M52 in Norman, OK for $295. because the owner of the local hardware store said none of his customers had any use for it. At the time I doubt one could have been had in Calif. for under $600. I was in that town for a training seminar thing, had it shipped home and took it to a match soon after I got home. I quickly learned to hate that gun. First thing was that it ejected my precious brass a half a block. Then it couldn't go more than 30 rounds without an alibi needing at least a feedramp swabbing.
I was able to sell it to another member of the bullseye club I was in for $500. though, so it turned out to be my best gun deal to date. That was 1977.
I bought a Smith M52 in Norman, OK for $295. because the owner of the local hardware store said none of his customers had any use for it. At the time I doubt one could have been had in Calif. for under $600. I was in that town for a training seminar thing, had it shipped home and took it to a match soon after I got home. I quickly learned to hate that gun. First thing was that it ejected my precious brass a half a block. Then it couldn't go more than 30 rounds without an alibi needing at least a feedramp swabbing.
I was able to sell it to another member of the bullseye club I was in for $500. though, so it turned out to be my best gun deal to date. That was 1977.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
The S&W 52 is known to break barrel bushings, and you can't get them, or any other parts from S&W anymore.
rcmodel
rcmodel
Deanimator
Member
I've got a Giles .38 Special M1911 built on a Colt .38 Super. I'm NOT a "new shooter" and wasn't one when I bought it. That is BAR NONE the most accurate centerfire auto I've ever shot, much less owned. It's also superbly reliable.
I've won my class in 2700s that I NEVER would have had I used the .45 for the centerfire. I wouldn't even DREAM of shooting the centerfire with a .45 now that I have that Giles.
Deanimator
Member
Actually, the most common part to break on 52s is the extractor. Pre-52-2 guns are notorious for breaking extractors which are very hard to come by. 52-2s aren't nearly as bad.
I'll stick with my Giles M1911.
tbtrout
Member
I keep teasing myself by looking on Clarks website. I have wanted one for a few years now.
MICHAEL T
Member
TheirTarget pistols just get a 38 super or 45acp Both will be more relieable
Slimbo
Member
cabelas in reno has one for 1,099. looks pretty good too.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/c.../handgun/1007436_sw52-2.jsp?hierarchyId=11647
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/c.../handgun/1007436_sw52-2.jsp?hierarchyId=11647
I have a 52-2 with a 6" Bar-Sto maganaported (is that a word?) barrel. It also has the adjustable counter weight and adjustable target grips. It has NEVER jammed even with my own miserable cast bullet reloads and "found brass".
It is silly accurate if I haven't been drinking.
I bought it over 20 years ago and the only grief it has ever given me is buying magazines for it. The only ones that work correctly are ORIGINAL S&W mags. There were some reproductions made that routinely won't hold the slide back after the last shot. No matter what...the mags go for over $50.00 each. There was gunsmith in PA some years ago that converted the mags from 5 rounds to 6 and the general opinion was that they worked wonderfully but by the time I tracked him down he had passed away.
Anyway, till you've seen an automatic digest a 38 WC PERFECTLY every time...you just can't believe it.
It is silly accurate if I haven't been drinking.
I bought it over 20 years ago and the only grief it has ever given me is buying magazines for it. The only ones that work correctly are ORIGINAL S&W mags. There were some reproductions made that routinely won't hold the slide back after the last shot. No matter what...the mags go for over $50.00 each. There was gunsmith in PA some years ago that converted the mags from 5 rounds to 6 and the general opinion was that they worked wonderfully but by the time I tracked him down he had passed away.
Anyway, till you've seen an automatic digest a 38 WC PERFECTLY every time...you just can't believe it.
bluetopper
Member
My S&W 52-1 has never failed me in any way whatsoever. It eats my reloads like candy and is the most accurate and most enjoyable pistol I've ever shot. I bought it like new for $825 a year ago online.
An absolute shooting machine!
And beautiful to boot.
An absolute shooting machine!
And beautiful to boot.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/c...y/hazelwood/handgun/1193883_swmod5238_haz.jsp
Might be asking a bit much but this one looks very nice. I've fondled it when I've been in there.
Might be asking a bit much but this one looks very nice. I've fondled it when I've been in there.
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