somd_mustangs
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- Jul 1, 2012
- 5,738
... but it's not what you think 
This is a pretty slick piece, a very early Model 52 "no dash" circa 1962. These were designed purely as a target pistol, based on the Model 39 and chambered for the .38 Special Mid-Range (full wadcutter) round. The double-action was disabled via a set screw in the frame on these early models. The trigger is awesome, very light and crisp. I'm a 1911 fanboy but this feels pretty darn good in hand. Fit and finish is superb, the pics don't do the high-polish finish justice.
Like it's counter-part, the Colt National Match .38 Special Mid-Range, these have a 5-shot magazine. And like the Colt, the damn mags are hugely expensive. Interesting to compare how Colt and S&W dealt with feed issues, Colt had a lot of problems at first, and even suspended production while working them out.
The gun is pricey too but is still under-valued compared to the Colt (and particularly for what it is) - the National Match typically commands $500-1000 more from what I can tell. Production of the no-dash was late 1961-1963 with approximately 3500 made, starting with S/N 50000. Upgrades included the 52-1 and then the 52-2, which was in production up into the 1990's.
Anyway this comes out of the same collection as the Kimball - a pretty famous guy that wishes to remain anonymous.
This is a pretty slick piece, a very early Model 52 "no dash" circa 1962. These were designed purely as a target pistol, based on the Model 39 and chambered for the .38 Special Mid-Range (full wadcutter) round. The double-action was disabled via a set screw in the frame on these early models. The trigger is awesome, very light and crisp. I'm a 1911 fanboy but this feels pretty darn good in hand. Fit and finish is superb, the pics don't do the high-polish finish justice.
Like it's counter-part, the Colt National Match .38 Special Mid-Range, these have a 5-shot magazine. And like the Colt, the damn mags are hugely expensive. Interesting to compare how Colt and S&W dealt with feed issues, Colt had a lot of problems at first, and even suspended production while working them out.
The gun is pricey too but is still under-valued compared to the Colt (and particularly for what it is) - the National Match typically commands $500-1000 more from what I can tell. Production of the no-dash was late 1961-1963 with approximately 3500 made, starting with S/N 50000. Upgrades included the 52-1 and then the 52-2, which was in production up into the 1990's.
Anyway this comes out of the same collection as the Kimball - a pretty famous guy that wishes to remain anonymous.
