Winchester 52 “Perfection in Design”

[armalitesheepdog]

Nice looking rifle! Question: whats up with the buttplate on it? Looks like wood or something? A spacer for an adjustable plate? Which was very common. Doesn't appear to be the original steel checkered?

Ill pull some out Tuesday when I’m free and post some pics for everyone since some of you have interest thanks!

Here is a better picture along with a few others after your question i was curious and Google some pics. Looks like there were several variations. Its definitely steel checkered

 

[Mongo59]

Winder Musket ?

Sure thing! Good job.

 

[Win52C]

Here is a better picture along with a few others after your question i was curious and Google some pics. Looks like there were several variations. Its definitely steel checkered

Yes. Awesome! That’s the correct buttplate. Just couldn’t see it well in the other pic. Looked like an adjustable buttplate spacer a tad. Great looking rifle sir!!! Love me some 52, 52A, 52B, 52C, 52D or 52E !!!

 

[Win52C]

Nice looking rifle! Question: whats up with the buttplate on it? Looks like wood or something? A spacer for an adjustable plate? Which was very common. Doesn't appear to be the original steel checkered?

Ill pull some out Tuesday when I’m free and post some pics for everyone since some of you have interest thanks!

As promised I pulled out the ones that aren’t buried. These are all original with no modifications. I didn’t bother getting out the various 10/5 and single shot mags, various combinations of peeps etc but you get the idea. Hope you all enjoy !!
Descriptions and pics to follow .

1946 Winchester 52B Heavy Barrel, currently wearing a Unertl 2”, 15X Ultra Varmint



1962 Winchester 52D Heavy Barrel, one of the first 100 of the D model wearing a 20X Redfield 3200.



1963 Winchester 52 Standard weight barrel wearing Redfield Olympic Sights


1956 Winchester 52C Heavy Barrel currently bare but normally wearing a 24X Unertl Programmer 200

 

[Win52C]

Anyone else have any 52’s or stories about them to share?

 

[Mongo59]

My younger years were determined by having children, so my cash flow came in about the 69 and 69A scale to Winchester's. I still haven't bit the bullet and paid out for one but I have multiples of the less expensive Winnies.

 

[Win52C]

Not many 52 fans here apparently ?

 

[wisboy]

Here's pics of the non-factory 'sporter' 52 with the Weaver 330 and Litschert objective. Also have the proper Lyman peep for it.

Back in the day when excellent workmanship was expected and appreciated,

That's a beauty.
I have a couple of 52 target rifles made into sporters.
The 52 "C" models have the best triggers.

 

[Win52C]

That's a beauty.
I have a couple of 52 target rifles made into sporters.
The 52 "C" models have the best triggers.

The “ Micro Motion” Trigger was introduced with the C model. Giving the shooter easy access to over travel and pull adjustment screws. Another innovation at the time. Welcome to the Forum

 

[wisboy]

I love the 52's....as years go by ...I have sold all my target rifles and the 52 sporters.
The 52 Sporters are beautiful rifles ... but heavy. I have 1 52 repro left outta about 6 . Had lot of fun with them. Even after pulling the lawyer pin ,triggers are only so-so.

Now I am into sporters ,as I have said ,and I have made up a couple sporters out of 52C target rifles.

1 has a tapered octagon barrel by Pacnor, and pretty nice English Walnut . The other quite nice American Walnut. The barrel has been turned into an tapered octagon stopped just short of roll marking.
Sorry, no pics.

 

[BGDave]

Tag for interest.

 

[snapping turtle]

I have mint copies of the copies made by Winchester and Browning and they are exact replicas of the older version made in Miruko Japan. The browning I believe I picked up in 1992 and the Winchester a year later in 1993. I also bought the browning model 52 knife that they made in 1992. I think they made 5000 of each. I know they made 2500 knives. I was a very big fan of the quality of the Miruko plant produced and had several browning abolts at the time.

Been a while since I molested them but I think the Browning is the model 52c sporter and the Winchester is the model 52b stock style I remember I think the Winchester has an additional stock screw.

I have shot both open sighted at 50 yards and they are very accurate. I should get into the safe and take some photos. I remember getting 1/2 inch groups and better open sighted at 50.

 

[natdscott]

Tag for interest.

For future reference, you can do so without bumping the whole thread:

 

[55fairlane]

Adding fuel to the fire....the CMP is selling of a Win 52

Loading…

cmpauction.thecmp.org

 

[armalitesheepdog]

I have mint copies of the copies made by Winchester and Browning and they are exact replicas of the older version made in Miruko Japan. The browning I believe I picked up in 1992 and the Winchester a year later in 1993. I also bought the browning model 52 knife that they made in 1992. I think they made 5000 of each. I know they made 2500 knives. I was a very big fan of the quality of the Miruko plant produced and had several browning abolts at the time.

Been a while since I molested them but I think the Browning is the model 52c sporter and the Winchester is the model 52b stock style I remember I think the Winchester has an additional stock screw.

I have shot both open sighted at 50 yards and they are very accurate. I should get into the safe and take some photos. I remember getting 1/2 inch groups and better open sighted at 50.

 

[Win52C]

Let’s spark some banter. I owned a couple of the 90’s Miroku repros. Fine repros but just didnt do it for me. Sold them off long ago. I guess I’m a purest. Not to mention you could still pick up originals at the time for about the same money. Winchester catalogs from 1954 (52B) and 1956 (52C). Provided courtesy of BGDave. To whom I’m indebted.

 

[Squid556]

Anyone care to explain in simple terms the “slow lock”?

And for that matter, what sets the 52s apart from their competitors back then?

I don’t know much about them, figured I’d learn some while I’m here.

 

[HoosierCub]

I hope both of these questions are answered with lots of information. And this might be a good place for someone to post more pictures and explanations about the Fecker scopes and especially the conversions of Weaver and Lyman by adding the objectives.

 

[wisboy]

Win52C,
Your 52 target rifles are to be admired.

I am puzzled by your statement about the Miroku Sporters were the same price( < $600) in the 90's as the original Win 52 Sporters.

 

[Win52C]

Win52C,
Your 52 target rifles are to be admired.

I am puzzled by your statement about the Miroku Sporters were the same price( < $600) in the 90's as the original Win 52 Sporters.

Thank you sir.

My statement was comparing the 52 reproductions to the original target versions. More or less. Back then a solid original target was around 600 give or take. And the repro sporters were around the same mark or slightly less. Original sporters were more like 12-1500 back then. And way up there now, 4K plus typically. Sorry for the confusion.