S&W Model 52-1: A Magnificent Target Pistol for .38 Special Wadcutters

The Model 52 is a purpose-built target pistol that Smith & Wesson built on the Model 39 frame. It is chambered for a very specific flush-loaded 148gr .38 Special wadcutter loading, to be used in bullseye pistol competition. It was first introduced in 1961 as a double action pistol, and replaced by the single-action-only Model 52-1 in 1963. It remained in production until 1993, with a few internal improvements in 1970 making it the 52-2. Ultimately, the production tooling wore to the point of needing major refurbishment which wasn’t worth the cost. The style of 3-gun bullseye pistol competition that the Model 52 was designed for was no longer popular, and so S&W chose to drop the gun form production.