[plnkr1234]

Hi guys,

How much are these going for?

For those who have one, how do you like it? What kind of accuracy can I expect? How do they compare to a SIG P210?

Thanks

[tex_n_cal]

They list for $1500 or so. I've handled one, and it is a very impressive pistol. The grip is a little large for me, but for a target 9mm I can't imagine anything else outshooting it.

[makarov]

It seems like high-end target grade autos are rarely stainless steel. Is this tradition? Or a case of stainless not being up to the task? I like both types of guns, but was curious what the reason was for choice of carbon steel for this market segment.

[Al Thompson]

On TFL, one of the hard core PPC shooters had one and loved it. Can't remember the accuracy, but it was something like 1.5 inches at 50 y. IIRC, key to accuracy was somee pretty carefully assembled handloads with JHPs being the bullet of choice. A search there should give you some good information.


Makarov, I think it has more to do with the expectation that folks buying high doller target guns won't expose them to the elements.

[plnkr1234]

I'm not an expert on metallurgy, but AFAIK carbon steel is harder and more wear resistant than stainless and thus holds up better over time. I seem to remember that many 1911 custom smiths prefer to work on carbon frames for this reason among others.

Anyone else with price info for the 952?

Thanks

[CZ-75]

I always thought SS was harder than CS, which makes machining harder.

CS, IIRC, is softer and doesn't gall like SS.

[GooseGestapo]

Plinker1234,
The carbon steel is just a preference of some of the "Bullseye" shooters to which the gun is intended - It matches the finish of most of the other guns such as mod41 S&W's and the custom 1911's used. It is intended to take the place of the .38spl mod52 and others for use in "centerfire" events. Magazines for the mod 39 will fit it.
I don't have one, but rather the PPC-9 "Limited" w/5" bbl, which is Stainless steel and is double stack (ie: mod5906). I also have a PC-5906 (4"bbl). They will generally equal or beat the 1.5" @50yds accruacy level.
The stainless is not a problem, just a preference for guns that are shot a lot, and often in humid conditions, such as this years NPSC at Jackson, Ms.
The Sig210's "bite" the hands that feed them. And magazines cost a fortune, if you can find them.

[MoNsTeR]

There's a 952 in a local shop for $1200 or so.

I heard S&W only sells the PPC-9 to LEO's, that's a damn shame :mad:

[Jeff OTMG]

You can order one from a distributor, seems like they were around $950.

[ss]

GooseGestapo:

Which would you rate in order of most accurate 9mm?

SIG P210
S&W PC952
S&W PPC9
S&W PC5906

Are the PPC9 and PC5906 idential in every way besides the barrel length?

I've read very little about the PPC9 but it seems like it's more accurate than the 952 and only available to law enforcement because it lacks a drop safety and magazine disconnect.

[Brass Balls]

Anyone else with price info for the 952?

I just ordered a blued model from www.sportingarms.com for $1089. They are a great company to deal with and their prices are always very competitive.

[Siggyboy]

The 952 gives phenomenal accuracy. Its a dream to shoot. I've never yet shot a SIG 210 but that is a larger gun, more expensive and apparently does bite the hand. The 210 was designed as a combat handgun and is still used in the Swiss army, while the 952 was designed more for target shooting.

[Walt Sherrill]

I don't think the P-210 is a larger gun.

I had a P-210-6 for several years, have a 52-2, and several friends have 952s. I've shot them all.

They're all pretty close for accuracy. The 952 is, I think, simply an upgraded 52, designed to compete with IDPA and similar competitions in mind. (9 rounds of 9x19 instead of 5 rounds of .38 special is an improvement, too!)

The safety is the only awkward thing about the 952; I'd prefer the type that would let you rest your thumb on it; you've got to flip it up.

The P-210 doesn't bite everybody. I liked everything about my P-210 except the 8-round capacity, the mag release (heel style), and the cost of mags ($75+). Wonderful gun. They could also be found with fitted .22 top ends that were awesome.

The 952 is similar to the 52 and typically has a very good trigger. This model is more convenient for pistol competition (because of the sligthly larger capacity and more friendly mag release than the P-210).

All of them shoot far better than I can.

Supposedly, there was something about the grip angle that finally caused many bullseye shooters to move away from the 52 series gun; that's still a potential problem for the 952. My 52 is a joy to shoot (mid-range Wadcutters only.)

[cratz2]

I've shot both and, while I'm generally not a fan of S&W pistols, I'd take a 952 over a 210. Both would be nice, but if I could only have one, it would be the 952.

I've seen them in my favorite local shop for $1029 and $1069 IIRC.

[Brass Balls]

I've shot both and, while I'm generally not a fan of S&W pistols, I'd take a 952 over a 210. Both would be nice, but if I could only have one, it would be the 952.

That's music to my ears, cratz2! I think it also shows that your judgement is driven by your own impressions rather than price, which is admirable.

From the prices I've seen the Sig210 goes for approximately $700 more than the S&W PC 952. Although they are often compared with one another I didn't have a choice because CA doesn't have the 210 on it's DOJ approved list.

[QB]

Brass Balls -- I have a stainless steel 952 on order with Sporting Arms. I've purchased many guns from them. Both Tom and Becky are fabulous to deal with and very competitive. I have a NIB blue 952 coming in next week from another dealer ONLY because I had rather high end trade I wanted to use towards the gun and Tom wasn't able to take it. I just HATE waiting for these new guns. They'll be the only S&Ws that I own so I hope I like them. I've had a SIG P210-6 heavy frame and it was OK but I sold it for some other purchase. I never would have sold it had it been SS so I was really excited about the SS 952 being introduced this year.

Now if I could only find some extra mags. Guess I may have to order them from S&W.

[Brass Balls]

QB, I ordered extra mags from Sporting Arms with the gun. They were $30 each. I didn't shop around for them because Tom & Becky have always been so competitive.

I bought mags from them with my Kahr PM9 and later when I saw some other prices for the same mag I was pleased to realize that mine were a couple of bucks less.

[Brass Balls]

Oh, and one more positive comment about Sporting Arms. With this 952 I also purchased a S&W PC 629 Stealth Hunter with the Birdsong finish. Neither of these guns are particularly common yet they were able to find them both in short order. :)

[QB]

Brass Balls - well I never thought about ordering the mags from Tom. Thanks for the info. I'll go email him right now.

So when do you get your 952???

[Marshall]

I'll only add that the P210, 952 and the BHP std are the three best looking semi-auto handguns on the market, IMO.

Just make sure you have owned all three before you croak. :D :D

[QB]

Well I've only owned all three only if I can count the BHP Practical that I used to have (another regretted "sell" to fund something else....will I ever learn) :uhoh:

[Brass Balls]

I'm hoping that they will arrive tomorrow. :fingerscrossed: I'm hoping ever more that if they do arrive tomorrow I'll enough of a break in the schedule to shoot them. :doublefingerscrossed:

[QB]

Well since mine aren't here yet I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!!!! I hate waiting. Last gun I got came in right before I went out of town and it sat in my safe for several weeks before I could shoot it which just about killed me!!!!!

Good shooting (oh...Tom ordered me 6 mags for the 952s....I'll get the mags before the gun arrives....bummer).

[Brass Balls]

Cool, glad that worked out for you on the mags, buddy. http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/contrib/ruinkai/biggthumpup.gif That's going to be great having a 952 of each flavor.

I guess I got lucky that they were able to locate a blued model so quickly. I just ordered it last Thursday. Not like I had a choice between them though since the SS model has yet to make it on the CA DOJ approved list yet. :cuss:

Although I'm sure I'll be pleased with the blued model and since it will strictly be a range gun (so I say now) it should hold up just fine.

I look forward to sharing notes once we get some trigger time in.

[MoNsTeR]

Is the stainless model really as expensive as the S&W site says it is? (~$2k)

[QB]

I've seen the stainless priced from two dealers in the $1400ish price range (which is the range mine was in). So I certainly wouldn't pay more than that.

Is it worth it over the blued? Maybe not but I happen to be very fond of stainless guns (or hard chrome).

[Dale Taylor]

I have a Model 52, 30 years old. Still shoots any 38 wadcutter. Never burps and is extemely accurate. Look for one. Cost 7-800. Dale Taylot