S&W 52 vs. SIG Hämmerli P240

I haven't owned a Hammereli, but I like my 52. I have heard that the dash 2 ejector is much sturdier than the original. I bought mine for something like $899 about 3 years ago.

I'm lobing some 148's at about 650 fps here.

Just to throw another option in the mix for bullseye pistols, the Benelli MP3S is outstanding.

The Model 52-2 extractor was re-designed to eliminate breakage problems in the 52 and 52-1 models.

I have about 3k rounds through my 52-1 without any mechanical problems. However, I'd opt for a 52-2 if looking for one. There are no replacement parts available for the 52 and 52-1 models.

I run a 148gr HBWC, and about 2.7gr of Bullseye, and it shreds the 10 ring @ 25 yards.

Don't have any experience with the Hammerli.

However, another consideration, if you can find one, would be the Colt 1911 Government model chambered in .38 Special. They're not cheap, but are fantastic guns. I believe that Clark also did (does) conversions. Just another couple of options.

The 52-2 is outstanding...

I found the best accuracy from my 52 is at 2.3 grains of bullseye with the 148 boolit I'm shooting. This gives very low recoil, in fact if it were much less, there wouldn't be enough impulse to function the gun. I'm really not so concerned with recoil, but rather tuning the load to the gun, and this is just where I wound up. Velocity is low, which does have a disadvantage, it doesn't cut clean wadcutter style holes in the target. 700 fps and up seem to do much better.

I am also experimenting with lighter boolits, 120 grain TC's and RNF's. I think there is some potential from the 52 here. The recoil seems even less with the lighter boolits. I would like to mill down a 148 WC mold 1/8" or so and see how 120 grain WC's work.

A few things I might mention in favor of .38 caliber, are that components such as brass, boolits and molds are going to be much easier to find. I assuming you are going to load your own, powder measures may not throw consistently below 2 grains, and finally if you are target shooting in competition, the larger boolit has a greater chance of cutting the higher scoring ring.

I don't think you will go wrong in either case. Enjoy

I've had two S&W M52-2 38C pistols. Both shot their very best with ful-lcharge 38WC loads, NOT the popular mid-range 38WC loads. It was not even close actually.

Kabal said:

Thanks for the advice. I'd like to start loading my own ammo in the future, but haven't had the time to get into it so far. Over here, you need to take classes and get a permit if you want to reload ammo.

That's why I'd like to use factory loads for the time being. Do they work reliably in a 52 and can I expect reasonable accuracy?
I've got some Geco and Magtech .38 WC (148 gr.) that I use in my Python.

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Just insure that the wad cutters are completely flush-seated. I don't think you'd have problems with Winchester, Remington, or Federal, but I can't speak to Foreign made ammunition. The crimp in the round is more critical than for a revolver.

Yeah, its been a while since I saw one for sale. Benelli didn't build many of them. Less than 1000 for sure.

Beautiful gun, but rare...

That Benelli is a pretty sexy looking piece.

I don't think you can do better than Model 52-2 for accurate target shooting endeavors. Mine has performed well in countless Bullseye matches. The Model 52 can be picky in terms of reliability with reloads (keep them flush-seated as pendennis advocated) but a little experimentation will result in reliable and superbly accurate results. The Model 52 has about the best trigger pull attainable in a semi-auto pistol, in my experience.

32

How is the 32 doing at 50 yards? That would be my concern along with reliability.
Pete

I'd clean the gun after shooting , moisture loves to get into fouled bores if set away for days after a session, I believe the residues are hygroscopic and that is what forms corrosion in my experience.

I think you made the right choice, the .32 wadcutter seems to have been pretty well the standard for 25 metre ISU shooting for some years.
I like the conventional styling of the P240 vs the assorted forward magazine pistols.

As for leading, only you can tell. Look down the barrel every once in a while.

The .32 Long has low recoil, which is why it has had success in Europe as a non-military center-fire target round. But it was never very popular in the U.S., (where .38 got off to a good start as a military and police caliber) and the only target revolver in that caliber, the S&W K-32, was ultimately discontinued for lack of interest.

Jim

Is the P240 .32 recoil operated or blowback like the Pardinis et al?

How is the 32 doing at 50 yards?

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They do well at 50 yards with the right load. The 32 is very accurate but is tricky to load for and there are more bad bullets out there for them than good ones IMHO.