Smith & Wesson 952-2 Longslide

[JDR]

The S&W 952 (9mm) and the 945 (.45ACP) Performance Center were guns that you really had to shoot a few rounds downrange to appreciate just how smooth and unbelievably accurate they were and still are. And as good as the current S&W Performance Center SW1911 is, I don't think it holds a candle to these earlier PC guns.

 

[bc1023]

I greatly admired the original 952 when they showed it at an IDPA Nationals.
I don't know why they later decided a target pistol needed a grip safety.

As to what they are for, besides something Way Kewl, I don't know. Maybe somebody shoots one for NRA Centerfire. It wouldn't be a bad IDPA ESP if you got used to the bass ackward safety.

I do know a friend tried hard to like one for PPC. The single stack magazine is ample and the curvaceous grip better handling than the PPC-9 which for some obscure reason is built on a -59 pattern double column receiver. But the PPC-9 was significantly more accurate and had the Aristocrat Tri-Set rear sight, so he went with it and puts up with the square handle.

Jim, I never quite understood the whole PPC vs 952 accuracy thing, since they use the same design. I do believe the factory PPC9 trigger to be lighter, so that may have something to do with it. I shoot the 952 so well, that its hard for me to imagine.

I'll get a PPC9 eventually and I hope it is actually more accurate. If so, it will be the most accurate pistol I own. They don't pop up often, but seem to sell for a bit less than what the 952 is going for these days, thankfully.

 

[Jim Watson]

I don't know what the mechanical difference might be, other than the grip frame, but I watched a PPC Master, Governor's 20 shooter compare the 952 and PPC-9 side by side with more than one load and the PPC-9 was clearly the more accurate.
Also, he needed the Tri-Set sight. He was willing to count clicks but the 952 did not have enough range of adjustment for a 50 yard neck hold.

Of course it could be the proverbial sample variation and the next pair check out the other way 'round.

 

[bc1023]

Yeah, who knows. Whenever I finally get around to picking up a PPC, I'll do a comparison or something.

 

[GooseGestapo]

I've got two PPC-9's, and a 5906 PC. They have won many matches and tied or set several national records.
Best of the best!
I imagine the 952 will hold it's own.
I really enjoy shooting mine.

 

[bc1023]

I've got two PPC-9's, and a 5906 PC. They have won many matches and tied or set several national records.
Best of the best!
I imagine the 952 will hold it's own.
I really enjoy shooting mine.

Cool

I love all the old PC autos.

 

[Jim Watson]

I once had a leaflet on a PC auto with properly located thumb safety.
I never saw the gun, even at SHOT, and was told that it was priced like a yacht.

 

[bc1023]

I once had a leaflet on a PC auto with properly located thumb safety.
I never saw the gun, even at SHOT, and was told that it was priced like a yacht.

The 945 has a "proper" thumb safety...

 

[Jim Watson]

Yes, but the picture I had predated the 945 by several years and did not have the 1911 grafts of stirrup trigger, grip safety, and Wilson thumb safety.
It appeared to be all Smith.