"Vintage" range day....or teaching a 14 yr old about rifles of the past.

[Rembrandt]

In the last 20 years most young shooters have been exposed to black guns w/electronic sights that spit out ammo like a fire hose. So I took my 14 year old grandson to the range for a history lesson regarding guns not made any longer.

Remember hearing a gun writer once say "There are .22's....and then there's the 52's". While that may sound a bit snobbish there is a small element to truth to it. The Winchester 52 was one of the first overbuilt .22 rim fires of its day and dominated much of the competitions. After the 1960's Winchester faded away and others took their place of dominance. Seems that any upper end .22 rim fire would always be measured against the 52....that's how well respected they were in the first half of the 20th century.

Over the years I've collected various versions of the Winchester Model 52, (Pre-A, A, Speedlock, B, C, & D.). Grandson and I went to the safe and selected three specimens to demonstrate the 52's capabilities and what the "old timers" once used.

He actually did quite well and was impressed at the accuracy....think he's hooked on the vintage rifles.

(L to R) Browning 52 Sporter, 1948 52B Sporter, 1953 52C Target)

 

[rabid wombat]

You did well in both dimensions…grandson and rifle…

 

[SwampWolf]

Nice collection and great mentorship. How does the Browning compare to the originals in terms of accuracy, workmanship and finish?

 

[Jonny2guns]

Those are some fine rifles, and great job sparking interest the younger generation!
Hats off sir.

 

[Rembrandt]

....How does the Browning compare to the originals in terms of accuracy, workmanship and finish?

Original 52 Sporter is more accurate and action is smoother.

The Browning 52 Sporter has a nicer fit and finish than the original. Action is a little tighter, may be because it's not seen as much use as the original. When I first got it they came with a drilled and tapped receiver for scope and no sights. Acquired an original Lyman 48F peep sight and had a front sight installed to replicate the original. Also added the Super grade sling swivels to match.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Outstanding!

 

[bannockburn]

Good for you and good for your grandson!

My Dad when he was a kid (unfortunately during the Great Depression), wanted either a Winchester or a Remington .22 target rifle. Of course it was only a dream back then because money was extremely tight in those days and nothing ever came of it. After he came home from fighting in Europe during WWII, he no longer had any interest in guns anymore and so he never got that target rifle he dreamed of having. When we were cleaning out his parent's house I came across these brochures for the target rifles and there was one there for the Winchester Model 52.