New Winchester 52B

[usmcchet9296]

Like bot hog them but I really like the scoped 513

[OneFunGuy]

Nice Mustang. I have the 52C and a 75. Great guns.
The 52 is my second most accurate rifle, only bested by a $1K plus Ruger!
Though in their day, these guns ruled, they are not Top Guns now.
In competition, the German target guns rule now.

You have the rounded receiver, very desirable. You could have one of four
barrels, can't tell from the pictures though which one.

You have the improved speed lock, but it wasn't perfected until the next model.
You may experience some creep, fixable though, if not already fixed.
You really don't want the Pre-A or A models.

You will find that the 52's really like Eley Sport for casual shooting.
But, most all 52's LOVE Wolf Match Target or Wolf Match Extra ammo.
During this shortage, I have scored a number of buys. Mostly because this
is more expensive target ammo that the average shooter is not interested in.

Check the crown with the cotton ball trick. If you get fibers stuck on muzzle,
either go to gunsmith or re-crown it yourself. You won't get the potential
out of this gun if the crown is not right.

Good Luck.

[Jarhead]

What is the difference between the 52B, 52C and 52D?

[TRAP55]

What is the difference between the 52B, 52C and 52D?

Someone did a nice writeup on them here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_Model_52

I've already dated the pair that OldShooter32 has. If anyone wants a "correct" date on theirs:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=410211

[Mustang]

Thanks, Trap and OneFunGuy.

This one looks like it came with a Wittek-Vaver rear sight. Are these considered good compared to the Lyman 48's, etc?

[TRAP55]

Yep, state of the art in their day. I would have to check with Bert, but I believe they were a factory installed option, and there was maybe 3? different models used on the 52. Not a real common sight, you did good, nice score! I want to shoot it!
Bunch of us on the C&R forum are shooting at Yolo Sat, can you make it?

[Mustang]

Thanks, Trap.

I'm jammed this weekend. When are you going to come out to Sac Valley for the Vintage silhouette match?

[TRAP55]

Plinkin at Yolo Sat with the C&R group, then we have the big NorCal shoot at Oroville on the 15th of Feb.
Can't shoot left handed, and I lost my right eye dominance. Old accident injury finally caught up to me. Still healing from the 2nd go around on the Lazik to correct it, so trying to shoot in a match again, would be a waste of ammo for me right now.
I had to test function a Rem 870 I worked on last sat. First round of Trap I've shot in 6 yrs! The gun didn't fit me, and I still got 22/25 shooting right handed. Probably just luck, but at least I didn't look like a total fool.

[Mustang]

I finally picked up my rifles from the FFL and took some pics.

I also glommed a 52D. The 52B is not in as nice a shape as the D, but it ain't bad. Wood and metal are very good, with a few small spots of surface rust. Bluing on the receiver is not bright and glossy like the D.

Vaver sight seems to work perfectly. I've been told this is a Canjar trigger. It is very light, with no creep over overtravel

[23's Dad]

Did you get a front sight?

The Vaver rear is a neat sight, but it's not much good alone. I'd get ahold of a replacement eyecup for that Merit disk and then call Outback Gun Parts about a front sight mount and see if they have a front sight too. A Vaver will be hard to come buy, but Gary Fellers may have one... Otherwise slap an Olympic on there or a modern 22mm barrel and shoot away.

[Mustang]

The Vaver rear is a neat sight, but it's not much good alone. I'd get ahold of a replacement eyecup for that Merit disk and then call Outback Gun Parts about a front sight mount and see if they have a front sight too. A Vaver will be hard to come buy, but Gary Fellers may have one... Otherwise slap an Olympic on there or a modern 22mm barrel and shoot away.

Thanks, Dad.

It came with the front sight and dovetail. If you look at the upper pictures with the blue background (those are the auction pics), you can see the front sight set up.

The Merit definitely needs a new eyecup and I'm not sure where to get one.

[10xhobby]

Hey Mustang, when are you going to shoot some rimfire matches with us ?????? It certainly looks like you have some beautiful guns that will do the job. Just-sayin.

[10xhobby]

Thanks, Dad.

It came with the front sight and dovetail. If you look at the upper pictures with the blue background (those are the auction pics), you can see the front sight set up.

The Merit definitely needs a new eyecup and I'm not sure where to get one.

you can get an eye cup at Champions Choice on line

[Mustang]

you can get an eye cup at Champions Choice on line

Thanks, 10x

[Target-Ed]

One of the truly great target rifles. I was introduced to a Mossberg 44 at summer camp Boy Scouts at Ten Mile River. A few years later I shot Winchester 52c and 52d and eventually Anschutx 1413 match rifles in college.
Bought a 44 a few years ago and love it. Looking for a nice 52 now

Ed