First S&W PC952

[QB]

First S&W PC952-1

Posted this on the S&W forum but thought I'd post it here also.

Just picked up my new PC952-1. Cleaned & lubed it so that I'm ready to go to the range tomorrow. I had the beginners difficulty putting the barrel back in but it didn't take long. I had MAJOR problems getting the slide back on. I just don't know what the heck I was doing wrong but FINALLY I got it on. I was pushing down the little levers (ejector and ??) so that the slide wouldn't hit them but it was still hitting something and the slide just wouldn't go back far enough to get the slide stop in. But anyway, I finally did something right and on it went. Guess I'm used to the ease that a 1911 disassembles/reassembles.

I have a stainless steel on order and will be curious to see if the decocking lever works the same. I read that it may be different. I'll see soon enough.

Question: Please explain about the grip safety and the manual decocking safety. I know that on my 1911s, if I do NOT have the grip safety pushed in the the trigger will not pull at all. But on my PC952-1 I can pull the trigger with or without the grip safety pushed in.

Have only done this with a snap cap but here's how mine works so far:
(1) trigger cocked, I put the decocking lever down (to safe) and pull the trigger while lowering the hammer with my finger. The decocking level stays down.
(2) same as above but instead of pulling the trigger and lowering the hammer with my finger, I just pull the hammer and the decocking lever moves to the "up" position.
Since I'm using snap caps I'm not sure it it would fire or not.

Guess I'm confused so any info you have would be great.

 

[Nalapombu]

I don't know the answer to your questions, but I wanted to say that you have one GORGEOUS pistol there. I got to handle one a couple of weeks ago, but it was an older model that was no where near as pretty as this one.
I wish it wasn't out of my price range or I would have one of those babies. I am especially interested in seeing pics of the stainless version. I hope you can post them when it comes in.
Good luck with your sweet 952...

Nala

 

[QB]

Thanks for the compliment....she IS pretty isn't she

I prefer stainless or hard chrome but something about the glossy blue made me pick one of these up also (especially since the blued are being discontinued). Anyway, I'm having to wait a little while for the stainless so this one will fill the void!!!

I'll certainly post pics of the stainless and well as range reports on both of them. I've previously owned a SIG P210-6 but just did not bond with that gun. I'm not sure why. I'm keeping my fingers crossed with these S&Ws....hope they work out.

 

[Otony]

What grip safety?

 

[QB]

This is a 952-1 with a grip safety behind the tang. You can't tell in the picture but it's there. It isn't like the grip safety on a 1911. Rather it's the entire back side of the grip. When you grip the gun the entire part of the backstrap pivots forward or 'in". Sort of makes you feel as if the grip is loose but it's not...it's just the strange design of the grip safety.

 

[Otony]

QB, I am having a lot of trouble with this. The original 39 and 52 series never had a grip safety, although the back strap is a separate piece that would make it appear as though it does.

What you are referring to as a grip safety is the piece that retains the mainspring. It should not have any discernible movement, or at best, an extremely limited movement. It does not, in any way, comprise a grip safety. The reason it isn't referred to as such in your manual is because it isn't a grip safety.

Go to Smith & Wesson, and download their manuals for the 39, 439, 539, 639. This is identical in build to your gun, save for the single action trigger. No grip safety there either.

Sorry to rain on your parade

 

[Walt Sherrill]

What Otony said.

You should also probably NOT dry fire this beastie unless the safety is on.

If its like the 52-1 or 52-2, you put the safety on and pull the trigger. Same feel, etc., but it doesn't allow the hammer to hit the firing pin.

Have you bothered to read the manual? Most of the problems you're having thus far indicates you really haven't read it -- or haven't digested what you've read.

 

[Jim Watson]

Othony,

The back end of the grip area on a 952-1 and the new stainless gun (952-2?) most definitely is a grip safety. I THINK there were a few 952 "dash nothing" that lacked it, like an original M52 or M39.

QB,

It isn't a decocking lever. It is a firing pin block safety. Pull the trigger and the hammer will fall against the safety axle. I don't know about it popping up if you pull on the hammer. Hope the real experts on S&W forum have helped. I have read that the stainless guns' levers operate as cocked and locked safeties, but did not get to fool with the only one I have seen enough to tell.

 

[QB]

Yes I read the manual. Only general portions have anything to do with this gun. That's why they have a specific SUPPPLEMENTAL OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS for the Model 952-1 Centerfire Pistol Single Action Mode Only in with the gun. It states it does NOT apply to the Model 952. Although I am very familiary with handguns, I always read through the manuals. Below are the OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS SPECIFIC TO THIS PISTOL. I read them about 5-6 times in their entirety (which was easy to do since the instructions are so brief). Seems as if most people don't know much about this gun (unless they have one) which is why I keep getting incorrect information .... from the S&W forum as well as here (although I do appreciate everyone's comments). Perhaps someone that actually HAS this gun can be kind enough to explain how it works. If not, I'll have my gunsmith explain the mechanics, not a problem.

The booklet that is SPECIFIC to the 952-1 states:

"The Model 952-1 single action pistol is manufactured with an automatic firing pin block and magazine disconnect. The automatic firing pin block prevents thhe firing pin from moving forward and firing a chambered cartridge unless the GRIP SAFETY behind the tang is fully depressed and the trigger is held fully rearward. The magazine disconnect disengages the trigger linkage and prevents the trigger from firing the pistol when the magazine is removed from the pistol.

The Model 952-1 is manufactured with a manual decocking safety lever. If you decide to not fire after you have manually cocked the hammer or if you decide to suspend firing, keep the pistol pointed in a safe direction, remove your finger from within the trigger guard and rotate the decocking safety lever fully down into the "safe" position. Remove the magazine from the firearm. Draw the slide back and eject any chambered round. Look into the ejection port to ensure chamber is empty. Reinsert an empty magazine into the pistol. Check to see that decocking safety lever is in the fully down "safe" position. Place your trigger finger on the trigger and hold it while lowering the hammer against the decocking safety body with your thumb. The pistol may now be holstered and carried safely."


That's the operating instruction IN TOTAL for this gun. The rest of the supplement is field stripping disaasembly and re-assembly.



SO......the grip safety is indeed a grip safety and is called that in the S&W supplement for this model. I'm going to the range and will fully acquaint myself with this gun. It's not a problem, I just had some simple questions but I'll work them out at the range.

 

[QB]

Just got back from the range. Met a friend there who brought a friend that also has a current 952-1.

My gun works as designed and I put 250 rounds through it without one hiccup.

Tested all the safety functions and they are in working order.

(1) round in chamber, hammer cocked, manual decocking safety lever NOT engaged, grip safety NOT activated (held gun by the sides of the grip only) -- pulled trigger and the hammer drops but the gun does NOT fire. Grip safety worked as designed.

(2) round in chamber, hammer cocked, manual decocking safety lever engaged (down), gripped gun and pulled trigger--hammer drops but the gun does NOT fire. When the hammer dropped the manual decocking safety lever does move to the UP or dis-engaged position. You can then cock the trigger and fire. According the my friend, this is how it is designed. I will of course verify that with S&W. If, instead of pulling the trigger and letting the hammer fall by itself, I slowly let the trigger down with my finger as the instruction manual says, then the decocking safety lever stays DOWN (engaged). UPDATE: friend was wrong, lever is suppose to stay down unless "I" move it up. I took the gun apart and really studied how this part worked. I noticed that the part that rotates up to block the firing pin did not always move up over the firing pin as much as other times (gun certainly did not fire but the part that blocks the firing pin did not always go up high enough). After cleaning the gun and working the lever it now engages properly and has not malfunctioned again. Will keep an eye on it but I think it's OK now.

So, I understand how this gun works and am very pleased. I did not purchase this for competition or carry....just fun at the range. I like idea of having a manual decocking safety lever although if I am interrupted while shooting my 1911s "cock and lock" is just fine also.

Thanks to all for their suggestions and assistance. I didn't really shoot for accuracy tonight but I can tell you that this gun is going to be very accurate. Of course my range only goes to 25 yards. Due to it's weight it's a very soft shooter also. Now I can't wait to get my stainless 952 in so I can compare the two.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

Do they also make one without a grip safety? The two I shot didn't seem to have that feature. And my 52-2 doesn't.

I don't like grip safeties and mag safeties. That probably would keep me from every getting YOUR model.

 

[QB]

The predecessor to the 952-1 (952 ?) does not have the grip safety. However, they are no longer a current production item. When the stainless model was announced I called S&W about the grip safety because someone on the S&W forum suggested that the new model may not have it. S&W said they did not intend to change that feature and that the new SS model would still have it.

I saw a 952 (one without the grip safety) on one of the auctions, perhaps GunsAmerica, this week but I believe it has been sold.

I hate mag safeties also....I hate them worse than grip safeties. My SIG P210-6 has a mag saftey also.

I've read alot about the Model 52. Everyone that has one seems to love that gun. I looked at the auctions for awhile but they don't come up often. From what I've seen on the forums, most people (or all) hate the 952 grip safety, mag safety, and manual decocking safety lever function and much prefer the way the 52 works.

 

[ClarkEMyers]

sample of one 952 with a grip safety dull finish

Also quite agree, sample of one Model 39 without a gripsafety but with quite a comfortable grip and handling qualities and a sample of one Model 52 without a grip safety. Sadly the 952 did not make me feel as young as I did long ago and far away holding the highly desirable and premium priced - at one tenth the price of the 952 - Model 39.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

Do they also make one without a grip safety? The two I shot didn't seem to have that feature. And my 52-2 doesn't.

I don't like grip safeties and mag safeties. That probably would keep me from every getting YOUR model.

 

[Otony]

OH, its a 952-1! Why didn't you say so

Seriously, my apologies. I saw a no-dash 952 in Oregon, and all the reviews have coverd the no-dash model. Forgive me if I came off as a know-it-all, I thought I knew it all In all honesty, I didn't even know there was a newer version so equipped.

For what it is worth, I think it is a fine gun, in whatever version you own. Along these same lines is the CZ-75 Standard IPSC. It is the other single action 9mm that holds tremendous interest for me.

Of course, as a California resident, I am allowed neither, sigh.

 

[shoobe01]

If anyone shys away from smiths because of the mag safety, it was cake to remove. I can't guarantee the trigger pull is better, but I feel better about it.

In fact, I have pulled mag safeties from HPs, five kinds of Stars and probably something else. Hmm. Lot of mag safeties these days...

Oh, and QB, beautiful gun. I agree with the quality blue (not black) a few people still bother to do. Darn, now I want one of these also.

 

[QB]

Sorry I didn't originally post my gun as a -1 model. I am just used to saying 952 because that's the model name on the web site. My bad.

Actually I hope the stainless manual decocking safety lever works the same as the blue.....only time will tell (gee I wish my stainless would hurry up and get here).

I was wondering about disabling the mag safety. Was going to have a smith do it on my P210-6 but he moved and now there's no one here that I really trust to do the job. I've had several smiths botch jobs on my 1911s so I'm a bit "gun shy", so to speak.

Otony -- CZs are fine guns. I've owned an 85 Combat and PCR. Was looking at possibly a Champion or one of their IPSC guns but got the Smiths instead (again, for the range, not competition). Doesn't mean I won't pick up another CZ sometime. Never had any problems with them.

My range session seemed to answer all my questions about how the 952-1 works. I figured the best way to find out was to just go test it out. I'm going again Saturday and hope to shoot some for accuracy and make sure my sights are aligned for my poor old eyes!!!!

Thanks everyone for all your comments and suggestions.

 

[Brass Balls]

I didn't really shoot for accuracy tonight but I can tell you that this gun is going to be very accurate. Of course my range only goes to 25 yards. Due to it's weight it's a very soft shooter also.

That's what I was looking for. I know how the safeties work because, as you know, I just bought a 952-1 myself. Glad to hear that your gun is reliable and accurate. We have something in common there. I put another 250 rounds down range yesterday and again nothing negative to report, just excellent accuracy.

Have a blast with your new pistol, QB!

 

[J Scott]

QB,

Is your new pistol rated for +p or +p+ ammo?

J Scott

 

[QB]

The supplemental operating instructions for model 952-1 only has operating instructions and field stripping instructions. The "generic" manual that came with it says:

"Plus-P" (+P) ammunition generates pressures in excess of the pressures associated with standard ammunition. Such pressures may affect the wear characteristics or exceed the margin of safety built into some revolvers and could therefore be DANGEROUS. This ammunition should not be used in Smith & Wesson medium (K frame) revolvers manufactured prior to 1958. Such pre-1958 medium (K frame) revolvers can be identified by the absence of a model number stamped inside the yoke cut of the frame. "

So.....what is S&W saying? A general statement about wear characteristics and no other mention of using (or not) +P in their semi-autos.

Here's what the manual says about "Plus-P-Plus" (+P+).

"+P+ ammunition is not recommended for use in Smith & Wesson firearms. This marking on the ammunition designates that it exceeds established industry standards, but the designation does not represent defined pressure limits and therefore such ammunition may vary significantly as to the pressures generated."

I would call S&W with and ask them about this SPECIFIC model but I'm willing to bet they tell you the same thing as the manual (if for nothing else but for liability reasons).

Sorry I couldn't be of much help.

 

[QB]

Sorry....double tap!!!!