Winchester 52

[792mauser]

When it rains it pours.

Was looking for a 52 for quite a while. Found a 52A for 1300. Complete with a wittek rear sight, front sight, rear sights apertures and front sight inserts. And a Unertl 12x scope complete with mounts.

That was nice and unexpectedly another one falls into my lap the other day.
A 52 PreA in great condition with 3 magazines.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

You must be living right!

 

[red rick]

Congratulations on finding that treasure . The model 52 with aperture sights is the most accurate shooting rifle that I have ever shot . I only wished it was mine . A guy at my hunting club was shooting one that he just had bought while I was up there feeding the dogs . He asked me if I wanted to shoot it . At 50 yards I made one hole with 5 shots and I am not that good of a shooter . He bought his about 3 years ago . It was made in 1939 , is what he told me .

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Only Winchester I'd ever really like to find someday. Very nice!

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Did you get that at the Crossroads show this weekend? I believe I saw that exact rifle but popped for a Remington-Rand 1911 instead.


Todd.

 

[Rembrandt]

In its day the 52's dominated the rim fire competitions, over built actions, superb barrels, sights and triggers put them as the one to beat. As the models progressed (pre-A, A. B, C, and D) they became more refined and better with age. The original development was a collaboration between Winchester and Army rifle competitors, to which Winchester listened and gave the shooters what they wanted.....not what bean counters and marketing execs thought would sell at a particular price point. Let that be a lesson....

When Winchester dropped the Sporting model after the "D" came out I think it marked the rifle as a competition gun only, and limited sales that eventually put it in an early grave. Had they gone with the Sporting model more aggressively, companies like Kimber, Anschutz, Cooper, and Dakota Arms might not have gotten the traction they did with high end quality sporters. Interestingly Browning reintroduced the Sporter with a Limited run of 5000 and later Winchester did the same. Sadly they are no longer offered, those that have them love them.

To really appreciate the 52, need to acquire Herbert Houzes book and read the history.

 

[792mauser]

Didn't get it at the show this weekend.
On one of the forums I'm on I got a pm, and voila a inexpensive 52.

Saw a beautiful 52D at the show that I lusted after but not enough cash after my recent shower of 52s.

I did pick up a 67 for $150 and a German GECO 1919 single shot for $45 at the show in Phoenix today.

 

[792mauser]

And I almost forgot. I found a 1904 short and long with a broken stock that I talked the owner down to 70 dollars on.

Now looking for a replacement stock.

All in all. I made out pretty well. Especially since I wasn't looking for anything in high demand.

 

[ms6852]

You need to buy a lottery ticket, seems you are on a roll.