Reintroduced to a winchester 52D

[hvymech]

Just recieved my 52D yesterday. Questions:
Is it ok to dry fire with it?
How many 52D were made?
Serial number is approx 109,5XX There is no safetyy and stock is not cut for one is this normal?
Rifle is a cmp gun etched US excellant condition 98% with a like new stock.
Both the reciever and the barrel are taped for scope blocks would it be better to scope the barrel with a refield 3200 scope or install a shorter scope on the reciever if I can install one to miss the bolt handle? Have not shot one of these in 30 years ,due to age scope would be best choice.
Any help or guidance would be appreciated.
hvymech@yahoo.com

[jjrothWA]

on the market or try the small yellow plastic wall anchors for hanging picture.
Local trainer for club gave me a couple for dry-firing. works nice and CHEAP!

52D should have the unertl block mounted, not sure if the 3200 fit those.

Iron sights of that period should be able to mount optical correction lenses.

Contact champion shooter supply, New Albany, Oh seeif they have additional info or parts??

[Too Much Coffee]

If your receiver is drilled and tapped for a modern scope mount, then go head and mount a modern scope. If it is not, drilling and tapping the recvr will lower it's value. The recvr is also hardened, so have someone that can drill and tap a hardened piece, if you go that route.

Some late 52E models were drilled and tapped from Win. I know of no military 52D that were drilled and tapped on the recvr.

HTH
Mark

[bd1]

A fellow named Vianni machines a nice aluminum rail base for modern scopes. I make a base from a Weaver # 96 one-piece turned backwards. You screw it onto the barrel where the block is, it cantilevers over the receiver & loading port. You can bed it at the rear with epoxy (use release agent on the receiver bridge) if you wanna. Very stable.

[Binew]

The stock of a "D" does not have a notch cut for a safety as the "B" & "C" stock did. Since you have no safety possibly you have an aftermarket trigger installed. Remove the stock and check.
The easiest way to dry fire, if you must, is to use empty fired cases.

binew

[Hip's Ax]

In my opinion the Redfield 3200 is the finest smallbore scope ever made. Its all I use in NRA smallbore prone competition. If you already don't have one and you go shopping try and make sure the scope you buy comes with the rings. Those 3200 rings are fantastic and hard to come by. Champion Shooters should have the right 3 inch long scope blocks for your 52D. HTH

[Binew]

I agree with Hip's Ax, if you buy a 3200 be sure it comes WITH original 3200 rings, not "something as good as". Chances of finding a pair of those rings separately are slim to none, not to mention very costly. Yes, they are that good, especially if used with the proper Redfield 3200 bases.
Because its a common 1" tube folks not knowing better try and use any 1" ring and base. They will work this way but not properly. For full benefit use the correct set-up.

If you have any plans for prone or position shooting you will be better off with one of the long style scopes (3200, Lyman, Unertl) for ease of eye relief adjustment.

binew

[ultramag44]

Or a Unertl



50 yards, 5-shots, RWS Match



Yeppers, 99% of 52E's were D&T'ed on the action.

[hvymech]

I have found that a set of weaver #46 bases fit the holes drilled and tapped on the reciever these are aluminum and I intend to mount a scope temporarily so I can shoot it this winter. I am concerned about scope clearance with the bolt handle.
What combination scope and ring would you recommend?
What hight rings?
Later next year I will need a set of bases, rings,and redfield 3200 for the barrel. Any help would be appreciated.

Hvymech@yahoo.com