An elderly woman next door asked me to clean her father's old 22 so she could shoot some Groundhogs in her garden. I didn't expect this; a Win Model 52 complete with Fecker scope with external adjustments, military sling, front palm rest, cleaning kit, and several targets from his days in competition. Quite a time capsule!

Too cool!

Target is dated 1953. I was one year old!

What great history.

Makes one wonder who will own our guns when we’re gone.

They may wonder what hunts/safaris/places they have been.

It’s really great that this man left targets that were one-holers shot off hand at 25 yards, and a newspaper article, probably about him and his rifle accomplishments.

If old rifles could only talk...

Wow , I love those old 52's ...
If it becomes available...

Wow! That's in amazingly great shape, too!

I had one that I bought in 1964 I believe. It was a M52C which I paid $135.00 for used in very good shape! I loved that rifle!
I cleaned the barrel once and said never again----It took me 50 rds. to get it shooting good again.

Hip

I think I would gladly clean an oil it for her.

Then pick one of my smaller, lighter rifles and help her get used to it for her to use to potshot groundhogs out of the garden

Yes, the scope mounting on the 52 is a bit fragile for what she needs, but her husband left a scoped Win model 9422 that I'm going to sight in for her for pest control duties.

I'm glad I'm not one of the groundhogs in her garden.....

Wow nice rifle! Yes I would try to stear her to the 9422 for her purposes. I might also (respectfully) try to see if she would want to sell it.

quote:

I might also (respectfully) try to see if she would want to sell it.

It goes to her younger brother when she no longer needs it :-(

did you wipe your drool off later??

quote:

did you wipe your drool off later??

No, it can't compare to my Mossberg Chuckster! :-)

Hey don't knock my Mossberg Chuckster , my 22 mag has shot a lot of game ...

I met a guy at a turkey shoot years ago ..
He would win every 22 off hand match , with his win. 52 . Nobody could outshoot him and that 52 ..
Some of the guys started complaining about his use of such a fine rifle ..so ..he says , no problem you can use my rifle .
When it was my turn with that Winchester, I think the gun went off way before I expected it to . It had a very light trigger !!
He knew his rifle and still nobody could beat him ..

That was a long time ago , and I always wanted a 52 sporter , but never got one ..

Bob, if you can muster up $1,000 or so, they're out there.

A very nice gun for sure..

Thanks for Sharing, Biebs, especially the pictures.

look at the groups on the targets, nothing else to say !

Not bad for a modified choke !!!

Hip

quote:

Originally posted by tjroberts:
look at the groups on the targets, nothing else to say !

Here's a target I shot at 100 yds with a CZ 452 American.







Works pretty well on Groundhogs too.

^ yeah well if somebody said take either gun the choice would be pretty simple. That model 52 would be in my hands pretty fast.

quote:

Originally posted by tjroberts:
look at the groups on the targets, nothing else to say !

Here's a target I shot at 100 yds with a CZ 452 American.







Works pretty well on Groundhogs too.

quote:

Originally posted by Cougarz:
^ yeah well if somebody said take either gun the choice would be pretty simple. That model 52 would be in my hands pretty fast.

As would I, but the point is, that target posted in the picture above with the M52 that everyone is drooling over is not that impressive. Just about any decent quality bolt action 22rf with good optics can shoot tight groups at 50 yds. Move out to 100 yds of you want a real gauge of accuracy. Not to mention the fact that the 452 American is a sporter.

I would put my CZ 452 against that M52 combo in the original post at 100 yds outdoors. Winner takes both rifles home.

Maybe, but that M52 Winchester was made over 75 yrs. ago ! AND probably shot offhand !

Hip

quote:

Originally posted by wildcat junkie:
As would I, but the point is, that target posted in the picture above with the M52 that everyone is drooling over is not that impressive.

That target is more about the shooter than the equipment. If you look at the picture, it is stamped "OFFHAND" and I know from experience that it's an impressive target.

75 feet, 50/50.