M52 Sporter project

[flatlander]

This whole thing started shortly after receiving the 2nd of two 52Ds from the CMP back in '06 or '07. The 1st 52D was in pretty decent shape, so I'd done a little cosmetic work on its stock, added a Ken Viani scope base, had the trigger done by Karl Kenyon, and kept it as a target rifle.

However, the 2nd D model was in pretty sorry shape - the stock was a wreck, bbl. was shot, and the bolt's ser# didn't match the receiver's. I've always lusted after an original 52B sporter, but prices have reached $5k+ for a nice example. So, I ordered a Broughton blank with a contour matching the Browning 52B sporter's, then shipped it & my bbl'd action to Mike Ross at Ross Precision. The trigger went out to Karl Kenyon for his conversion. I picked a blank from the photos of five English walnut blanks Cecil Fredi sent - it wasn't easy, as all five were gorgeous.

The blank went to a stockmaker/gunsmith friend in New Mexico who did his usual masterful job, even though he was reluctant to take on a sporter stock, as his work is focused on prone & F-class target rifle work.

I drilled & tapped a couple of 6-48 holes in the bbl. for the EGW cantilevered mount, as 52Ds aren't factory drilled & tapped, and most gunsmiths don't seem to want to tackle that job. So, it's finished, but with wheat harvest, I haven't had time to shoot it yet. Soon, very soon....

 

[Shootinstick]

Looks great. I too have always lusted after a 52 sporter. Not in the budget, so have settled on a couple of the later repros. Have both a Winchester one and a Browning version. Didn't think Karl Kenyon was still doing any trigger work, or did you have them done some time ago?

 

[flatlander]

I sent the triggers to Karl right after receiving each of the 52s - the CMP certificate on the 2nd one is dated May of 2007 - probably not long before Karl retired.

The Kenyon/52 triggers are really good - maybe not quite as good as the Anschutz 5018, but still very good. Karl told me that the triggers on the Japanese-made Browning & Winchester 52 Sporters were so close to the originals that he'd have no problems working one of them over. I know I regret selling a Browning 52B sporter that I'd bought - Karl's trigger work would've made that rifle easier to shoot.

I hear Butch Hongisto is doing very good trigger work on 52s - I have no contact info, but you might try a search for him.

 

[butchlambert]

Dennis, Again, that is a great rifle. I did remember that I had bought a blank and haven't asked the guy to send it yet.
Butch

 

[bheadboy]

My father gave me a m75 delux sporter when i was in highschool, it somehow got sold as children came along, sorry i was not able to keep it,


the md52 is great looking good for you

Bob