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One of the most accurate rimfire rifles ever produced in America was the Winchester Model 52. From the beginning, the Winchester Model 52 was viewed as a target rifle. It made its debut at the national rifle matches in Caldwell, New Jersey August of 1919. The rifle's reputation for accuracy was established early on as many records were set with the Model 52. This was Winchester's first bolt-action 22 rifle with a detachable box magazine. The magazine is removed by pressing the release button located on the right side of the stock, and the one picture below holds five rounds.
The same basic magazine design was used by Winchester for all their bolt-action 22s and was also available in a 10-round version. Early model 52s were equipped with metallic sights only, but by 1924, the barrels were drilled and tapped for mounting a scope, such as the vintage Winchester A5.
The first significant change in the Model 52 design came in the late 1920s when the speed lock was introduced. The speed lock cocks on opening while the earlier design cocks on closing the bolt. This change involved the trigger, sear, and firing pin and can be identified by the absence of the earlier protruding firing pin head.
The speed lock features an adjustable trigger and a reduction in firing pin travel, which results in an extremely fast lock time.
Changes in stock design also occurred during the first few years of production. The earliest guns have a shallow pistol grip and finger grooves on the forearm. Later rifles have a much more pronounced grip and the forearms are wider and flattened. The later stocks also have an oil finish instead of varnish, which reduced manufacturing costs.
In 1935, a slight change to the safety was made, and these guns are referred to as type A's.
Winchester kept track of the accuracy potential of the Model 52 and from 1920 until 1937, improvements in both the rifle and ammunition caused a slow but steady improvement in group size at 200 yards.
The type B was introduced in 1937 and the biggest change to the rifle was the safety. Instead of blocking the firing pin like on the earlier guns, the new safety disengaged the sear from the trigger. The type B also features a solid wall on the left side of the receiver.
The type C was the last major change in design and was introduced in 1951 with the micromotion trigger. It's adjustable for over travel and pull weight by turning the screws in front of the trigger guard.
Two other versions may be encountered. The type D was developed as an international match target rifle, but only about 750 were shipped to consumers. It's single shot only, with no provision for a magazine.
The type E was a reworked type D made for international prone shooting, but less than 40 were made. A sporter version of the Model 52 was also offered from 1934 to 1960 and represented a small percentage of production. They featured a sporter-style stock, hand checkering, and a lighter-weight barrel.
Production of the Model 52 was discontinued in 1980 when the Olin Corporation sold the Winchester Repeating Arms division. Produced for 60 years with over 100,000 rifles manufactured, the Winchester Model 52 will always be known as one of the finest 22 caliber rifles ever produced.
--Larry Potterfield
