I finally bought a Model 52 pistol in 7.62 X 25 today. I had my eye on one of the blued ones when a fellow shooter at the gun show told me the grey phospate (parkerized?) were original finish and never issued, so I bought one of those instead. I also purchased a box of Winchester ammo brand (it says made in Czech Republic). And a bag of Bulgarian surplus ammo with the numbers of "10" at the 12 o'clock facing, and "55" at the 6 o'clock facing on the headstamp.
Now I get home and check on the internet, and there is this scary stuff about Bulgarian ammo made in 1952, and some 1953 being bad, as well as some of it being made "Hot" for sub-machine guns! :shock: But one post says they shoot Bulgarian ammo without any problem, and J & G sales sells it by the case. I really like to shoot mil. surplus as it is so cheap, sure I have to clean the barrel good, I don't mind, been doing it for 25 years. Is it a good idea for me to buy more of this Bulgarian ammo if it seems ok in the gun?
Some collectors have said that they want to collect the different finishes and years of this pistol. Why? Don't they all look the same, except for a very small number? Is the blued finish (black) really an arsenal rebuild like the fellow said?
I would also like the thank the other contributors for the information thus far on this GB "Curio and Relic Handguns" section on this interesting pistol.
