[Chris Rhines]

I'm looking for some background information on 1911A1 pistols that have been built up for NRA Bullseye competition. Who has one, which gunsmith built it up, what was done to it, and how do you like it?

Thanks all,
Chris

[Longbow]

I handled and shot a friend's Clark built B-eye 1911 some years back, It was sweeet! :)
It has:
1. Stippled front strap
2. Rib type Bomar sights (I think that what its called, its one unit on top of the slide)
3. <4 lb trigger pull that breaks clean
4. And a Clark match barrel

[Preacherman]

See here (http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/bullcon.htm) for the Bullseye conversions Clark offers. They started these decades ago, and are still the best!

[Graystar]

I have a Rock River Arms National Match Hardball 1911A1. You can see it here:

http://www.rockriverarms.com/item-detail.cfm?ID=PS2000&storeid=1&image=pnmh.gif

Essentially, what the gunsmith does is fit the parts together such that there is no play in the gun when the action is closed. If you pick up a Springfield or some other 1911 at the gun store and grab the slide, you will probably be able to rock it just a tiny bit in its rails. This doesn’t happen with a bullseye gun. When the action is closed there is no play in the slide, bushing, or barrel. That’s what makes the gun so accurate.

Next, the trigger parts are worked on to give a silky smooth trigger that never feels like it’s dragging on anything. It breaks nice and clean, usually at 3.5 to 4 pounds of force.

Everything outside of these two things is window dressing. Things like beavertails, ambidextrous safeties, grip panels, checkering of the straps, etc. are really based on the shooters’ preferences. However, a solid lockup and smooth trigger will be found on every bullseye 1911.

[Sean Smith]

Some general info is here:

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Dreyer_infonet/cstomgun.htm

The best bet is to have a bullseye 'smith do the work. Jim Clark Sr. did what some consider to be the best of the bunch with his old bullseye longslide guns. I have a friend who shot one of these for decades, and the thing is still practically laser-guided.

Of course, make sure you (and the 'smith) know the rules of the game before having the gun made. Different types of bullseye matches have VERY different rules and allow very different hardware (e.g. EIC matches).

[BigG]

I have a James Clark bullseye .38 Special Colt made in early 1960s. Accurized, Bomar sights, crisp trigger, stippled front strap, as noted above, pretty much laser guided accuracy.