I bought a beautiful Clark custom .45 longslide 1911 style pistol with the 6 inch barrel. Would it be sacrilege to have the VERY large front and rear target sights removed and replaced with good combat sights to actually use as a self defense gun? I don't even know if it is set up to feed hollow points. I would think that a 6 inch 1911 with an amazing trigger and custom accuracy work would be a superb defense gun, home or otherwise. I really don't like the massive target sights and will probably sell it if I don't convert it. Anyway, just curious when others think of my idea. Thanks.
To change the Clark .45 longslide from target to defense??
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John Parker
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It's your gun, do whatever you want to it.
Well, the above is one viewpoint. Customization is not cheap. But an equally cost effective one is to get a standard or commander sized top end for it and fit it to the frame. Then you can have both guns on one frame.
If that doesn't appeal to you, the better idea may be to sell it as-is to someone who wants it, then use the money to buy what you want. This is likely a no-loss scenario, vs. spending more money on expensive mods or another top end.
If that doesn't appeal to you, the better idea may be to sell it as-is to someone who wants it, then use the money to buy what you want. This is likely a no-loss scenario, vs. spending more money on expensive mods or another top end.
cottonmouth
Member
I have a Clark 5 inch .38 super that I would never do that to, it is what it is. I'd just get a carry gun that was set up like I wanted.
J.B.
J.B.
IMNSHO, that would be a real shame and unnecessarily costly to boot. A Clark longslide or long-heavy slide in decent shape, especially if it's one of the older ones that Clark Sr. worked on, is worth at least $1000 and up. The last 2 on the Bullseye forum went for 1250 and 1300 about 10 minutes after being offered. (Clark Sr put his initials and a 2 digit year on the disconnect rail).
You could sell it, buy exactly what you need, brand new w warranty, for your purposes and have a little coin left over for ammo.
BTW, I would not favor a 6 inch slide for sd in the home - I'd more prefer a Commander sized 4" - 4.25" ... there's a reason for terms like CQB.
/Bryan
You could sell it, buy exactly what you need, brand new w warranty, for your purposes and have a little coin left over for ammo.
BTW, I would not favor a 6 inch slide for sd in the home - I'd more prefer a Commander sized 4" - 4.25" ... there's a reason for terms like CQB.
/Bryan
LeonCarr
Member
You could round the corners/sharp edges on the sights and get the same or better capability and sight picture than the combat sights, plus the adjustable nature of the sight (I am assuming these are Bo-Mar type sights) will allow you to fine tune your point of impact for pinpoint accuracy. If needed you could also open up the rear sight notch for faster sight acquisition.
I think a 6 inch .45 would be an excellent choice of home defense, but kinda big for carry unless you are 6'10" and have a shoulder holster
.
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
I think a 6 inch .45 would be an excellent choice of home defense, but kinda big for carry unless you are 6'10" and have a shoulder holster
.Just my .02,
LeonCarr
Mike OTDP
Member
Chopping on a Clark longslide would be sacrilige. And it would be far more economical to sell the gun and get a custom defensive gun.
Come to think of it, send me pictures...I'm actually looking for a Clark longslide.
Come to think of it, send me pictures...I'm actually looking for a Clark longslide.
cottonmouth
Member
Clark
Here's my ole .38 super that done by Clark, I haven't had it long but it's a keeper!
J.B.
Here's my ole .38 super that done by Clark, I haven't had it long but it's a keeper!
J.B.
ROBBY.1911
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call clark and ask them about building you a 5" top end. it may be just as simple as that. it's something you could actually change at the range. have fun.
farscott
Member
That sounds like the right plan. Making a dedicated target pistol into something else is compromise that need not be made. With the proceeds from a sale, you can buy a 1911 set up for your wants and needs. Heck, I bet you could sell it on this forum. Lots of us, including me, appreciate the Clark guns as they are. I would not even mind another one in my battery.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Whats wrong with target sights on a SD gun?
Both my National Match guns would probably kill a BG just fine.
As would all my target sighted S&W revolvers.
rc
Both my National Match guns would probably kill a BG just fine.
As would all my target sighted S&W revolvers.
rc
The target sights on this baby are very high and have some pretty nice edges. While wonderful for target shooting, if you would have to clear a stovepipe in the dark you might cut off a finger (OK maybe not cut it off but there will be blood involved).
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