Jim Clark 1911 - ammo?

I have a Ji Clark Colt 1911. It was built in 1998 for me. I used it for about 3 years, shooting only my hand-loaded 185g swagged LSWC bullets. It was very accurate. I stopped shooting bullseye about that time and switched to benchrest rifle and action pistol about 2002.

I'm considering selling the pistol as I no longer hand-load, and really don't want to start again. I'm 70 years old, and don't want to make the investment in time or equipment.

I figure I can call Clark Custom Guns but I thought I'd ask here also (I'm a new member). Anyone know of reasonably accurate jacketed SWC ammunition? I'd love to find something that doesn't cost over $30 per 50 rounds. And I really don't think I want to get back into scraping lead out of my barrels again. I'd prefer sticking with 185 gr bullets just because that worked well before, though I'd gladly try 200g bullets if that were  available. Also, do ya'll think I can occasionally shoot regular hardball 230 FMJs in this pistol?I don't have any intention of doing any competitive bullseye shooting, but it would be fun to shoot this old beast from time to time.

Lastly, can anyone recommend a site where I can get a feel for what this pistol might bring in a sale if I decide to sell?

Thanks.

PaperSniper

Atlanta Arms 185gr match ammo. $32 per 50. Very good ammo.

https://atlantaarms.com/products/45-acp-185gr-jhp.html

Pistol value... A bit harder to answer. Was the pistol built from scratch by them from a new slide & frame (Caspian) or did you just send in a Colt or other off the shelf pistol for them to accurize?

If it was just an accurized rack gun I would guess $1200-$1400 if in decent shape. If its a full custom build in good shape and still shoot good you might get $1800+.

you see Clark pistols on Gunbroker quite often.

Price depends on if it is a Heavy Slide with the full length Bo-Mar or one where he installed a regular Bo-Mar rear and front sight set; either way, I would not shoot 230 grain hardball in it.

Atlanta Arms 185 jhp works great in my Clark Pistol. Would NEVER run 230 hardball if it’s a Bullseye gun.

Zero sells factory 185 jhp loads for a reasonable price.

Roze distributors, but, currently out according to their website.

zanemoseley wrote:

If it was just an accurized rack gun I would guess $1200-$1400 if in decent shape. If its a full custom build in good shape and still shoot good you might get $1800+.

+1 on the prices, with the caveat that more info is needed to narrow it down

Thanks all.

As Jim Clark’s grandson I can tell you everyone thinks he personally built all the 1911’s but hardly had time to touch any after 1958 when he won the National Bullseye Championship. With that being said the guns converted on the old Colt frames hold their value VERY well. Lots of guys have them sent back for a tune up and the gun is like new $250 later. Zero ammo makes the cheapest high quality ammo on the market, but Atlanta makes good ammo as well. Atlanta is using a Zero bullet in most cases. Good luck selling it!

Thanks for that info. I took that old Colt conversion to the range about a week ago. While I did order a 16# spring so I could use my existing supply of 230g hardball, I found in the ammo closet's recesses some of my old reloads that I'd used in the late 1990's. Those were 200g LSWCs and some 185g plated SWC. Those both functioned without incident after the first 3 rounds got the pistol "woken up". It was as accurate as I remembered it, and fun to shoot. The trigger is SO much different that the ones on my current generation 45acp guns like my FN-P and Walther PPQ. Even the battery in my old Tasco red dot worked; this after about 20 years!

Bottom line? Well, I don't think I will be selling it, at least not until I run through that target ammo I found. I probably have about 300 rounds left. So I will postpone my decision until then.

Deek

PaperSniperr wrote:Thanks for that info. I took that old Colt conversion to the range about a week ago. While I did order a 16# spring so I could use my existing supply of 230g hardball, I found in the ammo closet's recesses some of my old reloads that I'd used in the late 1990's. Those were 200g LSWCs and some 185g plated SWC. Those both functioned without incident after the first 3 rounds got the pistol "woken up". It was as accurate as I remembered it, and fun to shoot. The trigger is SO much different that the ones on my current generation 45acp guns like my FN-P and Walther PPQ. Even the battery in my old Tasco red dot worked; this after about 20 years!

Bottom line? Well, I don't think I will be selling it, at least not until I run through that target ammo I found. I probably have about 300 rounds left. So I will postpone my decision until then.

Deek

If you continue to shoot hardball in that pistol, besides loosening it up rapidly, there is a good chance that the screws holding the rib in place will shear off. Continued use of factory 230 gr. full metal jacket will reduce the value of the pistol pretty quickly. I suggest you sell it and get a decent Springfield Armory pistol, like a Range Officer and shoot hardball in it or shoot lower powered "bullseye loads" in the Clark.

I don't think the GC was really designed for hardball..

james r chapman wrote:I don't think the GC was really designed for hardball..

Have to agree.  My Series 70 Gold Cup is one that has the slide cuts internally to reduce weight, that allow you to see the extractor in its slot.  After problems, Colt went back to a heavier standard slide.  I used it for a few EIC matches before getting a dedicated ball gun.  Even with an 18 pound recoil spring and shock buffs, I still broke the rear sight pin.  This was when we had to shoot hardball, rather than the reduced loads that are allowed now.