Custom Springfield Armory/Colt 1911A1 Clark 6 5/8″ Comp .38 Super Pistol

SOLD FOR: $1,675.00

WOA# WY240725LB008

Make: Springfield Armory frame, Colt slide, Clark barrel

Model: Custom 1911A1

Serial Number: NM39230

Year of Manufacture: The frame was made ca. 1980s, the slide ca. 1970s-1980s. We do not know when this pistol was customized.

Caliber: .38 Super

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine 

Markings: The right of the frame is marked “SPRINGFIELD ARMORY / GENESEO IL. USA / NM 39230”. The left of the slide is marked “COLT’S MK IV/SERIES ’70 / GOVERNMENT MODEL / 9mm LUGER CALIBER” with a rampant colt, the right is marked “COLT’S GOVERNMENT MODEL”. The chamber is marked “CLARK .38 SUPER”.

Barrel Length: 6 5/8″ to the front of the single-chamber compensator with integral bushing fixed to the barrel.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade in-line dovetailed and screw-set to the rear of the compensator. The rear sight is a Bo-Mar square-notch sight adjustable for windage and elevation in a base dovetailed to the rear of the slide. The slide was relieved to accommodate the rear sight.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are double-diamond checkered wood panels. The frontstrap and mainspring housing are checkered for additional grip and there is checkering on the squared-face of the trigger guard. The grips have a few scattered minor marks with one more notable nick at the top edge of the left panel. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine-plus condition as not original to the gun. 

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original to customization.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion, but there is some stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 9 out of 10.  

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 95% of its current metal finish. There are some scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. The mainspring housing/beveled magazine well has a plum hue, as does the hammer. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-plus condition as customized. 

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger pull is crisp. There is light play between the slide and frame. This pistol has manual and grip safeties. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards. 

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a total of three 9-round magazines, two Colt and one with a black rubber Pachmayr basepad.

Our Assessment: Colt’s 1911 served the United States military through two World Wars and several other conflicts, is still in use by some units today, and has become popular with law enforcement, competitors, and recreational shooters across the nation. The design has seen some updates including a firing-pin block safety, higher profile sights, and more ergonomic grips, but the basic design and fantastic trigger remain the same after more than a century. Due to its popularity and long life, the 1911 has also been a popular choice for custom pistols, with a wide variety of sights, barrels, parts, and popular modifications.

This example has seen extensive customization since its frame was made in the 1980s by Springfield Armory. When we say extensive, it’s almost easier to think of what hasn’t been done to the gun. A Colt Series ’70 slide assembly has been mated to the frame. The frame has been cut for a ramped Clark .38 Super barrel. The barrel has had a single-chamber comp with integral bushing installed. The original front sight has been filed down nearly flush with the slide and a blade installed on the rear of the compensator assembly. The slide has been cut for a Bo-Mar adjustable rear sight. The front of the trigger guard has been squared-off and checkered, the frontstrap has also been checkered. The mainspring housing is a checkered replacement with integral beveled magazine well. Controls include an extended slide-stop, extended ambidextrous thumb-safety, beavertail grip safety, skeletonized hammer and a trigger with over-travel adjustment screw. Let’s not forget the attractive wood grip panels. This is basically a peak-80s IPSC race gun. The result is a flat-shooting yet powerful pistol which ought to shoot as good as it looks. Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud