Re: Clark Custom Guns
They built me a 1911 hardball gun for Service Pistol on a Norinco frame. The gunsmith that I talked to from Clark when we discussed the project advised me to just leave the Norinco barrel on it as they are some of the best they've seen. I was skeptical, but figured it would save me some money and I could always send it back to get a Kart fitted if I didn't like it. When I finally got it, the test target it shipped with was 1 5/8" at 50 yards! For 10 shots! It is an absolute hammer and I don't see how I could ever reach it's accuracy potential. I haven't shot as much Service Pistol as I'd like, but it's nice to know that if I ever decide to take a break from rifle matches and seriously go after the DP badge, I've got the tools to do it.
On a CS note: On my first call to them I was quoted a 6-8 week turnaround by someone there that shouldn't have been giving time estimates. Their actual build times at the time were closer to 1 year. After explaining to them what had happened and how I had made shooting season plans based loosely on the quote, they kicked it into gear and got it to me in about 4 months total. The initial miscommunication was simple human error and they made an honest effort to fix it so I don't hold it against them. I've come to expect any gunsmithing job to take longer than quoted anyways. They always answered the phone when I had questions and were professional.
I'd use them again for 1911 work.