So, What's Up With Clark's Replacement Barrel for the Model 52-2?

Bullseye 2620 · Jul 24, 2020

Just cruizin' the interwebs yesterday I discovered that the venerable Clark Custom Guns is apparently manufacturing and installing replacement barrels for the Model 52-2 with a twist rate of 1:10.

I'm not much of a ballistician, but I do know that the only 100-10X I ever shot in my life was at the 25 yard line with a Model 52-2 and Remington factory 148 gr. mid-range wadcutters. I don't even know what the twist rate is for the factory barrels.

So, what's up with this innovation from Clark Custom, folks?

Educatify me, please!

Bullseye 2620 · Jul 24, 2020

Found this thread on the Bullseye forum:

Clark 52-2 barrel

6string · Jul 24, 2020

Yes, I saw that thread on the Bullseye Forum.
It had very little in the way of useful, or even factual, information. For that guy to make any kind of judgement based on a few off-hand groups at 25 yds is laughable.
For what it's worth, Storm Lake has been the manufacturer for the Clark branded 1911 barrels in 38 Special.

If y'all are old enough, you might recall the article written by Gil Hebard back in the early 1960s on the model 52.
(It was published in the 1963 or 1964 Gun Digest.)
He tested three factory loads (and handloads) in four different 52s, all with a Ransom Rest, all at 50 yds, all 10 shot groups. In total, 3200 rounds were fired in the test. He even included the serial number for each of the four guns.
(50292, 50575, 50817, and 50851)
The statistical average for all three factory loads in all four guns was 2.612" for 10 shots @ 50 yds. Handloads were rather worse, averaging over 3". In either case, factory or handloads, that's not X-ring accuracy, but it does meet factory standards of 10 ring accuracy (3.39").

Fast forward to today, and we're trying to evaluate the replacement barrel.

Here's a recent effort:
Clark Model 52 barrel video

You can draw your own conclusions.

Interestingly, guys like John Giles could rechamber factory 38 Super barrels to 38 Special Wadcutter, and they would consistently shoot 1" at 50 yds, or even a shade better out of one of his custom 1911s..... With cast bullet handloads!

Jim

stansdds · Jul 25, 2020

6string said:
Interestingly, guys like John Giles could rechamber factory 38 Super barrels to 38 Special Wadcutter, and they would consistently shoot 1" at 50 yds, or even a shade better out of one of his custom 1911s..... With cast bullet handloads!

Jim

Hmmm... could be the ever so slightly smaller groove and bore diameters. 38 Special grove diameter is .357", 38 Super is .355".
Might also be twist rate, Colt 38 Super barrels have a 1:16" twist, which is much closer to the Python's 1:14" twist and the Python has a great accuracy record with 148 grain 38 Special wadcutter loads. I think the Clark barrels are 1:12".

Bullseye 2620 · Jul 25, 2020

stansdds said:
Hmmm... could be the ever so slightly smaller groove and bore diameters. 38 Special grove diameter is .357", 38 Super is .355".
Might also be twist rate, Colt 38 Super barrels have a 1:16" twist, which is much closer to the Python's 1:14" twist and the Python has a great accuracy record with 148 grain 38 Special wadcutter loads. I think the Clark barrels are 1:12".

Clark's twist rate is 1:10.

Anyone happen to know what the twist rate of the factory barrel is? I am hoping that Don Kostanski, donk52 on this Forum, who used to build these at the mothership, will see this thread and chime in.

H Richard · Jul 25, 2020

I "think" the S&W barrels were 1 in 12 twist. I know mine shot well within the 10 ring back when I was shooting, better than I could hold, and I did shoot some 25 yard 100's with it.

4barrel · Jul 25, 2020

<Interestingly, guys like John Giles could rechamber factory 38 Super barrels to 38 Special Wadcutter, and they would consistently shoot 1" at 50 yds, or even a shade better out of one of his custom 1911s..... With cast bullet handloads!>

Jim[/QUOTE]
I have a 6 inch long slide 38 wad cutter without a name made in the 50's or 60's with a lot of work made from a 1949 38 super that is a good shooter. it has a smaller bore than my Clark 38 long slide. It uses .357 bnwc's and 3 grains of BE to function properly.

Rowlf · Jul 25, 2020

6string said:
snip

If y'all are old enough, you might recall the article written by Gil Hebard back in the early 1960s on the model 52.
(It was published in the 1963 or 1964 Gun Digest.)
He tested three factory loads (and handloads) in four different 52s, all with a Ransom Rest, all at 50 yds, all 10 shot groups. In total, 3200 rounds were fired in the test. He even included the serial number for each of the four guns.
(50292, 50575, 50817, and 50851)
The statistical average for all three factory loads in all four guns was 2.612" for 10 shots @ 50 yds. Handloads were rather worse, averaging over 3". In either case, factory or handloads, that's not X-ring accuracy, but it does meet factory standards of 10 ring accuracy (3.39").

snip

Jim

I miss Gil Hebard's testing methods and humor. He called them as he saw them. In another Gun Digest he had a short mention of a Colt Gold Cup and mentions he thinks the factory sent him the pick of the litter to test.

What editor would allow such candor nowadays?

6string · Jul 25, 2020

Rowlf said:
I miss Gil Hebard's testing methods and humor. He called them as he saw them. In another Gun Digest he had a short mention of a Colt Gold Cup and mentions he thinks the factory sent him the pick of the litter to test.

What editor would allow such candor nowadays?

Yes, so true! He was a very honest dealer, too. By the time they closed, they were just about the only place where you could get some of the old school Bullseye stuff.

Jim

jrm53 · Jul 30, 2020

I used to buy firearms from Gil Hebard a fine and honest broker. His article in Gun Digest on the 52 was well written and documented he covered the guns through out the test and it seemed the more they were shot the better the accuracy I have missed him and any body that bought from him got their money's worth. Jeff

So, What's Up With Clark's Replacement Barrel for the Model 52-2?

Bullseye 2620

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