Clements Custom Guns 44 Special

[Kansasgunner]

Found this at last weekend's big Tulsa show. It started life as a Model 28-2 and was converted to.44 Special by David Clements. He inlaid the insert in the front sight and tuned the action along with the caliber conversion. The Craig Spegel grips I added.
It appears that Mr. Clements retired this summer.
I hope to get to the range with it this weekend.

 

[moosedog]

Looks like a well-done conversion. I would have to buy that one if I saw it.

 

[BigMuddy]

What a treasure that one is. Gun and stocks both from true Masters of their craft.

Dan

 

[lowriderfxr]

I had the pleasure of handling this one. She's a sweetheart!

 

[Green Frog]

Back in the Seventies and into the early Eighties there was something of a cottage industry producing that conversion, some were just OK and some, from great builders like Clements, were outstanding. I'm not surprised that he added touches such as the action tune up and the enhanced front sight blade… that's what separated his work from the masses. Congratulations on a great find.

Froggie

 

[6GUNSONLY]

Very nice. I have a Clements custom Ruger Flaatop . 357 4 5/8" that I really like. His actions work is superior, as is his fit and finish.

 

[Norton 750]

I just KNEW that I should not have missed Tulsa this year! Nice find.

 

[Capt. F.]

Here's mine I've shown before. Dave did the .44 Special conversion on a pre- 27 I bought that had been hacked at some time previous to my owning it.
I believe about a year after I got mine back, Dave announced he was no longer working on Smiths.
Too bad to lose another fine gunsmith but we all face retirement at some point.

 

[Muley Gil]

I have a M27-2 that Walker Arms in Selma, Alabama converted to .44 Special back in 1976. About 2005, I had Dave Clements shorten the barrel from 6 1/2" to 5", install a ramp front sight and re-blue it. He did excellent work.

He also had swapped a 5" barrel onto an 8 3/8" M27. Wish I had kept that one.

 

[dobegrant]

very nice find, would have jumped on it myself

 

[PauldL]

Congratulations!
I love those stocks. Especially the color of them.

 

[CH4]

That's some sweet heat! I would have given that one some serious consideration.

 

[SAFireman]

Tim, that is a fine 44 you have...the Spegels set it of just right

Looking forward to the range report sir.

 

[LPD256]

Tim, that is a fine 44 you have...the Spegels set it of just right

Looking forward to the range report sir.

I'll let Tim give you the range report but he graciously shared the Clement and his Gallagher with my son from Ohio and I. A first time with .44special for both of us. We brought along a 2 1/2 inch 66-1 and a 64-5 DAO NYPD gun. Fun time for all. Jh

 

[smitholdtimer]

.44 Special by David Clements

Ataboy Tim! More detail on the Sights, both front & rear, please!

 

[Kansasgunner]

Mr. Sam,
I'll get it out and get better detail shots of the front sight. It has a very fine white insert in the blade. The rear is a standard S&W adjustable with a black blade.
I was very impressed by both the action and the target groups at the range. Very happy to have found this one.

 

[Kansasgunner]

When you blow up the second photo you can see the white inlay. Very much like the gold insert Ted Yost does on his front sight.

 

[Kansasgunner]

Ted Yost front sight for comparison.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[smitholdtimer]

Well Done Photography Tim

Site Picture ain't bad either, you'll shoot it well and have too much fun in the process!

 

[S&WIowegan]

Clements Custom

I have owned a Clements conversion of a 28-2 4" bbl. to a 38-40 WCF. That was a little rough so either the owner ran out of money or Clements was tired of doing the conversions.

I need to see if it's still in the safes.