Rick H.
Member
About 2 months ago I sent my second model 52-2 to Clark Custom Guns to have one of their new made barrels and bushings installed in it. I had them install one of their barrels on another 52-2 that I own a few years prior and was very happy with the results. I was on the fence about sending them the second pistol because it is pretty much a safe queen and rarely gets put to use, but when I found out their stock of Model 52 barrels was getting low I convinced myself to send the second pistol in.
Well I just received the second pistol back from them and it turned out just as well done as the first. I shot the second pistol yesterday and it functioned flawlessly save for a magazine problem with one mag. No problem with the pistol, just the darn mag. I am not sure what the accuracy of the newly returned pistol is yet as I wasn't shooting for real accuracy, just function. Once again the real surprise came when cleaning the barrel after shooting 70 rounds. It cleans up in just minutes compared to the old OEM barrel which took forever to clean properly.
You have to really like your Model 52 to have a barrel and bushing installed by Clark, but the reality is they only have a limited number of barrels left and the price isn't a cheap date. I asked the gunsmith that did mine how many barrels they had left and he said less than a dozen out of 250 they made originally. He did say the feeling at Clark was there will be no more Model 52 barrels made as the demand for them has dropped way down. I found that bit of information rather surprising, but what do I know.
In the end I am happy I had my last two Model 52 barrels replaced with the Clark units. The rifling twist rate is different than the OEM twist rate and I am not that good of a shot anymore to tell if there is much of an improvement over the OEM barrels. I do know that cleanup time is greatly reduced with the new barrels. Even the empty brass cases come out of the Clark barrels much straighter and not looking like a washboard before re-sizing.
Just for the record, I am in no way connected to Clark Custom Guns and get nothing for my thoughts on their work. In fact it would appear they are doing more rifle work these days than pistol work. I admit to having a love affair with the Model 52 pistols and find them to be the most fun and rewarding pistols I own. They were made at a time when true craftsmanship was the norm at Smith and Wesson. Every now and then I give thought to retiring them from service, but I just can't do that. They were meant to be used and I use mine. I rarely make recommendations cuz it can come back to bite you, but if you have thoughts of getting a Clark barrel for your Model 52 fear not, I am very pleased with mine.
Rick H.
Well I just received the second pistol back from them and it turned out just as well done as the first. I shot the second pistol yesterday and it functioned flawlessly save for a magazine problem with one mag. No problem with the pistol, just the darn mag. I am not sure what the accuracy of the newly returned pistol is yet as I wasn't shooting for real accuracy, just function. Once again the real surprise came when cleaning the barrel after shooting 70 rounds. It cleans up in just minutes compared to the old OEM barrel which took forever to clean properly.
You have to really like your Model 52 to have a barrel and bushing installed by Clark, but the reality is they only have a limited number of barrels left and the price isn't a cheap date. I asked the gunsmith that did mine how many barrels they had left and he said less than a dozen out of 250 they made originally. He did say the feeling at Clark was there will be no more Model 52 barrels made as the demand for them has dropped way down. I found that bit of information rather surprising, but what do I know.
In the end I am happy I had my last two Model 52 barrels replaced with the Clark units. The rifling twist rate is different than the OEM twist rate and I am not that good of a shot anymore to tell if there is much of an improvement over the OEM barrels. I do know that cleanup time is greatly reduced with the new barrels. Even the empty brass cases come out of the Clark barrels much straighter and not looking like a washboard before re-sizing.
Just for the record, I am in no way connected to Clark Custom Guns and get nothing for my thoughts on their work. In fact it would appear they are doing more rifle work these days than pistol work. I admit to having a love affair with the Model 52 pistols and find them to be the most fun and rewarding pistols I own. They were made at a time when true craftsmanship was the norm at Smith and Wesson. Every now and then I give thought to retiring them from service, but I just can't do that. They were meant to be used and I use mine. I rarely make recommendations cuz it can come back to bite you, but if you have thoughts of getting a Clark barrel for your Model 52 fear not, I am very pleased with mine.
Rick H.
