James Earl Jones' .38 Special 1911: History and Technical Breakdown (Jim Clark .38 Long Slide)

Published on March 10, 2026
Duration: 20:26

This video provides an in-depth technical breakdown of a rare 1911 pistol chambered in .38 Special, originally owned by James Earl Jones and custom-built by legendary gunsmith Jim Clark Sr. It details the intricate modifications required for the .38 Special conversion, including barrel sleeving, magazine adaptation, and frame enhancements. The video also delves into Jim Clark Sr.'s significant contributions to 1911 design and his illustrious career in competitive shooting, highlighting the historical context of American Bullseye competition.

Quick Summary

The .38 Special 1911, exemplified by Jim Clark Sr.'s custom builds, merges the automatic action of the 1911 with the low recoil and accuracy of the .38 Special Wad Cutter. This conversion, driven by American Bullseye competition, required significant gunsmithing, including barrel sleeving, magazine modifications, and frame enhancements, to achieve optimal performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the .38 Special 1911 unique compared to standard 1911s?

The .38 Special 1911, like the one built by Jim Clark Sr., combines the speed and self-loading capability of the 1911 platform with the reduced recoil and high accuracy of the .38 Special Wad Cutter cartridge, making it ideal for competitive bullseye shooting.

Who was Jim Clark Sr. and what were his contributions to the 1911 platform?

Jim Clark Sr. was a legendary gunsmith and competitive shooter who significantly advanced the 1911. He pioneered the 6-inch long slide configuration and the ramped 1911 barrel, which are still influential designs today, and was the first civilian to win the NRA National Pistol Championships.

How was a 1911 converted to reliably fire .38 Special cartridges?

Converting a 1911 to .38 Special involved sleeving a .38 Special barrel into the original .38 Super barrel, modifying the slide's breech face and extractor for the wider rim, and adapting magazines with specialized feed lips to ensure reliable feeding of the Wad Cutter bullet.

What was the significance of the "tiger tooth" stippling on Jim Clark Sr.'s custom 1911s?

The "tiger tooth" stippling, a signature Jim Clark Sr. modification, was an extremely aggressive texturing applied to the front strap of the 1911 frame. It was created using a shaped lathe bit to provide exceptional grip for competitive shooters.

More Gunsmithing & DIY Videos You Might Like

More from JaredAF

View all →