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Fine Firearms

1. Manufacturer: Colt

2. Caliber: 9mm

3. Model/Size: Commander with Comp

4. Finish: Blued

5. Condition: Pre-Owned

6. Box/Papers: No

Jim Boland was among the most innovative and unconventional American 1911 pistolsmiths of the late 20th century. While contemporaries such as Armand Swenson, Jim Hoag, and Jim Clark Sr. became celebrated for their refinements of the traditional 1911, Boland distinguished himself through radical engineering, extensive metal fabrication, and a willingness to rethink virtually every aspect of the platform. His competition pistols of the 1980s and 1990s remain remarkable examples of custom gunsmithing, particularly for their ingenious designs and extraordinary welding and machining work.

This exceptional Boland competition pistol is chambered in 9mm rather than the more traditional .45 ACP, an uncommon and particularly interesting configuration that further distinguishes it from conventional custom 1911s of the period. Constructed on a 1986-production Colt Government Model steel frame, establishing the build as no earlier than 1986, the pistol incorporates a Combat Commander slide mated to a 5-inch barrel. At the muzzle is a custom compensator welded directly to the barrel, with a distinctive cone-shaped muzzle extension subsequently welded to the compensator—an impressive example of Boland's fabrication expertise.

Perhaps the most unusual feature is the custom recoil system, consisting of a full-length guide rod housed within a fabricated cylindrical enclosure retained by the frame's original dust cover. Additional modifications include a frame-welded optic mount, dual thumb guards secured by the grip screws, 20-line-per-inch checkering on both the frontstrap and backstrap, a squared and similarly checkered trigger guard, and a generously funneled magazine well.

What makes this pistol particularly noteworthy is the extraordinary amount of custom fabrication involved. Rather than relying on conventional aftermarket components, Boland employed extensive welding, machining, and hand-fitting to create an integrated competition pistol unlike virtually anything produced by mainstream manufacturers of the period. Its 9mm chambering adds another dimension of rarity and collector interest.

An outstanding representation of Jim Boland's ingenuity and craftsmanship, this pistol captures an especially creative period in the evolution of the American competition 1911. For collectors of historically significant custom pistols, it represents an opportunity to acquire a distinctive example of the work of one of the profession's most imaginative and technically adventurous craftsmen.

 Ships FedEx 2nd Day Air with (1) magazine inside gun rug.

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1. Manufacturer: Colt

2. Caliber: .45 ACP 

3. Model/Size: 6 in. Long Slide by Clark Custom Guns

4. Finish: Blued Slide and Frame

5. Condition: Pre-Owned

6. Box/Papers: No

Jim Clark Sr. — Pioneer of the Custom 1911

James E. “Jim” Clark Sr. (1923–2000) was one of the most influential pistolsmiths in the history of the American custom 1911. A former U.S. Marine and accomplished Bullseye competitor, Clark combined competitive shooting experience with exceptional mechanical ingenuity. In 1950, he founded Clark Custom Guns in Louisiana, which became one of the premier names in custom handgun work.

Clark was a true innovator whose modifications were driven by competition and accuracy. He pioneered the conversion of 1911s to .38 Special wadcutter and developed the six-inch long-slide 1911, an innovative design created by welding a section of one 1911 slide to another and then carefully blending the two into a seamless unit. His pistols were used by top competitors and achieved national championships and records. His work on compensated 1911s also helped establish the specialized “pin gun” as an important development in high-performance .45s.

Clark's influence on custom pistolsmithing is difficult to overstate. He helped establish many of the techniques and modifications that would become hallmarks of the modern custom 1911. His achievements were recognized with both the Pistolsmith of the Year Award and the Outstanding American Handgunner Award, making him a foundational figure in American custom handgun history.

One such example is this .45 ACP Clark Long Slide Bullseye pistol, which is featured in Volume 2 of the 1911 Vickers Guide. It features a competition Bo-Mar adjustable rear sight paired with an undercut Patridge front sight, “Tiger Tooth” stippling on the front and backstrap, a Smith & Wesson MTU (Marksmanship Training Unit) barrel and a trigger shoe to reduce the trigger pull.

Ships FedEx 2nd Day with gun rug and (1) Wilson ETM Mag.

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1. Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson

2. Caliber: .357 Mag

3. Model/Size: 627-5 Performance Center Customized by Dave Lauck (D&L Sports) 2 3/4” Barrel

4. Finish: DLC

5. Condition: Pre-Owned/Unfired

6. Box/Papers: No

David Lauck’s reputation as a custom gunsmith is particularly well established in the world of Smith & Wesson revolvers, where his work has focused on turning traditional factory wheelguns into exceptionally durable, practical fighting revolvers. His approach is decidedly functional: stronger sights, better ergonomics, a properly tuned action and careful attention to reliability rather than cosmetic embellishment.

This beautiful Performance Center revolver showcases Lauck’s signature D&L enhancements, including fixed combat rear sights precision-machined from solid steel with a generous sight window, glare-reducing serrations and a snag-free profile, paired with a matching front sight incorporating tritium inserts. Both sights have been carefully radiused and dehorned for concealed carry. The revolver is fitted with D&L PRG (Positive Retention Grip) grips, featuring a carefully engineered angle and contour for improved hand placement and recoil control. Additional work includes a crowned barrel and precisely reduced barrel-to-cylinder gap to the absolute minimum (see 5th picture – I had to open the cylinder to see ANY daylight).  The entire revolver finished in durable DLC.

 Ships in a gun rug FedEx 2nd Day Air.

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