Has anyone owned or shot one of these doubles from Clark Custom Guns in Louisiana?
http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/DblRifle.html

with video
http://www.guntalk.tv/gtv/libr...02%3A32%20CST%202010

I was just looking at that link from another gun forum...wonder if they're any good?

Jim Clark's name is certainly well know in pistol circles! However, for $5-6K I would have thought you could get a used Merkel or Chapuis in a "real" African caliber.
FWIW, Peter.

Gentlemen,

I just hung up the phone with Jimmy Clark. The rifles are built on CZ 20 or 12 gauge shotguns, depending on caliber. They buy complete shotguns because CZ will not sell the monoblocks. That is something they are looking at though. Five thousand dollars gets you the rifle with the CZ stock, one standing rear sight, regulated at 100 yards. You can go up depending on wood requirements. I have owned Jimmy Clark 1911's and his work is among the absolute best. Check the site, and give him a call.

Rich

Peter,

last I checked the 450-400 3 1/4, 450 3 1/4, 470 NE and 500 3' NE were real African calibers. Look at the website and call.

ISS agreed! I was referring to the 405 which the original post referred to. I did go to the web site before I posted. However I got the price from the video. I assumed that the $5-6K was for the 405, and that the bigger calibers would be more expensive. If not, then a 450 x 3 14 for $5-6K would be an outstanding buy. Is that what they go for?
Peter.

Verrrry interesting! I assume Clark goes over the lock internals on the CZs first. There have been doubling/failure to fire issues with the Huglu CZ shotties.

quote:

Originally posted by Peter:
Jim Clark's name is certainly well know in pistol circles! However, for $5-6K I would have thought you could get a used Merkel or Chapuis in a "real" African caliber.
FWIW, Peter.

Peter when you find a used Merkel in a REAL AFRICAN CALIBER, for $5-6K, and you don't need or want it please let me know. I have two Merkel double rifles,in African chamberings, and I don't think I'd intertain the idea of selling either one for $5-6K. That would be the bargain of the year, for someone!

On the Clark conversion, it looks nice in the video, but may be a dog in your hands. The one thing in it's favor is the maker himself, because he is picky about his own guns, and his work on pistols if top drawer. I would like to handle, and shoot one chambered for 450NE 3 1/4" to see for myself how it handled, and shot. If that rifle handled, ans shot well and sold at the $5-6K range, then I think seriously about buying one of them. Not based on a internet film, however.

................. ...........

This is my one. Pre-WW2, Belgium made.

I bought it ~2001 for the fantastice price of 3600.-DM, today ~1800.-€.


Martin

Mac, it has been a while since I have been in the market for a double, but as I recollect I could have bought a Merkel in 375 H&H for around $5-6K.
Ol' Ray advised against it and so I spent more and got my K gun in 500/416. I have never regretted it.
Peter.

quote:

Originally posted by Peter:
Mac, it has been a while since I have been in the market for a double, but as I recollect I could have bought a Merkel in 375 H&H for around $5-6K.
Ol' Ray advised against it and so I spent more and got my K gun in 500/416. I have never regretted it.
Peter.

Knowing Old Ray the way I do it wasn't because it was a Merkel that he didn't reccomend it, but because it was chambered for the 375 H&H. I know for a fact he did not reccomend the K-gun in any chambering. Thats just Ray.

Still used Merkels in chamberings of 470NE and 500NE, and the 140Es chambered for the 9.3X74R in good nic are selling for more than any $6K. As I said my 9.3x74R 140E was bought new for $4600 eleven years ago,but you couldn't buy mine $6K today, and the 470NE was bought used for $7K and included 5 boxes of Federal factory ammo, a cape Buffalo soft case, the fitted case, and a custom Murray sling,I almost broke my arm getting my money out. You couldn't by that one for under $9K today for the rifle alone.
If the price you quote was for a new Merkel that must have been a long time ago, because they were only cheap till they got a few on the market for people to talk up, then the went up considerably by two years after they came on the market. The 375H&H, and the 416 Rigby never sold well, and used they sell even cheaper, because of the high pressure of the 375H&H, and the rimless case of both.

Any new info out on these yet?

Boy, talk about resurrection!!!!
Peter.

Peter: I think ol' Teddy Roosevelt would take umbrage at the implication the 405 was not a "real" African caliber!

I handled 2 or 3 of them a couple years ago.

The .450NE was built on a 12ga action, but it had a straight stock. Not conducive to recoil reduction and attentuation.

All were barrel heavy, but not unbearably so.

They seemed solid, but the monoblock seam poorly done. There was a gap between the bbl and the monoblock that was very obvious (about a 1/32" would be my guess). Also, there were "gaps" around the bases of the bbls inside the monoblock, when you look at/into the chambers. The "gaps" were filled with solder (I guess), but it was poorly fitted.

Everything seemed "solid" and tight and they look nice from a distance, but I don't think I would trust my life to one against dangerous game.

I will buy all the Merkel 140-1's or 140-2's in good condition that I can get my hands on, if anyone wants to sell one in the $5000-$6000 price range, let me know.

The CZ Huglu action is not suitable for a double rifle, and I have sold dozens of these guns in 12, 20, 28 gauge. They are the most afforable sxs shotgun, with very poor wood, yet quality metalwork on the market. But to consider using one for a double in anything more potent than a .30-30 is not prudent.

Yes, California Rigby built their guns on Merkel shotguns actions, with double locking lugs, Greener cross-bolts, and side clips, and in-house re-inforced actions; however, CZ's are not made to the same tolerances as Merkels nor with the strength to withstand the truly big bores.

Mike

quote:

Peter: I think ol' Teddy Roosevelt would take umbrage at the implication the 405 was not a "real" African caliber!

Oh how one's words come back to haunt him!!!
Peter.

I have been seeking an English or Continental double in 405 for several years...and yes, I missed the nnice Manton/German gun recently on GI!! RATS!!...on a short road trip and not looking at GI!!
Frankly, the 405 is quite a strong caliber for most big NA game like Moose, Elk deer and at least big black bear. TR really did test the 405 against many animals in Africa up to Lion in his trusty Win Mod. 95...which I already have one in my collection...and have nicely whacked a few big pigs with it!!
Regardless of its rarity in Doubles, the 405 is a VERY practical cartridge being straight case and rimmed. I am surprised there wer'nt more and NOT surprised to see new makers including it in their lines now!
If anyone knows of a nice English gun, or nice Belgian/German gun out there in 405, let me know, I am vulnerable...but NOT at prices you see for the Webley and Powell on the gun web sites...maybe at competitive prices to a 400/360, for an English gun, less for Continental etc...
Yes, I probably would buy one by VC or even Merkel if they built one??
Think about it, rimmed, straight case,avaiable brass and loaded CHEAP v English stuff, and 29xxfp energy at the muzzle...fun and easy to shoot.
What more could we ask for??

470: I have one of the new 1895s A Teddy Roosevelt African Safari Centennial that I plant to take buffalo hunting with me next time. I've developed a load using 300gr TSXs, North Fork softs and solids @ 2200 fps that I am convinced will be enough to cleanly take a buffalo. I love that cartridge and the 1895 and I admit a 405 double would be cool indeed!