The only fly in the ointment occurred when I experienced a number of failures to chamber with the Speer Lawman ammo. The pistol did not seem to care for jacketed flatpoint bullets, but it ran perfectly with my Laser-Cast lead handloads and the CorBon match ammo that used the same style bullet.

The author raised the level of his game when he partnered with the Clark Custom 2011 Combat pistol to compete in several local USPSA matches.

Further experimentation with other brands of factory ammo and handloads showed that the pistol ran great with ammunition that had roundnose or JHP projectiles. When using flatpoint bullets, however, I had feeding problems if their overall length (OAL) exceeded 1.130 inches; the Lawman ammo had an OAL of 1.138 inches.

I then set up a number of USPSA targets at distances ranging from 5 to 25 yards, belted on my holster, and ran the Clark 2011 Combat Pistol through a series of offhand drills, firing the pistol with free-style (two-handed), one-handed, and weak-handed grips. Thanks to the textured, reshaped grip and the concentration of weight in the forward end of the pistol recoil control was above average, and fast, accurate follow-up shots could be performed with aplomb. The Bo-Mar/Dawson sights proved a perfect combination and allowed fast target acquisition, transitioning, and shot placement.

With my self-confidence suitably inflated, the Clark pistol and I partnered up over the next few weeks to compete in a number of local USPSA matches, and I can report that the pistol performed in a most impressive manner. Accuracy and handling under the pressure of the clock was most pleasing.

In fact, the very first time I used the Clark 2011 pistol in competition I shot all five stages of the match completely clean. That's right, I did not have a single Mike (miss) or no-shoot (hostage), and I only expended five extra rounds in a match that required 140 rounds. And, while my natural sense of modesty makes me loath to admit it, I finished in third place in my division.

I must report that after learning of its sensitivity to the OAL of the ammunition, I did not experience a single failure to feed, fire, or eject with the many hundreds of rounds I expended in competition. And while I'm not going to claim that the Clark 2011 Combat Pistol has enabled me to awe the competition and move up a class in Limited Division, there are certain nonperks unrelated to shooting to having one.

For the first time in my shooting career I have used a pistol that has every feature desired by serious Limited Division competitors. And I must confess that strutting around at matches with such a fancy pistol in my holster resulted in envious stares being directed at me by my fellow shooters, which does wonders for my rather fragile ego. Ahem.

NOTE: All load data should be used with caution. Always start with reduced loads first and make sure they are safe in each of your guns before proceeding to the high test loads listed. Since Shooting Times has no control over your choice of components, guns, or actual loadings, neither Shooting Times nor the various firearms and components manufacturers assume any responsibility for the use of this data.