Opinions of Nighthawk Custom pistols

Progunner

Progunner

Joined
Oct 22, 2001
Messages
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I have been looking at getting a new 1911 on down the road and as usual, I start my obsessing..er..research way in advance of having the funds :). Anyone have the skinny on these Nighthawks? I dig the Vickers and the Heinie (wishing I had bought one from Dick way back when). I know it is inevitable that folks will throw in for one maker or the other. I have owned Springfield, Wilson and do own Baer. Just looking to maybe try something different in the future. So let's hear it.
 
I have a tried and true Colt [1970s] which has served me well for target ,hunting, carry. If I were to get a 45 now it would be HK, or SIG. Actually I've been using a 40 for many years now and find no difference in performance to the 45 so that makes the choice larger .I have no nostalgia for the 1911 and all too many are so midified they aren't 100% reliable.
 
Only Dick Heinie and Mark Morris for me. Their work is tops. Sorry, no experience with Nighthawk.
 
TALON158 said:
Only Dick Heinie and Mark Morris for me. Their work is tops. Sorry, no experience with Nighthawk.
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Believe me, I would love to have one of Dick's guns, but they are a bit tough to find. I know plenty of guys in my area that know him, but I don't know that they have any of his guns they want to part with. :D I am not familiar with Morris' work, at least I don't think I am. I am impressed with CT Brian's work as I recall.
 
mete said:
I have a tried and true Colt [1970s] which has served me well for target ,hunting, carry. If I were to get a 45 now it would be HK, or SIG. Actually I've been using a 40 for many years now and find no difference in performance to the 45 so that makes the choice larger .I have no nostalgia for the 1911 and all too many are so midified they aren't 100% reliable.
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I have no use for SIG and HK as they are just too darned big for my hands. I do have a love for the 1911, thus my interest in the opinions on Nighthawks and not HK or SIGs (except for the GSR that is). My big ugly .45 niche is filled by my SA XD, and it is quite a shooter. I have had Sigs in .40 and I am not a fan of the round. Besides, I reload .45 so it is not in my interest to deviate.
 
Progunner said:
I have no use for SIG and HK as they are just too darned big for my hands.
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Ah yea, you do have those little girly hands huh? :)











mental note: Avoid big fellow with goatee at Blade next year..... :o
 
My big ugly .45 niche is filled by my SA XD, and it is quite a shooter.
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What other gun do you need?
 
A friend has a Nighthawk or two and loves them. I'd put them in the same ballpark as other high end production 1911 (Wilson, SA Pro, etc).

I like them, but if I were laying out that kind of cabbage, I'd buy a used/new full custom.
 
Why'd you get rid of the Wilson? If you don't mind my asking
 
MVF said:
Why'd you get rid of the Wilson? If you don't mind my asking
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Something about it just didn't jive with me. I could never put my finger on it. I got the chance to trade a guy on gunbroker even for an LBC Commanche and I haven't looked back. I found a guy who has a couple of Heinie's, but I don't have the scratch for them right now. They are $1,000-2,000 more than a Nighthawk (as I would expect them to be). I think I am just going to have to save my pennies and hope that I can find one later.

Leatherhog, you better watch yourself, IF you make it to Blade next year. :D
 
BTW, the HK P2000 has interchangeable backstraps and side plates so it will fit almost any hand ! S&W M&P is similar. A design feature long overdue !!
 
Having owned something from a few "custom" or "semi-custom" folks (Wilson, Ed Brown, Les Baer, Novak, Kings) I will say the Nighthawks are a GREAT gun. Several of the top smiths at Wilson left and started their own company (Nighthawk) and do top notch work. My shop is the largest dealer for them in the PNW IIRC and with awesome cutomer service, build quality/fit and finish and custom options (you can have near ANYTHING done) I give them my "Good to go" stamp. With one of the few problems I have seen with one of their guns, the no BS and fast turnaround made the customer very happy. I can not say the same for some of the others listed above. Right now they are still small enough to build guns that are at the top of the heap for a good price. I guess time will tell if they go the way of some other shops.
 
m1marty said:
Having owned something from a few "custom" or "semi-custom" folks (Wilson, Ed Brown, Les Baer, Novak, Kings) I will say the Nighthawks are a GREAT gun. Several of the top smiths at Wilson left and started their own company (Nighthawk) and do top notch work. My shop is the largest dealer for them in the PNW IIRC and with awesome cutomer service, build quality/fit and finish and custom options (you can have near ANYTHING done) I give them my "Good to go" stamp. With one of the few problems I have seen with one of their guns, the no BS and fast turnaround made the customer very happy. I can not say the same for some of the others listed above. Right now they are still small enough to build guns that are at the top of the heap for a good price. I guess time will tell if they go the way of some other shops.
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I thought that the work looked familiar to me and their originating in Berryville really gave it away. It is a toss up on whether the Vickers or the Heinie does it for me. I may have to save for one for sure. I reason that I would go for the Vickers as it looks as no nonsense as you can get and I can hunt for a genuine Heinie for the future. :)

I was thinking more about what I didn't like on the Wilson and the one thing that really sticks out is the physical feel of the finish. I know Nighthawks probably use similar stuff. To me it felt too slick in the handling. Almost like it could slip away if my hands were good and wet. I am sure that isn't the case, but it was something I couldn't get used too at the time. I have handled a baer or two in their Bear Coat and it strikes me in much the same way. I am sure it is the teflon that makes it so.
 
Progunner said:
Leatherhog, you better watch yourself, IF you make it to Blade next year. :D
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:p Ya! Them little knuckles are painful! :p












I think I'll wear my armor next year. :o

Just ask the wife, my mouth gets me in touble daily. :D
 
I like the Nighthawks okay, but they are pretty much a Wilson with a few different features. What's that old saying, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree? I have owned a lot of semi-customs and in my opinion the semis that Ted Yost does are the at the top of the heap. I would urge you to strongly consider one of the Yost-Bonitz package guns, maybe either an enhanced or an elite. http://www.yost-bonitz.com/index2.shtml
 
Ted Yosts are great, but come on Tolly..I got you figured for the kind a guy that has an Armand Swenson somewhere tucked in his safe. A Purist. Fess Up. :)
 
I have looked at Yost's stuff as well. I have a LBC Thunder Ranch. It is a good gun, probably the best I have ever owned. I have had enough ammo run through it to start peening the frame from the recoil. I have never shot a 1911 enough to get this sort of thing, so I don't know how extensive the peening is. I will probably take some pics and post them at the 1911 forum to get a sample of others opinions. I wouldn't mind just sending the TRS to another smith to give it a once over and do their magic on it. I would especially like to get a Heinie mag well put on her.
 
Progunner said:
I have looked at Yost's stuff as well. I have a LBC Thunder Ranch. It is a good gun, probably the best I have ever owned. I have had enough ammo run through it to start peening the frame from the recoil. I have never shot a 1911 enough to get this sort of thing, so I don't know how extensive the peening is. I will probably take some pics and post them at the 1911 forum to get a sample of others opinions. I wouldn't mind just sending the TRS to another smith to give it a once over and do their magic on it. I would especially like to get a Heinie mag well put on her.
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How often do you change recoil springs and what weight are they? I have/have had several 1911's with 15-20k+ down the tubes and no ill effects. This includes an aluminum frame Kimber. I suggest a recoil spring swap @ 3k with a steady diet of 230gr. I don't run +P much, but would change more often if I did. Cheap insurance either way. For a full size 1911, I use an 18lb spring. Some folks use the Shok-Buffs......I don't.
 
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