Over the past few years, I have been fortunate to spend the first week of October in Idaho at numerous firearm-industry editorial rendezvous. More than a dozen gun writers gathered to see what the gun, optics and ammo companies had to offer for the coming year.
On the range and later back at the ranch I chatted with Nighthawk Custom owner Mark Stone to learn about his business. Long-time publishing colleague Nino Bosaz joined Mark and I, and as typical, an editorial brainstorming session began. By the time our ice cubes started their swirling rattle around the bottom of empty glasses, a plan was hatched for an article.
We landed on the idea of taking a Colt 1911 Series 70 and having Nighthawk do their magic. I was the fortunate writer to put the reworked pistol through its paces afterward. When Colt’s Director of Marketing, Sara Simonow, agreed to donate a Series 70 1911 to the project, a course was set.
Ten months later a tricked-out pistol arrived at my local gun shop, Echo 3 Armory, and I went straight to my home range for a much anticipated “meet and greet.” Before sharing the results of my range sessions with this “Nighthawked” Series 70, it bears disclosing some background about the company.
Beginnings
Nighthawk Custom was formed in 2004 by a group of four talented individuals who had a true passion for the 1911 platform. Nighthawk Custom is an American firearm company based in Berryville, Arkansas, that manufactures custom M1911 pistols, rifles, revolvers, shotguns and tactical knives for competition shooters, military, law enforcement and self-defense.
Why A Series 70?
The Colt 1911 stands as an enduring symbol of firearm design excellence, revered for its historic significance and enduring popularity. Over its long history, the Model 1911 has undergone various iterations, including the Series 70 and Series 80. These two variants, while sharing a common lineage, introduce significant differences that have sparked discussions among firearm enthusiasts. In this article, we explore the nuances that distinguish the Colt 1911 Series 70 from the Series 80, shedding light on their respective features, design philosophies and impacts on the shooting experience.
Colt 1911 Reborn
Once the pistol was completely disassembled, the slide was machined for Novak front and rear sights. Next, the ejection port was lowered and flared to improve cycling. A Nighthawk beveled tactical bushing and plug got thrown into the mix. The pistol underwent Nighthawk’s Complete Reliability Package, which enhances and trues the slide and frame. A match-grade trigger job with all new fully machined ignition components settled the final trigger pull at a crisp 3.5 pounds.
Another nice touch was the round hole Commander hammer, and a beavertail grip safety fit and tuned to perfection. A single side tactical thumb safety was fit and tuned to the frame, too. To enhance accuracy, the barrel got a new reverse crown.
This 1911 is set up for everyday carry, so the frame was “dehorned” by beveling all sharp edges on the slide and frame. Smaller parts got the dehorning treatment, too, and the rear of the slide and frame was blended as well as the grip safety blended to the frame. The mag well was contoured for carry, too.
To give this pistol a distinct, understated look it got a full black Nitride finish. The last steps were to install a Nighthawk tritium front sight and a Heinie plain black rear sight.
Range Time
This Nighthawked 1911 was fed a broad diet of factory and handloads to find what it liked best. Four factory loads and a couple of handloads comprised the accuracy testing. Five-shot groups fired at 12 and 25 yards from a bench provided the results. Multiple groups were fired with each load, but only the smallest group was recorded. Check out Performance Details for more detailed accuracy stats.
The first groups fired were with Black Hills’ 230-grain JHP, and it produced groups that impacted about 5 inches below the point of aim. When I switched to Hornady Critical Duty 220-grain +P it brought grouping up to the point of aim with a 6 o’clock hold. This hot load also provided the tightest groups overall. Hornady’s 185-grain Z-Max load also printed below point of aim, as well as Federal’s American Eagle 230-grain Syntech. That leads me to believe that hotter, faster loads in this pistol will work best for my point-of-impact, point-of-aim.
Switching over to handloads, the first was a 185-grain Hornady HAP over 5.0 grains of Tightgroup. It produced ho-hum results, as did a 200-grain cast semi-wadcutter I’ve been loading as bulk range fodder for many years. Both of these loads are relatively slow in comparison to what could be obtained from heftier powder charges, and their point of impact about 5 inches below point of aim reinforces what I found with a few of the factory loads.
Conclusions
Whether it’s a new production 1911 from Colt, Springfield Armory, Kimber or grandpa’s old Colt, Nighthawk can breathe new life into these handguns and make them true heirloom-quality pistols made to shoot and enjoy for a lifetime and beyond. If you’re looking for a classic, customized 1911, a Nighthawk-worked pistol is hard to beat. Their work is worth every penny, which is reaffirmed by what 1911s just similar to this one sell for both new and used. It’s pretty simple math: Take a $900 gun, pay Nighthawk $2,800 for “the works” and come home with a $3,700 masterpiece.
SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer: Colt’s
Model: Series 70 1911
Customized: Nighthawk Customs
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action: Single-action semi-auto
Weight: 39.5 ounces (empty)
Capacity: 7+1, Govt. magazine
Cost: Colt’s Series 70 — $899 MSRP
Customization Cost: — $2,780
Y’all have a very different definition than me of ‘masterpiece’. I’ll never understand the value of a 3000 dollar gun that performs no better than a gun 1/2 the cost. Bling bling is all good, I just don’t get it.
I’m sure you don’t understand the value in high end furniture, watches, vehicles, or anything else that takes lots of man-hours to get perfect.
Which is fine – you don’t have to buy that stuff.
As someone who has built several 2011s from scratch, and someone who also owns a Nighthawk (and several other custom 1911s and 2011s over the years) – you’re paying for the craftsman’s time.
That said, I can assemble a Glock in 30 minutes. And I carry a Glock.
Because, demonstrably, it does perform better than a gun 1/2 the cost. And it’s a lot prettier.
Reason I do not fool with the 1911 is for years there have been so many doing the 1911 the field has been plowed over and over to the point the custom 1911 is someone’s repeat. The engraving artistry and cosmetics are different and that field is narrowing. That said Nighthawk is probably as good as any however if it were a 1911 itch it’s a Clark or little me piecing one together.
…Nighthawk $2,800 for “the works” and come home with a $3,700 masterpiece.
Not in this lifetime.
I surely hope those who can afford something like this enjoys it. Go for it.
I need to eat more than I need yet another 1911. At any price.
Well, for some it’s just having something that was made to their specifications. Doesn’t matter if it’s a firearm, knife or a suit. I never worried about how much it cost them. It is their money. I usually just wished it was me.
one thing. The author said it was cut for Novak sights then later said the pistol had Hienie sights. I like, and own, pistols with both. The pic doesn’t look like either. Just curious.
Oh. Nighthawk is a nice pistol. I don’t own one, but I’ve looked them over at Mallard’s in Crystal River. They have them side by side with Wilson. Toss a coin.
Nighthawk was formed by gunsmiths from Wilson’s it would make sense that their guns are similar.
“..it bares disclosing some background.”
Really? I guess you are going for the naked truth then. Next time stick with bear.
The range results were surprisingly incomplete. All we get is 5″ below point of aim at an undisclosed range, but no indication of shot to shot accuracy, a particularly important feature of any custom gun, although the author says that these measurements were taken. All we can tell is that this particular gun requires hot loads to shoot to point of aim, seriously restricting the ammo one can use when accuracy is King.
I would hope paper would come up….
yes
So what exactly did $2800 get? Seems to me like it got nothing but wallet bragging rights.
My 1911, a Kimber Custom II, also $900, with a few user instlled after market parts shoots much better than described here.
I have one of those. It was awful until I changed out the recoil spring. After that, it runs like a champ. The one other thing I did not like about it was the lack of front strap checkering, a particular issue as mine was a 4″ model. It was pretty lively and every few shots you had to adjust your grip. Plus I bought mine so long ago it only cost $700.
And it still doesn’t even take Glock mags!
Man the market is competitive, Koenig for $1900, Rock Island for $1500, Springfield TCP for $1800. All match grade and actively used in tactical and competitive circles.
Nobody uses Springfield or Rock Island in competition. Springfield is actually a meme gun like Hi Point more than anything else.
That said, you’re paying for the extra hand fitting, time, smoothing, trigger work, etc – each of these guns is a 40+ hour affair, never mind some of their higher end ones with hours of extra time on the CNC.
Tell me you’ve never shot competition or handled a Springfield, RI, or Koenig, without telling me you’ve never shot competition or handled a Springfield, RI, or Koenig.
Seriously? So, you’re opting for the unvarnished truth, huh? Note to self: ‘Stick with bear next time.
If you’re a so-so shooter and/or mainly enjoy dirt flying then no need to get or appreciate this gun. Springfield Armory XDs are available
Without shooting the pistol from a Ransom Rest, Author is just showing his accuracy results and not the guns. However, the 5 inch(+-) difference between hot/fast loads and more standard loads make me wonder if Nighthawk Customs tested POA/POI at all? Surely a better combo of both sights could have netted better results. Especially for that total price tag.
Maybe there was an Author’s ommision of ammo preference/tuned for by Nighthawk?
Some people are happy with driving a base model Toyota Camry.
Others want something a bit more refined like a Mercedes-AMG SL Roadster.
One thing the Nighthawk is, is it is a heirloom pass down to the next generation in someones family.
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