Nighthawk Custom Guns: Custom gun capabilities for a perfect 1911 build.
Over the past few years I have been fortunate to spend the first week of October in Idaho at numerous editorial rendezvous. More than a dozen gun writers gather to see what the firearms industry has to offer for the coming year. On the range and later back at the ranch I visited with Nighthawk Custom owner Mark Stone to learn about his business. At some point last year, 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 and I went straight to my range for an anticipated “meet and greet.”
Before sharing the results of my range sessions with this “Nighthawked” Series 70, it bares sharing 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, US, that manufactures custom M1911 pistols, rifles, revolvers, shotguns, and tactical knives for competition shooters, military, law enforcement and self-defense.
“Nighthawk was formed in 2004 when some of the gunsmiths who worked for Wilson Combat left to focus exclusively on custom pistols. Both companies are located in Berryville,” said Mark Stone a founder and the owner of Nighthawk Custom. “Nighthawk has been praised highly for its quality and customer service. Nighthawk strives daily to supply the Nighthawk difference, no matter the task.”
Over the years, Nighthawk gunsmiths have used their skills to grow from only building 1911 pistols to now also making custom shotguns, knives, and an improved version of the Browning Hi-Power. Nighthawk also has a fully functioning machine shop that produces the parts that are used to build their high-end firearms.
“Here at The Nighthawk Custom Shop our gunsmiths specialize in custom 1911s,” Stone added. “We build Nighthawk Custom 1911s as well as doing custom builds originating from other manufacturers’ 1911s. We offer complete build packages as well as a la carte services for the 1911 and Hi Power platforms.
“This particular Colt build is what I would consider a resto mod…we wanted to keep the classic look of the Colt but upgrade and modernize it for optimum performance and shootability,” Stone said.
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 1911 has undergone various iterations, including the Series 70 and Series 80. These two iterations, 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.
The Colt 1911 Series 70, often referred to as the “Colt Series 70,” pays homage to the original design of John Browning’s iconic firearm. Introduced in the early 1970s, this iteration sought to retain the classic elements that made the 1911 legendary while incorporating improvements for enhanced performance. Key differences that set the Series 70 apart include: No firing pin block, the barrel bushing and barrel link system, as well as a shorter trigger and old-style sights.
Perhaps the most notable feature of the Series 70 is the absence of a firing pin block safety system. This omission provides a direct connection between the trigger and the firing pin, resulting in a notably crisp and lighter trigger pull compared to later models. The Series 70 boasts a shorter trigger length and more traditional iron sights. These features contribute to a simpler and cleaner appearance, harkening back to the original design of the 1911.
The Series 70 retains the barrel bushing and barrel link system for disassembly, whereas the Series 80 introduced a collet bushing design. While the bushing and link system requires more meticulous fitting, it has been praised for its potential impact on accuracy.
Series 80 Modernization
Introduced in the 1980s, the Colt 1911 Series 80 aimed to address safety concerns while maintaining the pistol’s renowned performance. This iteration introduced several modifications designed to enhance shooter safety, particularly by incorporating a firing pin block mechanism. Several key differences found in the Series 80 set it apart from earlier versions. The Series 80 incorporates a firing pin block safety system, which prevents the firing pin from striking the primer unless the trigger is fully depressed. This mechanism reduces the risk of accidental discharges due to impacts or drops.
While the Series 80 trigger has often been criticized for being heavier and less crisp than the Series 70 trigger, improvements have been made over time to refine the trigger pull while maintaining enhanced safety.
The Series 80 introduced a collet barrel bushing, designed to improve accuracy and barrel-to-slide fit. The collet system provides consistent tension and alignment, potentially contributing to tighter shot groups. The Series 80 design includes extra components related to the firing pin block safety, which can be seen as both an enhancement to safety and a potential point of failure in comparison to the simpler Series 70. In this writer’s mind, the Series 70 donor Colt’s potentially crisper trigger settled the choice.
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 magwell 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 likes 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. The accompanying performance chart provides detailed accuracy stats.
The first groups fired 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 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.
PERFORMANCE
| Load | 12 yd. Group | 25 yd. Group |
| Black Hills 230-gr. JHP | 2.44 | 4.92 |
| Hornady Critical Duty 220-gr. +P | 1.28 | 2.56 |
| Hornady Z-Max 185 gr. | 1.37 | 2.82 |
| Federal American Eagle 230 gr. Syntech | 2.32 | 4.77 |
| Handloads | ||
| 185 gr. Hornady HAP, 5.0 gr Tightgroup | 3.20 | 5.10 |
| 200 gr. cast SWC (H&G 68) | 3.84 | 4.33 |
SPECIFICATIONS
| Manufacturer: | Colt’s |
| Model: | Series 70 1911 |
| Customized: | Nighthawk Customs |
| Caliber: | .45 ACP |
| Action: | Single-action semi-auto |
| Weight: | 39.5 ozs., unloaded w/ magazine |
| Capacity: | 7+1, Govt. magazine |
| Cost: | Colt’s Series 70 $899 MSRP |
| Customization Cost: | $2,780 |
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