New Nighthawk Thunder Ranch

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vanfunk

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The widening gyre
I have to hand it to the guys at my LGS; they really know how to work a guy. I go in there just about weekly, just to check for oddball used guns or to chew the fat with the guys. You know the drill. A few weeks ago they got in a new Nighthawk Thunder Ranch and they started showing it to me… hmmmm. Nice. Pretty basic 1911… commander hammer, beavertail and Heinie sights being the only “enhanced” features. I like that, and eschew 1911’s with a lot of gew-gogs.

Good old fashioned curved steel trigger with a pull spot-on 3lbs. No full length guide rod, thank God. Buttery-smooth action but zero, and I mean zero, play side to side or up and down between slide, frame and barrel. 25 lpi checkering on the frontstrap and mainspring housing. “Smoked” nitride finish which is handsome and businesslike. Test target is one hole, shot at 12 yards with 200 grain SWC and 230 grain ball ammo.

It took me two weeks but I decided I had to have it, and I picked it up today.it’s truly the finest 1911 I’ve ever had and the last 1911 I’ll likely ever need. ALL 1911s are holy reliquaries; I’ll probably get a $300 Tisas soon too because they seem to punch well above their weight. But this Nighthawk is, well, sublime. I don’t want to put it down and am looking for an IWB holster for my pajamas so I can wear it to bed. Seriously. Ok, obligatory photos now of gun in front of whiskey barrels, per usual:
IMG_3452.jpeg IMG_3451.jpeg
 
vanfunk said:
I have to hand it to the guys at my LGS; they really know how to work a guy. I go in there just about weekly, just to check for oddball used guns or to chew the fat with the guys. You know the drill. A few weeks ago they got in a new Nighthawk Thunder Ranch and they started showing it to me… hmmmm. Nice. Pretty basic 1911… commander hammer, beavertail and Heinie sights being the only “enhanced” features. I like that, and eschew 1911’s with a lot of gew-gogs.

Good old fashioned curved steel trigger with a pull spot-on 3lbs. No full length guide rod, thank God. Buttery-smooth action but zero, and I mean zero, play side to side or up and down between slide, frame and barrel. 25 lpi checkering on the frontstrap and mainspring housing. “Smoked” nitride finish which is handsome and businesslike. Test target is one hole, shot at 12 yards with 200 grain SWC and 230 grain ball ammo.

It took me two weeks but I decided I had to have it, and I picked it up today.it’s truly the finest 1911 I’ve ever had and the last 1911 I’ll likely ever need. ALL 1911s are holy reliquaries; I’ll probably get a $300 Tisas soon too because they seem to punch well above their weight. But this Nighthawk is, well, sublime. I don’t want to put it down and am looking for an IWB holster for my pajamas so I can wear it to bed. Seriously. Ok, obligatory photos now of gun in front of whiskey barrels, per usual:
View attachment 1185542View attachment 1185543
Click to expand...
So NICE! picking up my baby NH on the 30th! not as new as yours but I’m good with a used gun
 
vanfunk said:
I have to hand it to the guys at my LGS; they really know how to work a guy. I go in there just about weekly, just to check for oddball used guns or to chew the fat with the guys. You know the drill. A few weeks ago they got in a new Nighthawk Thunder Ranch and they started showing it to me… hmmmm. Nice. Pretty basic 1911… commander hammer, beavertail and Heinie sights being the only “enhanced” features. I like that, and eschew 1911’s with a lot of gew-gogs.

Good old fashioned curved steel trigger with a pull spot-on 3lbs. No full length guide rod, thank God. Buttery-smooth action but zero, and I mean zero, play side to side or up and down between slide, frame and barrel. 25 lpi checkering on the frontstrap and mainspring housing. “Smoked” nitride finish which is handsome and businesslike. Test target is one hole, shot at 12 yards with 200 grain SWC and 230 grain ball ammo.

It took me two weeks but I decided I had to have it, and I picked it up today.it’s truly the finest 1911 I’ve ever had and the last 1911 I’ll likely ever need. ALL 1911s are holy reliquaries; I’ll probably get a $300 Tisas soon too because they seem to punch well above their weight. But this Nighthawk is, well, sublime. I don’t want to put it down and am looking for an IWB holster for my pajamas so I can wear it to bed. Seriously. Ok, obligatory photos now of gun in front of whiskey barrels, per usual:
View attachment 1185542View attachment 1185543
Click to expand...

iu
 
This is sort-of my second Nighthawk, the first being a Korth Mongoose imported by them. I’m sure loving it so far. What’s a baby Nighthawk? I don’t think I’ve seen one.
 
vanfunk said:
I have to hand it to the guys at my LGS; they really know how to work a guy. I go in there just about weekly, just to check for oddball used guns or to chew the fat with the guys. You know the drill. A few weeks ago they got in a new Nighthawk Thunder Ranch and they started showing it to me… hmmmm. Nice. Pretty basic 1911… commander hammer, beavertail and Heinie sights being the only “enhanced” features. I like that, and eschew 1911’s with a lot of gew-gogs.

Good old fashioned curved steel trigger with a pull spot-on 3lbs. No full length guide rod, thank God. Buttery-smooth action but zero, and I mean zero, play side to side or up and down between slide, frame and barrel. 25 lpi checkering on the frontstrap and mainspring housing. “Smoked” nitride finish which is handsome and businesslike. Test target is one hole, shot at 12 yards with 200 grain SWC and 230 grain ball ammo.

It took me two weeks but I decided I had to have it, and I picked it up today.it’s truly the finest 1911 I’ve ever had and the last 1911 I’ll likely ever need. ALL 1911s are holy reliquaries; I’ll probably get a $300 Tisas soon too because they seem to punch well above their weight. But this Nighthawk is, well, sublime. I don’t want to put it down and am looking for an IWB holster for my pajamas so I can wear it to bed. Seriously. Ok, obligatory photos now of gun in front of whiskey barrels, per usual:
View attachment 1185542View attachment 1185543
Click to expand...
Very, very nice! Would love to have one like that. Congrats to ya!
 
Ooooh, to be honest, I’ve never liked other people’s babies. I know, I’m a horrible human being. But that baby is different… wouldn’t mind changing its diapers! Very nice deal, ‘specially with all the mags and parts? Noice, as the Brits say.

Thanks md7! It’s just right in so many ways. My Goldilocks 1911.

Edited to add: pay that baby off, Mark Mark, and get her to the range!
 
vanfunk said:
Ooooh, to be honest, I’ve never liked other people’s babies. I know, I’m a horrible human being. But that baby is different… wouldn’t mind changing its diapers! Very nice deal, ‘specially with all the mags and parts? Noice, as the Brits say.

Thanks md7! It’s just right in so many ways. My Goldilocks 1911.

Edited to add: pay that baby off, Mark Mark, and get her to the range!
Click to expand...
on the 30th. What your loading for a same hole 12yard shot?
 
well @vanfunk, Nighthawk's take on the TRS is a little different than Les Baer's
1703226557337.png
that nitride finish on the NH doesn't do it for me, but I kinda like the wide, minimalist cocking serrations it has. The Heinie sights are probably great, but some of us like the Novak's, just a little sleeker look, and the polished bluing is cool, too.

We'll be waiting for the range report. Let us know if you think it can top the LB's accuracy (which is phenomenal).

Mark_Mark said:
on the 30th.
Click to expand...
Hey Mark, my LGS has a Nighthawk Korth revolver in stock, only $4879 or so... pretty sure it'll still be there on the second quarter when you're allowed to buy another gun!
 
Old Dog said:
well @vanfunk, Nighthawk's take on the TRS is a little different than Les Baer's
View attachment 1185608
that nitride finish on the NH doesn't do it for me, but I kinda like the wide, minimalist cocking serrations it has. The Heinie sights are probably great, but some of us like the Novak's, just a little sleeker look, and the polished bluing is cool, too.

We'll be waiting for the range report. Let us know if you think it can top the LB's accuracy (which is phenomenal).


Hey Mark, my LGS has a Nighthawk Korth revolver in stock, only $4879 or so... pretty sure it'll still be there on the second quarter when you're allowed to buy another gun!
Click to expand...
no Korth for me.. going to look for a Registered Magnum
 
@olddog, that is a splendid-looking Baer and I’m sure it shoots as good as it looks! Finish is always a personal thing. I’m a little funny about it when it comes to the 1911; I like the high polish and fire blued parts on an early Colt (early as in 1912) , on up through the deep blue-black of 50’s Government Models. For all other 1911s, I like something else. This Nighthawk actually reminds me of my well-worn and loved 1944 Remington-Rand, polished smooth as a river stone through three wars and 100k+ rounds. Also, due to my excessive manliness and over-abundance of testosterone, my battery-acid sweat tends to scrub nice bluing right off the mainspring housing and frontstrap in about 5 minutes of handling. :)

The RR has long since been retired but it was my favorite (real) 1911A1 for 20 years. I feel like the Nighthawk captures the look and spirit of that venerable sidearm, while offering modern, practical enhancements and far better accuracy.

Regarding Novak vs. Heinie, I don’t think I have any feelings, lol. They both offer an excellent sight picture and I’d be happy with either on any auto. My old, blind eyes like a nice gold bead front sight so I’m glad Nighthawk saw fit to mount one on the “Combat Special” here. If I can get out today without being tempted to do some last-minute Christmas shopping, then I’ll put some new hardball down the tube.

Thanks all!
 
Last edited:
Old Dog said:
well @vanfunk, Nighthawk's take on the TRS is a little different than Les Baer's
View attachment 1185608
that nitride finish on the NH doesn't do it for me, but I kinda like the wide, minimalist cocking serrations it has. The Heinie sights are probably great, but some of us like the Novak's, just a little sleeker look, and the polished bluing is cool, too.

We'll be waiting for the range report. Let us know if you think it can top the LB's accuracy (which is phenomenal).


Hey Mark, my LGS has a Nighthawk Korth revolver in stock, only $4879 or so... pretty sure it'll still be there on the second quarter when you're allowed to buy another gun!
Click to expand...
LB is the 1911 I’d buy if I were in the market and had a couple grand that wasn’t immediately needed for something else.

Very nice pistol, Old dog.
 
md7 said:
LB is the 1911 I’d buy if I were in the market and had a couple grand that wasn’t immediately needed for something else.

Very nice pistol, Old dog.
Click to expand...
I have mix feelings about Les Baer, very tight and slide is fitted to tight.

that being said, I would probably, eventually pick up a used one.
 
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md7 said:
Yea, I can understand that. Lots of good options other than LB if that’s a concern. NHC, WC, and I’ve heard Alchemy makes a real nice one.
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I got a Roberts Defense 1911 that almost finished layaway. Defunked company now. But it’s just right when I felt it. Tight slide fit, but silky smooth racking, safety is just right on the on/off click, trigger release and rest was just were I wanted to be!
 
@vanfunk, that Nighthawk TRS is a very nice pick up indeed! :thumbup: I can imagine the push and pull between “Too much” and “Gotta have it” was a toughie.

But I’m glad to see that Gotta have it won out. ;)

Now if I could be just so lucky… 🙏

Let us know how it shoots for you when you get a chance to spend a day with it.

Stay safe.
 
Hi Riomouse:

I just got back from a quick range trip to check function. I didn’t have a lot of time so I didn’t bring targets, I just shot plates at 15-25 yards. I didn’t have any handloads prepped either so New Republic 230 grain ball was the only ammo I had. The “Combat Special” didn’t disappoint. Everything fed and fired just fine, with empties lying in a neat pile about 7 feet to my right. The sights are perfectly regulated for 230 grainers and the plates were easy pickin’s. A finely tuned 1911 really is a thing of absolute beauty. No dinged case mouths, no brass smudges behind the ejection port. The 12” gong at 50 yards was easy prey too. So fun. I’ll have more time next week to shoot some groups at 25 yards so I’ll let you all know how it does then. Gotta set up my press for .45 and I now have plenty of Unique again, good times!
 
vanfunk said:
I have to hand it to the guys at my LGS; they really know how to work a guy. I go in there just about weekly, just to check for oddball used guns or to chew the fat with the guys. You know the drill. A few weeks ago they got in a new Nighthawk Thunder Ranch and they started showing it to me… hmmmm. Nice. Pretty basic 1911… commander hammer, beavertail and Heinie sights being the only “enhanced” features. I like that, and eschew 1911’s with a lot of gew-gogs.

Good old fashioned curved steel trigger with a pull spot-on 3lbs. No full length guide rod, thank God. Buttery-smooth action but zero, and I mean zero, play side to side or up and down between slide, frame and barrel. 25 lpi checkering on the frontstrap and mainspring housing. “Smoked” nitride finish which is handsome and businesslike. Test target is one hole, shot at 12 yards with 200 grain SWC and 230 grain ball ammo.

It took me two weeks but I decided I had to have it, and I picked it up today.it’s truly the finest 1911 I’ve ever had and the last 1911 I’ll likely ever need. ALL 1911s are holy reliquaries; I’ll probably get a $300 Tisas soon too because they seem to punch well above their weight. But this Nighthawk is, well, sublime. I don’t want to put it down and am looking for an IWB holster for my pajamas so I can wear it to bed. Seriously. Ok, obligatory photos now of gun in front of whiskey barrels, per usual:
View attachment 1185542View attachment 1185543
Click to expand...
Congratulations. Nice choice.

When those first came out, I was a little put off by the slide serrations, but they have grown on me over time. Today, if I were going to jump into the semi-custom 1911 pool, that is the gun I'd choose. Good job.
 
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