There is one American firearm manufacturer and distributor that I believe not many firearm enthusiasts know about - Nighthawk Custom. Established in 2004 and located in Berryville, Arkansas and are famous for their custom 1911 semi-auto pistols, tactical shotguns and imported German revolvers.
Today Nighthawk has 85 full-time employees. Nighthawk’s shotguns are based upon the most popular shotgun platform, the Remington 870 and exclusively imported from Cosmi in Italy. Since 2016, Nighthawk collaborated with Korth-Waffen in Lollar, Germany. There is no question that Germans are famous for their quality products and “precision craftsmanship”, whether it be manufacturing cars like Porsche, Audi, BMW, VW, or Mercedes-Benz. Germany makes the finest of razor blades, Leica cameras, along with firearms made by Walther, Heckler & Koch (H&K) and Blaser. When it comes to revolvers, Korth of Germany, established in 1954, is top-end. One of the quality revolvers that can be found at Korth is the Mongoose. However, because it is imported and a precision firearm, the Mongoose costs $3,700 priced higher than the top-of-the-line American Colt or Smith & Wesson (S&W). The Colt Python in stainless steel for example costs half of that price.
Just like Nighthawk Custom 1911s, every Korth-Waffen revolver is built by one gunsmith. Every part used by Korth is produced from machined bar stock, which produces world-renowned excellence in revolvers.
Nighthawk Custom has recently partnered with Cosmi SRL shotguns produced in Ancona, Italy and Nighthawk as exclusive importation. Cosmi builds quality semi-automatic shotguns that is made up of 100 hand-fitted parts.
At Nighthawk Custom, each of their pistols are built by one gunsmith, which prompted their slogan - “ONE GUN, ONE GUNSMITH”. Every Nighthawk Custom 1911 is fully machined from bar stock billet steel, oversized so it can be hand fitted. All 46 parts are hand-fitted for that particular pistol. After each pistol is completed, the gunsmith test fires it to ensure standards are met. The next step is paying attention to detail by sanding out all machine marks, de-burring, smoothing and hand bevels on all 90-degree angles. The gunsmith then stamps his initials under the left grip panel. Every Nighthawk Custom comes with a lifetime guarantee, regardless who owns the pistol. Six of Nighthawk Custom gunsmiths have been inducted into the American Pistolsmith Guild.
NIGHTHAWK CUSTOM STAINLESS STEEL 1911
Nighthawk 1911 models available are with a price tag from $3,500 to $9,000: Super Carry 30, Agent, Agent 2 Commander, Bob Marvel, Border Special, Bull, Bull Commander, Bull Officer, Chairman, Complete Custom Stipple, Counselor, Delegate, Falcon, Falcon Commander, Fire Hawk, GRP, GRP Recon, Heinie Long Slide 6", Kestrel, Lady Hawk, Lady Hawk 2.0, NHC Classic, Nighthawk Carry Plus, Predator, Predator II, Predator III, President, Sand Hawk, Shadow Hawk Commander, Shadow Hawk Government, Shadow Hawk Long Slide, T3, T4, Talon, Talon II, Talon II with Concealed Carry Cut, Thunder Ranch Combat Special, Tri-Cut Carry, Trooper, TRS Commander, TRS Comp, Turnbull VIP 1, Vice President, VIP, VIP Agent 2, VIP Black, VIP Black Commander, VIP Commander, War Hawk CCO, War Hawk Government, and War Hawk Officer. That is quite the lineup for pistol models. If you want a double stack 1911 it will cost $650 more.
SAND HAWK 1911 9MM
One Nighthawk Custom 1911s I have an eye on is the Sand Hawk at $5,400 with a custom tan cerakote finish and wide cocking serrations. It has an integrated compensator to reduce muzzle flip. The 5-inch barrel is match grade on a government size frame. The grip is aluminum anodized in tan. It sports a lightweight aluminum trigger. The beaded front sight is 14K gold with a Heinie Ledge Black rear sight. It features the Nighthawk double stack grip.
Custom engraving is an offered option along with stainless steel upper half, Trijicon sight, and fluted barrel hood. It is chambered for 9mm with a .38 Super firing pin.
TROOPER 1911, 9MM OR .45 ACP
Another Nighthawk Custom 1911 on my wish list is the Trooper available in 9mm or .45 ACP at $4,000 featuring a 5-inch barrel, empty weight of 39.9 ounces, 8-round capacity and black nitride finish.
NXS 8-SHOT REVOLVER .357 MAGNUM
In the revolver model line, Nighthawk Custom again offers a variety that includes a .357 Magnum 8-shot revolver ($5,200) and prices run from the Mongoose at $3,700 to the Korth Heritage Edition at $9,000. Speed loaders are available even for the 8-shot revolver at $50. Choice of grips runs from $30 to $350 for the Turkish Walnut grips. Unique thing about Korth revolvers is the cylinder release is next to the hammer.
MONGOOSE IN .357 OR .44 MAGNUM
The Mongoose .357 revolver cylinder can be interchanged with a 9mm cylinder and the great thing about it is that a “moon clip” is not required for the 9mm cartridges. You can swap out the cylinder without tools. Open the cylinder, press the silver button and pull the cylinder off. To install a cylinder just reverse the process. Moon clips are not required for proper headspace, ignition and extraction of rimless 9mm cartridges because the Korth Mongoose has an extractor star with a small, spring-loaded clip that pops out to retain the 9mm cartridge for firing and extraction. The sweet thing about the Korth Mongoose revolver is that you can fire 9mm (by swapping out cylinder), .38 Special, or .357 Magnum ammo. The Mongoose is also available in .44 Magnum.
COSMI SHOTGUN LOADING ILLUSTRATION
The Italian Cosmi shotgun manufacturer was established in 1895 by Rudolfo Cosmi. The level of detail and customization in their semi-auto shotguns is commendable. Hand engraving and inlays are offered in different woods so you can own a one-of-a-kind shotgun. You can download the Cosmi Catalog from the Nighthawk Custom website.
Hickock 45 in the following video presents a review of a Nighthawk Custom 1911.
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