Nighthawk Custom

Nighthawk Custom builds some of the finest handguns money can buy -- if you've got the money. Based in Berryville, Arkansas, they've built their reputation around one simple principle: one gun, one gunsmith. No assembly lines, no passing parts between stations. One craftsman hand-fits every component from start to finish, test-fires it, and signs off on it.

When you buy a Nighthawk, you're getting as close to true bespoke gunsmithing as production manufacturing allows. The prices reflect it -- entry level starts at $3,500 and climbs from there.

Founded in 2004, Nighthawk Custom has carved out the luxury end of the custom 1911 market. They've expanded beyond 1911s in recent years -- double-stack pistols, custom shotguns, and a partnership with German manufacturer Korth for revolvers that'll make your wallet weep. They're a SAAMI member and have built their reputation one hand-fitted pistol at a time.

The Korth partnership deserves special mention. These aren't just fancy revolvers -- they're arguably the finest production revolvers made anywhere. Built in Germany to Nighthawk specs with interchangeable cylinders and machining tolerances that make other premium revolvers look mass-produced.

Nighthawk Custom's 1911s remain their bread and butter, but they've branched out considerably:

The Custom Talon gets you in the door at Nighthawk prices, but it's still a fully hand-built pistol with all the attention to detail you'd expect. The T3 compact is their carry gun -- same quality in an Officer-sized package that won't print under a shirt.

The Firehawk breaks from traditional 1911 thinking with a double-stack magazine. You get 17 rounds of 9mm in a Commander-sized frame. It's still hand-fitted like every other Nighthawk, just with more ammunition on board.

The "one gun, one gunsmith" philosophy isn't marketing fluff. Your pistol gets built by a single craftsman who's responsible for every aspect -- barrel fitting, slide-to-frame fit, trigger work, final assembly, and test firing. That craftsman signs off on the gun and includes a test target showing how it shot.

Consistency comes from individual accountability, not standardized processes. When something goes right or wrong, there's one person responsible.

Nighthawk's one gun, one gunsmith manufacturing process

Every barrel is hand-fitted to the slide and frame. The slide-to-frame fit is tighter than factory guns but not so tight it binds up with dirt or moisture. Triggers break clean and consistent -- they hand-tune each one rather than relying on drop-in parts.

The Korth revolvers deserve their own category. These aren't American revolvers with German names -- they're built in Germany with tolerances that make a Performance Center Smith look sloppy. Interchangeable cylinders let you swap between calibers. The trigger runs on roller bearings. At $5,000+, they're expensive, but nothing else comes close.

Nighthawk customers fall into a few camps. You've got serious 1911 enthusiasts who want the absolute finest example of the platform. Collectors who appreciate craftsmanship and know these guns hold their value.

Some competitive shooters want every edge they can get. Then there are folks who've worked their way up the 1911 food chain -- started with a basic Springfield, moved to a Wilson Combat, and decided they wanted to see how good these guns can really get. At Nighthawk prices, you're not buying transportation -- you're buying the automotive equivalent of a hand-built sports car.

Law enforcement and military don't buy many of these. When a basic Glock costs $400 and a Nighthawk starts at $3,500, the math doesn't work for institutional purchases. These are personal guns for people who can afford the very finest.

Custom 1911 market positioning

In the custom 1911 world, Nighthawk sits at the top of the price pyramid with Wilson Combat. Les Baer builds extremely accurate guns for less money but focuses on function over form. Ed Brown splits the difference with beautiful guns that shoot well but cost less than Nighthawk.

The performance gap between a $2,000 Les Baer and a $3,500 Nighthawk exists, but it's not huge. You're paying for hand-fitting, individual craftsmanship, and the knowledge that one person built your gun from start to finish. Whether that's worth the extra $1,500 depends on your priorities and bank account.

Lead times can stretch for months on custom orders. When you're building guns one at a time with individual craftsmen, speed isn't the priority. If you want a Nighthawk tomorrow, you'll need to find one in stock somewhere or pay dealer markup.

The price barrier is real. Even their entry-level guns cost more than many people spend on cars. You can get 90% of the performance for half the money elsewhere -- the question is whether that last 10% matters to you.

Some owners report that customer service, while responsive, can be slow during busy periods. When you're paying premium prices, you expect premium service throughout the ownership experience.

Nighthawk Custom makes exceptional firearms for people who want the absolute finest examples of the craft. The one gun, one gunsmith approach produces guns that feel more like custom pieces than production firearms -- because that's essentially what they are.

If you're considering a Nighthawk, you've probably already worked your way through lesser guns and know what you're looking for. These aren't practical purchases for most shooters.

These aren't practical purchases for most shooters, but for those who want to own something truly special, Nighthawk delivers the peak of what's possible in production custom firearms.

A Wilson Combat will serve you just as well for $500-1000 less. Les Baer will shoot just as accurately for $1,500 less. The performance gap exists but may not justify the premium.

But if you want to own something truly special -- a handgun built by a single craftsman to the highest possible standards -- Nighthawk delivers. The Korth revolvers especially occupy their own category of excellence. Just be prepared for the prices that come with that level of craftsmanship.

For most shooters, the money is better spent on a Wilson Combat and a case of ammunition. But for those who appreciate the finest examples of the gunmaker's art and have the budget to match, Nighthawk represents the peak of what's possible in production custom firearms.