Guns of PDTV: Nighthawk Pistols
Scott E. Mayer
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June 20, 2011
This season, George is using a pair of 1911 pistols from Nighthawk — the Falcon (r.), and the GRP Recon (l.) — both chambered for 45 ACP.
The Falcon is the newest in the Nighthawk pistols custom line and includes fighting features such as an extra-flared mag well. It's machined as a single steel piece along with the flat mainspring housing. You almost can't bobble a mag change with the size of its opening.
Another fighting pistol feature we like is the Heinie Ledge night sights. Along with front and rear tritium inserts for low light, the rear sight is cut so you can catch it on your holster or belt for one-handed working of the slide. And if you can't quite catch your belt, the short guide rod lets you cycle the Falcon one-handed by pressing the recoil spring plug against a solid object.
Both the Falcon and the GRP Recon have Nighthawk's positively gripping golf ball dimple grip texture. This pistol is going nowhere during recoil or if you're bloodied during a fight.
The GRP Recon is George's rail gun. Its frame is machined to accept gun-mounted lights like our Insight WL1-AA. The frame is also machined with a recess around the flush-cut slide stop so if you have to use a compromised or left-hand grip, it reduces the chance of pushing out the slide stop and locking up the works during shooting.
Though not nearly as popular as it was during cavalry days, the GRP Recon has a lanyard loop integral with the steel mainspring housing.
For sights, we selected Heinie Slant-Pro night sights that offer a great sight picture and no snag contour.
We were really impressed with the Nighthawks. Functionally, they're well thought-out fighting guns that look great, too.