awpk03s
11-27-2010, 10:17
I very recently took delivery of the Nighthawk build I ordered back in May. The pistol itself is an Enforcer Recon model, some of the details of which I will list below:
- Gov't Size
- Caspian Frame with integrated magwell and plunger tube
- Caspian forged slide with no FCS and no logo/markings
- Diamond Black IonBond finish
- Slide top is serrated
- Slide rear is serrated
- Ball Cuts on slide (perfectly matched to the frame)
- Heinie Straight Eight Slant Pro Night Sights
- Front sight has white outline, rear is serrated
- Flush cut and recessed slide stop pin
- Extended shelf style slide stop
- Lanyard loop in MSH
- Checkered front strap and MSH
- 5" match barrel
- GI recoil plug and thick bushing
- Flush cut and crowned barrel
- Ambi Safety (hammer pin variety)
- VZ Alien grips
- Rail forged into frame
At first impression I am very impressed with this pistol. It is very tightly fit and assembled, and the fit and finish seems to be top notch. The trigger is excellent, although not quite as nice as my Heinie Tactical Carry pistol. The slide rides the frame like it's on ball bearings. The safety snicks on and off with a very tight and positive interaction and no loose play or separation.
I am extremely pleased initially with the Diamond Black IonBond finish. It has a dull matte appearance, but is completely uniform across the pistol and I have every reason to believe it will be as durable as I've heard.
I mounted my Surefire X300 light on the rail and it fits nice and tight like a glove. I have a couple of holsters to compliment this model, one being a C5 Leather Montana XLT IWB holster, and the other a Tucker Gunleather Silent Thunder OWB (w/light) holster. Both fit perfect.
I have not yet been able to shoot it yet, but hope to put it through the paces soon and report back. In the past two weeks, I picked up this pistol, got married, and went to St. Lucia for a week, so coming back to reality now this long holiday weekend - I still have to make it out to shoot soon.
As for my experience with Nighthawk, I would rate it as positive overall, but there were some things I'd say could have been better. I was pleased to take advantage of a 10% discount offered by Nighthawk for my status as a volunteer firefighter. At the time I placed the order I was quoted a 14 week lead time, which I thought was pretty reasonable. However, it was actually more like 25 weeks when it was actually complete and delivered. I had to call/email and ask for the status to learn of each of the delays, which I feel like should have been communicated to me on their initiative. One delay was explained to me that they were waiting for the Caspian slide which was a custom order being no FCS and no logo. I understand lead times of manufacturing and industry, especially for special orders, but if they'd ordered the slide and frame when I ordered the pistol, I can't believe this would have been a delaying factor. It took several phone calls for me to emphasize that I HAD to pick this up before my wedding and honeymoon. For the last couple weeks I didn't think it was going to happen, but they pulled through for me and got it in as promised.
The only other detail I feel could have been better handled is the grips, at the time of the order I said I wanted VZ Alien grips, in "Black Desert Sand" color, which is one that NHC doesn't stock. When they had the pistol ready to ship, they said they had it ready to go, and asked if I wanted "Black" Aliens or Black Golfball grips. Rather than add another delay into the mix, I took it with black golfball grips, and then upon receipt changed them to VZ Aliens I had at home in "Tiger Stripe" color.
This is my second Nighthawk pistol (the other being a Heinie Tactical Carry pistol) and I would be comfortable ordering/buying another.
Enough writing - here are some pictures.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/mba656/guns/DSC03040.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/mba656/guns/DSC03042.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/mba656/guns/DSC03041.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/mba656/guns/DSC03035.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/mba656/guns/DSC03046.jpg
- Gov't Size
- Caspian Frame with integrated magwell and plunger tube
- Caspian forged slide with no FCS and no logo/markings
- Diamond Black IonBond finish
- Slide top is serrated
- Slide rear is serrated
- Ball Cuts on slide (perfectly matched to the frame)
- Heinie Straight Eight Slant Pro Night Sights
- Front sight has white outline, rear is serrated
- Flush cut and recessed slide stop pin
- Extended shelf style slide stop
- Lanyard loop in MSH
- Checkered front strap and MSH
- 5" match barrel
- GI recoil plug and thick bushing
- Flush cut and crowned barrel
- Ambi Safety (hammer pin variety)
- VZ Alien grips
- Rail forged into frame
At first impression I am very impressed with this pistol. It is very tightly fit and assembled, and the fit and finish seems to be top notch. The trigger is excellent, although not quite as nice as my Heinie Tactical Carry pistol. The slide rides the frame like it's on ball bearings. The safety snicks on and off with a very tight and positive interaction and no loose play or separation.
I am extremely pleased initially with the Diamond Black IonBond finish. It has a dull matte appearance, but is completely uniform across the pistol and I have every reason to believe it will be as durable as I've heard.
I mounted my Surefire X300 light on the rail and it fits nice and tight like a glove. I have a couple of holsters to compliment this model, one being a C5 Leather Montana XLT IWB holster, and the other a Tucker Gunleather Silent Thunder OWB (w/light) holster. Both fit perfect.
I have not yet been able to shoot it yet, but hope to put it through the paces soon and report back. In the past two weeks, I picked up this pistol, got married, and went to St. Lucia for a week, so coming back to reality now this long holiday weekend - I still have to make it out to shoot soon.
As for my experience with Nighthawk, I would rate it as positive overall, but there were some things I'd say could have been better. I was pleased to take advantage of a 10% discount offered by Nighthawk for my status as a volunteer firefighter. At the time I placed the order I was quoted a 14 week lead time, which I thought was pretty reasonable. However, it was actually more like 25 weeks when it was actually complete and delivered. I had to call/email and ask for the status to learn of each of the delays, which I feel like should have been communicated to me on their initiative. One delay was explained to me that they were waiting for the Caspian slide which was a custom order being no FCS and no logo. I understand lead times of manufacturing and industry, especially for special orders, but if they'd ordered the slide and frame when I ordered the pistol, I can't believe this would have been a delaying factor. It took several phone calls for me to emphasize that I HAD to pick this up before my wedding and honeymoon. For the last couple weeks I didn't think it was going to happen, but they pulled through for me and got it in as promised.
The only other detail I feel could have been better handled is the grips, at the time of the order I said I wanted VZ Alien grips, in "Black Desert Sand" color, which is one that NHC doesn't stock. When they had the pistol ready to ship, they said they had it ready to go, and asked if I wanted "Black" Aliens or Black Golfball grips. Rather than add another delay into the mix, I took it with black golfball grips, and then upon receipt changed them to VZ Aliens I had at home in "Tiger Stripe" color.
This is my second Nighthawk pistol (the other being a Heinie Tactical Carry pistol) and I would be comfortable ordering/buying another.
Enough writing - here are some pictures.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/mba656/guns/DSC03040.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/mba656/guns/DSC03042.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/mba656/guns/DSC03041.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/mba656/guns/DSC03035.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/mba656/guns/DSC03046.jpg