Nighthawk 1911 HAVA Auction

Updated: March 27, 2015 BY Dave Higginbotham

Click here for the auction information: /Classifieds/View/_947550973.aspx.

The Guns & Ammo Signature Nighthawk 1911 is being auctioned now on GunsAmerica.com.

It is time again for another auction to benefit HAVA. Honored American Veterans Afield is a group that helps connect disabled veterans with hunting and the shooting sports. It is one of our favorite charitable organizations, and we’re proud to have to the opportunity to contribute in our own small way. The Guns & Ammo signature Nighthawk 1911, number 1 of 100, is being auctioned here on GunsAmerica. 100% of the proceeds will go to HAVA.

The Guns & Ammo Signature Nighthawk Custom 1911

Why is it called the Guns & Ammo Signature Nighthawk? It has Guns & Ammo carved into the slide. But there’s more than that. The gun is on the cover of this month’s issue of Guns & Ammo, too. And the accompanying article goes into great detail about the philosophy behind its design. G&A Editor Eric Poole, and the article’s author, Richard Mann designed this gun around the philosophy of Colonel Jeff Cooper, a single-action fanatic.

The Guns & Ammo Signature Nighthawk isn’t destined to sit on a shelf in a dark safe; this is a Nighthawk. It is flawless. It is the ideal 1911 for concealed carry, and it is built to be carried.

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The perfect concealed carry 1911? And the auction supports HAVA, too.

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I’ve handled several Nighthawks, and I’ve got a T4 in for review now. As someone who lives and breathes single-actions, I’m not going to hold back my effusive praise. If you’ve never handled a Nighthawk, I’ll offer this. These pistols offer flawless function and perfect fit–exactly what you’d expect for pistols in this price range. Unlike some high-end 1911s, the Nighthawk pistols are defined by their dedication to function and not ornamentation. These guns work. That’s the main reason you buy a Nighthawk. Yet I’ve seen Rock Island 1911s that work amazingly well, too. The Nighthawk has a working aesthetic that creates a cohesive blend of form and function. There’s very little on a Nighthawk that is there for pure cosmetics. And every feature, inside and out, is solidly built.

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Type: Recoil operated, single action, hammer fired, semiautomatic
Caliber: .45 Auto
Capacity: 8+1 rds.
Barrel: 4.25 in.
Overall Length: 7.75 in.
Weight: 2 lbs., 4 oz.
Finish: Cerakote, Sniper Gray
Grips: Alumagrips, Nighthawk
Sights: Trijicon HD, orange
Trigger: Short, 4 lbs. (tested)
Price: $3,495
Manufacturer: Nighthawk Custom

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The gun we’re auctioning is number 1 of 100.

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This rough front strap texture is cut into the steel by hand in a randomized process that produces a texture like 60 grit sand paper.

Take a look at this 1911. There’s nothing visually distinctive, except perhaps the unusual texture on the front strap. Everything else, from the serrations to the sights, are all there for a well defined purpose. The rear sight has a distinct hooked shape that makes one handed manipulation easy. The flat mainspring housing is left untextured to help protect clothing, and unprofiled to better fit the hand.

We’re auctioning off this one. It is number 1 in the series, but there will be 100 made. If you are interested in owning one–and you’re not lucky enough to win the auction–there will be 99 other opportunities.

The Guns & Ammo Nighthawks

Nighthawk Custom is building 100 of these pistols. 99 of them will be sold for $3,495. Of that price, 5% will go to HAVA.

I had the unique opportunity to tour Nighthawk’s shop last week, and their process is impressive. The most distinctive part of the Nighthawk’s process is how one gunsmith builds one gun. There is a pride in the craftsmanship that is marked by ownership of the entire build. When the pistol comes together, the smith stamps his initials into the frame, beneath the grip. In a way, it is the signature of the artist. Yet gunsmithing is more of a craft. In that respect, the signature signifies ownership. If the gun ever has problems, the smith who built the gun will own the issues. Not that this happens too frequently–the last thing anyone wants is for these guns to come back.

HAVA does good work in support of those who have made significant sacrifices on our behalf.

The parts Nighthawk uses are really incredible. There are no MIM or cast parts. Everything is milled. While it could be argued that this is overkill, it is also a build philosophy that demonstrates an uncompromising commitment to quality. Nothing on this gun is going to break because of a material defect.

In the spirit of Col. Cooper, this is a serious 1911. And the proceeds will go to a very worthy cause, indeed.

What is HAVA?

The following description is from the HAVA website: HAVA is a 501(c)3 organization formed by companies in the shooting and outdoor industry with the purpose of raising awareness and further assisting disabled veterans with their healing process through guided hunts, shooting events and other outdoor sports activities. The sustaining sponsor companies are Smith & Wesson, Mossberg, NSSF, Academi, ATK/Federal, Crimson Trace, Diamondback, FMG Publications, Glock, Hornady, Leupold & Stevens, Proof Research, Ruger, Surefire, Sig Sauer, Taurus, XS Sights, Barrett and Yamaha Outdoors among numerous contributing companies.

Click here for the auction information: /Classifieds/View/_947550973.aspx.

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