[Greg M.]

Ok guys, yesterday I purchased my first ever Colt. It's my birth year 1979 Combat Commander in 45 acp. I tried to search for older builds but didn't really find what I was looking for. I'd like to know if you've sent your Colt in to NHC, what did you have done? Was it mostly cosmetics or functional as well? Are there things looking back now that you wish you'd done differently?

I've got a list of things that will be must haves for me but I don't want to get it back and realize I forgot something. So please if you've sent a Colt in to them, share your experience. If you still have your build sheets I'd love to see those along with pictures of said gun as well. Thanks for any knowledge or help you can lend!

 

[Greg M.]

Please don't add IOS to a 1979 Colt. Please.

This we is not. I'm not a red dot guy. Just looking for normal things that people have had done and general cost and turn around.

 

[Greg M.]

The reason not to is because it's like adding a wing to a classic car.

You do however bring up a valid scenario. Either way, OP isn't doing it.

I guess maybe like he said it can be done and there if the need were to come up but hopefully my contacts or glasses will help me continue to see.

 

[Greg M.]

I have to agree, considering your age and how eyesight goes, if you are sending it into NH for work it would be silly not to have an IOS fitted to it.

As for other work, I would do the whole enchilada: Match barrel fitted, ignition, hrt slide stop, safeties, front strap, DLC finish - make it a gun to last into your grandsons lifetime.

That’s my plan but I’m only 42 and younger kids so I’m hoping it will be more left to my son or daughters.

 

[Greg M.]

Why do you want to send it to Nighthawk? I am sure I'll trigger a few people with this but personally I have not been impressed with their Colt modifcation work over the last few years. It seems the attention to detail just isn't there, especially compared to all the one man custom shops out there. Especially on older Colt's that need the extra attention due to their janky lines. Add to that Nighthawks current back log, I would be looking at Don Williams, Greg Derr, Integrity Arms, Evolution Armory, or KGB to work the gun over right.

That is a good question. 1 I’m impatient and most have closed books or 2 years or better out.

 

[Greg M.]

Ok so I guess I might should have added that I’m going to have to keep some what of a budget. Not really building an heirloom piece even though hopefully one of my kids ends up with it.

 

[Greg M.]

That's why NH is a decent value, is it Yost, Burton, Derr or Reid type work, of course not, lets not be silly.

However, you could easily be double what I quoted at Evolution and 4, 5 and 6x's more at some of the aforementioned smiths and be easily 2+ years out even if you could get on their list and that's not easy now-a-days. Heck you'll be without the gun for 12-16 months at Nighthawk.

That’s what I’m getting at too

 

[Greg M.]

I’m really curious to see which way you go. I myself have been pondering these very same questions. It’s just so much easier to purchase a completed pistol, but prices seem to be at a real premium. I’m new to this and maybe prices have always been this way, honestly though it really doesn’t matter, you want what you want. Like you I’m not very patient and would have a difficult time waiting over a year, let alone two years. But a special pistol is just that, spare no expense and have no regrets.

It will be NHC, nobody has their books open or if they are they aren’t building on base guns. Once I’ve had time to talk with Bob Reeves I’ll add some more to this post.

 

[Greg M.]

Or you could just sell that ‘79 to me
Jk, curious to see the final decision with spec sheet.

I hear ya.

 

[Greg M.]

We all know he'll flip it before it gets into a box headed to Nighthawk

😒 I resemble that remark. At least this one has meaning to it.

 

[Greg M.]

I recently picked up a colt hawk from a great member here and think they did a nice job. I like shooting it as much maybe more than some of my Nighthawks

It was almost my first big step into the upper end 1911 world. The deal just didn’t work out on my end due to funds. Thankfully all was resolved later.

 

[Greg M.]

How long has NHC quoted you, Greg.

He hasn’t really said but I haven’t asked either. I love the Colt Hawk they do and that’s kind how it will look. I’m excited to send it off next week or Friday if I can to it fast enough.