Nighthawk Custom Colt Work??

3799 Views 51 Replies 27 Participants Last post by Eric, Feb 23, 2022

Greg M.

Discussion Starter · Feb 12, 2022

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!

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Genes 1911

· #21 · Feb 12, 2022

My IOS question is about the fitment and appearance with the iron sight after the cut on a Colt...anyone got a picture?

JTQ911

· #22 · Feb 12, 2022

I recommend a one man shop. I agree with a poster above the ones come out of nighthawk just don’t impress me much.

Maybe it’s the finished… I think a lot have been the smoked finish but they just don’t have that classy look that you commonly see in a Burton, Yost, KGB etc.

I love what Integrity Arms did with my fathers 38 super but I know he mentioned his books are closed.

I would try Evolution Armory.

Granted if you know what you like and it’s a more tactical / Rogers looking get, go for it.

If your tastes change in 10-15 years no reason you can’t pick up another 79 Colt lol.

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Greg M.

Discussion Starter · #23 · Feb 12, 2022

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.

azguy1911

· #24 · Feb 12, 2022

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.

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Greg M.

Discussion Starter · #25 · Feb 12, 2022

azguy1911 said:
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

SingleStack9

· #26 · Feb 12, 2022

+1 for a 1man shop, you will be more satisfied and it will hold its value better over time.

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Nineteen-ElevenObsession

· #27 · Feb 12, 2022

Don’t forget Volkmann. He can purdy up a Colt as well and likely stay similar in a similar price range to NHC.

But NHC is going to do a solid job as well. Many of their smiths have every bit of talent as some smaller shops.

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TexasAC

· #28 · Feb 12, 2022

dnuggett said:
Please don't add IOS to a 1979 Colt. Please.

With punisher grips or Masonic symbols in the slide

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Yoemen66

· #29 · Feb 12, 2022

I would look a Volkmann considering your budget. It may or may not work, but I would take a look. Other consideration is I think he only works on his frames and such now, so I don't think he is even working on colts anymore but you can check.

Burton is closed
Steve is closed
Yost may be open, but I wouldn't count on getting a gun built by him if you aren't already on his books

Dave at Evolution sounds like he is less than 6 months now. And with providing the gun I bet he would be competitive with Nighthawk. I can also say Dave will tell you if the work is actually necessary. He told me my Delta he SCGd(that I was stupid enough to sell) didn't need the rail/frame fit worked on and was able to use the factory colt parts for the trigger job to save me some money.

No idea on KGB.

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johnmyster

· #30 · Feb 12, 2022 (Edited)

I haven't sent a gun to them so I'm a couch quarterback. I did recently discuss a Colt build with them. The tally of the boxes checked was about $3k. Tighten slide, replace everything except the slide and frame. Do some machine work for sights, checkering, and beavertail. Refinish. They mostly quoted NHC parts but gave the option to use other parts if I provided them.

What they didn't have a box for was "have the smith spend some time straightening lines and cohesively blending the gun as a whole." You can spec a bevel here, and a chamfer there, but I just don't get the warm fuzzy from their guns. I know they have talented smiths, so that strikes me as odd. If I wanted a collection of new parts fit, some checkering, and a refinish, I know other smiths/shops. Maybe it's a "supergrade" option that you have to ask (and pay) for, but I'd think they'd make it standard on full builds. I don't think EA, Lou, or Karl will do a gun without that "option."

IIRC, the wait was 8 months. What's another 1.3 years to get in with one of the other builders mentioned?

For me, telltale features are the beavertail shape, trigger scallops, and the frame edges around the mag catch. If we're doing $3k in machine work, parts swap, and refinish, how many times did those areas get passed over by the guy holding the file and sandpaper. On a once in a lifetime birthyear build, I'd pay the extra for that work. I put that "option" well before french borders, a cliché arrowhead serration pattern, or serrating the end of a recessed slide stop. Perhaps in their business model it's not a tangible mod so it's more difficult to sell. If that's the case, I certainly can't fault them.

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Ravenor

· #31 · Feb 12, 2022 (Edited)

simonp said:
At 42 I wouldnt have considered a RDS, if they had been around, at 52 I dont know if I would consider a build without one unless it was a Rogers or Yost build.

Eyesight and needs change quickly in the next decade.........

You and me both...

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Alequeri07

· #32 · Feb 12, 2022

Sent my TRS Comp back for IOS system and to black out gun. Sent it in September and they still have it. Was hoping for a Christmas present.

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Genes 1911

· #33 · Feb 13, 2022 (Edited)

I just optioned out a [email protected]$2900 on a commander w/DLC....It's not a end..
Its the starting point...you speak to a pro at getting what you want....I didn't see rear slde/frame serrations but bet I'll you can have them...just sayin'.
Widow shopping only,lol.

Reactions: 1

Kevin1!!

· #34 · Feb 13, 2022

I’m gonna send mine when I get it to Greg Derr. He did some work on my lightweight Colt 45 and his work and communication were top notch.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Reactions: 1

OPENLAKE

· #35 · Feb 13, 2022

azguy1911 said:
I did everything, frame to slide fit, barrel, milled frame for ramped barrel, lowered and flared ejection port, slide top treatment, milled new sight dovetails, sights, etc.

All that was kept was the slide and frame. Everything else was replaced, tuned and updated. Smoke nitride finish.

Its the most cost effective build/restoration of a Colt you can do.

It cost $2,900.

This! For me, I might avoid the arched mainspring housing and definitely add a magwell. Then shoot, admire, brag, shoot, admire, brag.....

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Holladay

· #36 · Feb 13, 2022

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.

Greg M.

Discussion Starter · #37 · Feb 13, 2022

Holladay said:
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.

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switchback

· #38 · Feb 13, 2022

My tastes may not be as refined as some of ya'll, but I'm satisfied with the work NHC did on my Colt 1911C. I spec'd the details, Bob and crew were easy to work with, had no issues using some non-NHC parts and did a nice job, even as the virus was initially ramping up.

Is it a top shelf build? Likely not to most of the responders here, but I don't have top shelf tastes and its been said I have the palate of a hobo.

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Jhp147

· #39 · Feb 13, 2022 (Edited)

I bought a used 1991A1 Commander from a member here. It had already been to SACS, but I wanted a high cut trigger guard and checkering. Turned out the grip frame was too thin for regular checkering, so they suggested a shallow rectangle of checkering, hi-cut, and black nitride. Happy with the work and excellent communication from Bob Reeves, wait was right at what they quoted IIRC. They would get my vote if I needed anything similar now. I bet you will be happy with it.

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TexasAC

· #40 · Feb 13, 2022

switchback said:
My tastes may not be as refined as some of ya'll, but I'm satisfied with the work NHC did on my Colt 1911C. I spec'd the details, Bob and crew were easy to work with, had no issues using some non-NHC parts and did a nice job, even as the virus was initially ramping up.

Is it a top shelf build? Likely not to most of the responders here, but I don't have top shelf tastes and its been said I have the palate of a hobo. View attachment 927608

Your hobo palate is quite sophisticated. The build looks great

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