Nighthawk Combat Special Review: The 2011 Project

With Budget Options, Mid Tier Mayhem, and the Duty Double-Stack under our belt, now it’s time to tackle Goliaths. This is the tier with no budget constraints.

It’s the proverbial “If I ever hit the lotto, there will be signs” tier. These guns and their manufacturers represent some of the best 2011-style pistols on the market.

But the question is: will their higher price tag and feature set be worth it? We’ll find out when the dust settles.

When I think of custom 1911s, I think of Nighthawk Custom. Their motto, “One Gun, One Gunsmith,” holds true across the entire lineup. You can tell that individual pride and skill are at the heart of every build.  

The Nighthawk Custom Combat Special is the epitome of a fighting double-stack 1911. Nighthawk built it in conjunction with Clint Smith and Thunder Ranch, one of the world’s premier training centers. Spoiler warning—this pistol did not disappoint.

To understand the history of the 2011, Staccato, and the rise of this pistol classification, check out “Party Like It’s 2011: Staccato and the 2011 Revolution.”The 2011 Project is meant to give you honest opinions on this growing market. Unlike other trends that come and go, this one has staying power. Still, pistols in this class can cost thousands of dollars.

The goal here is to give you an unbiased opinion on how these models stack up and help you decide which is best for your needs and budget.

Thank you to Nighthawk Customs for providing a sample. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

WHO IS NIGHTHAWK CUSTOM?

Nighthawk Custom has built hand-fit 1911s in Berryville, Arkansas, since 2004. Under its “One Gun, One Gunsmith” philosophy, a single gunsmith builds each pistol from machined billet steel. The company also builds Cooper Rifles and is the exclusive U.S. importer of Korth revolvers and Cosmi shotguns.

NIGHTHAWK COMBAT SPECIAL SPECS

Standard Specifications

Nighthawk Combat Special Features

The Thunder Ranch Nighthawk Custom Combat Special Double Stack is a 4.25-inch Commander-length 9mm with a fully machined frame and slide. A Nighthawk Custom gunsmith hand-fits the slide, frame, and Match Grade Bushing Barrel, and the barrel is throated with a polished feed ramp. Wide front and rear cocking serrations provide positive slide manipulation, and the smoked Nitride finish adds corrosion resistance.

Nighthawk’s Interchangeable Optics System mounts a red-dot optic, and the plate is sold separately. A 14k gold bead front sight gives you a visible aiming reference, while the hand-blended grip safety and Ultra Hi-Cut Front Strap support a higher grip. The Thunder Ranch logo sits behind the rear cocking serrations.

The hand-tuned Medium Flat Trigger delivers a 3.5-pound pull, with hand-polished ignition components, a tuned and polished extractor, and a hand-fit firing pin stop. The pistol ships with two 19-round magazines, making it a serious fighting special.

SETUP

Since the Combat Special is technically a demo gun used by Nighthawk’s marketing team, it came with a Trijicon RMR already affixed. That’s very helpful, especially for a project of this size.

One unique feature of the Combat Special is the optic plate. Unlike the others in this series, the rear sight is forward of the optic. My only previous experience with this configuration is an HK P30L customized by LTT. I really like this sight setup. In my experience, it was a bit easier to find the dot because the rear sight didn’t obstruct it. 

I’ve also added a Streamlight TLR-1 HL-X. This proven light offers good value. The best part is that it is multi-fuel compatible and delivers about 1,500 lumens and 20,000 Candelas. Depending on where you are shopping, this light hovers around $220.

As in the rest of this series, I’m otherwise running this pistol stock to keep things on an even playing field. For a holster, I’m using the Safariland 6354RDSO – ALS Holster w/ QLS19 Fork and a mid-ride QLS adapter. This is my go-to setup for any kind of “tactical” shooting or training. It rides on the Safariland BASELINE MOLLE Belt, which I’ve grown to like quite a bit.

Now, let’s head to the range.

At the Range

A note on ammo. All “range ammo” is Blazer Brass 115-gr FMJ (5200). For accuracy testing, I used Hornady American Gunner 115-gr XTP. I picked up all the ammo for testing from Ammunition Depot.

 Let’s get into the drills and accuracy testing.

Bill Drills

The standard for this drill is six A-zone(ish) hits in 1.25 seconds or less, starting from low ready with the target about 7 yards away. My average time over six attempts with the Combat Special was 1.12 seconds. First shots were at 0.3 seconds, while follow-ups hovered around 0.14 seconds.

However, my first run with it was 1.01 seconds. It shocked me how fast this gun can shoot. I slowed down a touch to keep rounds on target.

My guess as to why this gun shoots so fast has to do with the quality of the fit and finish, the short and crisp trigger, and its commander-length slide. Accuracy was sporadic on the first attempt. Again, the speed this pistol is capable of surprised me. Once I slowed down a bit, the groups tightened up to a more acceptable level.

Accuracy Testing

For a commander-length pistol, the Combat Special was among the most accurate handguns in the test. At 10 yards, I fired a one-cluster group that measured barely over ¾”.

In previous testings, 25 yards has been a great equalizer, but not with the Combat Special. Three of the five shots were on target, with a fourth just touching and a fifth about ½” away. The total group, center-to-center, was 1.25”. That’s very impressive for a gun considered a “fighting” pistol. 

1-and-1 Drills

I start this drill the same way as the Bill Drill, from low ready. 1 shot fired, slide lock, reload, 1 shot. My goal is to hit a 3.25-second par time.

I have small hands, which can make shooting 2011-style pistols interesting. For this, I’d roll my strong hand to engage the magazine release, then use my support hand to hit the side release before moving back into position.

I wouldn’t say the Combat Special’s grip is the largest, but it’s not as streamlined as the C2 or the Apache Commander. For me, the biggest issue was the slick magazine release. I do prefer a textured one.

Much of my testing took place in the sweltering heat and humidity of late August. I am a sweater. At one point, my thumb slipped off the magazine release when I didn’t perfectly strike the center.

Also, the slide release is standard size—which I’ve come to realize I’m not a fan of. My average time was 3.18 seconds, with a first shot of 0.38 seconds and reloads of 2.79 seconds. Really, I hit just below my par time. I’d say that’s passable but certainly not the best.

The Humbler

This is a good finisher I picked up from James Williamson of HK—no, not the 700-point Humbler. This Humbler has a 10-second par time. Either start from the pistol holster or from a bench. Ten shots into the A-Zone, then reload and take two shots into the head A-Zone.

This is where the Combat Special really shines. My time was 9.71 seconds, with all clean hits. The draw was 2.02 seconds, and the splits were .54 seconds. To me, this proves why this pistol is known as the Combat Special. It’s built to push your limits when it matters most. 

Sizing Up the Nighthawk Combat Special

Where the Combat Special Delivers

Unlike most other pistols so far, this is a custom gun. While there is a “stock” setting, you can add to it. Think of it like a menu you are ordering from. You pick and choose what you want.

To start, the finish is striking and one of the first things you notice. The stippling is aggressive and exactly to my liking. I was shooting on a very hot, humid day, and I appreciated the extra texture.

The optic mount is solid and robust, and the trigger is excellent. It’s an easy gun to run fast. And while it uses a 4.25” barrel, it’s still a very comfortable pistol to shoot.

I find the magwell an excellent size, which really helped during reloads, especially on the Humbler. The gold bead is also a nice touch and a nod to classic custom 1911s.

I don’t think the price is all that bad, especially when you consider that a single gunsmith assembled this pistol and hand-fitted all the components. Nighthawk actually produces parts oversized so they can be fitted. That’s impressive, and only a master craftsman can do it. I applaud what they do.

Mixed Results Here  

This gun is almost perfect. There are a few minor things I’d change. The first is the magazine release. Yes, I wish it were larger, but more than that, I’d prefer it to have texture.

I was on the range one day when it suddenly started to storm. Once the sun came out, the humidity soared. On a 1-and-1 attempt, I didn’t hit the mag release square, and my thumb slid off because of the sweat and moisture. Not something I’d want to happen in a real-world scenario. 

Next, I’d like an oversized slide release, though you all already knew that. It’s very helpful during reloads. Finally, I wish the trigger guard had a double undercut. It’s a bit thick. I’d like my support hand to sit a little higher. 

Where It Falls Short

Nothing, and I think that might be a theme for this tier.

Zooming Out

This was my first time with a Nighthawk pistol. They have a strong presence and reputation in the custom pistol community, and I understand why. It is a phenomenal gun. But is it the best gun for you? That’s what this project is all about, and there’s plenty more heat coming.

Next up, we head across the pond to test a 2011-style pistol I had never heard of until this year—the STP SWAT. Will the hallmark of German engineering make it a precision beast? Stay tuned.

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