Wilson Combat or Nighthawk?

Klaus

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I sent my Series 70 Colt out to Nighthawk last week. So now the 14 week wait begins.


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Nice. I pulled out a few to get you hot and bothered while you wait. Naked Warhawk on the bottom, GRP in 10mm on top.

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SVTdreamin04

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I cant believe NO ONE has recommended Kimber....











:D :D :D :D :D :D :D jk!

I own one Kimber, a Custom Target II in 9mm. I got it at a good price. It’s not bad for what it is but when guys like @Klaus pull out the real Custom 1911’s, it makes me even more satisfied with my decision to go with Nighthawk. Eventually, I will sell the Kimber to put money towards an actual Nighthawk.


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RedVenom48

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I own one Kimber, a Custom Target II in 9mm. I got it at a good price. It’s not bad for what it is but when guys like @Klaus pull out the real Custom 1911’s, it makes me even more satisfied with my decision to go with Nighthawk. Eventually, I will sell the Kimber to put money towards an actual Nighthawk.


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All jokes aside, I totally agree. First 1911 I ever shot was a Kimber Custom 2. At 15 yards (nothing special I know) it was legit "Aim at point, pull trigger, hole now at that point".
 

SVTdreamin04

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Les has earned that rep. He was a prick to me when dealing with an issue. As someone mentioned, Alchemy is a good shop. Rob from them used to work for Baer. On some forums, he's posted some of the dirty secrets of LB.

I’ve read a few bad things about Les Baer while trying to decide what to do. What dirty secrets are you referring to?




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SVTdreamin04

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This is one of my favorite 1911 pistols I own. It’s a gun with a story. It’s not anything in most people’s eyes, but it is to me. It was bought by an ex state trooper who used it as his backup pistol. He bought it when he came back from Vietnam in 1968 or 69. It has been modified in all the wrong ways, but it’s just a neat old Colt mix/match 1911.

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SVTdreamin04

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This is one of my favorite 1911 pistols I own. It’s a gun with a story. It’s not anything in most people’s eyes, but it is to me. It was bought by an ex state trooper who used it as his backup pistol. He bought it when he came back from Vietnam in 1968 or 69. It has been modified in all the wrong ways, but it’s just a neat old Colt mix/match 1911.

ac3103f5696d970a7adc3272d67c82d9.jpg
92fb2b53ccab5795a837ba62ea214721.jpg
3f1ecda840c70d6e1a43ed7029a64e59.jpg



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Klaus

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I’ve read a few bad things about Les Baer while trying to decide what to do. What dirty secrets are you referring to?




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Keep in mind the guy from Alchemy is not unbiased....

I have to say that I was never that interested in LBs at first. They have visible file mark's and look like a child built them. The lock up is TIGHT though. I ended up with a hard chromed TRS and it is one of my favorites. Trigger is very nice and it shoots very nice. YMMV
 

SVTdreamin04

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This is one of my favorite 1911 pistols I own. It’s a gun with a story. It’s not anything in most people’s eyes, but it is to me. It was bought by an ex state trooper who used it as his backup pistol. He bought it when he came back from Vietnam in 1968 or 69. It has been modified in all the wrong ways, but it’s just a neat old Colt mix/match 1911.

ac3103f5696d970a7adc3272d67c82d9.jpg
92fb2b53ccab5795a837ba62ea214721.jpg
3f1ecda840c70d6e1a43ed7029a64e59.jpg



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SVTdreamin04

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Woah! Triple post! Not sure how that happened.


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John Ryder

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I’ve read a few bad things about Les Baer while trying to decide what to do. What dirty secrets are you referring to?

The biggest I've read is the "test target" Les gives. They'll claim it being 50 yards when the claim is within 5 yards.

Some tidbits on cutting corners on certain parts fitting. Barrel fitting included. My TRS had the lower lugs cut thin and suffered premature failure (within 3500 rounds) so I'm biased on my opinion here.

It's not a secret of LB's refusal to use a commander length frame with proper rail length. He sticks to GI rails despite the commander needing a different travel to be optimal.

Some claims against parts quality. The hardness issues between the slide and slide stop and issue of notch peening. A few things I have read, but also, these issues were not only from Rob's mouth.
 

badmpg03

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I love me some 1911’s! my .02 with what I’ve had , but question is what is the application
any gun that might be on nightstand or defense, imo, should have a magwell and many high end offerings don’t come with them standard,

Dan Wesson - imo best for the $, pretty awesome stuff, never owned but have shot many, would take a specialist or valor and not think twice

Les Baer - own TRS. Blued finish holding good, but has history that may turn a shade of purple with time. I met Les at Shot show and love that he is a gearhead. Lots of models are branded hemi or Boss, etc, We spent more time talking cars than his guns. I dig them, they are a small company who stays in their lane. He’s an old school guy but very personable, supports the industry well
big debate on functional or necessary; but the slide/frame , barrel/bushing fit is tightest I have ever seen. His guns to me are simple, classic, beautiful

springfield professional - my favorite. If you are looking for hardcore/duty many will work great but these things are awesome. I have 5k rounds through my pro light railed, the front strap will chew your hand like a cheese grater after 100 res but it shoots lights out and comes right with a nice magwell,nwhile many do not. The no fcs, squared off slide... pro LR is my pick even over some full customs,

wilson - have a cqb and cqb LE 2008-10ish builds - great guns , built like tanks and refined, fun to shoot, Wilson name has resale value, more so than the other groups IMO. Just as accurate, reliable, and honestly easier feeling to shoot than springer pro, but I like the pro better
 

Klaus

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SVTdreamin04

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Klaus

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Care to post a pic of your Professional?


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Here you go. Here is a little writeup that I did about the FBI test if you are so inclined. (Hilariously Wilson threatened to sue the FBI because they claimed the test was unpassable)

.....All guns had to shoot a 10-shot group at 25 yards of less than 1.5’ from a ransom rest. For reference, the target that comes with Wilson Combats and Nighthawk is a 5 shot group. Then the gun would go through a 20,000 round reliability test, after which it would have to undergo the accuracy test again. For reference, the original military 1911 test was only 6,000 rounds. Only 10% degradation of accuracy was permitted. The RFP stipulated that all testing be conducted with Remington Golden Sabre, which is not considered very accurate ammunition. Of the group that submitted RFPs, only Springfield and Pro Gun passed both the accuracy and reliability test. Springfield got the contract, as Pro Gun was not deemed capable of fulfilling.

Civilians are able to purchase any guns left over from the FBI run. Historically there is a long wait, when I ordered this one it was 36 months. I also have a railed version (this is known as the “Operator”) that only took 12 months, so it can vary. The very first runs were stamped “FBI” on the side, but Springfield received a cease and desist order and now stamps them as “Professional.” If you come across one stamped “FBI” it is worth a ton as there were only 258 made. There are a handful stamped “DEA” that are worth even more.

How does it handle and shoot? It is bank vault tight and accurate AF, although the trigger is not as good as other semi customs. It is set up for fighting, with ~5lb trigger break vs. the more typical <4lbs for WC, HNG, GCI. It has a ambi safety and 20lpi front strap, which will tear your hands up if you shoot extended range sessions. Nonetheless, if I were to carry a full size 1911 it would be this one, no question.

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