I look at their websites and can't tell what the difference is between models. Nighthawk had a t3, grp, enforcer, predator, talon and I have no clue what it means. Wilson is similar. Any one know?

They build guns upon the buyers requests. Their basically a custom shop.

They are a different in builds type. You just option them out, just like a car shop Wilson and nighthawk are semi custom shops, not full house custom 1911's

I believe that nighthawk was founded by Wilson's ex-wife after their divorce. Most of the Nighthawk employees were from Wilson.

I believe that nighthawk was founded by Wilson's ex-wife after their divorce. Most of the Nighthawk employees were from Wilson.

I've never heard that! But I've heard nighthawk took in les Baer smiths

so basically nobody knows.

they all have different options if you go on nighthalks websight you can read about each "family" as they call them and what options the guns include

I have heard that NH has fallen off lately. There has been comments of guns being returned for issues.

 

Both makers hand fit everything and they are tightly fitted. Considered by some to be in top 5 1911 manufacturers.

thanks. i just saw the link to the "families" on NH website.

 

 

Bry@n, not in the market for a 1911. dont really know anything about them. just wondering why there are 23 versions of the same gun from one company.

Wilson order takes aprox 9 months; Nighthawk aprox 2 years...Main reason I went with Wilson (should get mine by May)...Otherwise I couldn't really differentiate the two from what is on their web sites.

I believe that nighthawk was founded by Wilson's ex-wife after their divorce. Most of the Nighthawk employees were from Wilson.

 

That is true. A bunch of tenured gunsmiths left Wilson to start Nighthawk under the funding of Wilson's ex wife. The guy in charge of it all was Ron Phillips. He was a master smith at Wilson. After a couple years starting up Nighthawk, he left and started his own private shop. Less than a year later he is back with Wilson Combat.

That was intresting to learn. Was his wifes name Lola ?

That was intresting to learn. Was his wifes name Lola ?

 

Not sure. As you can imagine it was an ugly divorce.

 

Anyway, back on track about the guns themselves. They are both very high quality 1911"s made with top notch parts. I have owned both and was pretty impressed with what they produced. I have sold all my nighthawks and Wilsons except for one Wilson that I bought new last year. Nothing wrong with the guns I sold, my desires changed to long guns and I sold some semi custom guns to fund that addiction.

 

If I had to choose between the two companies, I would choose Wilson. Reason being is that Wilson is an older and more stable company. Not that nighthawk is going under any time soon but I think their quality control is not where it used to be. I have taken tactical classes with guys shooting nighthawks and Wilson. There have been more reliability issues with the nighthawk pistols. Not many but if I am paying 3 to 4k for a handgun then I would hope it will go bang every time I pull the trigger.

After looking at both companies offerings I seem to dislike the most how they mark up the slide. I don't want some ugly font etched into the side telling me its the TALON model or something like that. Or a big Wilson logo. Kinda weird because I don't mind other companies putting marks on theirs. My sigs both say p226 or p229 on them. Doesn't seem as ugly to me. If I was looking for a 45 I'd probably get a p220 anyways.

I have always had mixed feelings about the semi custom market. About the only one Id pop for is probably an EB Cobra Carry. But back to the SC market, prices can get so close to full customs, I cant help but feel why not go full custom at that point and get EXACTLY what you want.

I totally agree about the slide markings. I hate having a "billboard" on the side of the slide with the companies name on it. Only one I dont mind is the Colt Series 70 Large Rollmarks. They are vintage and classic in my opinion. Anyway, when I ordered my Wilson Combat I pretty much got all the options on their Centennial limited edition except no slide markings except a small Wilson logo on the back of the slide. Heres what it looks like...

 

 

 

After looking at both companies offerings I seem to dislike the most how they mark up the slide. I don't want some ugly font etched into the side telling me its the TALON model or something like that. Or a big Wilson logo. Kinda weird because I don't mind other companies putting marks on theirs. My sigs both say p226 or p229 on them. Doesn't seem as ugly to me. If I was looking for a 45 I'd probably get a p220 anyways.

I have had similar thoughts Shane. As you know, I have gone both routes with the higher end 1911's. A true custom gun from a one man shop is a wonderful thing. Problem I have is that all the guys on my short list for builds have a backlog of at least 3 years and some are not even taking on any work. With that being said, I have not been disappointed with the latest offering from the semi-custom shops. I can customize it the way I want and they usually will be happy to fulfill my request as long as I can wait a few more months to get the gun.

 

Ed Brown is making some nice guns too. Larry Vickers complimented the build of my Special Forces after looking it over at his gunsmith workshop. Here is a pic of it. Told them to leave the "special forces" engraving off the slide.

 

 

 

I have always had mixed feelings about the semi custom market. About the only one Id pop for is probably an EB Cobra Carry. But back to the SC market, prices can get so close to full customs, I cant help but feel why not go full custom at that point and get EXACTLY what you want.

I have had similar thoughts Shane. As you know, I have gone both routes with the higher end 1911's. A true custom gun from a one man shop is a wonderful thing. Problem I have is that all the guys on my short list for builds have a backlog of at least 3 years and some are not even taking on any work. With that being said, I have not been disappointed with the latest offering from the semi-custom shops. I can customize it the way I want and they usually will be happy to fulfill my request as long as I can wait a few more months to get the gun.

 

Ed Brown is making some nice guns too. Larry Vickers complimented the build of my Special Forces after looking it over at his gunsmith workshop. Here is a pic of it. Told them to leave the "special forces" engraving off the slide.

 

 

Very nice SF you have and the WC is very nice also. I see your point about the markings but never really thought about it. Another friend of mine like naked slides but to me it doesn't matter.

 

Off topic, how did you like Larry's gunsmith course? was it the course where you build your own 1911?

Very nice SF you have and the WC is very nice also. I see your point about the markings but never really thought about it. Another friend of mine like naked slides but to me it doesn't matter.

 

Off topic, how did you like Larry's gunsmith course? was it the course where you build your own 1911?

 

Thanks Bryan for the compliments. The Ed Brown is a keeper. Could not want anything more out of a 1911 then how that handgun performs in my hands. Very happy with it. The Wilson Combat has not been shot yet. I was planning to break her in on my birthday a couple months ago but could not find the time to get to the range that day.

 

The Larry Vickers class was a special course he put on in honor of the 1911 Centennial. It was Larry and Ken Hackathorn as the instructors. We did two days in the field of tactical shooting and one day in the classroom. It was NOT the one week gunsmith school class that Larry teaches. What we learned was practical tips and tricks for the 1911 operator to keep his gun working smoothly. Everybody had to field strip their handguns and Larry would go through all the things to check for and adjust in the gun. Alot of factory guns and some semi custom guns had minor issues that could be fixed by Larry on the spot. My Ed Brown passed with flying colors even after Larry went through it at my table. The workshop was well worth the time and money even if we never did the field drills the first two days.

That Wilson is perfect with the nice slide. I don't mind the markings as much as i do the design

Like I'm not a fan of this

 

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/images/Wilson%20Combat%20WCPTRSSA-2.jpg

 

Looks like the slide was engraved at a trophy shop in the mall