In a sleepy little town in Arkansas sits one of the country’s premier gun manufacturers. While Berryville would not appear to be the hub of premier 1911s, that is precisely what it is. Since 2004, Nighthawk Custom has been building the gold standard of 1911s without fail. From no-nonsense work guns to sexy custom collaborations, they are simply one of the best shops in the country. So, with a pedigree as storied as theirs, it is an exciting time on the range with one of their guns for testing. The pistol that would grace my bench and range was the Nighthawk Sandhawk.
The Nighthawk Sandhawk- Precision Engineered Double Stack
Nighthawk has earned a reputation among serious shooters for marrying traditional craftsmanship with modern tolerances. The Sandhawk continues that lineage. Its frame and slide geometry will feel familiar to anyone who spends time at the range with a 1911, but there is more to it.
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The fit and finish are excellent, as we have come to expect from Nighthawk. Controls fall naturally under the thumb and trigger finger. The grip feels like it was shaped with serious shooters in mind. Mechanically, the Sandhawk is rooted in proven design. The slide tracks cleanly, the barrel locks up solidly, and the internals are excellent. Much to the frustration of 1911 haters, feeding is reliable, ejection is consistent, and the pistol ran every type of ammo I fed it.
Precision and Shootability
Where the Sandhawk earns praise is in the balance between precision and shootability. It is neither the lightest nor the heaviest gun in its class. The weight distribution allows controlled recoil and quick follow-up shots. Recoil moves in a straight line back into the hand rather than whipping side to side. That makes it faster on target than many pistols with similar power.
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Ergonomics is another strength. The beavertail keeps the web of the hand off the slide, and the grip geometry works with a wide range of hand sizes. Controls are crisp and positive. The slide stop is easily accessible when needed, but not so prominent that it interferes with holstering. The magazine release is well-placed, allowing for fast reloads without issue.
Custom Tuned Trigger
Trigger feel matters more than most people admit. A smooth take-up and a clean break will make you a better shooter simply because you can trust the interface between your finger and the gun. The Sandhawk’s custom-tuned trigger is set at 3.5 to 3.75 pounds, making it fast without being excessively light.
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The model I tested was optics-ready and had a Trijicon RMR installed. While it comes standard with Heinie sights, I believe this gun is built for optics. The RMR was a solid addition to the gun, allowing me to put the pedal to the metal on steel.
Feature Rich
Nighthawk has taken the time to make this a spectacular gun. It has features that make it stand apart from other guns. These include a hand-fitted frame and slide, a hand-fitted match-grade 9mm barrel, and a polished feed ramp. The gun has been completely dehorned for comfortable carry, and it features hand-beveled edges. The integrated compensator is not just for show. It performed well and allowed me to get fast follow-up shots.
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The Nighthawk Sandhawk
The most opinionated thing that I will add to this is that it’s simply a cool pistol. Yes, looks matter, and the Sandhawk is a sexy creature. It has everything I look for in a handgun. Speed, accuracy, reliability, and, of course, looks. If you want to break out of the grocery getter handgun world, take the time to look at the Nighthawk Sandhawk.
For more information, visit Nighthawk.
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Nighthawk Sandhawk Features:
| Tan Cerakote finish |
| Double stack government frame and 5″ barrel |
| Hand fit frame and slide |
| Hand fit match grade 9mm barrel |
| Throated barrel |
| Polished feed ramp |
| Integrated compensator |
| Wide cocking serrations |
| Hand blended grip safety |
| Heinie Ledge Black rear sight |
| 14k Solid gold bead front sight |
| Tuned and polished extractor |
| Hand fit firing pin stop |
| Lightweight aluminum Nighthawk Custom flat trigger |
| Hand polished ignition components |
| Custom trigger job set with 3.5 to 3.75 pound trigger |
| Completely dehorned for comfortable carry |
| Hand beveled edges |
| Ultra Hi-Cut Front Strap |
| Includes two 17-round magazines |
| MSRP: $5599.00 |
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