Pistol Review: Nighthawk Custom's Shadow Hawk

guns56
Oct 2
2 min read

The Nighthawk Shadow Hawk Government is a purpose-built 1911 that blends competition-minded ergonomics with duty-ready durability. A collaboration between Nighthawk and Steve “Yeti” Fisher, the Shadow Hawk takes Nighthawk’s “One Gun, One Gunsmith” pedigree and applies it to a Government‑frame platform optimized for fast, accurate shooting and reliable service use. The pistol’s footprint, heavy, stable, and inherently accurate, makes it equally at home in practical competition, tactical training, or as a premium carry/working gun for those who prefer a Government‑sized 1911.

Under the slide you’ll find the mechanical details that define the Shadow Hawk’s performance. Nighthawk fits a forged government‑size frame to a 5.0" hand‑fit match‑grade barrel; that barrel is crowned and finished flush with a thick bushing for optimal alignment and repeatable lock‑up. The barrel is throated and matched to a polished feed ramp, a small but important set of refinements that improve feeding reliability and accuracy with a wide range of 9mm or .45 ACP loads.

Nighthawk also tunes and polishes the ignition components, fits a hand‑polished firing pin stop, and supplies a custom trigger job set to a crisp 3.5–3.75 lb break, resulting in a trigger that feels light and predictable without sacrificing safety.

The Shadow Hawk’s handling and controls receive the same level of attention. Coarse front and rear cocking serrations and a ball‑radius slide top make slide manipulation positive and fast, while the one‑piece machined magwell/mainspring housing (hand blended for a smooth funnel) speeds reloads and ensures consistent magazine seating. Nighthawk’s ultra hi‑cut front strap, 25 LPI checkering on the front strap and mainspring housing, and hand‑blended grip safety all contribute to a naturally pointable pistol with excellent purchase under recoil. The package is finished with Heinie Straight Eight Ledge rear sight and a tritium front, sights chosen for quick acquisition and low‑light usability.

Reliability and durability aren’t forgotten in the pursuit of refinement at Nighthawk Custom. The Shadow Hawk ships with a thick recoil spring plug and heavy barrel bushing, a tuned and polished extractor, and carefully finished slide/frame mating for consistent timing and extraction. Each pistol is completely dehorned and hand‑beveled where appropriate for comfortable carry and drawing, making it a refined yet practical option for serious shooters.

Two 10‑round magazines come standard, and Nighthawk offers a menu of factory upgrades—threaded barrels, fluting, alternative finishes, and caliber options—for buyers who want to tailor the pistol further.

In short, the Nighthawk Shadow Hawk Government is a high‑end 1911 that doesn’t force you to choose between competition features and serviceability. With hand‑fitted components, a tuned ignition and trigger package, ergonomic refinements for fast handling, and practical durability upgrades, it’s a superb choice for shooters who demand both precision and real‑world dependability. Specs include a forged Government frame, 5.0" match barrel, Heinie Straight Eight sights, flat‑faced aluminum trigger, 25 LPI checkered front strap/mainspring housing, black nitride finish, and a standard two‑magazine package.

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