Nighthawk Custom: One Gun, One Gunsmith

This video explores the IWA Expo through the eyes of a gunsmith, focusing on the philosophies behind firearm manufacturing and design. It highlights Nighthawk Custom's 'One Pistol, One Gunsmith' approach for 1911 and 2011 models, contrasting it with mass production. The presenter also details the CZ TS3 and the innovative Opos pistol, emphasizing the human element, passion, and continuous improvement in the gunsmithing world.

This video showcases the Nighthawk Custom DTS (Drop-In Trigger System) for 1911 and 2011 platforms, highlighted at TriggrCon 2022. The video emphasizes the system's ease of installation, promising a crisp break without the need for a gunsmith, which is a common hurdle with 1911 aftermarket parts. It also mentions compatibility with double-stack 1911 handguns. The content aims to inform viewers about this innovative product that simplifies upgrading 1911 triggers.

This guide details the process of swapping cylinders on a Korth revolver and adjusting its trigger mechanism, as demonstrated by a USCCA representative. The Korth features an innovative quick-change cylinder system allowing caliber changes between .357 Magnum/.38 Special and 9mm. It also boasts user-adjustable trigger weights via specialized screws, with stock pulls at 8.5 lbs DA and 2 lbs SA, facilitated by internal roller bearings. The video highlights the firearm's premium features, including a 14k gold front sight and an MSRP around $2,600.

This podcast episode delves into the nuanced definition of a 'custom' 1911 pistol versus a 'production' or 'customized' firearm. Experts Roy Huntington and Brent Wheat discuss the historical evolution of custom gunsmithing, emphasizing the shift from hand-fitting and welding to modern CNC machining. They differentiate between a truly custom build requiring significant hand labor and a gun with 'drop-in' parts, highlighting that while modern production guns offer high quality, true custom work involves a level of craftsmanship and individual attention that sets them apart.

Roy Huntington of American Handgunner magazine introduces an innovative drop-in trigger chassis from Nighthawk Custom for the 1911 platform. This assembly integrates the hammer, sear, and disconnect into a single metal chassis, simplifying installation by utilizing existing pins and requiring only a single spring for the grip safety. The product is presented as a user-installable upgrade with a retail price of approximately $299.

This video explores the concept of 'putting lipstick on a pig' in the firearm world, where expensive custom work is applied to budget firearms. The host, with high authority and expertise in gunsmithing and market perception, explains how the cost of premium refinishing can exceed the firearm's value. The discussion highlights the difference in quality and price between a $400 and a $4,000 1911, attributing the cost to master gunsmiths' labor for fit and finish.

This guide, informed by Roy Huntington, Editor of American Handgunner Magazine, details the critical differences between buckshot and birdshot for home defense. It covers their physical characteristics, penetration capabilities through walls, and effectiveness at close range. The advice emphasizes choosing a load based on concerns about over-penetration while stressing the universal importance of training, target identification, and using a light for any home defense scenario.

This guide details the field stripping process for a 1911 pistol, presented by Roy Huntington, Publisher of American Handgunner. It covers essential safety checks, step-by-step disassembly, and reassembly, emphasizing techniques to prevent damage. An alternative 'cheat' method for faster disassembly is also demonstrated, along with advice on using specialized tools for tight components.

This video showcases an exceptionally rare find: a first-generation 1873 Colt Single Action Peacemaker, discovered via metal detecting in Arizona. The expert speaker details its museum-quality condition, dating it to 1875, and analyzes the authentic patina and wear, including specific gutta-percha grip details and muzzle wear from holster friction. The firearm's discovery context among homestead ruins adds to its historical narrative.

This guide, presented by Roy Huntington, Editor of American Handgunner Magazine, outlines an efficient '5-minute clean' for modern semi-automatic pistols like the Glock 26/27. It emphasizes that over-cleaning is unnecessary and can cause premature wear. The process focuses on targeted cleaning of critical areas like the barrel and slide rails, with minimal lubrication applied only to high-friction points. Proper function checks after reassembly are also highlighted.