Nighthawk GRP Recon vs Wilson Combat CQB

[Bolt_Action]

I've been looking into purchasing a higher end, light rail equipped 1911, and I've narrowed my options down to two choices: the Wilson Combat CQB and the Nighthawk GRP Recon.

They both seem like excellent pistols, so I was wondering if anyone here had some input on any pros or cons for either one. The Wilson has a 1913 style three slot rail, the Nighthawk has a single slot "Glock style" rail attachment. The Nighthawk seems to have a slightly more aggressive checkering pattern and a two dot Heine Straight-8 style sight picture, the Wilson has the traditional 3 dot sight picture (which I prefer). I could swear that the Nighthawk felt just a tiny bit better fit together, but maybe that was just my imagination. Does anyone know if there are any differences on the long term durability of the finishes used by Wilson and Nighthawk?

Despite both pistols have a black baked-on style finish, I've heard that the Nighthawk is stainless steel and Wilson is carbon steel, but I haven't been able to verify if that's true.

Whichever one I purchase I'm going to send it to the factory to have a magwell installed (and an ambi safety), so perhaps customer service turn around time will be the deciding factor here.

edit: forgot to mention, I will be using a Streamlight TLR-1/2 with either purchase (I don't know if that matters, but I wanted to mention it just in case).

[Rhyyke]

I'll say this, the GRP seems to be much easier to find that the CQB Literail. I've been searcing for the CQB for a while and only saw it briefly at MTG up in Sactown.

I have a Nighthawk Talon but I handled it next to the GRP and both were really nice. For about $200 more though I decided I didn't want the rail on the GRP and went with the features on the Talon instead. It is an amazing pistol.

[gorillafingaz]

I just got a CQB Light rail from George at migunslingers.com. Amazing service and super fast shipping.

As far as picking a gun, I think Wilson holds their value better, but other than that both are amazing guns and both will serve you for a lifetime.

[Rhyyke]

I just got a CQB Light rail from George at migunslingers.com. Amazing service and super fast shipping.

As far as picking a gun, I think Wilson holds their value better, but other than that both are amazing guns and both will serve you for a lifetime.

So you were the one! I think I emailed him right after you bought it, he responded back to me that it had been sold earlier that day.

[teflondog]

I would personally go with Wilson Combat. They have a lower employee turnover compared to Nighthawk. To me, that means a lot.

[gorillafingaz]

My bad! He had a tactical elite I almost got instead...

[jpm804]

Wilson combat
- armor tough finish ( spray and bake)
- 30lpi front strap checkering

Nighthawk
- nitride finish ( will be more durable than AT, but if not holstering the gun the AT finish is fine. Both will still show wear if bolstering but AT will wear faster)
- 25 lpi front strap checkering

[Rhyyke]

My bad! He had a tactical elite I almost got instead...

Haha no worries, just promise to be good to her . The search continues for me.

[L-2]

According to the roster, the Wilson CQB w/light rail should already come with an ambi-safety. For me, I'd probably just walk into a store and buy either one with some degree of detail examination of the exact gun. It's also possible I'd get both.

If you'll be ordering, sight unseen, through somewhere like Gunbroker, Springfield's Professional w/light rail is also on the roster (assuming you're not exempt).

[Snoopy47]

I think you only have a dilemma if you manage to find BOTH at the SAME time at the SAME shop to compare them against each other.

Right off the bat though I'll never go with an aggressive checkering again (such as on my TRP). I much prefer the 30lpi of my Wilson and Les Baer

[Stanced]

Iron Sights in Oceanside had both in stock yesterday around 8pm. I was very tempted to fondle them.

[Rhyyke]

Huh, guess I'll call. You don't happen to remember the price on the CQB do you?

[firebert]

edit: forgot to mention, I will be using a Streamlight TLR-1/2 with either purchase (I don't know if that matters, but I wanted to mention it just in case).

Don't the GRP Recon come packaged with a Surefire X300?

[jeffrice6]

Wilson ~ Better CS

[Bolt_Action]

Don't the GRP Recon come packaged with a Surefire X300?

Yes it usually does although I'll be getting rid of it in favor of the streamlight. I think the consensus here is that WC has better customer support and a more established reputation, but quality wise their is little to no difference. As it stands now, I will probably be making my decision based on the rail interface type and slide/frame material.

From what I've been able to tell only the nighthawk is crafted from stainless steel, and the nighthawk finish is slightly more durable. Additionally it looks like I can get nighthawk to refinish the gun in diamond black. So finish wise it looks like it's advantage nighthawk.

Any feedback on the pros and cons of the universal (nighthawk) rail vs the 1913 rail (Wilson)?