Nighthawk Costa Recon... Anyone??

[cundiff5535]

Thinking about selling a few 1911's to pick one up. Anyone have any experience with one? I would use it as my primary carry weapon. Just curious as to it being worth the near 4k price tag... Thoughts??

[JohnAmo2011]

My friend bought a GRP recon when they were sold for less than 3k. Great gun. The Costa recon and GRP recon both share the same foundation.

I personally wouldn't buy the costa recon for the name over a GRP recon, ~1k more. For 4k, a full custom is within reach.

[davidwow]

My grp recon is rad, sent it back to NHC for ball cuts on slide, crown and flush barrel. Falcon magwell.

Haven't heard much about the costa recon but heard a lot of good things about the bob marvel if you are looking for something a bit flashier

[Press Check]

Just curious as to it being worth the near 4k price tag... Thoughts??

Just my opinion, but once you exceed the $3K mark on a semi-custom pistol, you've reached the realm of diminishing returns.

[davidwow]

Just my opinion, but once you exceed the $3K mark on a semi-custom pistol, you've reached the realm of diminishing returns.

Yup. Then it's mostly about small nitpicky looks and bragging rights. If you read reviews about Wilson's cqb and supergrade a very little is actually different in terms of mechanical properties. But it's 3000 vs 5000.

[9mmepiphany]

Looks like they pretty much copied the gun that Hilton Yam built for Costa.

NHC used to build Hilton's 10-8 Performance 1911s and he was pretty happy with their work...he just felt bad about what they were asking for a gun that he hadn't even touched.

You could have one built to the same specs for less, but you'd have to be willing to wait to have it built. That's why they can charge what they do for a batch built gun...because folks want them right away

[Gutz]

Not worth it...

[Plisk]

The Costa series pistols are Melonited. A feature to consider.

[BoJackUSMC]

Not worth, but if you got the $$$$.

[dc2integra]

Its on the pricey side but if you have deep pockets go for it.

[jcaoloveshine]

Just get a GRP Recon. Maybe it's me, but the markup is largely due to the Costa branding. Makes good business sense...not that much more effort on the shop's end, but sure as hell makes more money. And they know people will buy it.

[Press Check]

Again, my opinion, but the Costa branding detracts from what would otherwise be an heirloom-grade pistol.

[Uglyd]

Have a look at guncrafter industries "American" model. I must say of all my high end 1911's (I have a few) GI has taken the cake. Best shooting, fit and finished pistols in my safe. I bought 4 I liked em so much. I would avoid NH personally due or numerous faulty pistols of late. YMMV - happy hunting!

[Plisk]

For those not familiar with nitrided 1911 platforms, there is a large amount of labor required to fit, treat, then re-fit the pistol due to the process. There is some cost mark-up due to the name, but there is a fair amount of extra labor into those pistols.

[RoadKing]

Ok. So please take this simply as my advice and experience with nighthawk. First, I have a heinie tactical carry. I love the gun and it shoots like a dream. That said, I will not do business with nighthawk again. Despite numerous contacts nighthawk has never completed my order or refunded the difference. I realize it is a small amount of money in the grand scheme of things but the lack of customer service has ruined my ability to do any purchases from them. If you find a gun you want that is available because someone s selling it, then I hope you take advantage of it after getting to test fire the gun. Knowing what I know now I would never purchase a gun from them directly ( the wait isn't worth the return) and I also would not buy a gun second hand without having fired it for a function test first.

Please understand that I think they can make some of the best 1911's available, however, if you get one with issues be prepared to deal with said issues for the next 12+ months. It is just not worth it. Buy something you can test fire if it is used or f it is new from a shop and in stock, make sure you get to work the slide and pull the trigger ( I can't see you getting to shoot a new one) and make sure it feels like it works properly and does not stick. I wish you the best with your purchase and I hope you enjoy what you get.

For those who decide to flame me for my comments without a Huge description of what happened, too bad. Believe me of not, I don't really care, I just wish to impart my experience for the OP so he/she takes all aspects into account before conducting a transaction. I would also agree with the others that have posted regarding the fact that the differences between models are mostly cosmetic as opposed to functional.

Again, I hope you enjoy whatever you decide to get, I love 1911's, and I hope you enjoy shooting it as much as I enjoy shooting mine.

Take care
Road king