Nighthawk Custom GRP .45 ACP 5 Inch 1911 Pistol, Custom Shop Rebuilt, Manufactured 2021
Archival record: Specifications and condition reflect the firearm as listed at the time of auction.
Final Auction Price: $3,125.00
Nighthawk Custom has built its reputation around premium hand fitted 1911 pistols, and this 2021 GRP is considerably more individualized than a standard production example. Originally purchased as a California compliant GRP, the pistol was later returned to the Nighthawk Custom Shop for an extensive rebuild to its owner’s specifications. The resulting pistol combines the traditional 5 inch .45 ACP GRP platform with a custom black nitride frame and controls, Nighthawk Falcon magwell, tuned ambidextrous safety, custom sights, hand polished VZ grips, and conversion to Nighthawk’s standard non California fire control configuration. Remaining in Excellent condition with approximately 99 percent of its finish, it is accompanied by extensive documentation, original components, ten magazines, cases, and a Galco shoulder holster system.
Identification
MMA#: 260709JH001
Make: Nighthawk Custom
Model: GRP
Serial Number: NCP39241
Year of Manufacture: 2021, per Test Target
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action Type: Single Action Semi Automatic Pistol Fed by Detachable Magazine
Barrel Length: 5 Inch Match Grade
Sights / Optics
The pistol is currently fitted with custom sights ordered through and installed by Nighthawk.
The front is a Heinie Gold Bead sight dovetailed into the slide. The rear is a Heinie square notch sight with a serrated rear face, dovetailed into the slide and secured by a set screw.
The original Heinie sights are also included.
Grip Configuration & Condition
The currently installed grips are custom built, hand polished black VZ panels with Nighthawk medallions. There are no chips or cracks and the grips remain in Excellent condition.
Both the front strap and back strap are checkered to provide a positive gripping surface.
Also included are the original black G10 grip panels with GatorBack texture and Nighthawk logos. They remain in approximately Excellent condition.
Finish & Overall Condition
Type of Finish: Black Slide with Custom Black Nitride Frame and Components
Finish Originality: Original to the Nighthawk Custom Shop Configuration
This pistol retains approximately 99 percent of its metal finish with no significant wear or damage.
The screw heads remain sharp and the markings are clear.
Overall condition: Excellent.
Bore & Mechanics
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion. A few traces of fouling are present, likely from test firing. In the original evaluator’s opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and the frame to slide fit is snug.
The pistol incorporates an extended beavertail grip safety with indexing bump, skeletonized hammer, serrated trigger, extended thumb safety, and one piece Nighthawk Falcon magwell and mainspring housing.
As documented with the pistol, its original California compliant fire control components were replaced during the Nighthawk Custom Shop work with Nighthawk’s standard trigger and firing pin configuration used in its non California pistols.
The pistol was not test fired during cataloging.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories
Included are:
Nighthawk factory manual
2021 test target
Additional factory literature
Invoices documenting purchased components and Nighthawk Custom Shop work
Green Nighthawk soft case
Black Nighthawk case with custom fitted foam
Three Chip McCormick RPM 8 round magazines
Two Chip McCormick Power Mag 8 round magazines
Two Nighthawk Custom 8 round magazines
Three additional Chip McCormick 8 round magazines
Ten magazines total
Galco leather shoulder holster
Galco dual magazine pouch
Original components removed during customization
Original Heinie sights
Original black G10 GatorBack Nighthawk grips
Bushing wrench
Our Assessment
Nighthawk Custom emerged during the early twenty first century as part of a relatively small group of American manufacturers specializing in premium hand fitted 1911 pistols. Rather than treating the century old 1911 design as a basic production handgun, companies such as Nighthawk built their reputations around individual craftsmanship, carefully fitted components, premium barrels, refined triggers, and extensive customer customization.
The GRP, or Global Response Pistol, became one of Nighthawk’s foundational models. Its basic formula remains deliberately recognizable as a fighting 1911: a full size Government pattern pistol chambered in .45 ACP with a 5 inch match grade barrel, single action trigger, substantial fixed sights, checkered gripping surfaces, extended controls, and the close slide to frame fit expected from a premium custom pistol.
Serial number NCP39241 goes considerably beyond that standard configuration.
This pistol was originally purchased as a California compliant GRP and was subsequently returned to the Nighthawk Custom Shop for a rebuild to its owner’s specifications. The invoices accompanying the pistol document the aftermarket components and Custom Shop work, making the changes to this example part of its documented history rather than modifications whose origins must be inferred.
Among the most visually significant changes is the custom black nitride treatment applied to the frame and controls. Combined with the black slide, the result is an understated monochromatic appearance that differs from the pistol’s original configuration while remaining consistent with the utilitarian character of the GRP.
Nighthawk also fitted a one piece Falcon magwell and mainspring housing, providing a substantially flared magazine opening while integrating the component cleanly into the pistol. The ambidextrous safety was tuned as part of the Custom Shop work.
The fire control system received a more fundamental change. According to the documentation accompanying the pistol, Nighthawk converted it from the components required for its original California compliant configuration to the company’s standard trigger and firing pin arrangement used in its non California pistols. This included replacing the California configuration’s lighter firing pin arrangement and associated components with Nighthawk’s standard setup.
Its sights were likewise customized to order. A Heinie Gold Bead front is paired with a serrated square notch rear, both installed by Nighthawk. The original Heinie sights remain with the pistol, allowing the history of that change to remain with the package.
The installed grips are custom built and hand polished black VZ panels fitted with Nighthawk medallions. The original black G10 GatorBack panels are also included. Combined with the checkered front and back straps, the pistol retains the extensive gripping surfaces characteristic of a purpose built premium 1911.
Mechanically, the pistol remains exceptionally well preserved. The frame to slide fit is snug, the bore remains bright with sharp rifling and no erosion, and overall metal finish retention is approximately 99 percent. The few traces of bore fouling are consistent with the pistol having been test fired, and the original 2021 test target remains with the gun.
The accompanying package is unusually complete. In addition to the test target, manual, factory literature, and Custom Shop invoices, the pistol includes its original components, two Nighthawk cases, ten 8 round magazines from Nighthawk and Chip McCormick, and a Galco leather shoulder holster with matching dual magazine pouch.
That documentation is especially valuable on a heavily customized firearm. Rather than obscuring the pistol’s original configuration, the retained invoices and original components provide a record of how a California compliant GRP was subsequently returned to its manufacturer and rebuilt into its present form.
The result is not simply a Nighthawk GRP with aftermarket parts added over time. It is a documented Nighthawk Custom Shop build based on the company’s full size .45 ACP GRP, with its later configuration executed by the same manufacturer responsible for the original pistol. For the Nighthawk or premium 1911 collector, that history, combined with its Excellent condition and unusually complete accessory package, distinguishes NCP39241 from a standard factory GRP.
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Every firearm featured in the Mt. McCoy Auctions Vault is professionally photographed, carefully cataloged, and thoroughly documented to preserve its history and condition. Our archival records provide collectors with detailed information regarding originality, condition, mechanical function, and historical significance, creating a lasting resource long after each auction has concluded.
