Estimated reading time: 13 minutes
I have found the recent rediscovery of the 1911 platform extremely interesting! Just a few years ago, many declared the 1911 dead and praised the latest polymer wonder nine as the king of the hill. Remember when the 1911 was considered an obsolete design that was unreliable and too hard to maintain? Well, it seems that all that is forgiven, and the current family of double-stack 1911s is the sweetheart of the dance.
Table of contents
Double-Stack Background
For some brief history, the double stack 1911 was originated in 1992 by Chip McCormick. McCormick offered a modular frame kit designed around the .38 Super cartridge. At the time, the .38 Super was the caliber of choice for major competitors. Other manufacturers followed with complete guns, and today over a dozen companies are making double-stack 1911s, in multiple configurations.
The Double Stack Upgrade
One company stands out, in the double stack field, and that is Nighthawk Custom. Over the years, Nighthawk has done an excellent job of keeping up with market trends and introducing new models that push the envelope. Nighthawk does not offer a specific double-stack model! Instead, Nighthawk offers an option to upgrade most of their 9mm models with a double stack frame.
This means you can order a new GRP, Trooper, Firehawk, or several other models with a double-stack frame. This includes models with a 6” long slide, a 5” Government Model, and 4.25” Commander length guns. The basic upgrade from a single stack model to a double stack starts at $650.00. The upgrade is only available on new builds and not on pre-owned guns. Nighthawk Custom Double Stack Upgrade
Available on GunsAmerica Now
Tactical Ready Series – Double Stack Nighthawk TRS Commander
The DS (double stack) models are in high demand but I was able to obtain a TRs Commander for evaluation. The TRS is the first Commander-sized pistol to be offered with the double stack frame. Our pistol came with a Trijicon RMR installed using Nighthawk’s IOS system. With the RMR and an empty magazine, our test pistol weighed in at 45 oz. The upgraded finish on our gun is a “battle-worn steel” custom Cerokote done by the legendary Hillbilly 223 and it is absolutely gorgeous.
The Nighthawk TRS DS Commander is only available in a double stack configuration. The TRS DS has a fully machined steel frame with an aluminum alloy grip. The texturing can best be described as a scale design and is available in both a traditional and aggressive design. The texturing covers the entire 360 degrees of the grip to include the mainspring housing. An integrated magazine well offers a large feeding surface and is designed to accept most base pad designs. The frame features a high-cut front strap and a square trigger guard.
The flared magazine well is integral to the frame and provides the maximum channel for rapid reloads. As with all TRS models, ours features a squared trigger guard, an undercut front strap, and a high-cut beavertail grip safety.Great Features For The TRS DS
The extended ambidextrous thumb safety is extended with a low contour profile. The frame has a full-length dust cover to provide both added weight and provides space for a tactical light. As is the norm, the trigger on the TRS DS was exceptional. The lightweight flat-face trigger has a smooth face and broke cleanly at 4 lbs. 1 oz. with no over-travel. As expected from a Nighthawk Custom, all of the internal parts are hand fitted and polished for the perfect fit.
On the top end, the match grade 4.25” bull barrel has a recessed crown and is flush cut to fit precisely fitted to the end of the slide. I could find no discernable play between the barrel and the slide. The cocking serrations were wider and deeper than some designs. I found this both attractive and very functional. While the profile of the slide appears boxy, all of the edges are radiused and melted and there are no sharp edges to be found.
Nighthawk Interchangeable Optic System IOS
The Nighthawk Interchangeable Optic System is one of the most unique on the market. The user can switch between plates, that have different aiming systems, in a matter of seconds. The plates are fully machined and are designed to return to zero. The IOS plate slides onto a proprietary dovetail on the top of the slide. A retaining pin is then inserted and secured with a retaining Allen screw. Our pistol came with a Trijicon RMR RM06 Type 2 and a second plate with a standard rear sight. The RMR plate features a backup sight blade that was mounted in front of the optic.
Range Time
Hitting the range, I ran my normal 1911 functionality tests. The first test consists of 10 single rounds fired with no magazine to test the extractor and ejector. This ensures proper tension on the extractor and a proper angle of the ejector. All of the brass landed consistently in the same area. I then test the feeding, from slide lock, of the first round of a full magazine. Finally, I shoot the last three rounds from each magazine to ensure proper feeding and slide lock.
I also shot several full magazine dumps to ensure feeding under extreme circumstances. Depending on ammo availability, I try to conduct this protocol with at least three different loads.
Ammunition
I ran the entire test protocol with Federal 124 gr. HST, Speer 124 gr. Gold Dot, and Hornady 124 gr. +P Critical Duty. Running these loads over my chronograph produced the following data. The HST averaged 1,134 fps, the Gold Dot averaged 1,093, and the Critical Duty averaged 1,130.
I also ran a sampling of other loads in a variety of weights from Super Vel 90 gr. JHP +P to some 147 gr. Speer Lawman. I should note that the Super Vel averaged a hot 1,501 fps. The TRS DS digested every round without a single issue.
Nighthawk TRS DS Shot With Trijicon RMR
We did all of our shooting with the Trijicon RMR installed. The OIS plate places the iron rear sight in front of the optic. Even with normal height sights, the lower mount of the RMR allows the shooter to index the iron sights in the lower quarter of the RMR window. I left the RMR on to a medium daylight setting for four months without any issues. I know that is not considered a long time but it is the time I had the pistol on loan.
While I have not spent a great deal of time shooting a pistol-mounted optic, I was interested in comparing the TRS DS, with the RMR, to my Glock 19 MOS that has an Aimpoint ACRO on it. What I found was I picked up the dot on the TRS DS more consistently than I do with the Glock. I attribute this to the grip angle being more natural on the Nighthawk than on the Glock.
Quite The Impressive Gun
The TRS DS drew attention everywhere I showed it to people. I was able to allow four or five other shooters to give it a run. Everyone came away impressed with the fit, finish, trigger, and overall quality of the pistol. Even my most critical friend could not come up with any criticisms of the gun.
Wrapping Up
First, there is not a single thing that I would change on our test pistol. For the class of pistol, it fills all of the requirements. I especially like the OIS system where, in less than five minutes, I can swap to iron sights and then back to an optic. Second, I know there are mixed opinions on the “best” optic and RMRs have their advocates and critics. If this were going to be my personal defense pistol, I would certainly attend an intensive red dot operator’s school to improve my skills and wring out the RMR.
I would like to compliment Nighthawk for their new upgraded pistol cases. They are made from a black PVC material and feature a custom foam cutout for each respective pistol. An external pocket provides room for the manual, test targets, IOS plates, and other accessories. This is, by far, one of the nicest cases I’ve seen from any manufacturer.
Not a Cheap Gun Either
To address the elephant in the room, the price of the Nighthawk TRS DS is not cheap. The base single-stack gun retails for $4,399. Upgrades like the ambidextrous safety, custom serrations, IOS iron sight plate, and the Hillbilly Custom finish add on $1,220 or so. The Trijicon RM06 Type 2 is another $699 bringing the total to a steep $6,318 and change! I can hear the gnashing of teeth even as I type this!
I would remind the readers that every Nighthawk pistol is assembled by a single, very talented, and experienced, gunsmith. They are not batch built or passed off from one production cell to another. While this process is part of the culture at Nighthawk and what makes a Nighthawk Custom pistol different from any other major producer of 1911s.
SEE MORE: A Corvette or a Spark? Trying to Determine Worth with a $4K 1911 from Nighthawk Custom
Given my current requirements, would I buy a $6,000 double stack 9mm? The answer is no! If I were back on duty and could carry a double-stack 1911, would I consider the Nighthawk TRS DS? Absolutely!
In the end, I got to test drive the Lamborghini Huracan of the double stack. Thanks for being a passenger!
Specs
| Nighthawk Custom TRS DS Specifications | |
| Frame Size | Commander |
| Caliber | 9mm |
| Overall Length | 7.76: |
| Pistol Width | 1.44” |
| Weight with RMR | 45 oz. |
| Barrel Length | 4.25” |
| Magazine Capacity | 17 |
| Safety | Ambidextrous |
| Sights | Trijicon RMR/Heinie Straight Eight Ledge |
| Finish | Hillbilly Custom Battle Worn Steel |
| Base MSRP | $4,399.00 |
| Price As Tested w/RMR | $6,318.00 |
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Nice pistol but I will stick with my BUL Armory.
As a benchmark for a full size handgun I suggest Swiss SIG P210 manufactured around 30-60 years ago.
All steel, iron sites, single stack 9mm.
Downsides:
– ergonomics could use some improvement (like mag release)
– capacity is 8
– no rail
– magazines and parts are expensive. Gun itself is around $2.5K in a pretty good condition
Upsides:
– Omnivore ammo-wise
– Hand fitted service pistol
– Single action with ~3-3.5lb trigger
– Shoots 2″ groups of 5 from _50 meters_. Which is about 54 yards. Targets were included in a box.
– Disassembling takes a few seconds, no tools needed.
In Europe was as popular back in a day, as Glocks are here now.
Now Sig Sauer started making P210 again, with modern materials and tools, but guess what – now the best it can do is 2″ from 25 yards.
So every time I see a new modern handgun, first question in my mind – how about 2″ group from 50 meters?
Not there yet 🙁
I wouldn’t consider the 1911 dead. They’re iconic firearms and fun to shoot. On the other hand, they are less than ideal for carry when compared to more modern designs. As a .45ACP they are heavy and have low capacity. As a 9mm double stack, there are so many 9mm that are better for carry. High-dollar models like the Nighthawk, are niche designer guns that most people can’t afford and wouldn’t buy even if they could.
Here’s my opinion i purchase 4 nighthawks agent chairman 9mm 10mm 45 acp there fit and finished are excellent there Customer service not so good 4/5 thousand dollar guns and there front sights fall off stove piping and i get the third degree from them for warranty
on the other hand Wilson’s Customer service is second to none that’s why i dont owe any nighthawks now
I personally have never considered the 1911 platform dead .
From a historical standpoint , its designer was a genius , it
served our country well in over three wars , and is still used
in several elite circles of our military .
The 1911 , to me, is akin to holding history in one’s hands .
I could never part with mine , but everyone has their preferences .
I’ll not belittle a shooter for their preferences .
Why would anybody spend upward of $6k for a Nighthawk double stack with an optic? I have the pleasure of owning three custom built Wilson Combat 1911 double stack pistols each bought without an optic for less than $3k each?
The following Wilson Combat pistols are double stack 9mm in my personal collection:
WC EDC-X9 4″ with bull barrel, ambidextrous thumb safety with green front fiber optic $2874.99
WC Experior 4.25″ with commander bushing barrel, ambidextrous thumb safety with green front fiber optic $2899
WC EDC-X9L 5″ government with bushing barrel, ambidextrous thumb safety with green fiber optic $2970
All aforementioned Wilson Combats feature 15 round double stack 9mm mags and can be purchased with an optic if the buyer chooses to do so. All Wilson Combat pistols are custom made and are guaranteed to shoot 1.25″ at 25 yards.
Sorry, Nighthawk, I won’t be spending that much $$ just to have your Name on the roll marks of the pistol.
Just my thoughts, others may differ and that’s okay with me.