[ShipWreck]

Trying to decide which to get, as I keep going back and forth...

Anyone here with one or both? Pop up some pics and throw out some info to help me decide :?

 

[Madhouse]

I don't have either, but I've shopped both of these high-end makers. Personally, I would probably get the T3 for myself.

 

[ShipWreck]

I want a 5" model - as I recently rented a commander sized 1911, and I didn't care for it as much as all the fullsized ones I've ever owned. (the T3 is a smaller 1911)

I don't care for all black 1911s either. But I really wish they made their Special Forces in stainless, as I LOVE that chainlink texture over regular checkering.

If I get a Nighthawk, I plan to order it hardchromed. If I get an Ed Brown, I'll get a stainless Kobra fullsize likely.

Also, the Nighthawks tend to ome with a 6 o'clock sight aim. The Ed Browns are supposedly POA=POI. I prefer that. So, I'd have to get an adj sight if I go with Nighthawk.

 

[dtheman]

not to hi-jack, but MadHouse has probably the best avatar I've seen to date. I always lose my focus.

 

[ShipWreck]

not to hi-jack, but MadHouse has probably the best avatar I've seen to date. I always lose my focus.

:x :x :x

 

[dtheman]

lol

 

[Madhouse]

This is my best gun in the variety you're looking at - full size 1911. I love this pistol, easily my best shooter. Not an Ed Brown or Nighthawk, but it'll do until I pick one of those up.

 

[ShipWreck]

Ya know - I realize that if you search long enough - U can find horror stories about pretty much any brand. I started by wanting to buy a high end 1911. I eliminated RRA and Les Baer for various reasons. And, I've just never cared for Wilsons. I was pretty close to pulling the trigger on buying an Ed Brown - as the price is right as well. But, dug up some posts on another forum of some super crappy customer service. That was one of the reasons I eliminated Les Baer as well (lots of neg reports when people deal with the actual Mr Baer himself, on the phone).

I looked at a newcomer - Fusion. But, they are too up and coming to risk that # of money on for now.... And, they don't seem to be QUITE in the upper echelons of some of these other semi customs yet....

So, down to Nighthawk again.... Damn, why do they have to charge so much :lol:

 

[Madhouse]

**** man, Nighthawk has only been making these customs for what, 2 or 3 years?

They're pretty new to the scene as well.

 

[ShipWreck]

I wanna say over 3+ years - but they've really exploded on the scene, and their customer service seems to be awesome. Plus, people who own Fusions and Nighthawks claim that the NH quality is a step above the Fusion.

 

[BreakerDave]

Nighthawk is relatively new to the scene, but it was started by some people who used to work at Wilson Combat and were unhappy there. You can do some searches but I believe there is bad blood between the two companies.

Personally, I like Wilson Combat's CQB for what it is. I am happy with mine. I have several friends who own them and Wilson does have good customer service. Nighthawk has a cooler sounding name and a better looking logo but I don't think that they are that different as a 1911 from Wilson's. An unbiased individual would have a difficult time trying to seriously explain how one is substantially superior to the other.

I think you were smart to pass on the Ed Brown due to its bad reputation for customer service. Good customer service is important because a problem with a 1911 may take several hundred dollars to fix at the local gunsmith and he may not even have the chops to do it at a semi-custom house level.

 

[dumapus]

Ed Brown Commander BobTail w/ VZ Grips - nicest 1911 I have ever owned. I have/had a couple of Kimbers that were nice guns and I thought the fit and finish were great but you can't appreciate the Ed Browns until you actually feel and touch them. Outstanding.

Only seen the Nighthawks at the gun stores but they look like outstanding guns as well. I just preferred the Chainlink and the Ed Brown finish.

 

[ShipWreck]

Actually, I like the chainlink too, and was all set to special order a stainless Special Foirces fullsize model. But their customer service seems to be horrible if there is a mechanical problem. I read one too many neg reports, and many people seem to get treated the same.

Many people jumping in with reports of specs being out of alignment,a nd a guy having to send his gun to another smith and paying $700 to get the problems fixed on a new EB that Brown would not fix - that did it for me.

I've had enough heacahe issues with guns in the past. I don't want to play the odds and hope that the gun works - and then if it doesn't, worry about them refusing to fix it by claiming there isn't anything wrong with it.

Too bad, as the cost was great, compared to the more expensive Nighthawks.

 

[dumapus]

That is surprising and somewhat disappointing. Its seems customer service with gun companies isn't what it use to be.

 

[ShipWreck]

Yes - while every company occassionally makes a lemon - the way they treat you afterwards is what matters. Between that, and the numerous claims of internal specs being off, I just can't take the chance of dropping $2200 (I was gonna have some mods done) and having that go wrong.

Nighthawk also pays for shipping both ways. Ed Brown doesn't. And with multiple returns, and paying shipping each time, that gets expensive. Even when U send it in and they send it back, still not working, they make you ship it back to them, and they also charge you to return the gun.

I gotta pass...

I'm waiting on a quote from Springfield for a custom fullrail operator (made from the specs of the Professional) - with 2 minor changes. Then I will decide.

I always wished I had bought that full rail TRP Operator several years ago when they were still making them.

 

[dumapus]

Great choice. I have heard really great things about the Springfield Custom Shop so I called them once for a quote on a commander slide/officers frame build I was mulling over at the time and they were really nice and had a lot of good input. Good luck - I would love to see what you wind up with.

 

[ShipWreck]

Yea - I would prefer fixed sights with white circles (instead of those silver circles Springfield normally uses) and 25 LPI front strap checkering, instead of that cheese grate 20 LPI they use.

Debbie from the custom shop is out until tomorrow, so I can't find out today unfortunately.

If I go with the Nighhawk, I plan to get a 9mm version. So, I'll have to sit and decide once I get all the info.

I have 85% of the cash right now, but the dealer I was going to order the NH from doesn't take credit cards. So, if I get the NH, I have to wait until right after Christmas to have the cash.

I would have ordered the Ed Brown on Monday if not for all those issues. I eliminated Les Baer for customer service reasons too.

 

[ShipWreck]

This is an older TRP Operator pic I found - and I'm thinking of getting a custom shop full length operator - so the fit and finish would be nicer. But if I got one, and swopped the Black T finish with hard chrome (and changed to fixed sights and 25 LPI checkering) - this gives me an idea on how this would look.

Except for the grips, this gun looks awesome!

 

[dumapus]

Yeah I like the traditional grips a little better too but that would be a really nice piece. I love a classic chromed 1911 - beautiful. I have seen a few 1911s with grip by Esmerelda.

http://www.esmeralda.cc/

Can't wait to see what you wind up with.
:?

 

[ShipWreck]

Well, Deb at the Springfield custom shop was out until today - but she still has that message on her machine - so as soon as I can get ahold of her and get it priced, I'll decide....

If I got that Operator, I'd put black alumagrips on it, likely.