Nighthawk Custom is one of the most innovative companies, leading the way in the gun manufacturing arena. As a company it has mastered the combination of traditional values in craftsmanship with the ability to meet consumer demands in a more than reasonable timeframe. Nighthawk Custom holds to its philosophy of “One Gun, One Gunsmith”; the Nighthawk Shadow Hawk becomes the latest to live up to that mantra.
Nighthawk Shadow Hawk Long Slide Details
The company hand crafts each gun, starting and finishing with one gunsmith. This is a philosophy on traditional, quality craftsmanship that cannot be seen anywhere else. It is also a practice that takes more time and attention to detail than simply mass producing by machining. Typically, something of this nature would mean a much longer wait time for your finished product, but not with Nighthawk. Through innovative thinking Nighthawk Custom holds true to its philosophy while also understanding customer’s needs. It has established procedures which enables Nighthawk to offer competitive and reasonable timeframes for finished firearms. That alone is an amazing feat, yet Nighthawk’s innovation does not stop there.
In addition to offering quality craftsmanship, Nighthawk takes the time to understand its customer’s desires and needs, consistently bringing forth new product and innovative features. Case in point, the new Shadow Hawk Long Slide chambered in 10mm and .45 ACP. The Shadow Hawk Long Slide features the same attributes as the original Shadow Hawk, but now with a 6-inch-long slide configuration in 10mm and .45 ACP.
Going Long
Some benefits to having a longer slide include reduced recoil, longer sight radius and higher velocity with heavier weighted bullets–all equating to better accuracy. The ability for higher velocity with heavier bullets plays right into the Shadow Hawk Long Slide being chambered in 10mm and also available in .45 ACP. Most consider these rounds a “more powerful” caliber that many prefer, especially those that enjoy hunting with 10mm ammunition.
This gun also offers one-piece magwell/mainspring housing for fast and accurate reloading. Aggressive cocking serrations on the front and rear of the slide enable a good purchase to rack the slide. It includes a fully adjustable Nighthawk Custom rear sight and a flat trigger with a serrated face.
Other features include a black Nitride finish and forged government sized frame. It comes with a match-grade 10mm barrel, ball radius cut on the slide and tritium front sight. G10 black and gray spiral cut grips with Nighthawk logo and 25 lines per inch checkered front strap and mainspring housing provide ample purchase. Finally, 40 lines per inch serrated rear of slide to match rear sight, a shortened slide stop and beveled frame, crowned barrel flush with bushing, thick barrel bushing and an ultra hi-cut front strap round out the features.
Rounds Downrange
We first saw the pistol at the 2020 Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous. But I recently made a trip to Nighthawk Custom in Arkansas, spending time running the Shadow Hawk Long Slide in 10mm. The 10mm platform is not new to me. I have more than enough time with this caliber to be able to differentiate between a firearm that shoots it well versus one that is more difficult to control.
It was no surprise that this gun had zero issues handling the more powerful ammo. Recoil was so minimal it literally did not feel like 10mm ammo. The accuracy was phenomenal round after round and follow up shots were just as accurate. The Shadow Hawk Long Slide runs so smooth that you forget you are even firing a 10mm round.
The Shadow Hawk Long Slide lives up to the Nighthawk Custom name. It brings quality craftsmanship and the ability to run like a tack driver, no matter what your needs may be. The MSRP is $4,199, which some may cringe at. However, as the adage states, “you get what you pay for.” This is money well spent for a hand-crafted firearm that you can trust and rely on.
Nighthawk Custom guns are dependable and held to a higher standard than most. I would strongly urge anyone to try and shoot this amazing gun if you ever have the chance. For even more info, visit nighthawkcustom.com.
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