[pistolpacker]

I've decided to buy a 1911, first one. It will be used for home defense only and I have narrowed it down to two pistols. Wilson's "CQB Elite" or Nighthawks "Enforcer".

NEED HELP choosing between the two... :banghead:
GIVE ME YOUR OPINONS PLEASE, on which you'd choose? I know there both great custom gunmakers, but is one maker clearly better than the other?

[ChristopherG]

is one maker clearly better than the other?

No. Either is likely to produce an excellent gun for you and either is likely to provide excellent service, and to be around to support it--though of course Wilson has already been around longer, if you think that bears on their future prospects.

[critter]

I don't think you can go wrong if picking between those two!

[InkEd]

Both would be fine. With the exception on the 9mm Ladyhawk, I just prefer the Wilson stuff a tiny bit more.

[TAG2501]

Both are very good. great workmanship and very good customer service. If I remember, a number of the key Nighthawk folks came from Wilson. i recommend basing any decision on the pistol design and features, look and feel, not the makers - in this case.

[gohogs93]

Honestly you can't go wrong with either. both are absolute top of the line 1911s and will serve you well. However I'd go with Wilson solely for the fact that the company has been around longer and is somewhat more established. but i have no doubts nighthawk would give you a fantastic firearm. I'd be super jealous either way!

[KFDiesel]

Between THOSE two: fit, finish, feel. Whichever you "like" best. They'll both run great when you need 'em. You have the luxury of going for coolness factor with those two choices.

[Winkman822]

Both are great guns. I have a Wilson CQB COmpact that I've been nothing but pleased with, but I am interested in picking up a Nighthawk T3 down the line as well.

Personally I like Wilsons better as they feel like they cut the front strap of the gun a little higher than Nighthawk, but again this is a purely personal preference of mine.

Nighthawk and Wilson both make outstanding guns. Either one will serve you well, and both of the particular models selected are very comparable, though the Nighthawk does have the plunger tube and extended magwell as an integrated part of the frame.

If I may throw out another suggestion, you may want to look into Volkmann Precision (Luke Volkmann's new endeavor after dissolving Volkmann Custom, Inc). He builds top notch 1911s in the ilk of Wilson and Nighthawk, but has a rather innovative mag well option that does not add length to the gun (basically bevels out the frame, G10 grip panels and MSH to make a giant opening for the magazine equivalent to a Wilson Speed Chute, but without the extra length on the frame).

[Greg528iT]

For me it would come down to, which one offers a model closest to the configuration I want or closest to the configuration I want and IN THE SHOP ready to take home. A shop about 20 miles from me, had a Nighthawk, just sitting on a shelf, waiting for me to take it home.

[38 Super Fan]

Easy, get one of each. ;)

[Winkman822]

Either way you go, I'd recommend ORDERING the gun to YOUR specs rather than trying to source one that is readily available. It is well worth the wait.

[drbeans]

This may be crap, but I was told by a Nighthawk distributer (sales guy), that one of Bill Wilsons sons was unhappy with the way Wilson Combat had begun making firearms and stepped out on his own forming Nighthawk. He believed the quality went downhill as Wilson became more popular and had to begin turning out more weapons faster. Again, may be a line, I havent done any research. Either pistol would I am sure be an excellent choice.

[Winkman822]

Nighthawk was indeed formed by former Wilson Combat employees, but none of the Wilson clan IIRC.

[pistolpacker]

Thanks for your opinions and input on my next purchase, it was really appreciated...

Decided im going with the Nighthawk custom, cant wait to get to the range!!!