Help me choose between LTT Elite 92 and Nighthawk 1911

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ZenRooster

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OK, I know they're two different animals. But still...

I already own the LTT Elite 92 (full size) tricked out straight from Langdon with his famous trigger job, NP3 parts upgrade, and custom cut/crowned flush barrel. She really is a work of art.

Also, I already own the Nighthawk Custom Classic (full size) in stock configuration (because other than changing grip panels, she's perfect as-is). She is definitely a work of art too, only a little more classical.

I've been on a streamlining kick lately, and I'm thinking about selling one. (I'm not really a collector, so I don't need both.)

However, I'm having one heckuva time deciding which to keep and which to sell. Both shoot wonderfully and extremely accurately. Both feel great in the hand. And both are proven battle designs.

I really don't mind the larger grip on the Beretta, even though I have medium size hands. (Sure, the 1911 feels nicer for my hand size, but the Beretta feels very good too.) And I really don't mind the limited capacity of the 1911, since this is a home defense gun only (I have a P365X for carry), and I have plenty of 10-round magazines for it.

They both have such great PROs, that the CONs don't seem to matter much.

Basically, I want a solid home defense handgun with the following characteristics:

1. Ultra Reliability (Goes bang every time, regardless of ammo type.)
2. Supreme Durability (Won't break easily.)
3. Easy to Maintain and/or Replace Parts for a Long Lifetime of Service

Both handguns seem to fit the bill for me, but I'm wondering if one might edge out the other by the slightest bit. That's why I'm asking for opinions from people who may be more familiar than me with both platforms / brands.

So... Which would you keep and which would you sell — the Beretta LLT Elite 92 (9mm) or the Nighthawk Custom Classic 1911 (45 ACP)?

Thanks for all your thoughts, everyone.

Regards,
ZR
 
In the generic...

- I'd expect more reliability out of a Beretta 92 (Ken Hackathorn - "the 1911 is the king of the feed way stoppages")

- I'd expect more durability out of a 1911 - Beretta is an aluminum frame with a steel slide, locking blocks with 20,000ish rounds life spans, trigger return springs failing, etc.

- The 1911 would be a whole bunch easier to take apart, especially the slide, and put back together, but unless you're having Nighthawk Custom doing the parts replacement for you, the old saying "there are no drop in parts in the 1911" is true. The Beretta parts will most likely drop right in.

The differences between the two, in each category, really are fairly small. I'd expect excellent reliability from a Nighthawk 1911, a Beretta 92 will go a very long time before it breaks, and realistically you can probably go a lifetime with little more than field stripping a gun.

I know it probably isn't that much help, but I'd just pick the one I like better.
 
The other consideration - if you want to put a light on the gun, the Beretta has a rail.
 
Let me start by saying I dearly love the 1911. All the training earlier in my life has been with single action auto, Browning High Power and 1911. But this has all been range time. But if you plan on using your choice between the two for home defense, such as in your nightstand drawer I would pick the Beretta. Double action hammer down on a chambered round just seems to be better in a static situation. If you were to have the piece on your hip in a well designed holster I more than likely would recommend the 1911.
 
^ For HD duties I’d go with the Beretta as well. (Both are great guns.)

I really like 1911’s (I have 6), but a grab and go 15+ shot DA/SA when the stress level redlines would serve the majority us well.

Just one guys’ opinion; nothing more, nothing less. :)

Stay safe.
 
I would sell the Beretta yesterday, for a number of reasons I won't get into except to say that I did not have a good relationship with the M9 during the time I was issued one. Regarding a HD gun, but I wouldn't use the NH for this, even though it is more than up for the job. Such a gun is too nice and expensive for me to keep anywhere but a safe, and I would hate to use it (even in the right) and have it taken away (even temporarily). I would obtain a more budget friendly reliable handgun with a light rail for HD- which would present such choices that I would consider, things like Glock, S&W M&P, XD, Ruger SR9, or in 1911 (in the name of streamlining) even a "mid range budget" 45 like one of the more basic models from Springfield Armory- remember that a light rail could be added to such a gun using the recover grip/rail system- $35 on amazon. A HD handgun, given the distance of such encounters, isn't that complicated of a proposition (unless you just live in a huge house where unobstructed shots over 25 yards could be a thing) To me, you need reliability, a caliber that will be effective (9mm or better), a quality mounted white light, and a competent user. Everything else is just gravy. Just my 2 cent.
 
I went in a “selling to buy others” kick a few years ago. I sold one gun that I regret selling to this day.

My recommendation: Wait a month then take both guns to the range individually and not as a comparison. Take the 92 one day and the 1911 another day. Then decide.

In my case I had discovered Cabela’s Gun Library and I went on a revolver kick. I sold the best semiauto that I have ever owned and within a few days regretted it. I bought a revolver with the money that I got for the semiauto and regretted buying that a while later because of mechanical and warranty issues. It was a “lose, lose” all the way around.

Both of those guns sound special to you. They are bought and paid for and you like them. If you want another model of one or the other just save up for it…Unless of course you just have to streamline, then make your selection the way I recommended above. Wait a month, shoot them both, then decide.
 
I’d probably keep the 1911.

Have you had reliability problems with either? At 25 yards which one do you shoot better?
 
ZenRooster

For me the choice would be easy as I'm not a big fan of the Beretta Model 92 due to the relatively small hands I have. However as someone else has already stated, you would hate to have either gun taken into custody should it be used in a shooting situation. And while I don't have any guns worth anything like the two under consideration by the OP, I did find a used SIG P229R that was perfect for the role of HD with night sights, SRT, and a rail for a light.

So bottom line for me would be to advise the OP to keep both high end guns and find something more suitable for HD.
BJPDCrp.jpg
 
reddog81 said:
I’m pretty sure there are quite a few people who read the headline and then post without reading a single sentence of the thread.
Click to expand...
That might be. But I’m pretty certain from the smiley it was humor. I got it.
We’re all firearms enthusiasts here, myself very much so. For me, to lay so much coin out for two pistols of such regard, having them take up so little space, and liking them both, I wouldn’t get rid of either.:)


But the game is to choose. And given the HD situation for the rule, the Nighthawk would fly.
For the reasons stated by Rio.


Now to break the rules.

Sell both. Get a railed 2011 and a 300 lumen WML. Nothing says, “Time for you to leave. Thanks for stopping by,” like a hi-cap 45 Auto.:D
 
I just can't like any Beretta pistol, they look weird and point weird for me. Never owned one but I've shot a few, never gave me the warm and fuzziness.

So for me I'd keep the 1911. I'd also do what was mentioned and get a mid range pistol from Sig, Glock,S&W etc and use that pistol in a HD role.
 
I wouldn't sell either, to be honest. I've sold a bunch of guns and don't keep a large collection, but won't lie, I majorly regret at least half the guns I sold.
 
having handled a Beretta 92G LTT Elite NP3 in a store with it's super smooth DA pull and nice SA vs what I presume is a great shooting 1911(i haven't had a nighthawk 1911, i have les baers). i feel your turmoil. i am not much help but since you have already paid for both expensive guns i would say sell neither but use the beretta as the home defense gun(light rail, more rounds). or get a cheaper alternative to use as a HD gun such as a CZ SP01 or a regular beretta 92G but this adds more guns. you don't need a gun capable of the utmost in accuracy( one raggedy hole groups) in a home defense situation. unless you need the cash and then sell the nighthawk which i assume you can get more cash for.
 
Demi-human said:
That might be. But I’m pretty certain from the smiley it was humor. I got it.
We’re all firearms enthusiasts here, myself very much so. For me, to lay so much coin out for two pistols of such regard, having them take up so little space, and liking them both, I wouldn’t get rid of either.:)


But the game is to choose. And given the HD situation for the rule, the Nighthawk would fly.
For the reasons stated by Rio.


Now to break the rules.

Sell both. Get a railed 2011 and a 300 lumen WML. Nothing says, “Time for you to leave. Thanks for stopping by,” like a hi-cap 45 Auto.:D
Click to expand...
Keep both!:D:cool: although there is something about the Staccato. Or sell the LTT and get on someone's wait list for a build.
 
While I prefer to shoot the 1911 pattern guns, and compete with them in USPSA and IDPA, my house gun is a Bruce Gray P226.
I think the DA/SA is more fumble-proof under Something Goes Bump In The Night conditions.

Hey, they are paid for and are not eating anything when not at the range.
 
Beretta. I agree about D/A one in the chamber w the hammer down.
Nothing against the Nighthawk 1911.
 
ZenRooster said:
I've been on a streamlining kick lately, and I'm thinking about selling one. (I'm not really a collector, so I don't need both.)

However, I'm having one heckuva time deciding which to keep and which to sell. Both shoot wonderfully and extremely accurately. Both feel great in the hand. And both are proven battle designs.

I really don't mind the larger grip on the Beretta, even though I have medium size hands. (Sure, the 1911 feels nicer for my hand size, but the Beretta feels very good too.) And I really don't mind the limited capacity of the 1911, since this is a home defense gun only (I have a P365X for carry), and I have plenty of 10-round magazines for it.

They both have such great PROs, that the CONs don't seem to matter much.

Regards,
ZR
Click to expand...


Looking at it realistically, you are just streamlining your accumulations down and don’t really down deep want to, but feel you need to. It seems to me you are enamored with the 1911 more so I’d put the Baretta away outta sight for a while and go buy a gen 3 glock 17 with a streamlight on it for home defense and call it good. There is no reason a glock won’t do the job perfectly, and if you get whimsical later on and decide to move it, it’s a glock, nobody will care and you won’t be faced with this inner turmoil and self doubt.
 
Not wanting to start a separate discussion I have landed here as my question(s) are in reference to the same firearm in the title. I'm a brand spankin' new member that looks forward to meeting everyone and interacting and I hope this isn't considered a "hijack". I will take advise from anybody willing.

I have a Beretta M9A3 that I am thinking about sending to Langdon. Total cost for the Trigger Work, RDO Slide, NP3 and G model safety conversion is about 1.2K. I paid about $900 for the A3 originally. The advantage is, I will end up with the second slide and from what I have researched possibly more options to tweak the grips. I have small hands but shoot the A3 pretty well and it doesn't feel too large. Either way grip customization is a plus for me as I'm still learning feel. I'm just having a hard time spending that much considering I can get a brand new 92G Elite LTT RDO for 1.8K and end up with two guns for $600 more.

All this said, the goal is to use the pistol for competitive shooting. I have not yet competed and will be researching just to find out where to start. I also have a CZ Shadow 2 that my wonderful son just bought me for my birthday. It is the "base" model so I could also "upgrade" that.

Anyway .... enough rambling .. just hoping for anyone's two-cents.
 
Cr4fty_P5ycho said:
Not wanting to start a separate discussion I have landed here as my question(s) are in reference to the same firearm in the title. I'm a brand spankin' new member that looks forward to meeting everyone and interacting and I hope this isn't considered a "hijack". I will take advise from anybody willing.

I have a Beretta M9A3 that I am thinking about sending to Langdon. Total cost for the Trigger Work, RDO Slide, NP3 and G model safety conversion is about 1.2K. I paid about $900 for the A3 originally. The advantage is, I will end up with the second slide and from what I have researched possibly more options to tweak the grips. I have small hands but shoot the A3 pretty well and it doesn't feel too large. Either way grip customization is a plus for me as I'm still learning feel. I'm just having a hard time spending that much considering I can get a brand new 92G Elite LTT RDO for 1.8K and end up with two guns for $600 more.

All this said, the goal is to use the pistol for competitive shooting. I have not yet competed and will be researching just to find out where to start. I also have a CZ Shadow 2 that my wonderful son just bought me for my birthday. It is the "base" model so I could also "upgrade" that.

Anyway .... enough rambling .. just hoping for anyone's two-cents.
Click to expand...

i would go for the brand new gun directly from them and then it's like you got an M9A3 for $600 which you can probably resell for close to that as well.
 
Sorry for the late reply, everyone. Here is a quick pic of the two pistols. (The NCH 1911 has a new set of Alumagrips, which I adore for their superb grippiness, but not so much for the looks, because wood beats all. LOL)
NHC Classic LTT Elite NP3.jpg

JTQ said:
...the old saying "there are no drop in parts in the 1911" is true. The Beretta parts will most likely drop right in.
Click to expand...

Now THAT sounds like an important point to consider! Thank you for sharing it, JTQ.

Pat Riot said:
My recommendation: Wait a month then take both guns to the range individually and not as a comparison. Take the 92 one day and the 1911 another day. Then decide.
...
Both of those guns sound special to you. They are bought and paid for and you like them. If you want another model of one or the other just save up for it.
Click to expand...

That's a wise plan. I'll do that. Thank you.

bannockburn said:
So bottom line for me would be to advise the OP to keep both high end guns and find something more suitable for HD.
Click to expand...

Yes, I agree. I've been toying with picking up a much less expensive Glock 21 or P220 SS Elite to fill the roll of 45 Auto nightstand gun, instead of the current NHC 1911. However, the problem is that I'm not a collector, so it's hard for me to justify keeping an expensive 45 Auto locked away as a safe queen. I'd rather practice with it as a defensive tool, and if it's not a defensive tool, then I'm sure the $4000+ may be better spent elsewhere. (But that line of thinking warrants a whole new thread! LOL)

bullseye308 said:
Looking at it realistically, you are just streamlining your accumulations down and don’t really down deep want to, but feel you need to.
Click to expand...

Bullseye308, that is the most spot-on reply that I've ever received on any forum. You're right. I want to keep both. It's this arbitrary OCD need to perpetually streamline everything. In fact, I'm quite sure that if I were to sell one of those guns, then my OCD nature would whisper, "Ahem...but now you only have one handgun. You need a pair for proper balance." LOL FML

I think I'll take everyone's advice and wait on selling either handgun. For at least the next month. I'll revisit my OCD in the summer. :)

Thanks again, everyone!

ZR
 
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