Last year, Berryville, Arkansas, was a place of celebration. The great people at Nighthawk Custom celebrated the 20th anniversary of the company. To commemorate the occasion, Nighthawk Custom released the ultimate 1911 with the Cooper Classic.
The Nighthawk Custom Cooper Classic 1911
It has been a fast 20 years, and what started as a small custom shop with four employees has grown. Today, the company has 110 employees and offers over 45 different models of the 1911. I have been privileged to visit Nighthawk on multiple occasions and have witnessed, first hand, the craftsmanship and growth.
By my best count, I have written over 40 articles on Nighthawk pistols. Each has exhibited the core values that are represented by the company’s core principle of “One Gun, One Gunsmith.”
Each pistol is built, from start to finish, by a single gunsmith. Many years ago, Nighthawk’s President, Mark Stone, shared that concept with me. I told him that while it was a great concept, I wasn’t sure it was feasible or practical. Well, Stone and his crew proved me wrong!
Nighthawk Custom Stretches the Boundaries
The company has continued to push the envelope by expanding its line of pistols and building partnerships with like-minded companies. In 2016, Nighthawk became the exclusive importer of Korth revolvers. They also partnered with Italian-made Cosmi shotguns. Both companies are the epitome of old-world European craftsmanship. Both lines have been very successful.
Their latest venture has been the purchase and relocation of Cooper Firearms. Cooper Firearms has a similar story and culture to Nighthawk. It was founded in 1990 by Dan Cooper with the goal of making an affordable and accurate hunting rifle.
The company was located in Montana, a perfect location for a rifle company. Cooper Firearms was very successful and, even through hard times, continued to produce high-quality rifles.
In January of 2023, Stone announced that Nighthawk Custom had purchased Cooper Firearms. The company was moved to Arkansas via six semi-trucks loaded with parts, machines, and inventory. As with other ventures, Stone and company applied the Nighthawk formula, and soon they were turning out rifles. According to the website, they now offer some 20 different models of Cooper custom rifles.
Cooper Classic 1911: The Why
“No, not Jeff!” That was one of the most commonly asked questions when Nighthawk introduced the Cooper Classic.
When the relocation was complete and production was up and running, Mark Stone decided he wanted to produce a tribute 1911. The pistol was intended to celebrate the new venture and build a 1911 to honor Cooper Firearms’s legacy—past, present, and future.
The result may be the most stunning 1911 that Nighthawk has ever built. Production was limited to 100 pistols, and they quickly sold out. We were fortunate to obtain the last sample for this review. And I was given permission to shoot it!
The Cooper model is an extension that shares many of the attributes of the Nighthawk Classic package. It is based on a Government Model platform and is only available in .45 ACP. Likewise, it is built to the same exacting standards as all Nighthawk pistols.
The forged frame is meticulously hand-fitted to the slide to give it a “glass on glass” fit and feel. All of the parts are hand-polished and properly fitted. The front strap features exquisite 30 LPI checkering, while the mainspring housing is checkered to 25 LPI.
The hand-blended grip safety is perfectly blended to the frame, and the entire pistol is dehorned. A Harrison Design retro rear sight is paired with a gold bead front sight. Finally, the solid trigger broke cleanly at 3 lbs. 13 oz.
Setting the Cooper Classic Apart from the Rest
There are a number of features that make the Cooper Classic truly stunning. The most obvious features are the Nitre blued safety, slide stop, and magazine release. Likewise, the fire control pins, mainspring housing pin, and the stock screws are also Nitre blued. The slide and frame have polished flats that accent both the deep bluing and the Nitre parts.
As a tribute to the historical nature of the 1911, the left side of the slide is marked with the original Colt patent dates. The company’s name and location are also on the slide’s left side—a tribute to the original Colt markings. The right side of the slide, below the ejection port, is marked “NHC Automatic Caliber 45” again as a tribute to the original guns.
To mark this collaboration, the Nighthawk Custom logo and the Cooper Rifles logo, are engraved on the slide, rear of the cocking serrations. The custom serial number features the prefix NHCC for Nighthawk Custom Cooper.
A custom pistol requires custom stocks, and Nighthawk does not disappoint. The Cooper Custom is adorned with natural, finished AAA-grade rosewood stocks with striking grain.
Nighthawk ships the Cooper Classic with a complete set of documents and a black PVC case with custom foam cutouts. However, the PVC case is only for range use. For display, Nighthawk provides a custom Negrini case that is a work of art.
The case is constructed of ABS, with double walls for additional protection. The handle and interior trim are made of fine Italian leather. Not only is it gorgeous, but it is equally tough. The case has hardened steel locks and hinges. It is truly one of the best pistol cases in the world.
Shooting the Classic 1911
When I received the pistol, I contacted Landon Stone, Nighthawk’s Director of Marketing. Since my sample was 1 of 100 and was unfired, I wanted to specifically ask if I could shoot it! His response was something along the lines of, “We wouldn’t have sent it to you if you couldn’t shoot it!”
I assured him I would be very judicious in my range time.
I limited my range session to 100 rounds or so of 230 gr. FMJ. Given my experience with other Nighthawk pistols, I am certain the Cooper Custom would easily digest Gold Dot, HST, or Critical Duty. However, I wanted to respect the courtesy they extended and didn’t want to devalue the gun for the permanent owner.
The target shown is a 10-shot group, shot offhand, from 20 yards.
Custom Leather: Holstering the Cooper Classic
A custom pistol is of deserving custom leather. So, I turned to the esteemed Alex Tukeindorf of American Classic Gunleather. Alex is a true master at crafting and carving leather. He made a custom A.W. Brill-style holster, a double magazine pouch, and a matching Ranger-style gun belt.
The set features an exquisite hand-carved oak leaf and acorn pattern, and the belt is adorned with a sterling silver buckle. The set is magnificent and absolutely fitting for the Cooper Custom. I wish I had more social functions to attend where it was appropriate to go “well heeled!” I’m sure the pistol and leather would have been the hit of the event.
Good and Bad News
The bad news is that all 100 Cooper Classics have been sold. However, the Nighthawk classic package is available as a custom build or can be built on a customer’s pistol. To see an example of this, I would refer readers to my Athlon article that was published on January 25, 2024. I reviewed my Springfield Armory Mil Spec that received the Nighthawk Custom Classic package.
Unfortunately, Nighthawk is not currently offering the patent marking or the Nitre blued parts on models other than the Cooper Classic. However, in speaking with Landon Stone, he stated that, in the future, those features may be offered on other models. That is great news, as both features are outstanding.
Nighthawk Custom Cooper Classic Specs
| Frame | Government |
| Caliber | .45 ACP |
| Barrel Length | 5 inches |
| Overall Length | 8.62 inches |
| Weight (empty) | 36.7 ounces |
| Rear Sight | Harrison Design Fixed Retro |
| Front Sight | Gold Bead |
| Safety | Single Side Retro |
| Magazine Capacity | 7 round |
| Stock | AAA Grade Rosewood |
| Finish | Blued w/Nitre Parts |
| MSRP | $5.099.00 |
