Self Defense

Nighthawk Custom TRS Comp Double-Stack

By: Chris Mudgett

The need for speed

If you want to go fast, it’s going to cost you money. While the original context of this statement was in relation to building race cars, the words hold true when it comes to quality and performance in practically every facet of life, ranging from computers to firearms. If you desire (or need) the highest performance possible, it’s simply going to cost you money.

I’ve been fortunate to shoot a wide variety of Nighthawk pistols over the years ranging from prototypes to production guns. Like a fine wristwatch, there is no mistaking the quality the moment it’s in hand. The TRS Comp is simply awe-inspiring, and I don’t freely give such a compliment without substantial reasoning.

The TRS Comp gets the same single-port compensator and 5-inch match barrel as the Firehawk model but adds double-stack magazine capacity. The front Trijicon night sight is seamlessly blended into the round top of the compensator, and a full-length dust cover is cut with an accessory rail for a light, laser, or in the case of the SureFire X400 pictured here, both.

The TRS Comp might just be the best combination of show-and-go performance that I have ever fired. The fit, finish, and craftsmanship are second to none, and the features integrated into the pistol are both practical and display-worthy. Straight out of the box, the slide quite literally feels like it rides on ball bearings. The slide-to-frame fitment is scary perfect, as is the seamless integration of the effective compensator.

The double-stack frame of the TRS Comp accepts 17-round flush-fitting magazines, two of which are supplied with the pistol. Current pistols will ship with the outstanding new Nighthawk-made 2011 magazines. the wrap-around single-piece grip on the TRS comp is machined from aluminum and given a very effective circular texturing pattern. The optional Dawson Precision magazine well meant that you would literally have to be unconscious to fumble a reload.

The TRS Comp is deceptive in its dimensions. At a glance, the pistol appears no longer than a standard Government model 1911. In fact, it does feature a full-length 5-inch match-grade barrel that has been paired with an integral single-port compensator. The business end of the compensator has been crowned and, like the slide, flawlessly fit to the end of the slightly extended rail of the frame’s dust cover. Sitting atop the comp is a standard-height Tritium night sight that has been seamlessly blended to the rounded contours of the compensator and top of the slide.

The slide features conservative-looking yet deep slide serrations that nicely accent the pistol while still being extremely functional. A precision-machined optic plate with an integrated rear sight appears to be one with the slide but is removable. The Trijicon RMR Type 2 RM06 optic used for testing sits extremely low in the slide — so low that standard-height sights are utilized in place of taller suppressor height sights.

A precision-machined optic plate with an integrated rear sight came equipped with a Trijicon 3.25 MOA RMR Type 2 RM06. Controls operated very smoothly and with the satisfying level of precision that comes from hand-fitting. Sitting within the square, high-cut trigger guard — which is integral to the wrap-around aluminum grip panel — is a flat-faced aluminum trigger that yielded a clean and crisp pull at just over three pounds.

The frame features a full-length recon rail dust cover that provides just the right amount of weight to the front end to perfect the pistol’s balance. Combined with the effectiveness of the comp, any semblance of muzzle flip is nearly nullified.

Our test pistol shipped with two 17-round flush-fitting magazines produced by Staccato but tuned by Nighthawk Custom, although Nighthawk is now making their own top-shelf 2011 magazines that will accompany current pistols.

Generally speaking, precision at the manufacturing level equals precision downrange, and the TRS Comp is a prime example. The best performance during testing came from SIG Sauer’s 124-grain JHP V-Crown load, producing a tight 0.70-inch group at 25 yards; one could argue that this is rifle-like precision.

Circular dimpling texturing on the grip frame is non-abrasive yet highly effective in setting and maintaining your grip. My firing hand lands perfectly aligned to hit and maintain pressure on the extended memory bump grip safety while my thumb lines up just right with the left-side only extended thumb safety. The flat-faced, serrated trigger provides consistent leverage and control regardless of where your finger lands on the shoe and provides a clean, crisp trigger pull measuring a hair over three pounds. The magazine release is extended and rounded, while the slide stop has a melted appearance. The entire pistol has been finished in a flawless black DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coating.

As to the function of the TRS Comp, the compensator very effectively turns this pistol into a flat-shooting 9mm bullet hose. And the rest of the workmanship makes it a very accurate bullet hose. In short order, I felt as though I could will rounds onto target just as fast as I wanted to pull the trigger — the bullets simply go where you want them to, in tight little clusters without effort. The pistol recoils like a pellet gun.

As a result of the pistol’s weight, perfect balance, a grip that locks your hand in like no other, and especially the integrated compensator, the TRS is a flat-shooting bullet hose. The Nighthawk ate everything up and neatly spit it out without disturbing the shooter one iota.

As one might expect, the pistol delivers on 25-yard accuracy, rewarding its shooter with flattering levels of performance. The best groups came from SIG Sauer’s 124-grain JHP V-Crown load, neatly stacking five rounds into a tight 0.70-inch group at 25 yards.

I like this pistol. I like it very much. But, as I said, if you’ve got the need for speed, it’s going to cost you money. In this case, it’s $5,199 to go TRS fast. In my book, the attention to detail, high functionality, and sheer shootability make it worth saving for (or splurging on). See the TRS Comp at your nearest Nighthawk dealer, or for more information, contact Nighthawk Custom; Tel.: (870) 423-4867; E-mail: [email protected]; Web: www.nighthawkcustom.com