Nighthawk Custom Thunder Ranch Combat Special 9mm 1911, 5-inch Government, Matte Gray - National Match Barrel, Thunder Ranch Collaboration
This Thunder Ranch Combat Special is a full-size, 9mm 1911 from Nighthawk Custom, built under the One Gun, One Gunsmith approach and directed by Clint Smith. It features a 5-inch National Match barrel, a matte gray steel slide and frame, and practical sights with a gold-bead front. Documentation includes a factory test target dated March 1, 2021 and marked by gunsmith Mike Santella, and the pistol follows the TRN-prefix serial format.
Condition
Overall Condition: Very good condition, showing only light, superficial signs of prior handling or use.
Bore Overall Condition: Excellent - Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Bore Rifling: Excellent Rifling - Sharp lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: Minor scratches and small handling marks are present on the slide and frame. The rear sight shows noticeable finish blemishing.
What’s Included
- Nighthawk Custom soft pistol case
- Nighthawk Custom Handgun Safety & Reference Owner’s Manual
- Nighthawk Custom factory test target dated March 1, 2021
- One Nighthawk Custom-branded 10-round 9mm single-stack 1911 magazine (steel)
Developed in collaboration with Thunder Ranch and directed by Clint Smith, this Combat Special reflects Nighthawk’s One Gun, One Gunsmith build philosophy. The TRN-prefix serial format observed aligns with this Thunder Ranch series.
The Government-length configuration centers on a 5-inch National Match barrel for tight lockup. The steel slide and frame wear a uniform matte gray finish, with dehorned edges for carry comfort and a standard dust cover with no accessory rail.
Carry- and duty-focused details include a blended, flared magwell for smooth reloads and fine checkering on both the front strap and mainspring housing. The mag release is checkered, and the pistol uses a solid, serrated-face trigger and a skeletonized commander-style hammer.
Sight setup pairs a gold-bead front in a dovetail with a serrated ledge rear. The slide is marked with the Thunder Ranch shield logo and the “COMBAT SPECIAL” rollmark, and it incorporates a lowered and flared ejection port, wide rear cocking serrations, and short forward serrations.
The barrel hood is marked “NHC 9MM NM.” Capacity is 10+1 with the included 10-round magazine. Paperwork includes a factory test target dated March 1, 2021 and signed by gunsmith Mike Santella, underscoring its documented build and performance check.