Nighthawk Custom Revisits the Roots of the 1911 with the GI Plus

Few handguns carry the cultural and historical weight of the 1911. It is one of the most recognizable sidearms ever produced, an American design that helped the United States and its allies prevail through two World Wars and shaped modern handgun development in the century that followed. Beyond its military legacy, the 1911 has become a fixture in popular culture, appearing across decades of film, television, and comics. It’s an icon.

At Shot Show, Nighthawk Custom unveiled what may be its most restrained and historically faithful interpretation of the platform to date: the GI Plus 1911. Rather than chasing modern trends or reinterpretations, the GI Plus represents a deliberate effort to distill the 1911 to the design elements that have endured for more than a hundred years.

Authenticity is the guiding principle behind the GI Plus. While the 1911 has seen countless evolutions since its adoption in the early 20th century, Nighthawk focused on identifying which refinements truly stood the test of time. The result is a pistol that honors the original spirit of the platform while benefiting from Nighthawk’s modern manufacturing standards and attention to detail.

Visually, the GI Plus leans heavily into early 1911 cues. It features vertical rear cocking serrations, World War I inspired rollmarks that echo the earliest service pistols, and a deep, fully blued frame and slide that reflect traditional finishing methods. The pistol is equipped with fixed iron sights, including a gold bead front sight, a classic nub-style thumb safety, and other period-correct details that reinforce its historically grounded aesthetic.

The GI Plus is not an attempt to modernize the 1911 it is an exercise in preservation. It reflects Nighthawk Custom’s respect for the platform that defines its business. As a company built around elevating the 1911 to its highest potential, Nighthawk chose with the GI Plus to do something different: refine the past rather than reinvent it.

The Nighthawk Custom GI Plus 1911 carries an MSRP of $4,499. For those who value craftsmanship, heritage, and fidelity to one of the most important handgun designs in history, the GI Plus stands as a clear expression of why the 1911 continues to endure. Learn more and view the full specifications directly through Nighthawk Custom.