First Look: Nighthawk Custom Ladyhawk 2.0 1911

Nighthawk Custom took one of its most popular handgun models and took it to the next level for 2018. The Nighthawk Ladyhawk 2.0 is loaded with features designed to appeal to the growing market of women shooters.

Built on a Commander-size frame made from forged steel, the Ladyhawk 2.0 features a 4.25-inch match-grade barrel chambered in 9mm or .45 ACP. Nighthawk can also produce a Ladyhawk on an Officer-size frame, depending on customer preferences. The frame and slide are available in either a Diamond Like Carbon or polished stainless-steel finish.

One of the added touches to the Ladyhawk 2.0 is the addition of a rose-gold TICN finish used on the control surfaces and the barrel, giving it a distinctly feminine touch. The grips are also the first of their kind, having been made from a combination of obsidian, abalone and zinc for a unique, unprecedented look.

The Nighthawk Custom Ladyhawk 2.0 1911 is built for concealed carry and personal defense, having a set of Heinie Slant Pro Straight Eight tritium night sights for use in all lighting conditions. For enhanced control, the pistol's frame features the company's new Ultra Hi-Cut front strap, along with a scalloped texture on the front strap and mainspring housing of the pistol. In addition, the frame on the front of the grip and the mainspring housing has been thinned out to allow for a better grip with smaller hands.

Other features on the Ladyhawk 2.0 include a glare-free, serrated finish on the top of the slide, as well as a 40-LPI serrated texture on the rear of the slide designed to match the serrations used on the face of the Heinie night sights. The pistol also features a crowned barrel, shortened slide stop, beveled frame and the company's lightweight Tri-Cavity trigger, machined from aluminum. All of the sharp edges on the gun have been dehorned for comfortable carry.

In 9mm, the magazine capacity of the Nighthawk Custom Ladyhawk 2.0 1911 is 10 rounds. The overall length is 7.85 inches, height is 5.4 inches and width measures 1.4 inches. Total empty weight is 36 ounces. The starting price on the new Ladyhawk 2.0 is $4,695. The gun is not available to residents of California.