With the exponential growth and desire for handgun shooters to use red dot optics, more and more firearm manufacturers are offering catalog models with that ability readily available. Most of the time though it is only specific models offered by a gun maker that consumers would have to settle for. Nighthawk Custom is taking the yearning for red dots and upgrading your pistol one step further than the rest. They now offer an upgrade service to most of their New 1911 pistols where an Interchangeable Optic System (IOS) can be installed.

Essentially, they are offering to do all of the machining and hand-crafted work to allow for you to add red dot optics to your favorite Nighthawk Custom pistol. Instead of choosing between two or three pre-fabricated options you basically have their entire portfolio to pick from. The option to upgrade a Nighthawk Custom 1911 is $350 and includes a standard iron sight plate (IOS slide cut and standard round top plate). Additional plates can be purchased if you so desire at the cost of $150 each. The specifications for the Interchangeable Optic System (IOS) can be read below as presented by Nighthawk Custom:

• Plate Returns to Zero
• Rear Sight Alignment between Plates
• Fully Machined from Pre-Hard Material
• Standard Novak Sight Cut
• Low Profile
• Quick & Easy Plate Removal
• Standard Height Front Sight for either Iron Sight or Red Dot Use

The true beauty in this upgrade that Nighthawk Custom is offering on their 1911 pistols is not only that you get the benefits of a red dot, but you can also switch out to iron sights rather quickly if you prefer to go that route. Nighthawk Custom does a great job elaborating on this in their public statement below on the Interchangeable Optic System (IOS) upgrade:

Everything you want in an optic solution. The Interchangeable Optic System is adaptable to your needs and allows for a low profile RMR mount with the versatility to switch out the rear sight in a matter of seconds. The user is able to change from iron sights to a red dot optic by loosening the set screw, pushing out the retention pin and sliding the plate off to the rear. At that time, you simply slide the mounted RMR plate on, replace the pin and tighten the screw. The slide and plates have a tapered dovetail cut that returns the mount to the same position each time your remount ensuring that you maintain zero each and every time.

So what do you guys and gals think? Is this a valuable upgrade that you would be willing to apply an extra $350 towards a Nighthawk Custom 1911 to see come to fruition? Or are red dots really not your thing for handguns? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.