The Thunder Ranch Combat Special by Nighthawk Custom
Fans of TFBTV must know that we’ve kept a close eye on Clint Smith and his training facility Thunder Ranch. Over the years Thunder Ranch has been coming out with more and more firearms with their name on it with some design changes spurred on by the man himself – Clint Smith. The Thunder Ranch Combat Special pistol is the newest offering from Clint Smith and Nighthawk Custom.
The Thunder Ranch Combat Special by Nighthawk Custom
For those that know of Clint Smith, it will come as no surprise that he is a big fan of the 1911 semi-automatic pistol. The Combat Special should then come as no surprise as their latest collaborative effort with a reputable firearms manufacture like Nighthawk Custom. The specs and description of the Thunder Ranch Combat Special can be found below as seen on the Thunder Ranch website:
Clint Smith, a 1911 expert, selected Nighthawk Custom to build his ideal pistol. After multiple discussions and prototypes, Clint finalized this design as his ultimate version of a handgun. This model features newly designed front and rear cocking serrations, a lanyard loop mainspring housing, a “GI-Style” nub thumb safety, custom engraving, and a gold bead front sight. The gun is finished with a unique Smoked Nitride finish and green linen/micarta scales.
The Thunder Ranch Combat Special is a 5″ Government model, available in both .45 ACP as well as 9mm Luger. It is available with or without an accessory/light rail.
FEATURES
- Custom Front and Rear Cocking Serrations
- GI “Nub-Style” Thumb Safety
- 18k Gold Bead Front Sight
- 25 LPI Checkering on Front Strap of Frame
- Lanyard Loop Mainspring Housing With 25LPI Checkering
- Medium Solid Trigger
- Smoked Nitride Finish
- Linen/Micarta Grips
- Thunder Ranch Logo Behind Rear Cocking Serrations
Specifications
- Frame Size: Government
- Accessory Rail: Available with or without
- Caliber: .45 ACP or 9mm Luger
- Height: 5.85″
- Overall Length: 8.60″
- Width: 1.30″
- Slide Width: 0.92″
- Grip Thickness: Standard
- Empty Weight: 40.8 oz.
- Sight Radius: 6.49″
- Barrel Length: 5″
- Magazine Capacity: .45 ACP : 8 / 9mm : 10
- Rear Sight: Black Serrated Heinie Ledge
- Front Sight: Gold Bead
If you’re interested in the Thunder Ranch Combat Special, you’ll have to remember that Thunder Ranch themselves are not a firearms dealer but a training school. In order to get your hands on one of these new 1911 pistols, you’ll have to contact Nighthawk Custom directly. The MSRP for this Clint Smith inspire piece is $3,399This is the Ultimate Baseline Platform for self defense. Browning would be proud, I am.
-Clint Smith
Reloader SCSA Competitor Certified Pilot Currently able to pass himself off as the second cousin twice removed of Joe Flanigan. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ballisticaviation/
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I want to know if this is 18 times better than the excellent Norinco 1911 Gov’t model I bought in in the early 90’s, or 4.5 times better that my Colt 1991 1911 I bought a few years ago (the Norinco is probably better than the Colt, although the Colt is perfectly serviceable and fun to shoot.)
edited to add: the Norinco also doesn’t have the gawdawful series 80 firing pin safety like the 1991 has, in which you need 3 arms to reassemble the gun after removing the firing pin and extractor firing pin safety. If the $3,399 “thunder ranch combat special” has a series 80 firing pin safety, throw that piece of bovine scatology into the trash and get yourself a P320 version of the Army’s M-17: mine came with a 17 round mag and 2 ea 21 round mags for less than the Colt 1991 (but way more than the excellent Norinco 1991, which was only $185).
BTW, that 18k gold front sight bead...irrelevent.