1911 Critical Skills - Aug 29th-30th - $500 - Berryville, AR 

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1911 Critical Skills: How to Manipulate, Maintain, Repair and Carry the Nighthawk Custom 1911 with Richard Heine of Heine Specialty Products and Jon Hodoway of Nighthawk Custom Training.

This class is designed for the Nighthawk 1911 owner and prospective Nighthawk owner that already has basic gun safety and shooting knowledge and will entail some physical activities but would not be considered strenuous. This is not a Gun Smithing class or a competitive shooting class but rather a deep dive in understanding the platform and how it has changed in the last 100 years. You will learn how to maintain this iconic weapon. Common malfunctions and that you could encounter along with field repairs.

Students who do not have a Nighthawk 1911 (or other quality 1911) will be provided at no additional cost a Nighthawk 1911, holster, magazine and carrier. They must provide FACTORY ammunition or purchase from host for the loaner gun. 

The class will be balanced each day with 50% classroom (lecture or hands on) and 50% range work. Range work will emphasize skills as they relate specifically to running the 1911 platform in a permissive environment for the armed civilian.

Over the two days Jon and Richard will address these and many other topics. Students will have time to interact with instructors to gain insight on each topic covered. There will be instruction and hands on in most blocks offered. This is a hands-on interactive class with students shooting, carrying and maintaining a 1911.

Manipulation: Understanding the proper manipulation and handling of the weapon system is critical to the user having the confidence and skills to leverage the advantages while avoiding the pitfalls that novices can experience with John Browning’s design.

Topics:

Understanding trigger press and grip

Draw and Safety

Fighting

Compare and Contrast with other modern weapon platforms

Carrying: To effectively carrying this modernized version of a weapon designed for mounted horsemen requires some understanding of the advantages and limitations of the current iterations.

Topics:

Off Body Carry

On the Belt Carry

Inside the Waistband Carry

Deep Concealment

Reloading

Failure drills

Shooting accurately

Shooting from distance

Iterations of the 1911: Options in size shape and materials available

Topics:

Frame size

Slide size

Frame materials

Double Stack

Single Stack

Caliber

Other configurations

Sights employed on a fighting handgun: The progression of original sights to modern night sights.

Topics:

Form

Fit

Function

Weapon Malfunctions: Defining and correcting with an emphasis on understanding root causes.

Topics:

Range repairs the user can make

Diagnose malfunction and learn correction.

User modification and tools needed.

Lineage: The original design and how it has been modified of the last 100 year.  

Topics:

Origins of pistol design

Evaluation of modification Who, When and why

Modern interpretation of the gun

Maintenance: We will examine the myths and realities of maintaining the modern 1911. This portion of the class will allow all users to gain confidence in maintaining their guns for daily carry.

Topics:

Complete strip down of the gun cleaning

Lubrication

Reassembly

Testing the gun

 

What to bring to class:

1. Nighthawk Custom 1911.  We can provide up to 7 Nighthawk Custom 1911’s for those who are considering a Nighthawk Custom

2. At least five magazines (if you have more, bring them)

3. Good-quality belt and at least one holster. Feel free to bring all of the holsters you

have for your gun. This will be a great place to try them out.

4. At least two magazine carriers.

5. A concealment garment is optional but recommended.

6. Hearing protection

7. Eye protection

8. Billed cap or other brimmed headwear

9. At least 400 rounds of decent quality, reliable ammunition

10. Clothing suitable for the weather and the range. If necessary, we will finish our

range work in whatever conditions exist at class time. Live-fire classes run rain or shine. Mud may be involved.

11. Raingear plus a light jacket and sweater or sweatshirt (mornings and evenings can be cold, even in Florida.)

12. Note taking materials. If you wish to use a laptop computer or a tablet, that is OK. Audio or video recording of the class is not allowed.

13. Firearm cleaning supplies plus any tools/lubricants that you might need.

14. Flashlight. Although we will not be doing any night shooting, it can get dark fairly

early and some of our facilities have no lighting at the range. A flashlight might be handy for packing up your gear and getting to your car.

Please note that the above list is just the essentials. You may bring additional items (such as a range bag, extra magazines, folding chairs and tables, tarps etc.) if you choose.

Many of our range locations have portable toilets. Most do not have running water. For your comfort, you may want to bring wipes, disposable washcloths and/or hand sanitizer.

Bring your own lunches, snacks, beverages, etc. We have a “working lunch” in all classes

Richard Heinie, owner of Heinie Specialty Products, Inc. in Quincy, Illinois has been building custom, extraordinarily high quality 1911 pistols since 1973 and pistol sights since 1979. Richard brings years of experience in machining, tool design, tool making and product design to his craft. Heinie Specialty Products, Inc. manufactures precision sights as well as other high quality products.

Heinie Specialty Products, Inc. has kept pace with increasing sight demands by expanding its line of high quality precision sights. Heinie sights are currently being used by military units and law enforcement, as well as, civilians who want the very best sights available.

 

Jon Hodoway of Nighthawk Custom Training Academy.

• Director of training for Nighthawk Custom Training Academy

• Staff instructor for the Massad Ayoob Group

• Part-time Benton County Deputy Sheriff

• Manager of Nighthawk Custom Shooting Team

• Active competitor in IDPA, USPS, 3-Gun and other shooting sports

• Lethal Force Institute (Level I-IV)

• Range Master (Level II, IV)

• Christian Security Institute (Gatekeeper Level I-III)

• Tactical Energetic Entry Systems (Dignitary Protection)

• Taser International (Advanced Taser Instructor)

• LEAD (Police Canine Narcotics)

• Arkansas Sheriffs Association (Tactical Officer Survival) Certified Law Enforcement Instructor

• Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training Special Instructor

• Top Gun Range Master November 2011 Winner of class shoot off and named Top Gun in Basic Handgun Instructor course.

• Winner of Signed $5 Bill from Massad Ayoob

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