Recently this column featured my best 1911, a custom by Richard Heinie. I mentioned that Heinie has long since stopped taking new orders. Not many full-house Heinie pistols were ever made, and very few owners will ever sell. The pistols tend to be family heirlooms.

All is not lost, though. Nighthawk Custom consulted with Richard, building two new models using his design input. Richard is a man of extremely high standards, and sparing in his praise. So when he says Nighthawk Custom currently provides the best value in custom work, it’s worth noting.

The Heinie Tactical Carry Model is virtually identical in design to the pistol I had built by Richard, with all the little custom details. Workmanship appears excellent, no surprise as every Nighthawk pistol I’ve shot or handled has been high quality. Suggested retail of the Heinie Tactical model is $3,895 — not cheap — but commensurate with the features and quality. The PDP (Personal Defense Package) retails at $2,895.

Springfield’s little alloy-framed EMP in 9mm has been tremendously successful. I was so impressed with the example tested for Handgunner (also on video at www.americanhandgunner.com Web Blast) I purchased it. It has become my favorite carry gun, most often in a Sparks inside-waistband holster.

The EMP is now being built in .40 S&W, using a steel frame rather than the alloy frame of the 9mm. version. Dave Williams advised they have been getting the same superb accuracy from the .40 S&W as from the 9mm.