Ken Hackathorn's Personal Novak Custom Colt 1911

[@Mark-c4t9j]

Thanks for sharing the gun and history, and for doing your bit to keep the 1911 community alive and kicking. We need more guys your age interested in them I can't wait to see the one for the 1908!

[@1776_duck]

Thank you! I am trying my hardest to make the connections and tell the stories of these old-school guns and guys!

[@unclehangfire]

Absolutely incredible to receive a handgun like this from shooting royalty. Beautiful handgun.

[@1776_duck]

Thank you! I am STILL in awe.

[@1963shay]

Beautiful classic handgun. When I put my Colt in Milt sparks leather it feels like heaven. Ken Hackathorn is a legend. Congrats on a once in a lifetime gun. You will not top that. Great video.

[@1776_duck]

Mil Sparks is the truth! Thank you!

[@MikeRehfuss]

I'm happy to see Hack pass it on to a young guy. Eli can get another thirty or forty years out of it before it's passed to another worthy heir. Keep running that Pony!

[@1776_duck]

I certainly will!

[@swkohnle08]

Thanks for sharing this amazing 1911 from Ken. I have watched Ken and Bill videos for years and learned a lot from them about the 1911 and they are why I daily carry a 5" government sized 1911 in .45 acp and will never carry anything else. Fantastic history of Ken's Novak Custom.

[@1776_duck]

The 1911 is the way, the truth, and the light of handguns.

[@ChrisJames-i1r]

I'm happy to meet you. You seem like an awesome guy to pass down 1911 heritage and old gun stuff to the tide pod eaters. Keep the dream alive! To be honest, I'm 43 and I hadn't heard of Novak's The Answer until today. It's truly intriguing, thanks for sharing. ACW FTW! (I speak acronym just like the tide pod eaters.) The retro version of your Prime Carry with the ring hammer is at the top of my bucket list, so purdy.

[@1776_duck]

It's good to meet you too, sir!!

[@sheldonlohr4352]

Excellent video...brought back a lot of memories. Met Ken back in the early 1980s when he put on a class at Ashland Lake Gun Club in Ohio. Eventually took about six classes or so with Ken on a variety of firearms. Outstanding instructor...very professional. Great story teller. A real gentleman as far as I'm concerned. Very personable. Met Miller and Novak at Ft. Harmar. My wife's maiden name was Novak. Met Larry Vickers many years ago when he stopped in to see Kenny during a class. I believe he was either getting ready to start US Army sniper school or had just completed it. We shot IPSC at Ashland Lake and Steve. Nastoff was the go to guy for a lot of us. He did awesome work as well. If memory serves i think he was out of Youngstown, Ohio.

[@ArmeroPR]

Milt Sparks is my favorite holster maker. Ordered an old school summer special with one loop like the original Nelson design. Can’t wait to get it.

[@ironmikehallowween]

I love your enthusiasm for 1911s, fire arm history, paying homage to those that came before you, and traditions. It’s truly a joy to watch your videos. Thank you.

[@andrewpinheiro7202]

Something about it being Ken Hackathorns makes it 10 times better.

[@williamstringer2846]

Way cool. I've trained with Mr Hackathorn 4 times and learned a great deal about running a 1911.

[@1776_duck]

He's an awesome guy, with a lot of knowledge to share!

[@M45A1Guy]

Awesome video. Awesome pistol. Novak has awesome customer service. I bought a Colt Combat Unit Rail Gun in 45acp bc Ken Hackathorn helped develop it. The white around the front night sight was coming off and Novak replaced my sight free of charge. Turn around was less than a week! Huge Novak fan.

[@leesadleridge]

Thank you so much for researching more into these gunsmith masters! I have loved Novak and Swenson's custom work since the mid nineties, I have a big stack of gun magazines i have kept over the years that have anything and everything about these guys' customs! Congratulations on acquiring that absolute beauty, and I look forward to watching more of your videos.

[@Green_Light_tactical]

Beautiful gun and awesome story to go with it! Ken is a living legend in the industry.

[@1776_duck]

100% he is!

[@markremaly4442]

I love the old history myself. I also understand how difficult it is to find information on a custom gunsmith. I have been trying to do some research on Al Dinan but coming up with very little it's great to see that you have got some information on latest and fantastic purchase congratulations

[@1776_duck]

Yep, these old guys need to start recording the knowledge they have- or it will get lost!

[@luloadventure]

I am very glad you are right now in possession of a piece of history. Ken Hackathorn is a real 1911 GunGuy. I saw all your videos with him, and I envy you that you had that opportunity to share with him to shoot and talk about 1911's. Thank you, and please keep sharing your knowledge with us. Kind Regards from the Swiss Alps.

[@earlebeckett9434]

Have known Wayne of and on for several years.When I first got into shooting back in the 80,s he purchased a model 70 gold cup for me.I used to shoot in some of the local matches with Hackathorn most of which he won.My close friend got a high power from Wayne he loves it.The last time I was in Wayne’s shop most of his work I believe were with colt defenders which took about 4 months.His work is some of the best available.

[@1LTNOE]

Thanks for a great video and paying homage to Ken! I've been a huge Hackathorn fan for many years now, and watching the Wilson Combat KZbin Channel has always been fun stuff, right from the get-go. I've also found a lot of the old 1990s VHS stuff with Bill and Ken on how to use the 1911 in anger 😅 You sir, are one of the few people that can actually carry the heritage from people like Ken and Larry Vickers... And I can't imagine a better person to get Kens old Colt Novak. I'm a huge 1911 fan ( And I'm a Dane from Denmark 🇩🇰, so I should love Glocks and CZ) and I really like your passion and the way you present your style and passion. I really hope your channel will take off like a rocket, and will look forward to following your channel. I wish you all the best ☺️😊

[@1776_duck]

Thank you so much! That means the world to me!

[@rangervapes571]

My first custom 1911 was an Armand Swinson Square trigger guard Colt Commander with S&W sights and barrel positioner.

[@1776_duck]

DUDE! Now THAT is a gun!

[@alanmeyers3957]

The fake accuracy device, is what they used to be called.

[@sjsharkk]

Great video! The history of multiple legends and great stories. This is definitely a favorite for me. Thank you and Look forward to more videos.

[@1776_duck]

A Swenson video is coming...

[@austinscott2577]

Wayne Novak is awesome. I have spoken to him on the phone when I wanted to send my Smith 645 in to get customized, and he did it for me. I also have a 1911 that has had Novak work on it as well. My next 1911 will be a Novak Custom Colt. Just a cool dude making cool guns in WV.

[@1776_duck]

I agree! There is a lot of cool history in that shop!

[@lj.7311]

Very cool piece. Great history lesson as well.

[@1776_duck]

Thank you!

[@01Sassoon]

Fantastic history !! Joe Bonar tragically passed away due to a car wreck in 2003. A great loss to the Novak custom shop and to the 1911 community.

[@1776_duck]

I agree. He's the one who pioneered the push-button magazine release on the Novak's Colt 1903 Hammerless pistols.

[@alanmeyers3957]

That’s what he gets for being a Bonar, inside joke.

[@Dirk-my2zf]

I remember when Joe Bonar was killed. Very Tragic.

[@spacespud2741]

I think it’s so cool that ken talks to you regularly like that and would sell you his prized gun, I think we need more of us younger guys to take an interest in the older guys, they have so much knowledge and clearly want to pass it down. So glad I discovered your channel man, I saw your video on 1911 syndicate and thought you were awesome

[@mrflynn510]

Best video yet. Congratulations, man!

[@1776_duck]

Thank you!

[@buffalobillh]

Thanks for the back story and info. Like I said before, this is the cream rising to the top. It doesn’t get much better. Straight gangster. OG asf, sir. And thanks for the update on Novak Customs. Gives a fella hope!

[@1776_duck]

Yep, I felt like they needed a little bit of a shout!

[@davidmotorcycle]

Thanks for sharing all the great history. What a masterpiece

[@1776_duck]

It is like modern art.

[@Willrd-hi5zf]

2011/staccato has brought me here. Seems like alot of guys knew to the design are appreciating the 1911. Instead of furthering my interest in 2011 I'd rather back up to the single stacks. Appreciate the heck out of your channel!

[@1776_duck]

Single stacks just hit differently.

[@tombryant6061]

Wonderful stuff! Please keep making videos like this. We need to preserve 1911 history

[@Stealth639]

Beautiful pistol. You are so lucky to own it. Also, you are fast becoming my favourite guntuber.

[@1776_duck]

Oh man, thank you so much! I'm just a normal guy trying to share my collection.

[@09MTH]

Keep up the good work and amazing videos. I love the format and story telling of the guns. The legacy and story of the guns, the men who made them and shot them needs to be preserved. As a millennial the older I get the more I am into the classic "older" things. I am envious you get to talk to and meet some the giants of gun culture. I would rather meet Hackathorn, Vickers, Wilson, than any celebrity or athlete.

[@1776_duck]

I share that sentiment for sure. I am really blessed to call Ken a friend!

[@ericbrabham3640]

Great video. I learned a good bit watching it. That is a cool Colt and part of 1911 history for sure.

[@1776_duck]

Thank you for watching!

[@ryanblackburn4355]

I am super jealous! That is amazing not only do you now have a novak answer you now have the hacks gun.

[@1776_duck]

Right? It's cool on many levels.

[@keganwallace8753]

Most excellent acquisition, congrats!

[@1776_duck]

Thank you!

[@DRay-or4tc]

What a fun Vid! And it’s great to see a younger guy that embraces the 1911 for the Classic and still viable Defensive Pistol it still is. I met Wayne at Ray Chapmans range (near Columbia Missouri, think it was an early Area 3 Championship) a long time ago. I share your passion for the 1911. Keep the Dream alive!

[@Frank-uw5xq]

I found you thru the latest videos with Ken Your definitely pissing in high cotton right now buddy, it's also awesome Ken has somebody else, to pass knowledge onto, that's younger because your way younger than I thought, but couldn't be a better person to maintain this knowledge, your a class act...

[@Madmanmarque]

I took classes with Mr. Hackathorn in the early 80's.

[@1776_duck]

Oh man, what a time to be alive.

[@NateGreen-j5q]

This was a fantastic video! loved all the history, Hopefully, I will be able to help you with your desire to document the historiography behind custom 1911s.

[@1776_duck]

Thank you so much!

[@RickJZ1973]

Very cool 1911. Thanks for sharing the content!

[@1776_duck]

Thank you for watching!

[@yellow9616]

Love the long videos. Perfect to put on at work. Looking to get my first 1911 this year. Always been a CZ fanboy.

[@1776_duck]

First 1911? Check out Alchemy Custom Weaponry! ;)

[@yellow9616]

@1776_duck oh i checked lolol. I might be more in the colt price range

[@1776_duck]

nothing wrong with that! @@yellow9616

[@Serenityindailylife]

Been reading his articles since the 80s and my dad served with him. I owned a Swenson pistol from the 80s. It had a giant Bianchi top sight rail and an early magwell that was welded to the frame.

[@saltwatersaddletramp7229]

That’s a fantastic pistol with a fantastic pedigree.

[@1776_duck]

It really is. Normally I say, don't buy the story... but...

[@vincentp9038]

That was an awesome story Eli! Congrats on getting it

[@1776_duck]

Thank you! This might be one of my favorite guns I own!

[@vincentp9038]

@@1776_duck I have my eye on a square trigger guard Alchemy right now, I just need a little nudge to pull the trigger on buying it.

[@1776_duck]

@@vincentp9038 Oh, I can give you a nudge. LOL.

[@laddjm]

Excellent! Thanks for sharing.

[@1776_duck]

Thank you!

[@WheelGunsIncorporated]

I could watch 1911 content all day. Great Video and Thanks for sharing info on the Novak website

[@loupuleff571]

That's a pretty awesome deal you have a prize of a lifetime for sure ! I didn't know about you guy's before I got my Sbardella 1911 maybe my next one will be with you guy's !!

[@glockerbob]

Really dig your channel concept. Very entertaining. Subed.

[@1776_duck]

Thank you!

[@Naterbomb88]

Fantastic video and info!

[@1776_duck]

Thank you for watching!

[@bates.k.r.]

How awesome is that .That1911 would be priceless to me . Wow what a deal !

[@1776_duck]

It really is a priceless pistol.

[@Awesome_1789]

I'm a big 1911 fan. I had no idea. NOVAK even sold 1911s.

[@1776_duck]

They sell them or you can send a gun in!

[@andrew10736]

Unreal man! 😮

[@ShermanRagland]

Thank you for the video. Very cool story, thanks for sharing…

[@samdavidson6483]

Great video man.

[@1776_duck]

Thank you!

[@Frank-uw5xq]

Those sights have that slope because it was to clear a stovepipe malfunction by a hand swipe across the slide, knocking out the stuck brass, & A sharp sight can cut you, so they built that piece around a technique or to support aTTP...or so I was taught

[@markmarch9706]

My Stainless Colt Novak ( built by Joe Bownar ) is my favorite gun.

[@N98858]

GREAT Oratory and Explanation of one of Ken Hackathorn's Custom 1911's! I personally now own a Alchemy Prime 1911 Ser# ACW1879 and have a collection of Wilson Combat, Les Baer and Nighthawk's in addition to My Dads's (F.D. Kriegbaum's, Buffalo, NY) firearms in my coveted collection and one day inheritance pile fodder to my LEO Son! Thanks~

[@kevinward8915]

Congratulations, great video

[@1776_duck]

Thanks!

[@brentlakin]

Great story and real nice 1911 👍

[@buggin1951]

As usual, very informative. Congratulations on becoming the custodian of this incredible pistol. BTW, isn't this a fun hobby?

[@1776_duck]

This is an expensive hobby...

[@garymaston472]

Actually I was just at Novak’s shop today,06/03/24, picked up one of my 45s that had new sights mounted.

[@toneswithtommyrobbie450]

Since i moved to oklahoma from NC im always missin cheerwine

[@1776_duck]

It's the best drink. Period.

[@williamrichards1832]

You are blessed! Love my Government model!

[@ManuelSanchez-iq5vt]

Nice Brother!

[@1776_duck]

Thank you!

[@yuserieabrahams211]

1911 One of the best 💯👌

[@chrisschmidt1052]

Still appendix with the Milt Sparks or are you transitioning to 4 o'clock? I made the move last year and I don't think I can go back! Also, I handled a buddy's Alchemy last week for the first time, the hype is real. Absolutely beautiful!

[@1776_duck]

Really happy to hear that you enjoyed your friend's Alchemy!

[@ArmadilloArmament]

Excellent video. Do you mind sharing what camera you use?

[@1776_duck]

Sony A7iii!

[@aeccesbts]

Also gonna need a video on that colt hammerless .32😍

[@HipsterTactical]

Man, that thing is... dreamy. And not just in an ostentatious kinda way--there's something quintessential about it. I've eyed Novak's "Advanced Defensive Pistol" package on occasion. Feature set seems similar to what you've got. Was Hackathorn's spec the inspiration for what became the ADP?

[@1776_duck]

I am not 100% sure what led to the ADP, but this gun certainly looks like it had a hand in that!

[@HipsterTactical]

@@1776_duck Either way, I could see an ADP in my life at sone point. Anyway… Keep up the dope vids! I’ll keep an eye on the Alchemy channel, too.

[@J.Sosa07]

Gorgeous and truly historic handgun. Congratulations on a grail pistol ! How would one get that kind of finish on the slide from Novak?

[@oni_goroshi]

I first saw pics of that 1903\ 08 Colt online a few years ago and made a loose clone of it. I took a pitted, rusted, beat to hell 1917 made 1903 in .32, stripped it down, sandblasted it, smoothed out the flats by hand and removed 99% of the pitting, matted the top of the slide and front strap, extended the thumb safety, installed tritium night sights, melted the front of the slide, hand fit the rear of the side to the frame so it's almost seamless, beveled the mag well, then phosphated the whole gun. One of these days when I'm bored I'll probably serrate the front of the slide like Wayne did and rephosphate it. I have a 1907 Husqvarna that I'm thinking of doing the same things to it. Would be kinda cool to have a modernized upscaled 1903 in 9mm.

[@1776_duck]

Neat! Yeah, if you were to ever make a 1903 in 9mm, you'd have to change the operating system pretty dramatically being that it's a direct blowback.

[@aeccesbts]

Can you do a detailed video like this on some of the old school comp guns youve shown

[@jlj8718]

Beautiful hand gun men, I will I can bought one gun from Ken’s or Bill, you so lucky 🍀 men

[@turkeyhunter7617]

Nice!! 👍👍

[@CA.0verview]

18:53 they make me very iiirritated too.

[@1776_duck]

I have a Staccato- it's a great gun... but MAN do the people who are hard-core Staccato guys rub me the wrong way.

[@oni_goroshi]

​@@1776_duckthey remind me of BMW drivers. Lol

[@uriahlucas7190]

I love the staccato people Stereotype😂

[@1776_duck]

Hell, I own a Staccato. But man, they're a different breed.

[@gcyonkers]

Look at the SME from 5Shot Gunleather for a great leather AIWB holster.

[@1776_duck]

I will look into them! I got all of my SSII from Sparks in a vertical drop for AIWB!

[@Johnny-jr2lq]

I have a question is Wayne Novak related to Mark Novak please forgive my ignorance. But I always wondered about the sights and who made them. I could totally see Mark Novak producing them. In my quest to figure this out I went to Wayne’s webpage and knew that he worked on 1911’s. This was gosh a couple years before the coof right around the time Mark started doing video’s on KZbin.

[@GunsMakeMeBroker]

Being a 28 year old who knows a DECENT amount about 1911s, you are phenomenally informed. I have a WWI1 1917 colt that has had the finish removed and some parts (safety, grip safety.) To make it look stainless. What idea would you do with it? Its a GI to be pimped out, or relished to original. What do you think?

[@GunsMakeMeBroker]

It 100% will need a new barrel too.

[@yankeecornbread8464]

I feel that having a grip safety is better when carrying in condition one.

[@johnnyguitar6697]

A 1911 needs a grip safety as much as a Hi-Power needs a magazine safety - not at all. Which is the reason why Bill Wilson, who knows a thing or two about 1911's, designed the EDC / SFX series without one.

[@1776_duck]

Fun fact, the EDC X9 was actually planned to have a grip safety. Hackathorn convinced Bill otherwise with this gun.

[@johnnyguitar6697]

@@1776_duck Interesting!

[@BLACKWOLF-1911]

Ah the good old days. Buy a brand new colt government for about 400.00, send it out to pacmeyer and have the combat special package done on it.

[@1776_duck]

Pretty much!

[@leonardjanda6181]

The 1903 is a great gun 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@dylanholbrook6239]

I couldnt care less about a 1911 ss 45. But I i enjoyed the video.

[@1776_duck]

Thanks...

[@dylanholbrook6239]

@@1776_duck and for the record, it made me want to swing by cookout for a giant cheerwine. So you have that going for you, outside of you incredible presentation skills.

[@1776_duck]

Cheerwine + Cookout is a SOLID combination. @@dylanholbrook6239

[@SvtRaptor13]

Anyone know if colts custom shop 1911s are worth buying today?

[@alanmeyers3957]

Or in my opinion.

[@xtreme4stringbass]

To answer your question if the grip safety is still needed. Well the is America Eli, and we ride steel horses (Harely or Indian) now, so the grip safety is still relavent. Wearing a glock or other polymer horse squirter should be reserved for euro trash electric scooters. 💪🏻🇺🇲💪🏻 Stay Gangster

[@andrewhammock8235]

Said his first gun was in 1911 when he was 21

[@luciusmirkwood1634]

Am I the only one that hears Marty Huggins?

[@1776_duck]

HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAH. YES.

[@luciusmirkwood1634]

@@1776_duck just got done watching the rest of the video! Great watch!! Never say anything bad about the “juce” and tell a story

[@americanpatriot477]

Joe Bonar built my Novak Colt. He was taken from us way to soon.

[@1776_duck]

Agree.

[@ThisHandleIsntAvailableTryANew]

It aint a de-cocker is it?

[@bawitibaw]

Why only on Colt’s?

[@1776_duck]

I don't know... That's a question for Novak.

[@Dirk-my2zf]

The Answer was designed around the Colt Frame dimensions. It does have a good feel and is ideal for those with smaller hands.

[@1911bg]

I have a Novak Colt that Joe Bonar did for me.Joe was one of Novaks Main pistolsmiths before he was killed in a car wreck.😢

[@Nobodycares2024]

You should'nt have heros at some point they will disappoint. you should believe in yourself. you'll be the only one that wont let you down.

[@1776_duck]

I mean, I am an adult. I have people that I look up to, loosely using the term "hero".

[@williamboggs1682]

That’s Gangster

[@CA.0verview]

10:23 just get a infinity that looks like one .

[@1776_duck]

I, for personal reasons that I won't share, will never own an Infinity.

[@Death.Co.]

Isn't Ken the one who had his student's stand downrange while he shot past them? I could be wrong.

[@robertallen8841]

That purple is called “plum”. Extremely desirable. Check some old Colt revolvers, you might get lucky. Another addiction for you….

[@1776_duck]

I've got a '68 Python... but with revolvers, I lean a bit toward the S&W side of things!

[@rabidbeaver8442]

At first I thought you clipped the mic to your chest hair then after closer investigation I realized you were wearing a sweater.

[@almichael190]

I was going to like this video, but it already had 69 likes.

[@1776_duck]

Your service, although valiant, seems to be in vain.

[@Dirk-my2zf]

I wonder if Novaks would repeat this build on a customer supplied Colt?

[@dwightswift8727]

Ok, I have to admit that when I saw you had gotten this, I hated you ... pure jealousy and envy. I admit it. But after watching this, that 1911 has found a good home. Now, it is on you to keep in mind who you will pass this on to in 30 or 40 years.

[@1776_duck]

I am glad you don't hate me anymore! LOL!