Just when we thought that the premium of airsoft pistols comes from a company in Taiwan that was recently bought by Cybergun, Hong Kong comes out to deliver what can be considered the most realistic airsoft pistol ever. We are privileged to get initial information on the RWA Nighthawk Custom GRP Recon Steel Version, which is more "premium" than the 1911 Pistol made by Inokatsu, and of course comes with a premium price.

According to Paul Chu of the RWA Group, RWA spent over 18 months to design, test, examine the internal and external details before finally sending it for production. Here is what he says:

"It was a grueling process but we are proud of the results.  I truly believe that this is the most realistic Airsoft pistol on the market today, and that it is commensurately as desired by customers in Airsoft as those in the real steel world desire a real Nighthawk Custom.   The gun feels real just holding it in your hands, and we have tuned the system to generate strong recoil while using a relatively stiff recoil spring for realistic cocking.  The whole gun is made from CNC steel.

It is based on a Marui design, but we modified the system for optimal CO2 performance and also greater stress resistance from all the stiffer springs and heavy components.  None of the components come from Marui or any other OEM factory for that matter.  We manufactured every single component from the ground up.  So you can say that the system was inspired by Marui, but it’s not a Marui.

Having said that, it can still take Marui single stack magazines and Green Gas /Red Gas will barely cycle the slide for a few rounds (not much more though due to the super heavy slide and stiff recoil spring and hammer)."

Such a pistol has set the bar high for other manufacturers to follow and of course the, expectations in terms of build quality and performance amongst airsoft players. Indeed, RWA are confident that it will exceed the most premium from Inokatsu in terms of build and performance.

We first saw the prototype of this pistol early this year, at the IWA & Outdoor Classics 2014 in Nuremberg, Germany. This is a full CNC'd airsoft pistol though we weren't able to test the blowback function of this pistol, we have been assured that the it has the strongest blowback, and "sharp lines that may cut you if you are not careful (like a real gun), and very stiff switch-ware."

This will be initially available at the RedWolf Airsoft store on the 12th of December and this is a limited edition pistol. As for pricing, the retail price is set at US$1,280.00. If you have the money to splurge on airsoft gun this Christmas, then the RWA Nighthawk Custom GRP Recon Steel Version should be high in your list of stuff to buy.

Press release below:

RWA RELEASES MOST REALISTIC AIRSOFT PISTOL EVER : THE NIGHTHAWK GRP RECON STEEL VERSION

December 4, 2014
United Kingdom

RWA is proud to announce the release of their most coveted airsoft replica to date; the Nighthawk Custom GRP Recon Steel Version.  Following the past release of the skirmish-focused Nighthawk Custom Recon CO2 pistol, and the collectible Nighthawk Custom GRP and Talon CNC aluminium Deluxe models, RWA pushes the envelope further with this new full steel offering that combines beauty and performance.  In the works for over 18 months to perfect the overall design, exterior fittings, surface texture, color, ergonomics, and shooting performance, RWA will be releasing this much anticipated pistol on December 12, 2014.  Touted by some who have had an inside glimpse at this new model as the most realistic experience they have had with an airsoft gun, the new pistol impresses from the moment you pick it up.  Feeling like it was carved out of one piece of metal thanks to precision CNC steel construction with no shakes, wobbles, or gaps, the performance also delivers impressive range and accuracy.  The color, texture, high density checkering on the grips, and the sharply cut switches all closely echo that of the real thing.  The new Nighthawk Custom GRP Recon Steel Version truly achieves its mark, and is commensurately desired by customers in Airsoft as real steel operators desire a Nighthawk Custom.  Real Nighthawk Custom GRP pistols retail at over USD 3000 and are considered one of the best 1911’s in the world.  The GRP Recon in particular was favored by both Chris Costa and Travis Haley when they served as instructors for Magpul Dynamics.

The frame, slide and switches are precision made from CNC steel, while the grips were also carved using a CNC process and hand finished for a unique texture.  RWA chose to follow the Marui-based standard, which is arguably the best gas blowback platform by far.  Doing so also keeps the gun open to customization options through the large accessory market available for Marui pistols.  However, RWA did not borrow any components from Marui.  Instead, the company engineered numerous modifications to the original design to optimize it for CO2, and to also deal with the greater stress from stiffer springs and much heavier components.  Every single component was manufactured from the ground up, choosing steel and other strong materials to ensure reliability throughout the internal mechanism.  Despite these changes, the Nighthawk Custom GRP Recon Steel Version is still compatible with Marui single stack magazines, although the performance pales in comparison to using the included CO2 magazine.  For those who desire to use Green Gas or Red Gas to run the Nighthawk, changing to a weaker recoil spring would allow increased shots per charge, but there would be a tradeoff in realism.  And realism is what the Nighthawk Custom GRP Recon Steel Version is all about.

Balancing a stiff recoil and hammer spring for realism against gas efficiency was also a major challenge, and RWA tilted in favor of delivering a more exhilarating and realistic experience.  The stiff recoil spring and hammer tells you the GRP means business when you cycle it back.  A newly inserted CO2 cartridge is good for approximately 2 full magazines worth of shooting, delivering an average of 340fps+ of power while still cycling in a powerful and snappy fashion.  The result surpasses any airsoft gun on the market today.  Thanks to the Marui hop-up design, the Nighthawk GRP Recon Steel Version also shoots very straight and far, making it a very practical gun for both target practice and games.  However, many of these pistols will likely enjoy more time being presented to friends or simply being adored within it’s beautiful piano wood box than seeing much action on the field.

A lot of attention was also paid to the lines of the gun to ensure that the sights are mounted flush atop the slide, and the curving lines continue from the main body of the gun onto the protruding beaver tail.  RWA also deliberately engineered the magazine to only drop halfway as opposed to dropping completely out of the gun, which might damage the magazine.  The extremely stiff magazine release button also mimics that of its real counterpart and will take getting used to.  Much attention was paid to ensure the accessory rail is precisely cut to specification to accept real steel weapons lights snugly.

At a loaded weight of 1.2Kg, the RWA Nighthawk Custom GRP Recon Steel Version closely matches that of a loaded real steel Nighthawk Custom GRP Recon.  Each piece is individually serial numbered and comes with a certificate of authenticity.  All spare parts are readily available for repair and service from RWA.

About Nighthawk Custom

Nighthawk Custom is an American firearms company based in Berryville, Arkansas, USA, and was founded in 2003 by experienced gunsmiths who left Wilson Combat to focus exclusively on ultra high precision custom pistols.  Nighthawk Custom specializes in military, law enforcement, civilian and competition pistols.  The company has a long standing partnership with Richard Heinie, a respected figure in the M1911 community, in developing premium 1911 pistols.  Nighthawk Custom also works with Chris Costa to create a tactical line of pistols.  Learn more about Nighthawk Custom at www.nighthawkcustom.com.

About RWA

RWA was founded in 2011 and focuses on manufacturing and distribution of premium quality Airsoft.  The company was founded by the same people who founded RedWolf Airsoft, the oldest international airsoft retailer founded in 1998.  Following the launch of their flagship product, the airsoft MG34 machinegun, RWA continues to innovate high quality products for the Airsoft and training market.  RWA is the exclusive worldwide license holder for Nighthawk Custom, SPS, Samson Manufacturing, and CMT.   RWA is the exclusive distributor for many premium brands like Madbull, Systema, Socom Gear, Inokatsu, Airsoft Surgeon, IMI Defense, Airsoft Innovations, PDI, E&L, Pantac, Wiley X, LBX, and many other brands in multiple countries worldwide.  The company also offers several other models of Nighthawk Custom Airsoft pistols, and a line of accessories including high quality BB pellets, gas and batteries.  RWA is also scheduled to launch a PTW based KG9 in early 2015.  Learn more about RWA at www.rwa-group.com.