Atlas Gunworks is well known in the competitive shooting realm for building top notch guns. As their reputation for building high quality, reliable guns has grown, so too has the demand for them to produce a pistol for every day carry. This demand has led them to produce the Nyx.  Purpose built as an EDC pistol, the Nyx packs high quality components, solid features, amazing craftsmanship and a touch of flair into one sweet little pistol.

The Nyx is offered in two basic configurations: as a traditional single stack similar to any popular 1911; or as a double stack, commonly referred to as a 2011. The Nyx can also be ordered with either an aluminum or steel frame which allows the end user to further refine the pistol for their desired specifications.

The Nyx 1911 features a 4140 carbon steel frame and slide that have been cut to commander length dimensions and hand fit to provide the best possible relationship between tolerances and reliability. The slide is tri-topped and features a U-shaped cut on the top between the rear sight and the ejection port. These cuts help reduce the mass of the slide which aids in the cycling and “return to zero” of the pistol. The front and back strap are checkered at 25 lines per inch to provide a solid mix of aesthetics and performance. The grips are provided by Techwell and combined with the checking provide a very solid grip. The magwell is also provided by Techwell and is fit to blend in with perfectly.

Atlas uses KKM barrels on all of their pistols. The Nyx barrels are bull barrels, cut to length and then given a target crown. Atlas has a proprietary rear sight that features an aggressive ledge which aids with one handed manipulation, which can be seen in the video review below. The rear sight is also serrated on the back to reduce glare. The front sights are Dawson Precision sights but can be swapped to fiber optics is desired. Atas ships the Nyx with Dawson Precision magazines.

The Nyx is a very capable pistol for defensive use. During testing the pistol performed admirably, even in the sandy testing conditions of the El Paso desert. Throughout testing the gun was lubed approximately every 400-500 rounds to keep it running smoothly in the dirty, sandy conditions.

The only malfunctions recorded came from the magazines. During the first 1800 rounds there were 11 failure to feed malfunctions using older magazines. After a brief phone call with Adam, the Atlas Gunworks HMFIC, he shipped out new Dawson magazines. Adam said that all Atlas Nyx pistols are shipped with the new Dawson Precision magazines as they are the most reliable magazines Atlas has found for single stack pistols in 9mm. This proved to be true as there were NO malfunctions experienced during the next 1000 rounds using the Dawson magazines.

Carrying the Nyx as a primary defensive guns for 6 weeks was comfortable and easy. The Nyx was paired with a Surefire X300 and PHLster Floodlight during this time which proved to be a very capable combination; seemingly melting away even under a t-shirt.

During testing there were no noticeable difference in comfort between carrying the Nyx and carrying a Glock or Sig on a daily basis. While the grip panels of the Nyx are textured to provide a secure grip they did not cause any noticeable discomfort. In short, with a good holster and belt the Nyx is just as comfortable and capable as any other pistol.

So what are the cons? First up is the cost. At $4,500 this gun is not cheap, but neither are the parts that go into the gun or the time and energy spent on putting those parts together to make an awesome pistol. The cost will turn a lot of buyers off, but keep in mind most hi-end 1911s cost more than 3k. If the Nyx is within your budget you should definitely consider it as a great 1911 for defensive use.

Second is the limited capacity issue. If you live somewhere that has magazine restrictions then this is a non-issue. If you live in a free state and you think 10 rounds in the gun isn’t enough then you should consider your options. One of those options is carry extra magazines. Another option is buy the double stack model of the Nyx and roll with 21 in the gun. Problem solved.

Overall, the Nyx is a phenomenal shooting pistol. It packs quality components and craftsmanship into a small, yet extremely capable platform. With the options of choosing frame materials and single or double stack options, Atlas has given the buyer the ability to chose the perfect set up for their personal preferences and needs. Next time you are looking at 1911s, or 2011s for serious use you need to consider Atlas Gunworks.

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