Sidearms & Scatterguns Wilson combat 1911

[madppcs]

Anyone have one? Im looking for my first 1911. I wont be carrying it everyday, Im not comparing it to any other style of pistol, I just want a 1911 that looks awesome, performs excellent, and will be a hell of a pistol to hand down one day.

Im a rookie to the 1911 style pistols, so please go easy on the comments cause I havent done tons of research, Im not brand loyal to any manufacturer and I dont spend lots of time googling lol. So the limited amount of searching that I have done leads me to the Kimbers and Wilson combat.

The ONLY experience I have with a 1911 is my buddies Sig Sauer

 

[mkollman74]

You will never be unhappy with a Wilson Combat. There are other manufacturers that also fall into this category though, so do your research. If you have your heart set on a WC - buy it...!

 

[CRT2]

Order your Wilson Combat directly from them or thru a dealer and have it configured how you want it, to include engraved. I have several Professionals with the bobtail for carry. Excellent 1911 pistols.

 

[Downtown]

Be aware that there is probably over two thousand dollars difference between the two brands, Kimber and Wilson, you mentioned.

Some very nice pistols appear for sale at a discount in our PX here.

 

[strikeeagle1]

I have a few custom Wilsons, Kimbers and Nighthawks (Talon series 1-3).

The hand fit craftsmanship is worth the initial investment and if kept nicely (not safe queens) they will be easy to offload, if not handed down.

These are the Elite series with a heavy cone barrel; Tactical Elite full-size government 5" and Professional Elite commander size 4.25". I like their Starburst grips; I have a bunch of the nice aluminum grips, cocobolo's etc...but they are not very practical for retaining a good shooting grip, especially with sweaty hand(s). I like WC Elite magazines as well. Order them with the sight style you like, consider getting ambidextrous safety, the slide / sights serrated and recessed slide stop on right side (in the photos you can see the slide stop differences.

Nighthawks are just as nice and custom made across town from Wilson, in Berryville, AR.

This one is the Professional without the cone barrel.

I got this Compact Carry one last year, single stack 9 mm; with a Larry Vicker magazine.

 

[gearguywb]

Certainly nothing wrong with Wilson's. Plenty of good 'smiths out there that can build exactly what you want, but if you are relatively new to 1911 then a shop that offers packages may be a better option.

IMHO, and a LOT of time with 1911's, Kimbers look good and are typically fine for the occasional shooter. If you want something that will last...and last...and last, you will either replace the majority of the internals or look elsewhere.

 

[EddieNFL]

Bought a Classic about 15 years ago and a CQB shortly after. Used the Classic in IDPA for about five years and switched it to my EDC. Sold the CQB and bought a Nighthawk about eight years ago just for a different flavor.

Although well worn and about 25K later, the WC will still do the sub-one inch at 25.

 

[strikeeagle1]

You can also accessorize the WC to match your cowboy boots and handbag for a night out on the town.
WC shark belt and ostrich gear.

I prefer the Safariland 7TS / GLS style holsters.

 

[surgeon260]

You will never be unhappy with a Wilson Combat. There are other manufacturers that also fall into this category though, so do your research. If you have your heart set on a WC - buy it...!

Agree. Don't get distracted by the Ford vs Chevy/GAP vs LRI noise that surrounds custom 1911s (Wilson vs Ed Brown vs Nighthawk vs Les Baer vs Springfield Custom...). All of them are awesome pistols, and the differences are mostly aesthetic. You absolutely will not be disappointed by Wilson. A Wilson would be a hell of a first 1911! You are basically skipping straight to Jedi level haha. If anything I might buy a second, cheaper 1911 to learn how to shoot and maintain the platform so you don't have to worry about damaging a finely honed action. Tuned 1911s are a whole different ballgame from, say, Glock in terms of demand on the shooter. They are also the sweetest shooting semis on the planet.

 

[Jefe's Dope]

Kimber are junk. IMO.

Wilson are great but expensive.

Best bang for the buck is a Dan Wesson. all the fit and finish, mid priced. More similar to an Ed Brown, as they use a lot of EB small parts, than a Wilson.

If Wilson is the one that excites you and you can afford the entry price, fo for it.

In my honest opinion, stay away from "cheap" and stick with the high end makers for a quality, reliable 1911.

I can't say enough good about Dan Wesson though. I own three including an officers size and all have been 100% reliable with all the ammo I've shot through it. Their Duty Treat finish is second to none for toughness and aesthetics.

 

[EddieNFL]

You can also accessorize the WC to match your cowboy boots and handbag for a night out on the town.
WC shark belt and ostrich gear.

View attachment 6893264View attachment 6893262


I prefer the Safariland 7TS / GLS style holsters.

View attachment 6893263

Good looking leather. Mine is a little more worn.

 

[Jefe's Dope]

Gator holster for the Gator grips.

 

[surgeon260]

Personally I love all the pictures and anecdotes, but this is how every 1911 thread ends up. Somebody asks about one gun, and everyone chimes in with tons of info about all of the other kinds of guns that they own. Good luck, OP =). (Wilsons are kickass.)

 

[Jefe's Dope]

Did you read his post or just the heading and run in to complain? He clearly asks for information about 1911s in general and the Kimber and Wilson are what he's found thus far in his searches. He states he's NOT brand loyal.

So, here I am sharing MY experience in the search for a nice 1911.

 

[Frankly]

Atlas Gunworks Titan for the win, these are fitted customs for about $4k. I like Springfield Range Officers for a >$1000 1911. You can get a SA RO from Dawson Precison with upgrades and be gtg.

Not knocking other brands but I think these are the best values and most reliable/accurate guns out there. Just not a lot of bling.

My Dad thinks Kimbers and Les Bares are the nuts, I don't.

 

[strikeeagle1]

Can't speak for others experience with Kimbers, purchased this one in 2011 but this Custom Ultra CDP II has been flawless, now with 1650 rounds down range. Only use factory defense ammo and change the guide rod spring assembly every 500 rounds like you are supposed to. Trusted on the hip and in the brief case. Again, prefer the new Safariland GLS style low profile holster. Prefer WC grips. Not a pimp.

 

[EddieNFL]

Can't speak for others experience with Kimbers, purchased this one in 2011 but this Custom Ultra CDP II has been flawless, now with 1650 rounds down range. Only use factory defense ammo and change the guide rod spring assembly every 500 rounds like you are supposed to. Trusted on the hip and in the brief case. Again, prefer the new Safariland GLS style low profile holster. Prefer WC grips. Not a pimp.
View attachment 6893431View attachment 6893432View attachment 6893430

I have one that's proven it's self. Maybe 30K or so down the tube. I take it out for range trips with "uneducated" folks. Not worried about the (what's left) finish. The other two I owned were junk.

 

[mdmp5]

I have a CQB. It doesn't have a spring guide rod. I'm not an expert on 1911s but I haven't seen another one that doesn't have a guide rod. Shoots great but it took a little while to break in.

 

[strikeeagle1]

^^^I am an expert on 1911's. All 1911's need a guide rod; if some firearm appears to look like a 1911 and does not have guide rod, it's NOT a 1911. Here's the WC video illustrating the disassembly of the CQB and its guide rod.

 

[CRT2]

With Kimber, you may have to spend $200.00 with a good gunsmith to ensure the pistol will be reliable.

 

[gearguywb]

Its the little things that count, at least to me. Look at the rear sight cut when installing adjustable sights. The fast, cheap way to do it is one clean cut. Unfortunately that leaves a big chunk of missing metal and the entire rear sight exposed.

When paying this kind of money the devil is in the details.

 

[madppcs]

Thanks for the info guys, and please keep em coming! Im diving into a whole new adventure with the 1911.

 

[RTH1800]

I like the 1911 and have had over 40 in the last 45 years. I will try to briefly share what I wish someone had told me when I started.

45 ACP is the correct caliber for a 1911. If you want to shoot another caliber I suggest your consider some other pistol. 10MM just does not seem to work out well long term in the 1911 and 9MM is too small to warrant carrying the larger frame.

Think hard about what you will actually use the 1911 for. Nothing right or wrong with any legitimate use, just make sure you are getting a tool that will do the intended job or provide the joy of ownership you are looking for.

I like to carry the alloy frame, officer sized models. 4-4.5" barrels and standard or shorter grip. I like to shoot the full sized models on the range.
Of the semi customs I think Wilson offers the ones that most suit me. Les Baer offers the most accurate ones I have shot. I cannot put it into words but I prefer Wilson and would be able to pick one out of a lineup if blindfolded.

All the semi customs seem to have a higher line of sight above the bore which do not point as well for me. My personal choice for point and shoot is a 1917 Colt 1911 from WW1. It has been in the family since it was issued and is on who knows what barrel number and rebuilds. No mods. It is white with no finish. It has a matching Colt Woodsman from the same era in similar condition. Both in my family from new and have been shot and carried by 5 generations. I have a box of worn out parts, barrels and magazines as well as original paperwork for both of them.

Most folks want to avoid MIM parts. Early Wilson's had them unless Supergrade. Now all Wilson's have Bulletproof parts. Non MIM.
I don't like the ambi safety but most prefer it. I find them to add weight, bulk and occasionally get knocked from safe position to fire. Proper holster will mostly prevent that.

My favorite to handle and shoot is a Full sized case colored Wilson Supergrade.

Colt series 70 LW Commander is a good carry gun. It is 4.5" barrel and full sized grip. My other carry pistol is a Wilson Ultra Light Carry. 4" with short grip.

I suggest you handle and shoot as many as you can prior to purchasing. If you are going to get a Wilson I suggest you consider looking at existing pistols as wait times are long. There are literally thousands of them on the market at all times.

Do your research and get the one you want the first time if possible.

 

[EddieNFL]

I have a CQB. It doesn't have a spring guide rod. I'm not an expert on 1911s but I haven't seen another one that doesn't have a guide rod. Shoots great but it took a little while to break in.

I think you meant it doesn't have a "full length" guide rod.

 

[mdmp5]

I think you meant it doesn't have a "full length" guide rod.

correct. the rod is about 2"

 

[mdmp5]

And let me add that it is a bitch to reassemble. Thing flies across the room sometimes. Almost broke my tv