The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: SJPrice on December 01, 2011, 08:04:32 PM
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I am strongly considering getting a Bill Wilson Carry in 45 from Wilson Combat. My current EDC is a Kimber Ultra CDP II with XS Big Dot night sights and CT Master Pro rosewood laser grips. I like the size way it carries, but I would think I would like the reliability and quality of a Wilson Combat. Okay so give me your opinions on the Bill Wilson Carry please. ???
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Who is going to knock a wilson combat? I would only have 2 questions...
1) Has your kimber actually given you any reliability issues?
2) Are you ok with a weight difference equal to a Ruger LCP?
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I have had a few FTF issues with my Kimber. I have never been able to narrow it down to mags or ammo, but I can not say for sure they were not grip related. I do not think the weight will be an issue. I use good leather and good holster belts already.
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My advice would be do not get a CC gun that you are not willing to consign to an evidence locker.
Do you want to keep from being robbed of your wallet at the cost of a $2000 pistol ?
Same applies for the Kimber, I would save those for the range and get a used Glock, or New High Point for CC.
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My advice would be do not get a CC gun that you are not willing to consign to an evidence locker.
Do you want to keep from being robbed of your wallet at the cost of a $2000 pistol ?
Same applies for the Kimber, I would save those for the range and get a used Glock, or New High Point for CC.
You beat me to it Tom and that gun is closer to $3000.00.
You don't need 1.5" groups @ 25 yds in a EDC gun but it's your money!
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My advice would be do not get a CC gun that you are not willing to consign to an evidence locker.
Do you want to keep from being robbed of your wallet at the cost of a $2000 pistol ?
Same applies for the Kimber, I would save those for the range and get a used Glock, or New High Point for CC.
+1 ... except for the "High Point" part - I just can't get past the way they look
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I ignored the cost because it isn't to protect your wallet, you carry it to protect your life. If a $3000 gives you the confidence to do that and you like it enough to carry it, I don't see the cost as an issue. That said I carry a glock...
http://balloongoesup.blogspot.com/2011/11/four-reasons-i-carry-glock.html
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I have the answer, get the full sized Wilson for the range and send me the Kimber in exchange for my ultra-reliable S&W J-frame. I will use the Kimber at the range and not worry about the FTF issue. You can sleep well at night with an EDC pistol that goes bang on every pull of the trigger and have the coolest gun at the range.
Problem solved, shall we use your FFL or mine?
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I have a nice little no-lock nickel j-frame too...I'd do that trade and pay all the postage.
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From what I have heard from someone who is extremely knowledgable on 1911s (he has a Kimber) is that the "premium" 1911s are built with extremely tight tolerances to improve accuracy. The down side is that they lose some reliability over the entry level 1911s. The lower priced ones are loose and much more forgiving when it comes to feeding, firing and ejecting. Think about the original intention, a combat pistol that needed to be inexpensive and reliable in the most harsh conditions. As always JMB got it right. The ultra premium 1911s are awesome, but have strayed away from their original intent IMHO. Not a bad thing, just different.
This might be an instance where paying more to get an extra 1 or 2 MOA at 25yds is NOT worth it. Usually you need to pay more to get what you want, this instance may be the exact opposite and work in your favor $ wise.
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Thanks to all for the advice and suggestions. Now for the update. I just got back from Austin where I picked up my brand new Bill Wilson Carry and the first thing I did was to walk out to my berm and put 60 rounds of Cor-Bon 180 grain DPX (my favorite carry load) through it. Not a single hiccup from any of the four mags, and what a tack driver. This thing chewed several silver dollar sized ragged holes at 10 yards and the recoil is extremely manageable due to the extra weight over my Ultra CDP. I think I did well on the purchase price and if after a few more boxes of ammo it is still performing like the first three boxes, I have a new EDC weapon. I really like the sights Bill Wilson selected for this gun. It has a low profile green fiber optic sight that is extremely bright and easy to pick up and the rear is their "battle" sight. I was originally planning on adding a set of xs big dots, but I think I will hold off until I see how these work in low light. Especially since I added a set of CT Master Series rosewood laser grips. I suspect it will take quite a while for my ;D to go away. This is my first Wilson combat and it reminds me of when I got my first Freedom Arms. You can still get true quality and craftsmanship.
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Perfect! Enjoy. ;D
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As of this morning, my round count on my new Bill Wilson Carry is up to 320 and everything is still perfect. No malfunctions. My rounds include another three boxes of Corbon 180 DPX taking me to 120 rounds of my carry load and 2 boxes or 100 rounds of Federal Gold Medal 230 FMJ. It would appear a tight accurate 1911 can be made to run reliably :D.
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For 3 large, I'd expect it to make me dinner! ;D
Just kidding! Enjoy your new firearm, it will last you the rest of your life. Wilson is very serious about his guns.
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For 3 large, I'd expect it to make me dinner! ;D
Just kidding! Enjoy your new firearm, it will last you the rest of your life. Wilson is very serious about his guns.
Yes he is and so is his company. I find it interesting to handle a weapon that has the features Bill Wilson has selected for his personal carry gun. When you think about it he could carry a Wilson with any feature they offered and the ones he chose are 99% functional choices. I guess you could call the choice of two tone, gray frame and black slide, cosmetic but the rest are functional options. Even to the point of not upgrading "non-critical" or maybe low stress parts from cast to machined.
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As I posted before, I would never use a gun like that for EDC.
Doesn't mean I wouldn't cheerfully kill to have one, ;D
Enjoy.
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As of this morning, my round count on my new Bill Wilson Carry is up to 320 and everything is still perfect. No malfunctions. My rounds include another three boxes of Corbon 180 DPX taking me to 120 rounds of my carry load and 2 boxes or 100 rounds of Federal Gold Medal 230 FMJ. It would appear a tight accurate 1911 can be made to run reliably :D.
COOL!!!!!!
Many custom makers like Wilson and Baer make tight guns that are reliable. A lot of folks equate 'tight' with 'accurate-but-unreliable'...but today, because of better manufacturing techniques, fitting, and attention to detail, a tightly fit gun need not be unreliable.
Congrats on your new gun, enjoy it for a long, long time.
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I have had a few FTF issues with my Kimber. I have never been able to narrow it down to mags or ammo, but I can not say for sure they were not grip related. I do not think the weight will be an issue. I use good leather and good holster belts already.
Before you walk away from the Kimber, do two things..
1. Get a new recoil spring from Kimber.
2. See if Wolff or another one of the high end spring outfits makes a spring for it. Make sure it's the same weight as the Kimber OEM spring..
Kimber recoil springs last about a thinrd as long as you think they should/as long as other good makers springs do..
Mine is a Tactical Carry Pro II. The spring is 22lbs, not 18 like the other 4" 1911s.. Kimber says to replace the recoil spring every 800 rounds, not the 3000 or so that one might expect..
Every gun, especially 1911s, likes different ammo.. Mine likes Lawman for ball, not Federal, and Federal Hi Shock for HP, not GDHP.. Go figure...
Try that first before you give up on what you have..
Recent voice of experience here..
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My advice would be do not get a CC gun that you are not willing to consign to an evidence locker.
Do you want to keep from being robbed of your wallet at the cost of a $2000 pistol ?
Same applies for the Kimber, I would save those for the range and get a used Glock, or New High Point for CC.
^^^^^^^This.
I'm not knocking high end 1911's, but as was said, you don't need that kind of accuracy for C.C. Get the Wilson for show, carry a Glock for go.
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SJ- glad you got what you wanted and that you really like it. I have a little different perspective on the idea of carrying it for SD though.
I say if you love it carry it, from this perspective: Your carry gun will be literally attached to you everyday. You will clear it, inspect it, and LOOK at it in the morning, be aware of it at all times all day, and clear it, inspect it, and LOOK at it before you sleep. Something that you will have THAT intimate a relationship with should be something you really enjoy and appreciate, not an ugly clod you don't mind losing.
If you ever have to defend yourself, yes, kiss the gun goodbye. But the chances of that happening are slim, as opposed to the DAILY enjoyment you will get from being intimate with a really fine companion. The price of the gun is small compared to the price of your life, and I believe it is a pretty good bet that you'll have years and years of love with your fine carry and never have to give it up anyway.
Enjoy.