Wilson Combat eXperior Compact

Wilson Combat traces back to 1977 in Berryville, Arkansas, when Bill Wilson, who trained as a watchmaker, started building custom 1911s. Every Wilson 1911 uses the company's Bullet Proof parts, machined from bar stock or forgings rather than cast or MIM parts. The eXperior series is Wilson's most fully optioned line, with nearly every tactical, functional and cosmetic option included as standard. The eXperior Compact puts that package on a compact frame.

This is the base configuration. It's offered in .45 ACP or 9mm, with a 4-inch stainless match-grade cone barrel that's fluted and has a fluted chamber. On 9mm models, the barrel also has a lowered front locking lug. The slide is carbon steel, and the compact-size carbon steel frame has Wilson's WAVE cut rails.

The grip is where the eXperior feels different. Wilson uses its TRAK texture on the frontstrap and mainspring housing, with matching black G10 TRAK grips and pewter medallions. There's a high-grip frame modification, a Bullet Proof round-butt magazine well, a concealment beavertail and hammer, and a tactical thumb safety.

The slide is fully dressed. You get 30 lines-per-inch top serrations, wide front and rear cocking serrations, carry cuts, ball endmill cuts and a heavy chamfer on the bottom. Sights are Wilson's Battlesight with a red fiber optic front, and the trigger breaks crisply at 3.5 to 4.5 pounds.

It measures 7.6 inches long, 5.1 inches tall and 1.3 inches wide, and it weighs 36.9 ounces empty. Capacity is seven rounds of .45 ACP or nine of 9mm, and Wilson guarantees accuracy of 1.5 inches at 25 yards.

If you want a compact Wilson with nearly everything already on it, the eXperior Compact is the one.