Wilson Combat Tactical Supergrade Professional

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 Tactical Supergrade Professional puts the Supergrade package on Wilson's Professional frame, pairing a full-size grip with a shorter 4-inch slide.

This is the base configuration in .45 ACP. The barrel is a 4-inch stainless match-grade cone barrel, and the frame and slide are both carbon steel. Wilson guarantees accuracy of 1.5 inches at 25 yards for this size.

The Professional keeps all the Supergrade details. There's a high-ride Bullet Proof beavertail, an ambidextrous Bullet Proof thumb safety, a Bullet Proof magazine well and release, and a high-cut checkered frontstrap. The slide top has 30 lines-per-inch serrations with 40 lines-per-inch checkering at the rear, and a full-length guide rod sits underneath.

The sights pair a tritium front with Wilson's Battlesight, and the trigger breaks at 3.5 to 4.5 pounds. The grips are G10 in the Starburst pattern.

The Professional format is popular for a reason. The full grip gives you all eight rounds of .45 ACP and a solid hold, while the shorter slide is easier to carry and quicker from a holster. It's 7.6 inches long, 5.4 inches tall and 1.3 inches wide, and it weighs 39.2 ounces empty.

If you want Wilson's top defensive 1911 in a size that works for carry as well as the range, the Tactical Supergrade Professional is a smart pick. A 9mm version is also available.