Wilson Combat X-TAC Elite Commander

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 X-TAC Elite is one of Wilson's most popular working 1911 lines, and the Commander version brings it down to a 4.25-inch barrel for easier carry.

This is the base configuration in .45 ACP, with 9mm also offered. The frame and slide are carbon steel, and Wilson offers them in Armor-Tuff or matte stainless finishes. The barrel is match grade, and Wilson guarantees accuracy of 1.5 inches at 25 yards.

The X-TAC Elite gets Wilson's bi-directional X-TAC texture on the frontstrap and slide for a sure hold. Wilson also machines carry cuts, ball endmill cuts and a heavy chamfer on the bottom of the slide, which softens edges that might snag clothing and gives the gun a refined look.

The grips are black G10 in Wilson's aggressive Starburst pattern with pewter medallions. A one-piece Bullet Proof magwell speeds reloads, and the controls include a concealment hammer, grip safety and tactical thumb safety. The trigger has a medium-length pad and a crisp 3.5 to 4.5 pound pull.

Sights are Wilson's Battlesight with a fiber optic front. The Commander measures 7.85 inches long, 5.6 inches tall and 1.3 inches wide, and it weighs 38.4 ounces empty. The magazine holds eight rounds.

If you want a Wilson 1911 that's built for daily carry and still has the texture and details of a custom gun, the X-TAC Elite Commander is a very well-rounded choice.