Wilson Combat SFX9 HC 3.25
Wilson Combat SFX9 (image courtesy JWT for thetruthaboutguns.com)
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Almost five years ago Wilson Combat released the EDC-X9, a double stack 9mm designed from the ground up as the ultimate everyday carry pistol. To kick off 2022, they’ve one-upped themselves with the new Wilson Combat SFX9.

Wilson Combat SFX9 HC 3.25" sub-compact
Image courtesy JWT for thetruthaboutguns.com

The major difference between the previous EDC-X9 reviewed here back in 2017 and the SFX9 is in the frame. The upper half of the gun is exactly the same as before, and that’s a very good thing.

Wilson Combat SFX9 HC 3.25" sub-compact
Image courtesy JWT for thetruthaboutguns.com

All the X9 guns have the same serrations fore and aft and the same external extractor. The barrel is the same reverse cone match-grade 4″ bushing-less barrel with a fluted chamber. The stainless steel slide also features the same tri-topped cut that brings the eye right to the same user-replaceable fiber optic front sight.

Wilson Combat SFX9 HC 3.25" sub-compact
Image courtesy JWT for thetruthaboutguns.com

Also note that, while the slide is flat at the rail, there’s a slight angle cut above it for the full length on each side. Beyond just the components, it’s the attention to this kind of design detail that sets Wilson’s entire X9 line apart from most pistol designs, new and old alike.

This new pistol is the Solid Frame X9. Look closely, and you’ll see that, unlike the EDC-X9, there are no interchangeable grip panels on this pistol. In fact, there are no grip panels at all. The entire frame — grip included — is cut from one solid piece of T6-7075 aluminum. The result is an easily concealable pistol with a full 15-round capacity, and a grip no wider than a standard single stack 1911.

That slimed down grip frame may be the only difference the SFX9 sports, but it’s a big one. Beyond the pure ease of concealability, the more rectangular grip, compared to the EDC-X9, means less twist in the hand for most shooters.

One potential drawback for this type of grip shape is that it can leave some shooters with what is essentially a less-than-ideal length of pull. No problem. Wilson Combat solves this issue with three different trigger lengths available from the factory.

Wilson Combat SFX9 HC 3.25" sub-compact
Image courtesy JWT for thetruthaboutguns.com

Unlike Wilson Combat’s 1911s, the SFX9 is only available with an arched mainspring housing. Take a look at the difference between the two in the photo above. For the SFX9 (to the rear), the angle begins just below the edge of where your thumb would lie, but doesn’t swell much until near the heel of the grip.

Like the Berretta 92 series, this is ideal geometry for most hands. Flat rear grips, like Berretta’s Vertec frame, are visually appealing and often more popular, but an arched grip frame allows most shooters more purchase and helps them keep the gun pointed at the target throughout the firing cycle.

A slim grip frame, an arched mainspring housing, along with multiple trigger lengths options is a recipe for a perfect user interface with the pistol. And that’s exactly what I got with the SFX9.

Wilson Combat SFX9 HC 3.25" sub-compact
Image courtesy JWT for thetruthaboutguns.com

The entire grip frame surface is textured with the familiar Wilson starburst pattern. The grip also features a cut-out for the thumb to more easily reach the magazine release button. Because of the SFX9’s grip shape, all I had to do to reach the textured mag release was drop my firing hand thumb down. It required no other repositioning of the grip or fingers.

Wilson Combat SFX9 HC 3.25" sub-compact
Image courtesy JWT for thetruthaboutguns.com

The frame of the SFX9 features an integral funnel in the magazine well, with a slight angle cut all the way around the interior of the grip. The magazines themselves are made in Italy by Mec-Gar. We see the attention to detail here as well, as the pad on each of the magazines is angled at each side, allowing the user a firm grip to pull a stuck magazine out or to simply check to make sure it’s firmly locked into place prior to firing.

Wilson Combat SFX9 HC 3.25" sub-compact
Image courtesy JWT for thetruthaboutguns.com

The neat magic trick of the EDX-X9 follows into the slim framed SFX9. That is, with a simple punch or using the supplied tool, you can press into the bottom of the frame, pull out on the bottom of the hinged mainspring housing, and reveal the trigger and the internals of the frame.

It’s the exact same exceptional trigger as the EDC-X, and swapping out triggers or performing maintenance is a breeze. If you thought taking apart the internals of a 1911 was easy — and it is — just wait until you see this.

Groups using ammo from a variety of manufacturers and from 115gr FMJ, 115gr +P Barnes TAC-XP, to three different 124gr +P defensive loads and two 147gr rounds scored between 1.2″ and 1.7″. The best-shooting round was the 147gr Wilson Combat Gold Dot Hollow Point and the worst was the Wilson Combat 135gr Berry HBFN training round. All groups were five round groups averaged over four shot strings, seated off a bag at 25 yards.

When so many different rounds average that close together, I have to wonder how much of the group size was pure human error via my hands and my eyes.

Wilson Combat SFX9 HC 3.25" sub-compact
Image courtesy JWT for thetruthaboutguns.com

Reliability was boringly perfect. The SFX9 came slick and clean from the factory, so all I did was take it out and shoot it. I put 520 rounds through the gun in two days, with 400 of them on day one. At no point did anything go wrong. No round failed to fire, eject, or load into the chamber.

The sights never moved, the magazine never failed to lock into place or eject on an empty magazine. There was nothing to shooting this gun other than to just…shoot it.

And like the EDC-X9, that’s the best part of this SFX9. Yes, it has a bunch of good things going for it, but the best thing about it is that it’s easy to shoot. Wilson Combat spent a lot of time developing this platform, and it really shows when you start pouring rounds downrange.

Wilson Combat SFX9 HC 3.25" sub-compact
Image courtesy JWT for thetruthaboutguns.com

I shoot a different gun every week. It gets to be a chore. The SFX9 was not a chore at all. Time on the range slipped away, and ammunition was quickly converted to brass, noise, and smile.

Specifications: Wilson Combat SFX9 HC 4″ Solid Frame Compact Handgun

Caliber: 9mm
Magazine Capacity: 15
Barrel Length: 4”
Overall Length: 7.4”
Sight Radius: 5.6”
Height: 5.25”
Width: 1.4″
Weight Empty: 29.3″
Magazines Supplied: 2
MSRP: $2,895

Ratings (out of five stars):

Style and Appearance * * * * *
Everything is tied together on the SFX9. The front and back strap pattern carry over to the radials of the grip. The top of the frame angles into the bottom of the slide. The DLC finish is extremely durable, and attractive as well.

Customization * * *
User alterable trigger lengths and an easily swappable front sight.

Reliability * * * * * 
Perfect with any round.

Accuracy * * * * *
Nothing under a 1 inch but nothing over 2-inch groups from a 4-inch barreled concealed carry pistol.

Overall * * * * *
I loved the first EDC-X almost five years ago. The solid frame SFX9 version is even more of an already very good thing.

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99 COMMENTS

  1. Thanx for the review.

    Can’t afford a new Wilson anything, but in a few years some will be on the used market, and some company will field a close approximation.

  2. My Dad used to tell a story he swore was true. One of his golf buddies was proud of his Rolex, bragging about it. My Dad asked him what he paid for it. When the guy told him he asked what time it was and the guy told him. My dad looked at his Timex and said, yup, same time as my $10 timex.
    My point is this. The pistol is just under $3 grand. If you use it in a self defense situation, it will be seized and probably lost or destroyed. My 9MM Glock cost about $350 and will do the same thing. If I lose it, it’s not serious.

    These reviews are more status symbol than anything else.

    • If you know somebody that is proud and happy about something, something they have or something they do that isn’t hurting someone else, it just brings them joy, and you come over and step on that joy, you’re the asshole in that story.
      If someone comes over and steps on the joy you have over something you do or something you own, that person is not a friend. They aren’t a buddy, or companion, or partner. They’re just an asshole and they don’t deserve your time.

        • You can absolutely amount of Red Dot on it. Take a look at their website and it shows the gun so mounted.

      • In general, I agree, particularly with the point about “isn’t hurting someone else”.
        But one of my relatives spent way too much on guns while neglecting his family finances. It always seemed that his family never had money for the essentials, but my relative always had money for an expensive new gun.
        I like toys just as much as the next guy, but my family comes before toys. They always have.

      • JWM, your comment about “Michael’s” dad, calling him an “asshole”, strikes me as “bitchy”.

        Men call other men out and give them crap sometimes. That is the nature of men. Properly functioning men take the crap their friends give them, and dish it back to them.

        You are a military man. I’m sure you understand all this, and have both given crap, and received it many times.

        The golfing buddy with the Rolex wasn’t merely enjoying the excellent craftsmanship and quality of his purchase. He was also bragging about it. At that point, he crossed a little invisible line, and was acting like a “fancy boy” bragging about his shiny new toy.

        Fancy boy behavior is inappropriate for men, and therefore he needed to be brought down a notch. Michael’s dad did an excellent job of introducing a dose of common sense to his friend. No harm was done, and his statement was true.

        Yes, an inexpensive Timex serves the same basic function as a Rolex. Likewise, a basic Glock serves the same function as this pistol.

        Some people really appreciate the excellent craftsmanship of nice firearms like this, and can also afford to purchase them. That’s fine. They can buy them and enjoy them. Great 👍

        Other people are content with moderately priced, but also perfectly functional tools, like Glocks. Great, go for it. 👍

        Still others are content with inexpensive but still generally functional tools like a Taurus G2C. Great, go for it. 👍

        People in each of the above three groups will sometimes make fun of those in the other two, and that’s ok too. 👍

        Other people buy fancy status symbols mainly to show off. They should expect people to call out their silliness.

        Yes, maybe I’m also an “asshole” for calling your comment “bitchy”.
        Then again, maybe I’m acting as a true friend, giving you some crap. 😉

        • Art, I have a Rolex. And a Wilson 1911. And an old Chevrolet pick-up. If anyone recognizes either and comments it usually leads to a pleasant conversation. Otherwise, I never really give any of them a thought. Until I need them.

      • Thanx, JWT, agree completely. If you think you are really being just so wise, assuring that you take no pride in anything you own, anything you do, anything you are, I feel nothing but pity for you. I’ve had my 18K Rolex for 34 years now, wear it every day, and take great pride in it and in my ability to afford it.

      • Strikes me as well, it is now worth about 5X what I paid for it, how does that compare to your Timex?

      • I came back to this review days later just to say: your comment regarding not stomping on someone’s joy is very true, and it made me think. I’m glad to have read it.

        And as someone who has shot and owned handguns from beat-up SW40VE’s and thoroughly-abused milsurp 92’s to custom 1911’s that cost far more than that Wilson – there is a reason some people like expensive, handcrafted guns. And there is a reason some people like cheap, mass-produced guns. I, and many others, belong to both groups.

    • Once you have sufficient money and many people do, paying a lot extra for nothing more than intangible satisfaction becomes worth it. JWT is one of those people. It sounds like he could buy one of these every month and not not dip into his non-discretionary spending money. As your income and or funds on hand goes up luxury items become as relatively inexpensive as the most cost efficient items are for the rest of us. Why not indulge at that point? You can’t take the money with you when you die and you might never get another chance to be satisfied again (or anything else for that matter).

      • I was reluctant to mention that I two have twice bought handguns more expensive than that one. In my case, it bordered on recklessness though since I didn’t/don’t yet have my retirement funded well at all. Actually, I can probably never retire until I am close to dead, time wise. I don’t regret those purchases because they did in fact come with the satisfaction I sought. I EDC carry a very expensive handgun partly because it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling when I handle and or think about it and partly because I don’t want to risk it being stolen without a fight. I made the grips myself and it took me about fifty hours over two months because I had to learn as I went. I have had that gun for about 5 years now and don’t regret spending the money or time. Yeah, I know that the cops will take it if I have to use it for self-defense, but I am fine with that risk and live in a very gun friendly jurisdiction and will likely get it back if I am not convicted of a felony which I study and work hard to avoid and pay for legal insurance to mitigate that risk.

      • Not to pick nits here but what you just described is how exactly how to fake being rich which is quite the pastime these days.

        You’ve quite literally described not just the business model but also the entire life of an Instagram influencer. Their checks may be bigger than most but they’re still living paycheck to paycheck.

        I still do a bit of custom TIG, mostly Ti but also a bit of stainless, and I can’t count the number of guys rocking a Rolex, TAG or even a Patek Philippe who can’t cough up the cash for what they want. Often they then flip shit that I won’t take a credit card.

        • Oh, yes, I was referring to your first post exclusively, about “sufficient money”, not the rest of it.

          It occurs to me that this could be read as, but was not meant to be, a personal dig at you, Vic.

    • Michael, I understand your point. However, a very good friend told me about a conversation his dad had with a couple friends after a quail hunt. Mr. Randy said, “Every man should own a nice personal firearm, a nice watch and a nice knife.” I thought, “Why stop at only one of each?”

    • BTW Micheal from your avatar it looks like you might own a private aircraft or otherwise spend to fly them somehow. That is a lot more expensive than these handguns and quite arguably even more of a luxury. Is that evidence of vanity and or foolishness on your part?

      • that’s right, if you chop up a zombie with your propeller they’re going to take that pietenpol away. of course, the wilson costs more.

      • If he bought the most expensive plane of that type just to show off, instead of a less expensive plane that got the same job done, you might have a point.

        I got my private pilot certificate in a Cessna 172 after saving up money working at a hardware store over a couple of summers as a teenager. It’s easier to fly when you’re wealthy, but it’s not strictly a wealthy man’s pursuit.

    • There’s “things that will work” then there’s “craftsmanship that will last”. I like both, but for good quality stuff like the Rolex in your example there’s a reason things cost more.

    • Michael, true but I think your dad missed the point of the Rolex purchase. Your Glock, as you implied, is the Timex of the gun world, extremely reliable and does its job flawlessly. Hell, my Timex does a better job than my Omega in keeping time but I still value my Omega much more. Value my CZ and Sig all steel hammer fired firearms over my perfectly adequate stickier fired guns as well and most would agree; a lot more goes into the value we place on things than does it complete the basic task at hand. The Wilson Combat is a beautiful firearm and valued appropriately by many.

    • If you’ve never shot a Wilson Combat, then you should. A shooting friend owns the Wilson Combat CQB Elite in 9mm and I had the pleasure of shooting it this past Thursday. The difference between the WIlson Combat and my Glock 43 was amazing. Even the slide was far easier to rack on the CQB Elite and the trigger was outstanding. I am 79 and a bit unsteady, yet I had no problem placing all shots on target. Were I younger and steadier, I can only imagine how much better I would have placed the shots. The CQB Elite is a bit(lot) pricey for me ;however, it sure did improve my confidence.

  3. “These reviews are more status symbol than anything else.”

    Thousand dollar pistols may be status symbols, but reviews are mere information; virtually anyone can write a review of a firearm.

  4. Very impressive. That pretty much incorporates everything I desire in a handgun. I do find the “radial rays” on the sides of the grip frame a bit visually “busy” for my taste, and I prefer a flat mainspring housing- but that’s about all I can find to nitpick here. The only thing that’s keeping me from running out and buying one of these is my bank account balance.

  5. Nice review, Jon. When I heard about this release it wasn’t immediately apparent that the differentiating factor from the EDC X9 is a slimmer grip. I was left confused. You cleared that up for me.

    At what distance was the accuracy testing conducted?

  6. Not many people could afford such a weapon today and is it worth the money?

    If the article was not propaganda in regards to the accuracy it shows that such accuracy in a combat handgun is often more of a liability than an asset.

    Generally super accuracy comes at the expense of reliability. Ask any bullseye shooter. A tight fitting 1911 style bushing and a tight fitting slide to frame fit and a tight match chamber can result in a less than reliable weapon. Such weapons must be kept clean and often drowning in lubricant which is not at all desired in a carry piece when lubricant gives your clothing a bath. The average person usually does not have the time to constantly clean his tightly fitting weapon either. Even extremely cold weather can affect the reliability of tightly fitted weapons as well.

    The average rushed and hurried person today has neither the shooting skills nor the time to practice to achieve those skills which enable him to take advantage of a super accurate pistol or even has the opportunity and wealth to buy the large amounts of ammo to practice with to achieve the skills that would enable him to benefit from such accuracy.

    Now we come to the problem of Weight and size. The size of a 1911 pistol makes it both uncomfortable to carry because of its weight as well as difficult to conceal in hot weather.

    Although this may sound strange from a person who vomits at the sight of plasticky pistols I do carry one because they are light in weight and cheap in price, which is an advantage when power mad thug cops frisk you and steal your weapon when they many times have no legal right to do so. If you are lucky enough to get your weapon back in a year or so its often been severely damaged as well. I have seen Moron cops throw a confiscated weapon across a room and into a wire basket where it then bounced around on top of other weapons sitting in the basket.

    One last note on accuracy I have a P30s H&K that will group with match ammo 2 to 2 1/2 inches and a much smaller P30sk which comes close to that accuracy and that is plenty accurate enough for a carry gun and I paid roughly $2,200 less for either of one of them compared to the Wilson.

    I might also add the Wilson would not be first choice for a bullseye shooter either as that is a specialized sport that requires its own type of custom built weapon.

    Yes the Wilson Combat is a the “sine qua non” for snob appeal and if you got the bucks why not? It does make the ultimate safe queen to drag out once in awhile to wave under the noses of cheap ass Jethro Bodine’s at your shooting club or impress your friends and frighten your enemies, but in all honestly who in their right mind would actually carry one and risk losing it to the cops? Not me, I live in the real world.

    • Nice gat JWT. Like an $80000 truck I’ll never get either but so what? Can I get one with crypto?!?😉🙃😎

    • darcydodo…you talk and reason just like that worthless self serving pos enuf who ran around boasting about the firearms and ammo he purchased after he voted for hilliary rotten clintoon and other Jim Crow Gun Control democRats.

      Good shooters always maintain race guns and you bozo should never count on their firearms ever failing to fire. A Wilson Combat is expensive for good reason. Not only is it functional and reliable as the review concludes it is a work of art and an investment. Such real world artistry would be totally wasted should it ever be touched by your sick, undeserving hands.

      • Debbie studies show that guns are not good long term investments as compared to other methods of investing your money,

        On the other hand it is true that if you buy guns cheap and then sell them in a short period of time at a mark up in price yes you can make money, but for a long term investment, that is just not true.

        I might add the chances of you picking up a Wilson dirt cheap are slim to none.

    • pluto is a planet.
      well… it was when i was a kid.
      jefropedo lives in his “own” little world.

  7. SANTA FELL SHORT OF MULLA FOR XMAS , MAYBE SOME DAY , N TRUE IF LOST OR STOLEN HEFTY PRICE TO PAY . BET A GOOD PISTOL . THANKS FOR INFOR ALWAYS

      • he yelled he was not gifted a wilson this holiday by an elf but remains hopeful, admits it would be a shame to misplace or be relieved of one should he acquire one, concurs that it seems to be of a high quality, and thanked jon for his time and learned opinion.
        are you suggesting that there is no way to convey something intelligently in flemish?

  8. Nice pistol. I have the Ultralight Carry in 9mm and paid quite a bit more for it than this one. That being said Michael can stick it… I’m not apologizing for buy nice stuff. I’ll bet he a lousy tipper also.

  9. I ain’t wealthy. I save to buy quality not quantity.

    I carry expensive 1911’s. I like the way they feel in my hand. I like the way they shoot. I love their triggers. I carry in Milt Sparks or Warbird leather, can’t get 5shot, it’s unobtanium. Ain’t none of it cheap. I want what I shoot best with me. If the local
    5 O takes it after a shoot, that will be the least of my worries.

    I’ve been intrigued by the Wilson X series, wish one would be built in .45ACP. I’ve shot a couple. The L nearly hooked me. Wilson builds some good stuff. This series has been a hit since it was introduced. IIRC some commenters were dogging on Farago for carrying one. Here’s a hint folks, don’t go p!ssing in someones cornflakes cause your jealous, angry, or envious. If you have 4 Glock brand Glocks’s, you just about have enough to get one of these.

    • Or a cold climate! I once bought a (quite expensive) rechargeable Maglite because of the capabilities of the battery at extremely low temperatures, since I regularly had to work outside when the temps were below -30, wind chills down to -120. Never considered the effects of an aluminum case at those temperatures. With 3 pairs of gloves on, my hands were numb after 30 seconds of holding the flashlight, and ached horribly for 30 minutes after I put it down. My issue plastic flashlight had no such problem, probably cost the government about a dollar. The results of a solid aluminum grip vs wood or plastic scales would be the same. The idea is great, just be advised of limitations.

  10. Being afflicted with EGS, Expensive Gun Syndrome, I WANT one!
    Unfortunately, now that I am retired, I am also afflicted with EWS, Empty Wallet Syndrome.

    Maybe someday…

    • I’m glad I’m not afflicted with EGS. Unfortunately, I am afflicted with the AWMGS (Always Want More Guns Syndrome). That also quickly gets expensive. Twenty plus guns in the $300-600 range still adds up to a fair amount of money.

  11. Did I hear $US3000 plus for a hand gun>What the hell for?
    Defence? If the bad guy points a gun at you GIVE him, or her, you bloody wallet. If the intent was to kill you as a first option you would already be DEAD. Go for you ‘personal defence’ gun and you take away that first option and DEAD you certainly will be!! Be very, very certain that that bad guy knows exactly your intentions are. I still cannot understand the American obsession with firearms which as ‘personlal defence weapons are basically useless. They only give the bad guys another excuse to blow your bloody head off. I find it highly amusing actually, that image of the littke fat guy acting dreaming he’s Rambo and who either shites him or herslf or shoot.s his own foot off. #

    As for Rambo. such an obvious and easy bloody target anyway,

    • Are you trying to be sarcastic? Conservative estimates document tens of thousands successful defensive firearm encounters in the U.S. every year.

      • “Conservative estimates document tens of thousands successful defensive firearm encounters in the U.S. every year.”

        How many successful events began with the defender drawing down on someone pointing a gun at them? Or maybe we are misled to believe that action beats reaction.

      • Albert Hall is not trying to be sarcastic. He’s very openly and honestly being his true self: an ignorant British twit.

    • “I still cannot understand the American obsession with firearms”

      You didn’t need to point out your ignorance, it was already well on display.

    • Albert you are correct in everything you said. More than one study on resisting a robbery shows that those who resist were far more likely not to survive the encounter.

      I might add that also the average uneducated wannabe paranoid Rambo’s on this forum have zero common sense as well. It stands to reason that the robber already is pointing a gun at you and unless you are the reincarnation of Bill Jordan the quick draw expert who was a one in a million you would never be able to draw your gun and shoot the robber when all he had to do was pull the trigger before your gun was even half way out of its holster.

      One might use a counter argument and say “What about the nut case that attacks a shopping mall wanting to commit mass murder. ” Here again the Right Wing Rambo wannabe’s do not realize these people often plan ahead and are wearing bullet proof armor as well as using a high power rifle while you will not be wearing armor and you will have to use an unsteady pistol which by the way will not penetrate his body armor anyway. Once again reality says you would be better off hiding or running like hell than trying to commit suicide by taking on a rifle carrying maniac.

      The the Far Right will mouth off NRA propaganda about legions of Rambo’s blowing away thousands of bad guys. Again a falsehood as successful gun fights with Robbers or maniacs where the good guy wins in a shoot out are a very rare occurrence compared to the real world where the good guy often gets blown away trying to play hero.

      Example: Just yesterday in Cleveland, Ohio an off duty cop got his ass blown away when a robber wanted his car. He pulled out his gun and got his ass blown away by the Robber who then still got his keys and his car. He would be alive today if he had just given the robber his car and then waited for the army of heavily armed storm trooper cops to surround the guy and arrest him which by the way then did do not long after.

      • Sorry lil ‘d, but as you apparently pull all of your “studies” out of unnamed sources, we can logically infer based upon evidence provided by yourself that the main source of your materials is none other than Mad Magazine. I believe that even a person with your stunted learning capacity would be able to discern that your source is famously recognized as a parody. Oh, be sure and tell Moxie the fellas say hi .

  12. Good review. Would love to have one of these babies, but definitely out of my price range at the moment.

  13. So, I read the review and then saw the price and first thought was “What, that’s all?” I spend my money on four things; my daughter, certain charitable contributions, guns and cars. recently bought a LTT Elite 92 with all options. It’s a great gun and has replaced my standard 92A1 for winter carry. I have more years behind me than in front of me and more money than time. Might as well spend it. Already giving my daughter her inheritance in terms of money but she is going to have to wait for the fun stuff, the cars and guns, until after i’m dead no matter how much she begs.

  14. What I’d like to know is how that gun feels in your hand in cold and/or wet weather. The ALUMINUM frame does not have interchangeable grip panels. The “panels” are machined into the aluminum frame and don’t appear to have any sort of grippable texture. Cold and slippery grip in hand when you really might need to hang onto the gun. What kind of stunt is Wilson trying to pull? One of the many great features of the 1911 is the variety of grips that are available.

      • Maybe you should of mentioned this in your review. With your detailed reviews the mention of grip “feel” would be a key point for a personal defense firearm. BTW perusing the Wilson website there is no mention of an interchangeable grip panel model.

        • This is the solid frame version of the original gun, which has the grips. Note the first sentence.

      • JWT, what’s your thumb length? (Knuckle forward, I’m at 2.5”) I gave up on 1911’s for the CZ-75, slim grips on each, for lack of reach, but that thumb relief cut may do the trick to add a 1911 to the stable.

        • I don’t know what my thumb length is. But I have large hands in my thumbs are usually long enough to be a problem with subcompacts.

  15. Hey jdub, does it have a noticeable , different feel while shooting it, seeing as it deletes the normal grip safety? After years of handling mainstream 1911s I think it would take awhile to get used to… great review as usual, by the way. Thanks

    • Yes, definitely feels different than most modern 1911s, especially if they have a flat mainspring housing. I like it more. In fact, I’m still considering buying one and replacing my pretty much perfect EDC High Power.

  16. It looks incredible. When the kids are out of daycare and I move somewhere that carry laws are recognized I may consider one, used.

    In the meantime, can you review a Bergara BMR carbon 22lr, Jon? I’m picking one up and I want validation! NRL22 base class and Squirrels look out!

  17. Concerns have been raised relative to police taking the gun following a shootout. I would rather carry a gun that I have confidence in which may translate into increased chances of my survival in the event of a shootout. If I don’t survive it doesn’t matter what gun I carried. However, if I do survive and lose my gun to authorities, then I figure my life is worth more that the price of the gun. If a person is going to carry, then they should carry that which gives them more chances of survival.

    • If I wanted this but was afraid I might lose my edc to the cops, I would buy two, keep one in the safe for such occurrences. Wait! I DID do that, bought and modified two LC9s several years back (removed manual safety and mag disconnect, added green laser Gripsense) so they were identical, bought identical holsters, keep one on my hip and the other in my safe. I can hear it now, “that’s too expensive”, but actually it has never benefited me at all, I have somehow made it through all those years without shooting anyone, I suspect most of you have, as well. So stop worrying about the cops stealing your gun and act like an adult, that is the least of your concerns.
      Either a Mazda3 for $22,000 or a Porsche 911 Turbo S for $220,000 will go from here to Phoenix at 75 mph, some of us do not wish to make the obvious choice, and that would be our business, not yours.

      • It does suggest a curious dilemma- whether one is more concerned about having survived a life and death situation by utilizing a top-of-the-line tool, or if it was better to have managed with a Harbor Freight special.

        That’s a question only the individual can answer…

        • Most individuals will never face that life and death situation at all, with either variety of tool. The question is more about what you wish to carry around for no reason for the rest of your life, a finely honed work of art or a blunderbuss.

  18. If you’re too poor then just don’t buy it. Stop wasting people’s time by complaining here.

  19. Excellent review.

    I tend to laugh when I people say it’s absurd to have a gun that will be seized if you ever use it and you’ll lose it. If you had a choice between something that was $3,000 and you knew would work, or something that was $500 and was just over 50%, which would you pick? Your life or that of your loved ones isn’t worth it? Simplistic? Absolutely, and yes, I realize it’s unrealistic.

    For me it’s about how I shoot and carry something. I’ve shot 3-Gun, I’ve shot Open and Limited in USPSA so big numbers on guns are something that I’ve seen. Despite the cash that some of those blasters have cost me, some of my best shooting guns are my CZ-Shadow, and my LTT 92 Elite. Not only do I enjoy shooting them, but I’m extremely comfortable shooting them, and I’d like to to think I shoot them well. What I’ve struggled though, is finding a carry gun that suits me, and that I’m equally comfortable with. I’ve tried the P-01, a 92 Compact, a Sphinx Compact, a PX4 Sub-Compact, a Hellcat, a P99C, and a PPS, and none of them have been “just right”. The sub-compact polymers are the worst shooters in terms of accuracy, and the others are tougher to conceal, and still don’t shoot as well as my favorites.

    The SFX9 looks interesting. I’ve put some rounds thru some Wilson’s before, and enjoyed them, I suspect of the group that I’ve looked at, this would shoot the best, but would likely be in the harder to conceal group. If I could shoot it as well as I do the Shadow and 92 Elite, then it would probably be worth the challenge to conceal. The biggest issue on price, is that if I spend $600 on something, and don’t like it, there is a much bigger market to move it, than when you spend $3k on something and don’t like it. Always the trick, finding one to fondle, or even better put a few magazine thru before making the investment. In any case, review has me looking for one!

    • “If you had a choice between something that was $3,000 and you knew would work, or something that was $500 and was just over 50%, which would you pick? Your life or that of your loved ones isn’t worth it?”

      $3000 gun, or $600 gun? This is nothing more than another flavor of the calibre wars.

      However, since some have raised the issue, and fallen in with the “inexpensive guns demonstrate a lack of love for family”, I have two questions: Where on the price continuum is the breakpoint between a gun that is near 100% reliable, and one that will likely fail to work when needed?; How many successful DGUs, and unsuccessful DGUs for expensive and inexpensive guns?

      • It’s not restarting the caliber war, the point is that they are equally stupid arguments. The process of finding what you should carry is going to be personal, and there are no universal answers, which is why it astounds me that people on both sides still feel that it’s worth arguing about.

        I went and picked up an SFX9 on Thursday, loved the way it felt and bought it. Put 300 rounds thru it on Thursday, 500 on Friday, and another 500 thru it this morning. For me, it was like finding a unicorn. A 3.25″ barrel gun that I can shoot damn near as well as a full-size gun, and that I can carry as easily as some of my plastic guns.

        Today I brought with a few other guns that I’d used for carry, and while all of them have what I’d call an acceptable defensive accuracy, I definitely developed a much better accuracy with the SFX9. For me, I enjoyed shooting it, and that’s the good thing. When I shot 50k rounds a year because I was competing, I’ll really neglected shooting what I was carrying. That’s on me. However if I enjoy shooting the SFX9, and I do, then I’ll definitely make sure to put a bunch more rounds down range with it, and maintain more of a proficiency than just a competence.

        There is no right answer, but saying something is the wrong answer just because it’s inexpensive, or because it’s got a large price tag really is a silly argument. People should go thru the process for themselves, and find what works for them.

        By in large for me, the upfront cost of a gun may be hard to swallow sometimes, I realize that I dwarf the cost of the gun with ammo, going to a yearly class, and other expenses associated with shooting. If the gun is my biggest investment, then I’ve got a bigger problem.

  20. “It’s not restarting the caliber war, the point is that they are equally stupid arguments.”

    Indeed.

    Wonder if people who feel comfortable trusting their lives to a $4000 gun realize how much better they could defend themselves with a $9000 gun?

  21. “Sam you seem intent on misunderstanding…..I’m truly sorry you sir.”

    Nope. Merely showing the silliness of the thought that an expensive gun is always superior to an inexpensive gun in self-defense incidents.

    – we have no evidence that the expensive guns are more successful in self-defense
    – we have no evidence that inexpensive guns are less successful in self-defense
    – we have no evidence that expensive guns are functionally more reliable in self-defense
    – we have no evidence that a $1000 gun is less reliable for self defense than a $4000 gun
    – or that the $4000 gun is more successful in self-defense than a $1000 gun

    In short, people who own very expensive guns are not safer, more successful, or smarter when it comes to possessing a handgun for self-defense.

  22. Dacian, carrying a gun doesn’t mean you have already made up your mind you are going to pull it out in every lethal encounter. I think this is actually an important thing to contemplate. Whilst indeed it may be wiser to hand over your keys rather than turn the situation into a bloodbath, there are definitely scenarios where having a gun may save your life of someone else’s. That’s why we carry.
    In the synagogue in Jerusalem -seven years ago, two terrorists were hacking people to death (my friend was one of them) for 11 minutes before cops arrvived. My friend Aryeh Kapinsky was already shot through the chest and was restraining the gunman by holding both his arms to enable others to escape with their lives. Whilst many escaped because of this, the other terrorist came from behind him and knifed him in the neck……killing him.
    11 minutes and no one had a gun….If there was someone armed inside that synagogue the outcome would undoubtedly been different….. 

  23. Sundevil827 try an M and P 2.0 compact with an Apex trigger kit installed. I bet you’ll shoot better with that than even your Shadow…..

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  26. I shoot this gun faster and more accurate than all the other guns I own. If I was attacked by a group of young thugs (that’s what happens in my area), I would be most likely to solve the problems I’m having with minimal injury to myself. Yes I train multiple times a week and that counts, but I’m still the best with this gun. What if the cops take it? Who cares! I’m alive and have other guns to use while ordering a new Wilson. It conceals so well too, much better than the Staccatos.

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