View Full Version : Wilson Comabat??
Colorado Luckydog
04-05-2010, 20:35
In my 50 years I have owned hundreds of guns. I have never owned a Wilson Combat. I have owned a lot of semi auto handguns that go bang every single time you pull the trigger. (no matter how dirty they were) I just checked the prices of Wilson Combat!!! OMG!! Are they made of kryptonite?? Why would these guns cost over two thousand dollars??? WTF!! I can promise this, I will never own one at those prices. Please enlighten me????
Custom hand fitting,,Les Bear,,Nighthawk,,Novak,,and others.
I always wanted a Frank Pachmayr .45acp,,yes before the rubber grips he did AWESOME .45acps.
http://www.gunbookstore.com/titles/1571570179.htm
Superior parts, workmanship, and function. They're hard to beat in any of these areas, and having owning one that punches 2" groups out to 50yds with me behind it I can tell you I have no regrets in spending a couple grand on one. I've only ran about 1200-1500 rounds through mine but have yet to have a hicup of any kind. They're just not your typical off the production line type of 1911 - no mim, no BS, just one fine peice of workmanship.
SA Friday
04-05-2010, 21:12
This was $3000. I have another that I bought for $2000 and put another couple of hundred into it. They shoot like it too. Equipment does make a difference. It's a matter if you feel the cost is worth what you are getting. I thought at one time prices like this for a firearm were crazy too. We shoot, we learn.
I have found that not always, but a lot of times you really do get what you pay for. although you can definitely only spend $400 on a ruger and be pretty much guaranteed the thing will work every time in almost every condition, that a nice custom gun is going to fit and feel a whole lot better than the cheaper gun.
kid of like a car I guess.
a Honda will get you where you need to go, but a Lamborghini will make you feel good about it while you are on the way!
This was $3000.
How'd you get that Beretta barrel on the bottom of it?!
Colorado Luckydog
04-05-2010, 21:23
This was $3000. I have another that I bought for $2000 and put another couple of hundred into it. They shoot like it too. Equipment does make a difference. It's a matter if you feel the cost is worth what you are getting. I thought at one time prices like this for a firearm were crazy too. We shoot, we learn.
My handguns are for family protection. If it goes bang and shoots a decent group that's all I need. I guess that some folks want those little groups the way I do in my bolt rifles. However, my most expensive bolt was only $861 with $175 dollars worth of smith work and a 500 dollar scope. It shoots great for me and I would never spend the money for a Cooper. I guess different strokes for different folks. I would still rather own a couple of Glocks, a couple of Smith & Wessons, and a couple of Springfields than one one Wilson but that's just me.
It is impossible to make reliable/accurate/durable 1911 pistol without hand fitting. I have seen so much crap from S&W, Dan Wesson, Kimber, Springfield Armory and many other "reasonable priced" 1911 manufacturers, I am not going to buy cheap 1911 anymore, period.
I feel, reasonable priced firearm is one that is made right - if we talk about 1911, I have not seen a good pistol under $1800 (Les Baer Premier II).
If you want a decent gun for low price, buy STI.
Some folks opt for the tools to get the job done, while others opt to make it look and feel good while getting it done. Lime Snap-On to Craftsman, or Ford GT to Mustang GT, and so on...
It's all about personal taste (and $$$ - I won't lie), they're not for everybody, but I sure as hell would recomend some trigger time on one before you pass judgement.
SA Friday
04-05-2010, 21:42
How'd you get that Beretta barrel on the bottom of it?!
It's cut that way by the builder to lighten the slide weight. My other one has 4 big holes drilled in each side of the front of the slide and the back of the slide has been bored out to take un-needed weight out too. It's about reciprocating mass.
If you get the opportunity to shoot a custom 1911 or 2011 some time, jump at the opportunity. The difference in the feel and reliability can pretty shocking.
funkfool
04-05-2010, 21:43
Well... my 0.02 is this..
Guns are tools... like any tools, some make jobs easier.
Now, most bassists wouldn't lay down over 5K for a bass like this...
http://www.pedulla.com/assets/images/autogen/a_A-ETGAL-ET4AAA-L-4.jpg
But, if you play professionally... It really can make a difference.
I bought a Pedulla (http://www.pedulla.com/html/home_page.html) about a decade ago and it changed my playing immediately - a professional tool for a professional end product... music.
The Wislon Combat product is similar in that respect... if you are into it enough... you won't bat an eye to aquire the right tool for the job.
Just my thoughts... BTW: I don't own any WC firearms...
[BooHoo][Cry]
Colorado Luckydog, I feel the same way about a lot of things, but after a while I've learned to not argue about it. Sometimes people just want things. I experienced this when I was telling my friend how I wanted to spend the $200 to cut down my 870 to 12". He started going on and on about how he'd just buy a Mossberg 500 with a factory 18.5" barrel on it and blah blah. At that point I realized that different people will come up with endless different "one gun solutions" to situations, but I didn't make it clear that I was making plans to do that because I necessarily thought it was the best idea, most reliable, or most affordable, just that it was what I wanted to do.
That's okay though because back when we were younger he used to talk about building a supercharged truck and I used to always tell him to turbo charge and acted kind of like a dick about it. Live and learn I guess.
Colorado Luckydog
04-05-2010, 23:57
If you teach a pussy karate...he's a pussy, that knows karate. The way a gun feels in your hand, won't mean chit, if and when it's show time. The mental aspect will greatly overide which gun is in your hand. If your shooting competition, maybe I could understand it, but for defense, I can't see the difference. That's what makes the world go round, different guns for different expectations, different strokes for different folks. If I was rich, I would buy one tomorrow, but I'm not, so I won't.
Ahh, see that is the whole catch. No one who buys a gun like that carries it or uses it as a night stand gun. That's like saying that you shouldn't build an alcohol burning race car to drive to work. Well duh silly, that's not what it is for.
Like I said before though, I'm in the same boat as you. I can't imagine paynig $300 down, then $600 a year to be a member of an indoor range, but then again, I couldn't afford that anyway. If I were ever in a position to shoot so much that $600+ a year range fees became worth it, then I'd be spending so much money on ammo that the $600 would be a drop in the bucket and I wouldn't hesitate to spend it to get into the finest place around. Since I'm not so fortunate, I just have to bite my tongue and envy the guys that can afford stuff that is unnecessary for my current status.
No one who buys a gun like that carries it or uses it as a night stand gun.
I have a couple friends who have Wilson Combat 1911's for daily carry
It is impossible to make reliable/accurate/durable 1911 pistol without hand fitting. I have seen so much crap from S&W, Dan Wesson, Kimber, Springfield Armory and many other "reasonable priced" 1911 manufacturers, I am not going to buy cheap 1911 anymore, period.
If this is true, then my desire to buy a 1911 is basically out the window. I can buy just about any poly gun at a reasonable price and expect it to be reliable/accurate/durable.
The cheapest STI is $700... which isn't bad, I just don't know if it's missing the magic fairy dust that makes other STI's worth 2x to 3x as much.
H.
I have a couple friends who have Wilson Combat 1911's for daily carry
Shut up or I'll shut you up.
Now, most bassists wouldn't lay down over 5K for a bass like this...
But, if you play professionally... It really can make a difference.
Rgr that, if I added up all the money spent on trumpets over the years... I'd be driving a lambo and shooting WC's or Ed Brown or whomever was that elusive 1911 dude. But, my job/love is a musician and that is where the money goes... and to debt. But once I'm outta debt, the gun world better watch out! YEE-HAWW!
Shut up or I'll shut you up.
[Luck] [Muaha]
theGinsue
04-06-2010, 09:42
Like I said before though, I'm in the same boat as you. I can't imagine paynig $300 down, then $600 a year to be a member of an indoor range, but then again, I couldn't afford that anyway. If I were ever in a position to shoot so much that $600+ a year range fees became worth it, then I'd be spending so much money on ammo that the $600 would be a drop in the bucket and I wouldn't hesitate to spend it to get into the finest place around. Since I'm not so fortunate, I just have to bite my tongue and envy the guys that can afford stuff that is unnecessary for my current status.
Stuart - that is exactly the reason I've refrained from joining a local indoor range (Whistling Pines). If I could afford the range membership and monthly fees, I couldn't afford the ammo to make the membership worthwhile.
theGinsue
04-06-2010, 09:47
Shut up or I'll shut you up.
[Luck] [Muaha]
Do I have to separate the two of you?
If I have to pull this thread over, we'll just turn this forum around and neither one of you are going to be happy!
The cheapest STI is $700... which isn't bad, I just don't know if it's missing the magic fairy dust that makes other STI's worth 2x to 3x as much.
There are many different versions of STIs. Everything from single stacks to widebody double stacks with lots of options.
StagLefty
04-06-2010, 10:03
I believe in quality tools for my profession but I don't buy everything that says Dewalt on it because there are alternative products out there that perform very well for a lot less. If my job depended on the firearm I carried I think the same reasoning applies. There are some great guns out there for a lot less than Wilson. If your in to competition shooting and can afford it I guess Wilson would be the way to go. JMHO
Do I have to separate the two of you?
If I have to pull this thread over, we'll just turn this forum around and neither one of you are going to be happy!
[ROFL1]
funkfool
04-06-2010, 10:34
Billboard on the highway of this thread...
http://www.wilsoncombat.com/handguns/tac_supergrade/large/1.jpg
Gotta admit... they are sweet.
http://www.wilsoncombat.com/index.htm
Do I have to separate the two of you?
If I have to pull this thread over, we'll just turn this forum around and neither one of you are going to be happy!
BTW: Are we there yet?
theGinsue
04-06-2010, 11:01
Gotta admit... they are sweet.
BTW: Are we there yet?
Yes, they are quite sweet.
No, we are not there yet.
Which one of you smart@$$es left the water running in the bathroom?
I did, and it is so the cat will shut up and stop meowing. You KNOW he only drinks water out of the faucet.
funkfool
04-06-2010, 11:32
[http://www.wilsoncombat.com/handguns/tac_supergrade/large/1.jpg
Although...
You got a 3 grand gun and a 40 dollar CRKT folder...
Guess you spent all your money on gun and couldn't afford an Elishewitz (http://www.elishewitzknives.com/)?!?
I've shot several and think they are well worth the money. Also know a few people that carry them daily.
Looking at the OP's title, I was expecting this.
http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/02/63/88/17/0002638817743_500X500.jpg
If this is true, then my desire to buy a 1911 is basically out the window. I can buy just about any poly gun at a reasonable price and expect it to be reliable/accurate/durable.
The cheapest STI is $700... which isn't bad, I just don't know if it's missing the magic fairy dust that makes other STI's worth 2x to 3x as much.
H.
Oh sorry, my bad. I do not consider non-Texas made Spartan as STI 1911 firearm and was not thinking it at all :)
They really are not the same stuff, Spartan major parts are made by Armscor Philippines :(
I have not seen any polygun that would had been accurate or even durable.
We probably demand different things from pistols.
theGinsue
04-07-2010, 08:08
Looking at the OP's title, I was expecting this.
http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/02/63/88/17/0002638817743_500X500.jpg
I was thinking more along this line..
http://www.thedesigntown.com/new_product_images/Wilson_Cast-Away.jpg
WILSON! Come back Wilson!
(Sorry, I just had to!)
Oh sorry, my bad. I do not consider non-Texas made Spartan as STI 1911 firearm and was not thinking it at all :)
They really are not the same stuff, Spartan major parts are made by Armscor Philippines :(
So basically the cheapest STI is in the $1k+ range.
I have not seen any polygun that would had been accurate or even durable.
I don't see how there's really a substantial accuracy difference between most handguns... once the bullet is in the chamber, it really comes down to barrel quality, barrel length, and if you torque it as you pull the button, right? In terms of getting the bullet down range those are the only factors?
This is in the same vein as wondering if the XDm "match grade" barrels are really that much better. I think I'd have to put my glocks in a stand to see how accurate they really are, my belief is that any variances on where the bullet goes is caused by my aim and not he gun.
I guess this also means the $500 Brazilian made 1911 I got my "father in law" is a heap? He hasn't reported any FTF with it, or even any smokestack rounds, which is what I've seen 1911's do.
H.
For me, firearms are tools. If I am making my living with a tool, I'm going to invest in better quality.
That being said, I am one of the unwashed masses that will probably never drop $2k+ on a firearm.
Pistol Packing Preacher
04-07-2010, 09:26
Truth be told... I would love to own a WC. The price is out of my universe!
I will say that My CZ 75B SA has not missed a beat and will stay by my side for a long time!
Not as 'good looking; as the WC...
But trustworthy!
.02 worth!
[Coffee]
So basically the cheapest STI is in the $1k+ range.
I don't see how there's really a substantial accuracy difference between most handguns... once the bullet is in the chamber, it really comes down to barrel quality, barrel length, and if you torque it as you pull the button, right? In terms of getting the bullet down range those are the only factors?
To a point, yes. However where hand fitting comes into play is how often the barrel and slide lock up exactly the same, every time. That means the barrel, slide, bushing, and everything that moves needs to be fitted. Machines cant do that. That last little bit of fitting is done by hand, and experience goes a long way.
Bullseye and PPC guns are built one at a time to ensure they run and put ammo inside a two inch group at 50 yards. Mass produced pistols cant do that.
I guess this also means the $500 Brazilian made 1911 I got my "father in law" is a heap? He hasn't reported any FTF with it, or even any smokestack rounds, which is what I've seen 1911's do.
It isnt a heap by any stretch. If it runs and he likes it, done deal. That is all that matters.
However the primary market of STI firearms is competitive shooters. They/we shoot a lot, get the guns hot and demand/expect 100% reliability. My primary Limited pistol (Custom STI Edge) in 40 has 60-70K rounds through it since the last rebuild, most of it on the spicey side not watered down ammo. My 3-gun pistol (Custom STI Tactical) has 30-40K of 9x19 through it and I have cleaned it exactly once. Both run like shit through a goose and can hold 1.5-2 inch groups at 25 yards. If they ran great but were not accurate, they would be useless. To me they are tools and dont need to be pretty. The finish on my STI 9 is mostly gone on the front half of the slide. My 40 is pretty, but thats only because hard chrome lasts longer than shake and bake finishes.
The primary market of Wilson is not competitive shooters even though that is where Bill Wilson got his start.
There is such a thing as pride in ownership. Thats where custom built or semi custom built pistols like Wilson and STI come in.
You think Wilson and STI are expensive? Look up Vickers, Morris, Heirloom, ect. 5-6 grand for a singlestack in 45, and a looooong wait.
If I had the cash and was going for a top of the line 1911, it would probably be this one. Been following these builds for a few years and am always impressed.
Excuse me while I clean the drool off the keyboard.
http://www.10-8forums.com/ubbthreads/postimages/90217-LeftFull800.jpg
http://www.10-8forums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=90217&an=0&page=0#90217
theGinsue
04-08-2010, 23:01
So long as it's only drool![Help]
If I had the cash and was going for a top of the line 1911, it would probably be this one. Been following these builds for a few years and am always impressed.
Excuse me while I clean the drool off the keyboard.
http://www.10-8forums.com/ubbthreads/postimages/90217-LeftFull800.jpg
http://www.10-8forums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=90217&an=0&page=0#90217
You can send a SA Loaded MC to their costom shop and have it worked over to look just like that for much less than a Wilson. Probably the best way to do it since turn around is usually a week or so if you send one in (lead time on a custom carry from scratch is quite a bit longer but you can get everything you want). Honestly the WC's are pretty pricey when compaired to the Brown's or Baer's. That's why I bought mine gently used.
For a mere $2,666.85 you could go this route.
Cylinder & Slide 1911 Tactical Class (http://www.cylinder-slide.com/1911tacticalclass.shtml)
If I only had time and money... [Wink]
Ahh, see that is the whole catch. No one who buys a gun like that carries it or uses it as a night stand gun. .........
Sorry but totally and absolutly wrong , http://www.demigodllc.com/photo/BSR-2007.03/?small=D101_3616_img.jpg , Wilson Tactical Elite that I have owned since 96 and has been carried daily since then and it sets on the headboard of my bed also . I have worn out 2 Galco Royal Gaurds carrying it and finally had to replace the night sights last year after one oof the rear dots died . Along the way it got shot alot , stopped counting a 10 K in 99 . Irs a tool not a museum piece and I use it , makes no sense to spend thae money just to lock it away in the safe and take picture of it and post on the internet .
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