Posted: 12/5/2007 11:59:11 AM EDT
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I've been pondering the idea of getting a semi-custom 1911, and like the Wilson line. But, in my perusal of their website, it looks like all their commander-size guns are really commander slides on officer frames. Does Wilson make a true commander? I.e. commander slide (4 or 4.25") and gov't frame? |
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The Sentinel Pro is the closest WC makes to what you want. Full grip frame with a 3.6" bbl/slide. Nighthawk's Talon II is a real commander size 1911. Full grip frame and 4.25: bbl/slide You can also look at the Les Baer Concept VII and VIII also true commander size 1911s. |
Colt makes a "true Commander" and others make "Commander-size" pistols. 
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IIRC the regular Professional would be the closest that Wilson makes to the Commander size. It is a Champion size pistol: 4" slide on the full frame. |
I stand corrected  , the Elite Professional is closer with a 4 1/16" bbl/slide.
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Just kidding.
Very nice ! 
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Thank you. To the OP, I wouldn't try and talk you out of a Wilson if that is what you want. Something you may want to consider though is with a RRA you can have it built how you want it, you can pick the parts you want it built with. You cannot do that with the other semi custom guns like Wilson, Les Baer and Ed Brown. |
What kind of money for the one in the pic ?
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$2535 |
I disagree with this to an extent. Your point may be substantially true that RRA will let you pick EGW this, Caspian, that, and Ed Brown those, whereas another semi custom uses their own parts. I don't know. I never consulted RRA, so feel free and clarify if this is what you mean. The issue I am raising is the misconception about WC in particular and the "semi-custom" outfits in general. Someone posted here a few weeks ago with some great lines on the subject that I am about to "Parapilfer": A "semi-custom" is something Brown/Bear/Wilson/Hawk makes and ships to ADCO, etc. It is a highly detailed production piece that is built to the specifications of a product name (CQB/Special Forces/Talon). ALL of those companies CAN and DO make custom weapons. How many times have I heard NH will build it like you want it, and now RRA? That may true, but it incorrectly suggests the others won't. Granted, there MAY be a few things X might not do that Y will and vice-versa, but by and large, they WILL make it how you want it, if you are ready to pay. |
This is getting way off topic and to the OP I apologize. Tell you what, call up Les Baer Ed Brown or any of the other "Semi-Custom" makers, ask them to substitute another of their competitors parts on a gun they are building for you. Go ahead and call them and we will wait for your reply. They won't do it for a variety of reasons. One being they are making lots of money selling their brand of parts and secondly some of them have way to big of an ego. RRAs does not have a line of parts to sell. They will build YOUR gun the way YOU want it with the parts YOU choose so long as you don't try and spec a part they feel is not good enough. Semi Custom is not a derogatory term. It just means (to me anyway) a gun built by very talented craftsmen to a spec, their spec. RRAs and Springfield Custom shop build spec Custom guns and they wil also build a gun to YOUR spec. I was not trying to derail this thread. I was also not trying to talk to OP into forgetting about a Wilson. I am not pimping for RRA, I have had my issues with them in the past. Someone else posted about looking at other brands that also make Commander sized weapons I thought I'd post a picture of one. |
Well stated. NOW, lets please keep this on topic. |
Actually, I like the way it's getting off topic. To UPSGuy, what was the wait time on your RRA build? I've got no problem with Wilson components; any custom work I'd want done (as opposed to buying one "off the shelf" would things like rounded butt (not bob-tail), maybe a trimmed up thumb safety, cut and countersunk slide stop, etc. If I go with Wilson I'll expect Wilson parts. If I go Ed Brown, EB parts. The main reason I'm thinking Wilson right now is that, all things considered, Wilson looks to have the "stock" gun I'm interested in at the lowest MSRP. The Professional's listed at $2245. EB's Executive Carry is $2295, with a bobtail (and 50 bucks ain't going to kill a deal for me in this price range). I hear all kinds of great things about Wilson's cust. serv., not so much (though still good) with EB. I think Nighthawk is having some QC issues (again, no realo facts, just some things I read here and there). Baer seems to be a bit cheaper, but for some reason I'm hung on Wilson. |
When you go with semi customs you can "assume" they roughly equal each other in workmanship and parts (some have a rough patch or a golden year here or there). Service is very important when you spend this kind of $ and wilson is arguably the best. The most important thing about this kind of purchase goes to what you are articulating: which "does it for you". All being roughly equal, the best call is to go with what speaks to you. On the more technical side of the issue: It appears that Wilson goes with the "champion" style over the "commander" because it utilizes the 4" bushingless conical bull barrel system, over the traditional 4.25" standard barrel with bushing. I will tell you this from personal experience, both owning AND appreciating the 4" Wilson and 4.25" Colt Commander... Both are great platforms for CQB. 4.25" > 4.0" in production guns, but all bets are off with semi customs. In fact 4.0" > 4.25" in some respects once you have the quality of these outfits in play. an extra .25" doesn't give you much for ballistics or for control. In fact, the extra weight of the conical barrel nullifies the extra .25" of the standard 4.25" in terms of control. You get a slightly longer sight radius with the longer barrel, which is good for lining up more accurate shots, but it also comes at the expense of being slower to acquire that target and slower to draw. Again, the .25" does not make a significant difference here either. Finally, a bull barrel is more accurate than one with a bushing. Again, the attention given to accuracy with barrel/bushing fitting will not make a difference to most shooters, but I have seen some very impressive bull barrel targets coming with the Wilson guns that were a little better than the (very impressive) targets coming with their 5" model. I hope you see the theme here with semi customs... the advantages/drawbacks are extremely narrow when such attention to detail is observed. For me, I think the 4.25" looks more attractive on a full frame than the 4" (which looks more attractive than the 4.25" on a compact frame). Either way, both platforms will serve you well. |
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The "advantage" the RRA has over the Baer's, Wilson's etc is if you want an EB beavertail or a Heine sight with his "sight cut"...you can get that. I don't believe Baer or Wilson will do that. Those, to me, are functional options, not cosmetic. If something like that doesn't matter, then no "issue" IMO. |