Wilson Spec-Op 9

General Firearms Handguns - Semi Auto
21

precisely my point and yours

then again, is a custom built $3K 308 bolt action REALLY that much better than a 500 dollar Savage? if both will shoot sub MOA?

“value” judgements are hard to define for someone else

my criteria and yours may be different and what we may or may not be willing to pay to have them met will be different

I bought the Spec Ops 9 and don’t feel a need to defend my purchase other than it met my criteria of what I wanted (notice I didn’t say “need”) and I was willing to pay for it

The market will ultimately decide the fate of the gun but I hear they are selling better than expected

22

I’ll just re-post the answer to this question from another site for the benefit of everyone here:

Just so we’re tracking, I see a $2000 gun that takes $40 mags, has little to no holster availability, and won’t accept a light. Plus it’s called “Spec-Ops” to boot.

23

Apples to oranges. If you prefer the 1911 platform as i and others do, it’s a moot issue. So, an apples to apples comparison would be other 1911s and or at least other SA guns, such as the BHP, etc. As the author said:

“The gun fills a niche, no question. It gives you that 1911 form factor (which is ever so sweet), in 9 mm, and a lot of ammo capacity in a solid, high quality package. What else out there can give you that?”

My opinion only, but no custom XD or customized version of any of the production polymer pistols comes anywhere close to a well made 1911.

That’s why some prefer Glocks/XD/MnPs/ and some must have their tuned 1911s to feel all warm and fuzzy. :smiley:

BTW, his final conclusion is not that it was not a fine machine of very high quality, but that it’s cost and quality would prevent him from using/abusing it, and carrying it. The Ti framed custom Caspian commander I CCW now was plenty more $$$ then this Wilson gun.

24

I think you both missed my point - that anyone who can’t tell if a Wilson is better than an XD probably shouldn’t be reviewing pistols. And, by the way, what in heaven’s name is a “custom” XD?

I think we can agree to disagree on the need/niche/reason for a double-stack 9mm 1911 though.

M_P

25

Those were my thoughts also…:rolleyes:

26

Fancy stipling?

27

So that was sarcasm!!! Yup, I totally missed your point. My bad… :eek:

I’m not too hung up on the “need” thing, but I do see the niche it attempts to fill, which is, granted, a small niche. Personally, I don’t see it as a solution in search of a problem, like the .45GAP, but we don’t need to go there…:smiley:

28

Oh, I can tell the difference. And I can tell the Wilson Spec-Ops 9 is a high quality firearm. I (thought I) made that very clear in my post.

The point I was making is wondering if that $1000-1500 higher price tag is worth it. It may be for you, it’s not for me. It all depends what you want the thing for, what your personal situation is, the context, and so on. This seems to be what folks here are agreeing (or disagreeing) upon.

If you’ve got $2000 lying around to spend on a gun, good for you. If I had $2000 lying around, I’d rather spend $500 on a decent gun then $1500 on ammo and training. I think in the long run that will take me further. But again, that’s me, my goals.

The customized XD is a factory XD that’s been sent to Springer Precision to have work done on it.

29

I agree completely. If only more of us thought that way.

M_P

30

In fact, that’s what I was doing at the time that little video snippet was taken. I was out getting a private lesson from Karl Rehn. I happened to have the Wilson on loan, took it out to let Karl check it out.

31

riddle me this:

plenty of people spend north of 2k on steel 45 1911s

so… if this were in 45 ACP instead of 9 would it make a difference?

is it the frame material or the caliber that some have a hard time reconciling the cost with?

32

Ummm, NO. Are you under the impression that this is the first poly 1911 that Wilson has built?

http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wilsoncombat.com/p_kz45.asp&ei=_2lWS7vMDtXAlAeeqP3wAw&sa=X&oi=spellmeleon_result&resnum=1&ct=result&ved=0CAcQhgIwAA&usg=AFQjCNGugiM-RAm1w11ck1qYJgahkJKmRQ

Nobody bought it either. Add to the mix a double stack 9mm 1911 with expensive mags that you can only get from Wilson… Pass.
. The polymer 9mm market has plenty of options, most are better than the Wilson IMHO. It is a hobbyist firearm, not the best product available for a poly 9mm. YMMV

I’ll take my 1911’s in steel please

33

I am well aware of their previous ones, not a newbie

it doesn’t matter to me how many they sell or don’t sell, I have no financial ties to the company
and it’s not a matter of a polymer framed 9mm, it’s a 1911 that happens to have a polymer frame

ok, I’ll bite, what makes most other polymer framed high cap 9mms better?

I have owned at least a dozen Glocks, a dozen or so Sigs, an XD, 2 M&Ps and still have one and like it…
I also own a nice full sized steel 45 1911

I believe the initial poster was asking for feedback from someone who has shot one, not market analysis

34

As a double stack on a 1911 platform at the quality/QC level/handfitted quality of a Wilson or other higher end manufacturers?

Can you list a few?

35

[QUOTE=WillBrink;547216]

As a double stack on a 1911 platform at the quality/QC level/handfitted quality of a Wilson or other higher end manufacturers?

19 rounds of .40 I actually prefer his builds to Wilson…
http://www.lesbaer.com/HC40.html
take your pick. I wouldn’t put them at Wilsons quality, but they have shown themselves to build a solid double stack…
http://www.stiguns.com/
Or these guys using John Harrison to build it to your exact specs.
http://www.caspianarmsltd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15&Itemid=13]

Can you list a few?

If I was in the market for a poly 9mm (it would not be a 1911)
Hk, M&P and Glock to start…

Don’t misread what I am saying… My point is that the poly 1911 road has been traveled before by Wilson. It simply didn’t work because 1911 buyers as a rule prefer steel guns and not plastic. Along with the ergo’s of the platform and the trigger, the construction of the platform IMHO is what draws many to the platform.

I like poly guns, I just don’t think that the 1911 platform is where it is best used. I also think double stack 1911’s take away from the ergo’s on a 1911…

For me, its this for a poly 9mm

For a 1911 its this





36

This was your original post. I addressed your simple riddle, thats all.:wink: The simple answer to the below question is no, it wouldn’t matter what caliber it was. IMHO it is the frame, not the caliber especially at 2k… YMMV

Originally Posted by ccoker
riddle me this:

plenty of people spend north of 2k on steel 45 1911s

so… if this were in 45 ACP instead of 9 would it make a difference?

is it the frame material or the caliber that some have a hard time reconciling the cost with?

37

Has anyone figured out who is actually making the frame for Wilson? Does it have any import markings?

38

[QUOTE=ccoker;546774]I am well aware of their previous ones, not a newbie

Didn’t say you were, but then why the riddle?

it doesn’t matter to me how many they sell or don’t sell, I have no financial ties to the company

Nor do I and I think Wilson makes a fine product.:cool:

and it’s not a matter of a polymer framed 9mm, it’s a 1911 that happens to have a polymer frame

My point is that double stack 9mm 1911’s is a very small market. Once you move to a double stack you lose one of the best parts of the 1911 IMHO and thats the ergo’s, throw in the plastic and most will turn their nose up…

ok, I’ll bite, what makes most other polymer framed high cap 9mms better?

Better is subjective, but I think the reliability that has been proven in all conditions by Glock, M&P, etc gives them an edge in that market. Their tolerances, and lack of required maintenance comparatively to a 1911 draws guys who need to run their weapons hard towards their platform

I have owned at least a dozen Glocks, a dozen or so Sigs, an XD, 2 M&Ps and still have one and like it…
I also own a nice full sized steel 45 1911

Okay.:confused: It sounds like you have had a few solid handguns…

I believe the initial poster was asking for feedback from someone who has shot one, not market analysis

Then my apologizes to Will. I was trying to offer an unbiased opinion, as I have a bit of experience with the platform.

39

My understanding is that the plastic was in house, but only Wilson would know… It seems like everybody turns to Caspian when they need something “different” in the 1911 frame sector, but I don’t think the plastic one is theirs.

40

[QUOTE=d90king;547254]

Didn’t say you were, but then why the riddle?

Nor do I and I think Wilson makes a fine product.:cool:

My point is that double stack 9mm 1911’s is a very small market. Once you move to a double stack you lose one of the best parts of the 1911 IMHO and thats the ergo’s, throw in the plastic and most will turn their nose up…

Better is subjective, but I think the reliability that has been proven in all conditions by Glock, M&P, etc gives them an edge in that market. Their tolerances, and lack of required maintenance comparatively to a 1911 draws guys who need to run their weapons hard towards their platform

Okay.:confused: It sounds like you have had a few solid handguns…

Then my apologizes to Will. I was trying to offer an unbiased opinion, as I have a bit of experience with the platform.

thanks… all valid points