Wilson Combat CQB Jams/Problems?

[BluedRevolver]

There's a Wilson Combat CQB 1911 full size at the gun shop right now. $2,700.

I fell in love with it. It was by far the best looking .45 I've ever held. Something about a custom made 1911 that sings to the heart.

I've only owned one 1911. A Springfield Loaded. It jammed a bit, too much for me to want to stake my life on. That experience and the occasional person saying that the 1911 is a finicky design, the numerous 1911 malfunctions I've seen compared to Glocks or revolvers, and the lemons I've seen my friends get make me nervous.

If I spent $2700 on a 1911 and it jammed even once I'd be very upset. It might sound petty, but this would be a gun I trust my life with, and for $2700 the kinks should all be worked out.

Can anyone push me off the fence in one direction or the other? Should I buy it? Think it'd jam?

 

[Certaindeaf]

You'd certainly think it'd work. You'd think that for $2700 they'd have put a few magazines through it.. anyway, good luck.

 

[BluedRevolver]

You'd certainly think it'd work. You'd think that for $2700 they'd have put a few magazines through it.. anyway, good luck.

I haven't bought it, and it's brand new. I'm trying to find out what the chances are of it jamming.

 

[Certaindeaf]

^
I understand. I don't know to what degree they "prove" them before they ship them out.
I have no first-hand experience but I think you may have to risk "proving" it yourself.. and doing what you're doing. Again, a sincere good luck.

 

[BluedRevolver]

I understand. I don't know to what degree they "prove" them before they ship them out.
I have no first-hand experience but I think you may have to risk "proving" it yourself.. and doing what you're doing. Again, a sincere good luck.

Thanks! If I get it it better work haha

 

[Certaindeaf]

That's the sprite!

 

[Skylerbone]

Can't push one way or the other but two things come to mind. First is that Wilson Combat makes a very nice semi-custom. Second is that if it were me I'd prefer spending the money on a Colt and shipping it off to a good pistolsmith for work. I don't take resale in to account when it comes to firearms, rather I consider reliability, ergonomics and personal preference to be what really matters.

Consider what changes you could make to a Colt for $1,900 or a Dan Wesson and $1,600 or a Les Baer and $1,000. Your sights, barrel, thumb safety, checkering, finish, your choices.

 

[skipsan]

Any 1911 "can" be sensitive to ammo and magazines, even one as nice as a new Wilson. Wilson claims that each pistol has numerous (can't remember the number--100?) rounds put through it to verify proper function and accuracy, but its hardly enough to establish reliability. That comes only after hundreds or thousands of rounds using quality ammo and magazines.

If you make the plunge, you might call Wilson and ask them what ammo they use for shakedown and start with that. If memory serves its nothing exotic.
Good magazines are also important.

In the unlikely event you have issues, Wilson's Customer Service is supposed to be second to none. I wouldn't know as I've never had to use them for my CQB.

A Wilson factory rep hangs out on the Wilson Forum at www.1911forum.com and he's very receptive to taking individual questions.

 

[12131]

If I spent $2700 on a 1911 and it jammed even once I'd be very upset. It might sound petty, but this would be a gun I trust my life with, and for $2700 the kinks should all be worked out.

Nothing petty about it. A gun you trust your life on better be reliable.

 

[9mmepiphany]

If I spent $2700 on a 1911 and it jammed even once I'd be very upset. It might sound petty, but this would be a gun I trust my life with, and for $2700 the kinks should all be worked out.

Better not chance it then.

An upper end production 1911 like the Wilson CQB should be fitted better than something in the lower price ranges, but to expect it to never jam is unrealistic...that is why 1911 Clearance Drills exist. If you go to any action shooting competition where folks are using 1911s, there is a high likelihood that you'll see one bobble.

You'd likely be better off getting a Dan Wesson Valor and having it modded to your taste

 

[buckhorn_cortez]

Wilson runs about 120 rounds through every gun as they test fire three different types of ammunition including hollow points. Wilson provides an ammunition list that they recommend with the gun. I would be surprised if you have any trouble with a Wilson. If you do, Wilson will pay for the return to them and will fix the gun. I have a CQB Elite and a Supergrade and both guns have been flawless from the first shot.

CQB stands for "close quarters battle" and Wilson builds the gun to be used for defensive purposes. Bill Wilson understands the 1911 platform and insists that the guns his company makes are as reliable as possible. He started the IDPA, has shot competetively for a number of years, and understands that guns must be reliable. If you want a 1911, I would not hesitate in buying a Wilson.

 

[JTQ]

I don't think you should buy it. It doesn't sound like you are committed to either the 1911 platform or to the thought of spending $2,700 on a handgun.

 

[MCMXI]

BluedRevolver,
I've shot a friend's CQB and it's a really nice 1911 although I'm not sure if I like the bushingless barrel on that model. Regardless, there's a very good chance that the CQB will be everything you expect and more, particularly since it's a 5" model which tend to be more forgiving compared to Commander sized or smaller. My friend started to have RTB issues with his CQB after shooting more than 600 match rounds through it without cleaning. After he cleaned it all was good again.

I have three Ed Brown 1911s including two 5" models and a 4.25" model. They're all over $2,000 and so one would expect a high quality product. The 5" models haven't had a single failure shooting a variety of ammunition including 185gr JHP, 185gr JHP +P, 200gr RNFP, 230gr FMJ and 230gr JHP. I've shot more than 500 rounds through both without incident. Not a huge round count but it's a start. On the other hand, the Carry model with a 4.25' barrel has been problematic over the first 500 rounds. I had to send it back to Ed Brown due to numerous failures to return to battery. I figured that it just needed to "break in" but the problem became more frequent rather than less. Ed Brown CS did a great job with a fast turnaround. They recut the chamber and did a bit of polishing which after this past weekend's 120 round session seems to have fixed the issue, but I had one three-point jam between rounds 110 and 120. I was doing a rapid fire drill and felt that I wasn't controlling the pistol well so it could have been shooter error. The point is, every pistol regardless of price point is a risk.

 

[labhound]

Any 1911 can jam, be sensitive to certain ammo and certain mags. I went through the same decision you're going through when I bought my one and only 1911, a Nighthawk Talon 5". Love the gun, 666 flawless rounds through it so far (I know I should have shot one more round the last time out ). If you like the Wilson, buy it! Life too short to deny yourself the things you really want. If the gun developes a problem, Wilson will fix it. Happy safe shooting!

 

[brizbane]

The CQB is made to be a carry gun and should perform flawlessly right out of the box. Of the newer Wilson 1911s that I have seen recently, the workmanship and fit and finish was impeccable. Remember, they are made one at a time and pieces are all hand fitted. If these things are important to you and if this is your dream gun (and you have the bucks) then go for it.

I took the plunge a bunch years ago and got my dream gun, a stainless Wilson CQB Compact and it has been my daily carry ever since. In the decision process it was a little hard at first to get past the big amount of money that one costs, but there are a lot of man hours involved as well as all the first rate components. Overall, I think that they are worth the price and I have had no regrets.

 

[Winkman822]

Buy the Wilson. THe CQB is one of the finest examples of a 1911 that's presently available. I routinely trust my life to my CQB Compact without hesitation.

As far as your sour experience with the Springfield 1911 creating some misgivings about the Wilson Combat 1911...stop now. The Wilson is in a whole different category from the Springfield unless you're talking something from the Springfield Custom Shop.

Back to the Wilson, just buy it...or better yet, give me the dealer's contact info and I'll happily buy, shoot, and carry it.

 

[Stealth01]

I have two Wilson Combats, a Bill Wilson Carry 45 and a Sentinel in 9mm. I have hundreds of rounds down range through both guns and they both have performed flawlessly (which I expect from a WC weapon)! And has been stated, Wilson Combat customer service is second to none!! I can't think of any gun manufacturer I would trust more... Buy the gun!!

 

[Slamfire]

Wilson Arms fixed my Colt Combat Elite, something the Colt was unable to do.

It had excessive recoil, due to a poorly fitted barrel/slide/frame relationship. It peened out a frame in 3000 rounds, Colt replaced that under warranty (three or five year warranty) but they did not fix the misalignment that caused the problem and heavy recoil that was peening the new frame. Based on round count, by the time the frame would be peened out, the warranty would be over.

So I sent it to Wilson Arms. Wilson Arms fixed it. Wilson Arms understands M1911's. I have a high confidence in Wilson Arms.

 

[KevinB]

I don't think you should get it. If you're getting ready to drop that kind of cash on any gun, you should have your mind made up and know exactly what you want. You may regret it later if you were talked into something that your heart just wasn't set on.

Also, unless you just easily have the money and it's a luxury item for you, you don't have to spend that kind of money to get a gun reliable enough to trust your life with. There are alot of excellent, reliable <$1000 and even <$600 guns out there. They may not be quite as accurate from a bench rest or do it with the same style, but they are more than capable of saving your bacon.

 

[Drail]

Buy a revolver. On any semi auto pistol there are a LOT of things that can make it jam. Any brand. Any price range. And please don't buy into the
Colt is best" garbage.

 

[JimStC]

Any pistol, revolver or semi can have a problem. Revolvers less but still a probablity.
I carry 1911's and have for years. Simply practice your malfunction drills like you should with any carry gun.
Will a Wilson for $2700 guarantee no malfunctions? Absolutely not.
Practice your malf drills, spend a $1500 less and have fun.
Just my opinion and experience.
Disclaimer: I do own two Baer's and they are solid, so I am not recommending that you spend less than you can

 

[chanson88]

My dad has 2 CQB's, and bought another one for my mom. My little brother also has 1. I have a colt commander that I sent to wilson to get a barrel, slide stop, grip safety, and sights installed. The only time any one of them has ever had a problem is with bad ammo or magazines. If you like 1911's you will love a CQB.

 

[rikman]

I have a CQB as well as 4 other high end 1911's. It has jammed. All semi autos can jam. That being said, my 1911 problems were always caused by magazines. A lot of guys love Wilson 47D's. Well, my Wilson CQB dos NOT. Not the end of the world. I found a great fix. Trip Research follower kits and mags. The 6 Metalform mags that came with my SA Pro have been great also. So, hedge your bets, find a magazine your gun likes, good ammo and when all else fails Tap,Rack,Bang!

Rikman

 

[Drail]

Wilson Combat isn't Kimber. Their guns are all hand fitted and thoroughly tested. They don't ship out guns that won't run.

 

[Skylerbone]

Hmmm...http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=388705