I would think that as the current owner of a super grade you ought to be in a good position to have a strong opinion on that already.

I would pass on such excess for a carry beater, but plenty don't. Which would YOU prefer? They probably won't shoot a lot differently at any reasonable defensive distance.

 

I am way short of being a good enough shot to see any accuracy difference between the CQB and a Subergrade, but I made a decision that I wanted only Wilsons and only Supergrade Wilsons in my gun collection. The Supergrades are, to me, the Rolex or Patek of the 1911 genre. But, if I was going to carry a 1911, it would be a CQB or CQB Elite.

 

I doubt there are many people who own both.

I personally faced this decision a couple years ago (a Stealth built at the supergrade level was also part of the decision tree).

I chose the compact SuperGrade, and have not regretted the decision ... the more time passes, the less important the past cost differential becomes ... and the more important the satisfaction with the firearm becomes.

Having said this, a CQB compact would surely also be an outstanding selection. A few years ago, a friend allowed me to fire a few rounds through his Bill Wilson compact ... it was a superb firearm, shooting exactly where I aimed and functioning smoothly and flawlessly. I cannot honestly say that I personally could achieve greater practical ccuracy with a SG.

It's all about the trade-off -- in your personal circumstances and priorities -- between the extra craftsmanship applied to the SG (a positive) and the extra cost of this craftsmanship (a negative).

I'll confess that my concerns about reliability in a sub-5" 1911 came into play in my deepest thoughts ... when it comes to maximum confidence in a sub-5" carry gun (that's its sole purpose for me), the knowledge that mine was built by the SG pistolsmiths does give me a very good feeling. Someone might say that this is "all in my mind"; and he/she just might be correct ... but whether this is "real" or "just in my mind", I DO feel confident with the compact SG ... and this is a huge part of the reason for my satisfaction with my decision.

 

I agree totally with the post right above this one. I have my reservations about a compact 1911 as it pertains to reliably. All of my others are 5" and I've weeded down and upgraded what I had to two Ed Browns and one Wilson Supergrade. I'm selling one of my Ed Browns to get the compact Wilson.

Honestly the tactical Supergrade is so smooth I am leaning towards getting it in compact. My full size is incredible. As much as I have loved my Ed Browns I really can't see myself wanting to shoot anything but my supergrade. Next on the block will likely be my last Brown and I'll plan to get a ultra light carry built. Having said that I think I'm just gonna get the SG for fear of regretting it later!

 

I agree totally with the post right above this one. I have my reservations about a compact 1911 as it pertains to reliably. [QUOTE/]

If Wilson can not build you a reliable plain o'l vanilla compact 1911, then we are all on the wrong forum. Not to say it may not need some tweaks, but they should get you to 100 reliability after at most 1 trip back to the mother.

Anyway, do what you want. You asked for opinions and indicated you wanted to save some dough. Logically, a CQB would be just fine for carry.

Good luck either way.

Edit, I see further down the thread you already purchased. Enjoy, and shoot the heck out of it.

 

This question comes up pretty frequently actually, and the two posts above are important to consider. When YOUR life is on the line, do you want the best of the best for peace of mind? Is that extra peace of mind (however large or small) important to you? Only you can decide whether that is worth the extra $2500 or not.

In that context, I will say that the two Kimber Pro-Carry and one Kimber Ulltra Carry that I've had have been completely flawless and reliable, and I have had no concerns staking my life on them. They now reside with family members as their CC guns, and are perfectly capable and reliable in SD usage. I let them go because my family members needed them more than I did, and my plan has been to get a Super Grade compact or Super Grade Professional for my replacement EDC. I have shot the XTAC compact, and it is a jewel and relatively unnoticed prospect in a CC gun, and I shot very well with it after the Hackathorne class last October, but I'm currently undecided whether to get that or a Super Grade Professional for EDC purposes. This will come down to personal tastes for me, as I will likely only be able to get one Super Grade before I retire and have insufficient income to get another, and I really would like to get my one and only Super Grade to be special, and therefore unlikely to use it for carry since it will have the blued finish. More than likely I will end up with a XTAC compact in black AT for carry, but that is all still up in the air. I suppose what I'm saying is, decide its primary purpose, what is highest priority to you, and nothing else we say will probably matter, since you will have found your answer within yourself.

 

I have shot both extensively and own a compact SG. It was and is absolutely worth the extra cash IMHO. I am approaching 2000 rds without a failure of any kind whatsoever out of a compact!! If this gun were destroyed or lost/stolen etc I would replace it with another SG compact ONLY. It is a workhorse, tackdriving work of art that I appendix carry, would have paid more if I had known how good this gun was before I bought it. Now you know, get it.......

 

I'm in the middle of the same dilemma. Would y'all mind posting pics of your SG Compacts?

 

Someday, someday.

I've been years behind in this respect of my Forum contributions. Getting good firearms photos and then getting them from the camera to the Forum isn't among my current skills (although I'm making progress on the photographic end).

But my compact SG is a plain Jane SG. Black AT, with minimal added options.

 

As my name implies, I love the flanged guns, especially the EP. I have one and should get the other any day now. My current SG order is a Tactical in all Wilson Blue. But, truth be told, full size guns just look huge to me, primarily because I have carried three or four inchers for years. I'm sure not going to carry one. I'm intrigued by you guys using the SG as your EDC. I'm interested in your finishes. I maybe shouldn't say this before I see pics, but there is no way I'm getting a SG in AT. IMHO, a SG screams for either all blue or two tone stainless, which are the two finishes I will end up with.

It has been said many times that having a magwell on a carry gun defeats the purpose, as it adds length. I totally disagree. From the very first time I practiced a draw, emptied a mag and reloaded, I knew I would never have another gun without one. I just now noticed the magwell comes standard on the SG Compact. That may very well have made up my mind, as in my eyes it just looks "right" on that gun.

Anyway, pics please guys.

FBF

 

Yea, but that is a picture of my ;-) TE barrel in your avitar Buddy!

I think BLR was the original flange guy, he has several of them. I am always amazed on how well my TEs shoot, especially when shooting fast, like say in a SD situation when 1 or more perp is on you. -I am just not willing to give up that flange for a SG. It would be a step backwards in shootability, IMHO. AS far as reliability, Wilson darn well better continue to make reliable 1911s (SG or not). Not to say some tweaking/springs/trip to mother may not be needed to get there.

Would I ever buy a SG? Sure, as soon as Anthony tells me they are producing them again with a flange barrel. -And only because I have plenty of disposable income.

 

Should be less than a $2500 difference

 

One of the best features on this pistol is the magwell I would not order a compact without it. Does not add to printing at all, helps in reloading, looks great and feels fantastic.

 

Agreed. I'll always have magwells on all of mine. The scarred funnels are proof enough (And I happen to like the look).

 

Thanks for pics sir. I totally agree with the mag well comment. Until I read this thread, I never looked at the SG Compact on the website. When I did, and saw the mag well, I immediately fell in love. I'm going to change my order to the Compact in two tone stainless.

Thanks again.

 

You are more than welcome

 

FBF, I have a CQB compact, no magwell though it is great for carry, it feels a bit short to me. Don't know if this is the right term but I seem to index a pro grip better. As in when grasping it and aiming there is less need to either raise or lower the front or the gun for proper sight picture. Do you own or have shot compacts. Hope you understand what im trying to say.

 

I do Grayden. All but one of my 1911 purchases have been officer or commander size. About six months ago I purchased a Kimber Super Carry Ultra +, which is a 3 incher with full size grip and round butt. Great gun. It's the one my wife likes. My first Wilson was an X Compact with no magwell. The grip felt short to me, just as you describe. That led me to the EPs, which I dearly love.

I think this "shortness" will be completely remedied by the mag well. That factor pushed me over the edge in gun decision. About 30 minutes ago Nick at Wilson sent me the revised order sheet for a SG Compact, two tone stainless with French border. To say I'm stoked would be a great understatement.

I cannot say this too often---this site, with WCR's input, is the nuts. I get a kick out of non Wilson owners who comment on this site how great it is. I'm sure many of those choose to buy their first Wilson after reading the forum. I know---I was one of them!

 

Thanks for the input. I am going to go with the compact Supergrade. My full size Supergrade is by far my favorite handgun I've owned to date. I wouldn't expect anything less from the compact. Just considered saving a few bucks but I think I would always have wished I owned the SG.

 

I think you'll be happy with this decision. I generally believe that, if a person is already half-way leaning towards a SG and if he/she can responsibly afford it (even though it may ding the bank account a bit), then he will be happier with the SG. (I'm not in any way knocking the non-SG, as for many other people, the non-SG may be the price/quality sweet spot; and my own current most frequent carry gun is a non-SG Carry Comp. But again, when I carry a true compact, I am happy that my compact is a SG).

 

Crobargrs what kind of appendix holster do you carry in? That's how I carry my CCW now but it's a g19.

 

that holster is a JR Custom AIWB CDA-II and I highly recommend it.

 

I carry AIWB as well. I'll take a look.

Dwight at dwightsgunleather just made me a prototype. It ain't fancy, but that's what I wanted.

 

compact SG arrived!

The Eagle landed today!

 

The Eagle landed today!

THAT is a beauty, Simple, elegant and deadly. A SG Compact is on my bucket list. You are right, if you can afford and it ain't breaking anyone, I say enjoy, we can't take it with us...

 

Sweet!!!!

 

Enav, this is always an interesting topic and has been explored here many time. A SG is made by their top smiths and gets the most tlc for fit and finish. Unless you are shooting 50 yard (not feet ;-)) bulls-eyes (with) a ransom rest you will not notice any difference in the accuracy of a regular vs SG wilson. This is more or less the conclusions from all the discussion on the forum.

Given this gun will be a carry, and it is highly unlikely you will ever put it in a ransom, aimed at 50yards ;-), and you already have SG, it makes complete logical sence for you to go with a CQB for carry (especially if you want to save a few bucks).

 

enavarro, great little compact SG, that should make for a very nice carry piece.

 

Congrats ! Welcome to the few ! Love my SGs and I carry one for EDC and among other things. If you are able to afford the very best, without breaking the bank, I say go for it! Congrats again to the OP !

 

I have both. I like the SG better because the magwell makes for a bit longer grip. Craftsmanship is nicer on the SG. With my skills they shoot about the same.
I think you made the right choice in going with the SG.

 

Hey Jim, great guns and pics. Tell me, how long did it take you to adjust guns and camera to zero sights on both guns????

 

congrats!!!!!!! on IMHO one of the finest pistols on the planet, versatile, accurate, extremely well made piece of art that is able to be with you all day or at the range for bullseye competition

ENJOY

 

Jim,

That's a great shot. The only difference the photos show is that the slide-to-frame fit at the rear is more precise on the Supergrade. In fairness there could be more differences the photos aren't revealing.

It all boils down to preference/philosophy and of course financial recources. For me the later isn't an issue but the former is. I believe a CQB level gun is more than good enough for me. From everything I can tell a CQB level gun is better than 98% of the 1911's out there. My own CQB Elite is higher quality than any 1911 I've ever handled at any of the LGS's and at gun shows.