1911 Conundrum - Do I EDC X9 or Not?

[Winkman822]

I find myself in a bit of a pickle. I will be taking delivery of a new Wilson Combat CQB Elite tomorrow (assuming my FFL gets everything logged in in time for me to get it on my way home from work), but in the time that I was waiting on my build from Wilson on that gun, I happened into a Protector Elite which is, for all intents and purposes, the exact same gun. I've got a good bit of trigger time on the Protector Elite and it has become my daily carry gun. I also have a Springfield Professional 1911 sitting in my safe. All three of these guns are full size steel framed guns chambered in .45 ACP, all have blended extended magwells, and all have night sights (front only on the Wilsons and full nights on the Springer). I will note, however, that I am now wanting a compact 1911 having recently put my Wilson CQB Compact to trade toward an SR-25; I didn't think I'd miss the CQB Compact, but alas, I do. Now that it's getting into the warmer months, I'm finding that I miss having that slightly shorter grip for purposes of going under a light t-shirt or polo.

So, here's the conundrum, do I put the CQB Elite toward a trade for a CQB Elite Compact in 9mm or toward an EDC X9? Yes, I know that the EDC X9 has a 5 round higher capacity, but how much thicker is the gun overall compared to a traditional compact 1911? Is it an all around fat kid like a Sig P229? Is it more svelte like a CZ 75 Compact? Does the wider grip to accommodate the higher capacity magazine have a big impact on trigger reach (i.e. will I need a medium or short pad trigger versus the long pad that I use in a standard 1911)? I know that the best answer is to find one and try it out in hand, but I don't live near any Wilson Combat dealers that can keep an EDC X9 in stock. I know that the it'll be reliable, but how different is it from a standard 1911? HELP!!!

 

[WVsig]

I find myself in a bit of a pickle. I will be taking delivery of a new Wilson Combat CQB Elite tomorrow (assuming my FFL gets everything logged in in time for me to get it on my way home from work), but in the time that I was waiting on my build from Wilson on that gun, I happened into a Protector Elite which is, for all intents and purposes, the exact same gun. I've got a good bit of trigger time on the Protector Elite and it has become my daily carry gun. I also have a Springfield Professional 1911 sitting in my safe. All three of these guns are full size steel framed guns chambered in .45 ACP, all have blended extended magwells, and all have night sights (front only on the Wilsons and full nights on the Springer). I will note, however, that I am now wanting a compact 1911 having recently put my Wilson CQB Compact to trade toward an SR-25; I didn't think I'd miss the CQB Compact, but alas, I do. Now that it's getting into the warmer months, I'm finding that I miss having that slightly shorter grip for purposes of going under a light t-shirt or polo.

So, here's the conundrum, do I put the CQB Elite toward a trade for a CQB Elite Compact in 9mm or toward an EDC X9? Yes, I know that the EDC X9 has a 5 round higher capacity, but how much thicker is the gun overall compared to a traditional compact 1911? Is it an all around fat kid like a Sig P229? Is it more svelte like a CZ 75 Compact? Does the wider grip to accommodate the higher capacity magazine have a big impact on trigger reach (i.e. will I need a medium or short pad trigger versus the long pad that I use in a standard 1911)? I know that the best answer is to find one and try it out in hand, but I don't live near any Wilson Combat dealers that can keep an EDC X9 in stock. I know that the it'll be reliable, but how different is it from a standard 1911? HELP!!!

I like my EDC X9 but do not LOVE it. The gun is very 1911 like but it is not a 1911. It has a higher bore axis than a standard 1911. It feels tall in the hand. In that way it is very Sig like. The gun is accurate and shoots well. It conceals well. If you use a long trigger on a 1911 you will want at least the medium if not the long trigger. The Medium might work with the larger grip strap. It will require some trail and error. I prefer 1911s with short triggers and the EDC-X9 with the short trigger and medium backstrap works for me. It is thicker in the grips than a P228 if both are in stock configuration. The difference is not enough to matter on the belt IMHO. I carry it IWB and in a T shirt it basically disappears. It carries like a thicker commander.





My last comment would be that the EDC-X9 is not a 1911. It had an excellent trigger but not a 1911 trigger. It has 1911 like controls but feels different in the hand. I would shoot one before you buy if it was me.

 

[Jim Watson]

I got to shoot one a little at the Wilson demo booth at IDPA Nationals.
The combination of tucked under butt and deep U notch sight had me shooting low most of the time. No doubt it could be learned, if you cared to put in the practice. I didn't. Same reason a Bobtail was a waste of money and a frame.
If I am going to tote a gun of that size, my Commander works as well as it ever did.

 

[TomJ]

I have 1911's as well as the X9 and X9s. One of the noticeable differences between the grips of 1911's and the X9 is that the 1911 grips are flatter, where the X9 grips are more of an oval. I like both but prefer the X9 grips, but that's a personal preference. I had the chance to handle theX9 before buying it and recommend that you do the same if possible. I understand that not many LGS' stock them, so that may be difficult. That's an awful lot of money to spend on a gun without knowing whether it's preferable to what you currently have.

 

[Winkman822]

It's sounding an awful lot like just get the CQB Elite Compact in 9mm. Never really cared to get a full size or commander 1911 in 9mm for the simple reason that I've typically preferred an HK for 9mm use, but having spent a lot more time shooting .45 ACP since the pandemic started and since I had a lot more of it stockpiled than 9, I've come to the point of shooting the 1911 WAY better. I've always been able to edge out other things that I own with a 1911, but it's completely night and day different now. Now that I'm more easily able to find 9m in my neck of the woods and with the weather warming up, I'd kind of like a compact 1911 in 9mm, and since I have a full size 1911 to sacrifice to fund the build, why not.

 

[Spats McGee]

I am in no way qualified to offer an opinion on this. I am, however, going to post to the thread to that I can see what decision you make, and live vicariously.

 

[Mot45acp]

Split the difference and get an Experior! EDC X9 lower with 1911 upper (internal extractor) They have 4", 4.25" and 5".

Grip feels smaller than G19, dunno about dimensions, might be because it is more rounded off vs blocky. 1000(ish) rounds in and never a hiccup, even with Winchester forged steel case. I know, sacrilege, but hey it's a good test of reliability.

 

[JR24]

I like my EDC X9 but do not LOVE it. The gun is very 1911 like but it is not a 1911. It has a higher bore axis than a standard 1911. It feels tall in the hand. In that way it is very Sig like. The gun is accurate and shoots well. It conceals well. If you use a long trigger on a 1911 you will want at least the medium if not the long trigger. The Medium might work with the larger grip strap. It will require some trail and error. I prefer 1911s with short triggers and the EDC-X9 with the short trigger and medium backstrap works for me. It is thicker in the grips than a P228 if both are in stock configuration. The difference is not enough to matter on the belt IMHO. I carry it IWB and in a T shirt it basically disappears. It carries like a thicker commander.

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My last comment would be that the EDC-X9 is not a 1911. It had an excellent trigger but not a 1911 trigger. It has 1911 like controls but feels different in the hand. I would shoot one before you buy if it was me.

Agree on all points. Since I've finally accepted that I'm just not going to carry my X9, the Glock 19 shoots and carries just as good and is lighter, I kinda find myself wishing I had gone with a CQB .45 instead, since it's just a range gun now.

I do very much enjoy shooting it, it's an awful lot of fun, but it's not a 1911.

 

[Winkman822]

The decision has been further complicated...There's the standard EDC 9 to consider as well. So many first world problems

 

[JR24]

If I wanted a Wilson, and I wanted to carry it, and I wanted it in 9mm, I'd get a ULCC.

My back can't handle a steel 1911 anymore and the 9mm doesn't need the heavy frame anyway.

Also, for me, I'd carry it with the Wilson 9 round mags (which conceals like a full size bobtail with flush mag, just a bit better actually, for me) and a couple 10 round mags as spares on the other side. Maybe a flush 8 round mag in the pocket too since they are so easy to toss in next to my wallet.