Considering An EDC Change: XD45 Compact to Wilson EDC X9

[luzyfuerza]

For the last 20 years, I've carried a striker-fired compact handgun in 45 ACP. The first was a Glock 36, and later an XD45 compact. I trained and practiced hard with these guns, carried them everywhere legal, and have gotten as close to unconscious competence as I could with them. I upgraded the XD a bit (better sights, a shortened-but-not-lighter PRP trigger) to make it a little better suited as a carry gun.

I really like my XD45 compact. And I shoot it well. But after all these years, though, I'm considering a switch.

The better trigger, the slightly lighter recoil/faster recovery of 9mm, and larger capacity of a double-stack 1911-style autoloader in 9mm (specifically a 4" Wilson EDC X9 https://www.wilsoncombat.com/edc-x9/) all seem very attractive in an EDC.

For this thread, my question focuses only on the hardware, and only on the EDC role.

For those of you who have trained extensively with, carried, or competed with both striker-fired EDCs, as well as double-stack 9mm 1911s, have you observed enough difference in the performance of these two types of hardware to justify the EDC change that I'm considering?

 

[1942bull]

I never shot a striker-fired 45. All my experience was with hammer-fired. I switched to 9mm in 2008 because my 66 year old hands were becoming arthritic and I wanted reduced recoil. I have owned and shot striker and hammer fired 9mm pistols. The recoil is noticeably less if you use standard pressure and not +P or +P+. The best striker fired pistol I ever fired was a Walther PPS 2. The worst was a S&W SD9VE. Today I shoot and EDC Ruger Security 9 Compact. It is hammer-fired, but it has a num usual action. When cycling a round it half cocks the hammer do the trigger pull is lighter and shorter. It feels like a striker fired pisto. I love it.

I like 9mm for ammo capacity especially in the current day and age where threats abound and some would need higher round counts than 45AACP offers. A fifteen round mag in the pistol plus one on the belt makes me more secure because capacity can matter. I also am more accurate with 9mm. I load Federal JHP 124 GR JHP. The recoil is OK with my arthritis.

 

[Mot45acp]

I have the Experior Commander. Which is a EDC X9 lower with traditional commander upper. 4.25" barrel with internal extractor. I actually sold my Stacatto after getting the Experior.

Keep in mind this is not a regular 2011 lower. It has a smaller grip and no grip safety. It is quite comfortable and does not feel like the brick that the Stacatto did.

Performance wise compared to my striker fired:

•I am faster with follow ups. This is not verified with timer, just feels like I am with the cleaner trigger and better reset.

•More comfortable in hand then my Glocks even my heavily modded Gucci Gen 5 Glock that is bobtailed, undercut, laser stippled etc.

•Not as comfortable as my VP9, but I have yet to find anything that is.

•No malfunctions, even with Wolf and Winchester Forged. I'm about 1000 rounds into it.

•Magazines turned out to be surprisingly affordable $45ish. Way better than 2011 mags. Available with 15 and 18 rounders.

•Finish isn't the greatest. Feels like a soft paint on. Duracote or Ceracote. Will definitely show holster wear fast.

•I haven't actually carried mine that much. When we have range day, it's sometimes in my holster. I have run it for one small class of about 300 rounds.

If there are any other questions, feel free to ask.

 

[tarosean]

For those of you who have trained extensively with, carried, or competed with both striker-fired EDCs, as well as double-stack 9mm 1911s, have you observed enough difference in the performance of these two types of hardware to justify the EDC change that I'm considering?

As for competition weight matters.. there is a reason the best plastic fantastic shooters in the world have to add weight.

For EDC though that is 100% up to you..for example: I can no longer tolerate heavy guns as my knees are shot. every oz pays a toll. So my current EDC might not be
glamorous or ideal, but it works.

 

[Hartkopf]

My 1st shot on target takes the same amount of time whether I shoot a 9mm G17 or a 45ACP G21. But in the one second after the first shot, I can get off 5 shots of 9mm vs 4 shots of 45ACP. So that’s basically my rate of fire.

Which is better? I still don’t know!!!!!

 

[JR24]

You’ll almost certainly shoot the 9mm Wilson faster in strings, but you might still have equal or even better first round on target with the XD depending on how you handle the safety. I know it shouldn’t matter if you pop the safety as part of the draw and getting your firing grip, and I’ve checked my mechanics a million times, but I’m always slightly faster on target with Glocks, guess it’s a between-my-ears thing.

In my quite similar experience I do have to say, sadly, that I don’t notice a performance difference in any practical drill inside 20 yards between my tried and true Glock 19 and the EDC X9 that was supposed to replace it. Ultimately with equal performance and 4oz lighter, I typically stick with Glocks for my EDC and shoot the Wilson for fun at the range mostly.

This has been further influenced by my getting more into the RDS game, since my Wilson doesn’t have an optic mount. Oh, and if you go with the Wilson and get the cheaper railed version, your holster options will be more limited.

I would say, if you just really want the Wilson, get it! It’s a great gun. But don’t be surprised if it doesn’t push impactful results vs other solid 9mm options.

 

[JR24]

I am faster with follow ups. This is not verified with timer, just feels like I am with the cleaner trigger and better reset.

I agree, I am just slightly faster than my Glocks but I really have to try hard to go fast. If I’m actually trying to keep groups or flash sight picture my limiter is “me”. Of course I’m no competition speed demon, just some guy.

More comfortable in hand then my Glocks even my heavily modded Gucci Gen 5 Glock that is bobtailed, undercut, laser stippled etc.

I feel the other way, I prefer how high I can get on my Glocks (with beavertail) or 1911s over the lower grip of the Wilson. It reminds me most of a Sig hammer fired, as opposed to a 1911.

No malfunctions, even with Wolf and Winchester Forged. I'm about 1000 rounds into it.

Agree, mine has 3000ish through it and is boringly reliable with anything it it. I had a single malfunction (I think, possibly 2) on the first range trip somewhere in the first 300, slide bound up and I think it was tight/dirty powder and first range trip. After that, not even a hint of a bobble.

Magazines turned out to be surprisingly affordable $45ish. Way better than 2011 mags. Available with 15 and 18 rounders.

Keep an eye on Wilson’s shop, they had a nice sale for around Christmas for mags. I found some nice sales on Brownells too in the past.

Finish isn't the greatest. Feels like a soft paint on. Duracote or Ceracote. Will definitely show holster wear fast.

True, finish isn’t very tough, especially in kydex.

 

[luzyfuerza]

Does anyone have any issues with the Wilson EDC X9 not having a grip safety?

 

[JR24]

Does anyone have any issues with the Wilson EDC X9 not having a grip safety?

Thats a feature, IMO, no need to worry about it not engaging with a less than perfect grip, like has occasionally happened one handed with double stack 1911s for me.

You have the thumb safety and it’s drop safe, so the grip safety would be superfluous.

 

[Reinz]

While I have many striker guns, I don’t EDC them. I’m more of a 1911 guy for carry.

I was heavily thinking of getting the EDC X 9 when JR24 posting a good review of it. That was enough to push me into it.

I started carrying the EDC X9 6 months or so ago after spending a lot of range time with it. It didn’t disappoint and it performed as expected from Wilson.

I found plenty of mags on Gunbroker in the $35 range.

Yes, the price tag for the gun stings a bit, but is quickly remedied after your first range trip.

The good thing is, being a Wilson, if it is not the gun for you, you won’t lose much if any on resale - so go for it!

 

[Mot45acp]

Does anyone have any issues with the Wilson EDC X9 not having a grip safety?

No issue what so ever.