Larry Vickers and Ken Hackathorn talk Wilson Combat

[@jonnypescado1]

I'm not a 1911 shooter, but the video cut the title off a "Larry Vickers & Ken Hackathorn talk:". I don't care what the topic is, if LAV & Ken Hackathorn are talking about anything, I want to listen. I was not disappointed.

[@MrJlpzjr]

That's a good attitude....i always learn from these guys.

[@corklj14]

Great commercial for Wilson Combat

[@hydjrasierra1557]

Fun fact, You can utilize the cartridge rim of the .45 ACP to tighten or loosen slotted grip screws on a 1911. You can also use an empty cartridge in a pinch, if you "accidentally" lose a recoil spring plug/tube.

[@okm88]

Whatever Larry's sponsor is, it's the best product out. Not just Larry but every sponsor or partnership goes with that.

[@iiLeXoR]

2gud4umenglez o

[@Contractnik]

I love his ivory grips -- like Pacino in HEAT.

[@emersonbolen784]

All my competition .45 ACP guns run Wilson Combat magazines. I use the 10rd mags and they work great! My must have mods are the beavertail, ambi safteys, enlarged mag release button, extended slide stop, and magwell extension and checkering on the front strap (21lpi).

[@eagleace67]

Two legends of the 1911!

[@aaronescamilla8220]

If you have a .38 super and want a 10 round magazine, the 9mm mag will work great, just take out the black spacer and you have enough space for the longer case

[@Derorilael]

I bought the flat wire spring when it first came out, since I'd been waiting a long time for someone to do it. Wasn't thrilled at first. EGW makes a 20-pound spring now, though, so I'm hooked. It just feels right to me now.

[@geckcgt7216]

When I work on 1911s, my go to company for parts is Cylinder and Slide. Terrific company that is committed to building things correctly

[@futuresonex]

With 1911's in .45ACP I don't own a standard officer's model, and I have no plans to buy one. My favorite size 1911's are the standard 5" Government Model and the 4.25"/4"Concealed Carry Officer's Model sized guns that have the Officer's sized frame but either a 4" or a 4.25" barrel & slide assembly. The 1911 that I carry most often is a Kimber CDP Compact that has been setup with a one-piece mag guide/arched mainspring housing from Smith & Alexander, a set of XS 24/7 Big Dot night sights and both the Master Series Lasergrips (in rosewood) & the Lightguard from Crimson Trace.

[@ScottAT]

Gunslinger454 Hi, I wound up owning six officers models, and 18 5” full sizers. I have one commander but it’s hybrid with an officers slide. I didn’t set out to own so many officers models but I really do like them. My summer carry is a Colt Custom Shop Officers, my spring, fall, winter carry is a 1927 era “Colt Lunchbox “ model 😄 and it’s my favorite asskicker because it went through the USAMU Match program.

[@jamespisano1164]

I was told by a former Reconnaissance Marine that Wilson Combat was the only 1911 brand to buy for self defense. I'm using an HK USP Compact 45 now, but I keep wanting a 1911. Maybe one day soon, I'll have the cash and can pull the trigger on one. Unfortunately, I want an HK 45 Carbine as well, and that will have to be first.

[@fanman71]

Great 1911, arguably the best in the business, but c'mon other brands are perfectly fine, especially for home defense. Short of competing you have to ask yourself if you really need a $2500+ handgun. You can get a perfectly fine 1911 for under $1000 that will shoot very well & is very reliable. Just don't buy one of those Rock Island Armory $500 1911 & you should be fine. You can get a quality 1911 from Kimber or Springfield Armory, or Ruger, etc for below $1000.

[@123s453e56a6l]

lemme just buy 100 with money out of my seven swiss accounts

[@JayM1989]

so you're a silly fool romanticizing carrying a firearm. "told by a XXX service member" means absolutely nothing. Most service members know shit about firearms aside from the very specific training they've received. Even a "Recon" marine weather or not he knows much about firearms he can still have a jack shit opinion. It doesn't mean he knows best when it comes to firearms just because he's a fucking recon marine. That literally means absolutely nothing. He could be some strong brave idiot type that thinks Taurus makes the best handguns. Who the fuck knows. The 1911 is not a concealed carry gun. It just isnt. No respectable self defense firearms trainer is going to tell you to carry a 1911. They just wont. Does that mean the 1911 sucks? NO!. the 1911 is amazing and one of my favorite handguns of all time easily. It is an incredible pistol capable of amazing accuracy and comfort. But that doesn't make it a carry pistol. Do not buy a 1911 for a carry piece. Please. Buy your nice 1911 for range time and shit or historical collection. Carry something simple and reliable.

[@Contractnik]

I am a 1911 FANATIC. But I LOVE the USP Compact .45. I like 1911s because with my hands, single stack is better for me. But I couldn't believe how smooth the Compact .45 was, and how easily it fit in my hand despite the double-stack. EXCELLENT weapon.

[@JayM1989]

@Magnus Fullauto glocks aren't even in my top 5 favorite pistol manufacturers you silly child.

[@ramonbenitez4093]

Great Commerrcial, thank you.

[@alfredozamora5867]

Even in my 47D mags I only load 7rds. Lesson learned years ago.

[@Boots67]

I’ve been building 1911’s for about 5 years now. (I’m 28 years old) from 80% frame’s. Also 2011’s. All different sizes. The last one I built was a 3.5” bull barrel on a full size frame. Had to slow lock up time by MS weight, fps squared, and using an 18lb recoil cut down. It’s 100% reliable with every hollow point profile, +p, bunny farts, etc. it’s one of my carry pistols. Another one that was tough was a 9mm commander 2011.

[@barneymiller7894]

I wish I would have gotten in as early as you! I'm tackling my first build at 27

[@n9oqu]

What about designing a flat spring guide rod for 3" 1911s?

[@Gumby56]

This video convinced me to get the CQB, thanks guys!

[@thomascarpenter7415]

The wealth of knowledge between those two and Bill Wilson , the Holy Trinity of 1911. I like the platform but Glock is my EDC .

[@mikefay4438]

Larry I know u now carry a 9mm Wilson, my favorite is a Wilson combat classic 1911 chambered in 45 cap. I use Speer gold dot 230 grn. Back when u carried 45 what was your favorite ammo? Thanks great Vidio.

[@eddietat95]

10:43 Exactly why I love Wilson Combat. Cast or MIM parts are ok, but if not in a premium gun. I remember my jaw dropping on the floor after finding MIM parts in my SP-01 Shadow Custom after paying out the nose for it. While it'll probably work fine, I felt ripped off by CZ. If I wanted "cheaply made but works fine", I would have just bought a Glock.

[@JazzLowrider]

Larry & Ken are on Wilson Combat payroll which is fine, and sure Wilson Combat have a very high quality guns & guns accessories, their magazines are the best, and mag well is the top of any other, but grips and grips screws thats a personal preference, i think the allen head looks a lot better, grips there are a lot of great choices and beaver tail also there's others just as good, flat recoil spring is a gimmick IMO, a high quality chrome silicone recoil spring is just as good, and you dont have to replace guide rod, shock buff are good if you replace them regularly they dont hurt.

[@jimtewa8096]

I agree on the grips the biggest issue with the allen grip screws is eventually they will break then the fun part begins, also as far as payroll these guys truly believe in the Wilson Combat products or they wouldn't put their names out there, I own several Wilson Combat handguns and without a doubt and I have owned and fired every high end 1911 the Wilson Combat is number 1, and yes the Chrome Silicon Springs are excellent all my Wilson Combat 1911's are fitted with Chrome Silicone Springs, Bill Wilson himself loves those springs.

[@joelyboyblue]

Excellent gun talk

[@arborist460]

Some have luck outta micro 9’s and defenders but I’m of the mindset of you boys…below 4” reliability drops way off….I have the 5” Dan Wesson specialist stainless 10mm and man what a piece…word that comes to mind is rock of Gibraltar…the forged iron in this baby is some serious shit…..200gr hst’s is job security for forensics….

[@jimtewa8096]

Wilson Combat has a fantastic Sub-Compact in 9mm, very pricey but extremely dependable I carry mine everyday.

[@johnnypranin5874]

Personally, I wouldn't want to use a gun as valuable and well made as a Wilson Combat 1911 for defensive purposes. The ONLY reason why is because if God forbid I'm ever forced to fire my gun in self defense, I'd be heartbroken if in the aftermath I got a Wilson Combat 1911 impounded for evidence and never got it returned. Of course you might get your gun back, but there's no guarantee you'll get it back in good condition. Your gun might sit in the police evidence locker for months if not years, during which it can accumulate rust or some other damage. In some jurisdictions, they might not return your gun to you at all. So for personal defense, I say stick with guns that won't break your heart if they ever got impounded and never returned to you.

[@jimtewa8096]

I know what you mean, but to be honest I carry mine everyday, and yes Heaven forbid yes its gone but I trust my life with it and I'll just get another one.

[@RKHarm24]

Great blog for WC. Bill was in my opinion the first to make a COMBAT 1911. Clark had the target HARDBALLER 1911's, Bill did a fighting 1911 right. Great discussion LAV and Ken.

[@diosdadoapias]

My government issue is a caliber .45 government model 1911A1 style pistol- because I beaver tailed and install a recoil spring guide, round head hammer and replace the original trigger and strap but all the inside mechanism are still stock parts. I used it for duty service and competition for stock pistol and it seldom malfunction which was usually due to ammo reliability when using refill ammo. I even tinkered with its parts whenever i thoroughly clean it to the least part. I grind with a bastard file its ejection port to make it lower for better ejectment of ammo. Up to now my service pistol does not malfunction but once it will I know how to cure the kind of malfunction which will happen as I practice it in case of aberration. No firearm is always zero defect, at anytime if it will fail it will fail. My 1911 base on its serial number was made by Colt in 1944 and it was reconditioned in Anniston Armory Depot(ANAD), anniston, alabama.

[@jonathanhasse1591]

Wisdom guided by experience - times two

[@joshuarogers7514]

this is a great learning tool for guns good video larry vicks.

[@torreyintahoe]

I use Wilson, Brown and Tripp mags. They're all great but Brown have performed the best for me.

[@alfredozamora5867]

just installed a flat wire Wilson Combat recoil system In my Dan Wesson full size Valor...see I listen.

[@stanleymaestas5441]

i've got an armscore 1911 .45acp long slide/ i'm wondering do i need the flat buffer spring

[@1977Yakko]

I use the Wilson 7 rd. mags for my Kimber Custom I and have for seems at least a decade. Their mags are worth the price and Kimber is just fine out of the box at a more affordable price for those on a budget (mine cost about $700 roughly 15 or so years ago when I got it while a Wilson with roughly the same features would've cost about twice as much at the least and that just wasn't within my budget). I also got a Wilson extractor as a precaution as I've heard horror stories about 1911 extractors breaking though I still got the old one stashed in my parts kit. My question is, my Kimber is designed with a full length recoil spring guide rod. Is this a issue with Kimbers to take out the full length guide rod and replacing it with this flat spring with a half length guide rod? I really don't see how or why it would be a issue but I figure it's best to ask.

[@johnmckinney1493]

Nice and clear. Thankyou.

[@theimpaler2317]

What’s the difference between their service mag plus and their 920 series magazines?

[@bowfreak21]

Lots of great info here.

[@YouriCarma]

There are different types of loctite so why not? A drop of silicon might also work.

[@The0nlineviking]

Hey Larry, can you do something on the M45A1 CQB?

[@sonnygunz9207]

I haven't owned a 1911 is a long time, but if I did it would have to be a Wilson Combat.

[@NuclearGrizzly]

Heavy mainsprings and the EGW square bottom firing in stop have been used by 10mm 1911 shooters for years.

[@ediot6969]

Yes sir! That's how I do it.

[@NuclearGrizzly]

ediot6969 Though it isn't made any longer, Kings made a slimmer guide rod that used two springs one inside the other for a progressive action. I cut the rod down to plug size and they worked like a charm. Glad I bought a bunch before Kings discontinued the part.

[@thinman8621]

I bet Bill Wilson bought lunch the day this video was made.

[@104thDIVTimberwolf]

I do understand your love of Bill Wilson's masterpieces, but do you have an opinion of Kimber's compacts? I would buy a Wilson Combat the minute I had the scratch, but the Kimber looks like a very good weapon for the money. Short of winning the lottery, a Wilson just isn't likely to fit my budget.

[@donadams9755]

I have used a Kimber Ultra Carry II for several years. Box stock parts. Never a hiccup. I'm now in the process of "sprucing it up," night sights, custom stocks, etc.

[@KENAHIGHLANDER]

Would it be a good idea for a Shock Buff to be used on a commander size 1911.

[@jimtewa8096]

I have a Hackathorn Special Commander I installed the Shock-Buff it works just fine, not recommended for anything smaller than Commander.

[@Actuary1776]

What does increasing the lock time have to do with a slide traveling so fast that it outpaces the spring in the magazine?

[@syrianfalcon9844]

we want more videos plz

[@JayMerchantPhD]

The 1911 that is on the far left of Larry Vickers, does anyone know exactly which model that is from Wilson Combat? (I understand that it may be customized with his preferences, but I wanted to know exactly which base model that is from Wilson's lineup). Edit: I heard him say that the 1911 on the far left is Supergrade, but which one? Thanks in advance.

[@jameswoo1570]

Hey Larry, I must tell you Wilson's new ambi-safty is not the best nor properly designed. It uses the 3rd type of system to hold the left side safety in place. The 1st one is the Swanson type that most of makers use including old Wilson's. The 2nd is the Colt's system which the left safety is held in place by the sear pin, and it used to break often. And there is the 3rd system, the King's Gun Work's, which the left side safety is held in place by the hammer pin. Do you remember King's Gun Work in Glendale CA., and Al Capone the owner? (yes it was his real name) This 3rd system is now used by new Kimber and new Wilson(the old Kimber and Wison's were Swason type) and Sig(made by wilson). The reason I say Wilson's was not properly designed is that the left side mirrors the right side, and it shouldn't. It should have minimum amount of material in order not to interfere with you shooting hand index finger's knuckle. There is a reason why the right side safety looks the way it does, and there is no reason the left side one should look like it. And should know some thing about it, because I'm the one who designed the 3rd system for my late friend 'Al' about 30 years ago.

[@redneckwithajeep5001]

Funny thing about lubricating any handgun. I feel every ignoring doing that on a glock is dumb. Yeah they go forever without it but it’s still moving parts and moving parts without lubricants is going to shorten the life of those parts. Then again I don’t get the mentality of people who don’t lubricate their firearms because that’s something I actually enjoy

[@thomascarpenter7415]

For someone to ignore lubricanting a Glock is the epitome of laziness. It takes 5-6 drops of lube and you’re done .

[@philcam9493]

Which eyewear are they wearing?

[@robertoflores915]

I have seen LAV respond in the past. He's busy with business I'm certain. Probably teaching a 1911 build class somewhere around the country. His facebook page might be answered a bit faster.

[@spraynpray]

This reminds me to keep some of my used Mobil 1 from my next oil change and throw it in a little bottle for gun lube.

[@Warbeast911]

Running my 6incher without a shockbuffer and the same recoil spring since 20k rounds. Hm

[@effingosprey9434]

yeah theyre not Wilson fanboys. noooo, not at allllll. eyeroll... not knocking Wilson products, their shit is top notch, but they're not the only people in the game. Nighthawk, Ed Brown, and Les Baer are just a few. expand your horizons to more than one manufacturer.

[@hunteralexander4278]

I had a beretta with allen head grip screws and it broke off the head. I still can’t get the old screw out, I will never use and allen head screw on any pistol ever again.

[@jimtewa8096]

You will have to use an easy out get out the drill.

[@oklahomahank2378]

Torx drivers can sometimes get those out.

[@missinglink2840]

All man made tools have the possibility of failure. If your life depends on that tool, pick the one (with research) that fails less. We expect too much from gun manufacturers. Some are driven by sales first then quality. I don't think Wilson Combat falls in that category however, a 1911 has a lot of moving parts which means more possibilities of a failure. So with that being said and, your life depending on a tool for defense, buy a Glock. Reliable out of the box, far less parts, inexpensive, easy to work on, less weight, higher magazine capacity, etc., but, NOT perfect. No disrespect to 1911 traditionalist but, it seems that the 1911 pistol is more of a novelty in today's world.

[@ahernandez1080]

lol.....

[@diosdadoapias]

+Michael Roberts when there are many working parts it does not mean it has more time to malfunction. No that will depend on how the device was made if quality or not. You said Glock it is clear that is your preferential bias. Just as other have the 1911 as preferential bias as a pistol. You need a necessary weight to have more recoil control. the 1911 has more recoil control because of its necessary weight being all iron made. The 1911 has been around for more than 90 years and it has been tested of its reliability and it is almost zero defect or zero defect but not perfect that is why there are the malfunction technique that evolved which can be use because no firearm is perfect it will always fail at a certain time. The all iron 1911 is the best platform to customized your pistol to the extend of changing its physical look. Why don't you let your glock, together with the 1911, be trampled by the wheel of a truck then pick them up and fire it. or put them for 1 minute in a fire to be burn then take them let them cool and fire them. we will see what will happen in terms of re-usability and function.

[@missinglink2840]

dosdadio siapa In my comment i stated (with research). I am not biased toward the glock brand, but with my "research" i have discovered that the glock pistol has been tested vigorously and proved dependable in many life threating cicumstances. Via, law enforcement and milatary all over the world. I am strickly referring to reliability in a defensive situation. A quality 1911 is a beautiful, accurate, historical tool. But again, more exspensive, less magazine capacity, difficult to repair in the field, tighter tollerances, etc. All downsides for the defensive layman. Now if you want to debate target shooting, the 1911 pistol is in a class all it's own. Defensive pistol instructors would agree that a glock (in particular) is one of the most relable pistols for training use. Also, iron does not flex like polymer. It bends and never retains the original form. And i must state again, the glock is not perfect. Just more reliable when it counts.

[@mutiracialbeatdownPB]

Explain why my Glock 17 RTF2 failed more than my Wilson then? I had 5 malfunctions in 750 rounds vs ZERO in 5100 in my Wilson. Oh so did my G29 and G41 and G40........funny enough NONE of my nighthawks or wilson 1911s have ever had even a single malfunction even when I ran my carry gun 1200 rounds back to back with no lube or cleaning including a 400 round burn. Oh and while you are at it explain why I can shoot way faster and more accurately with the Wilson vs the glock. I have nothing against glock, hell I own 6 of the damn things, however they are NOWHERE near the reliability, speed, accuracy, and ease of carry of a Wilson or Nighthawk 1911. Also round count is not important, how much damage potential you have in total is what matters, most guns in a given size class have the same overall firepower regardless of what caliber they are with a few exceptions like the G29. That gun is cool since it is only slightly larger than my 1911 and much bulker overall BUT it has 11 shots of 10mm that produce good results even out of a short barrel with HSTs that make it equivalent to about 10 rounds of .45+P. That's abnormal in a good way since that size class normally only has 8 rounds .45+P or 16 rounds 9mm 124+P so it offer a nice increase in damage potential. Unfortunately the gun is slow, I can ride the reset on my 1911 and keep all 8 within the 7 ring at 10 yards (AKA from the draw to last round less than 4 seconds) but with my G29 it takes over 7 seconds. Not bad but not great.

[@missinglink2840]

mutiracialbeatdownPB looks like you may have jumped to conclusions based on your emotions. My first comment (not the replies) actually stated, "I don't think Wilson Combat falls in that category" meaning that, a gun with such excellent craftsmanship and a very high price point could be an exception. I'm not a Glock fanboy. Just basing my statements on facts by ratio. As far as your marksmanship claims, i also stated that, accuracy is no doubt better with most 1911's all day. As far as speed and reliability goes well, maybe you train more with your 1911'(s). Hell i don't know. But, defensively, Glocks are proven to be reliable with extensive and rigorous testing. That literature is everywhere. Many training instructors (besides J. Yeager) can testify to the overwhelming "reliability" failure of the 1911 pistol. Again, excluding Wilson Combat 1911''s.

[@kylesundell1554]

What is the best manufacturer of 1911's 2016=

[@Whalermansteve84]

Depends on your budget. I've seen fully custom 1911s go in the $7,000-15,000 range. U can easily find a 1911 for under $1000 and customize it yourself or buy a 1911 parts kit

[@FlyTour69]

Wilson Combat, if you're willing to spend a lot.

[@glenndavis2762]

Dan Wesson

[@shooterqqqq]

Springfield Armory has the best value. I would love a Wilson, though.

[@donovanadkins9364]

Hey Larry my name is Donovan Adkins I'm a big shooter and plan on starting a KZbin page about firearms. Also writing and staring in what will be known as the most realistic depiction of firearms in a film, with all classic firearms. You have the highest level of respect my father was also a Green Beret and I wanted to try to ask for your opinion of something since we will probably never get the chance to talk before I get well known. But in my film I will carry a 1911 but I want to know should I use a modern custom Colt 1911 or a finest handcrafted Wilson Combat or Nighthawk Custom 1911? Thank you for your time Mr. Vickers.

[@hotstepper1649]

How’s the movie coming along Don?

[@macgyverishere]

What model were those?

[@brandenbeaverbone5564]

"Glocks"

[@Thisisoscar_]

6:54

[@edge4006]

Tripp Research mags are the best in my opinion.

[@alfredozamora5867]

You know shit my friend.

[@thelos8093]

14:02 the man said it himself. #glockforever

[@Nothingtoya]

If you dont give a shit about your firearm, Glock is the way too go. Not necessarily anything wrong with that either

[@joshuabaker5712]

Have to disagree a little. Wilson ambi safety just dont hold up like the EGW and Ed Brown machined ones.

[@danhantheman]

I could be wrong but isn’t Ed Brown the guy who innovated beaver tail grip safeties? And his are very high cut to give you a lower bore axis. Maybe WC’s beaver tail is preferred by some guys like Ken And LAV but seems like they’re giving WC false credit

[@VickersTacticalLAV]

Wrong - high cut beaver tail grip safeties like what you are referencing were pioneered by Charlie Kelsey of Devel

[@kevinhayes7141]

And boom goes the dynamite

[@shawnlee5482]

I love it how Larry Vickers can transform one of the ugliest looking guns into a beautiful gun

[@donaldswanson5170]

Is it really worth 3k?!

[@djwambach6192]

IF you want to trust your life to a 1911, then I think WC is the only one to use.... That being said, a $500 Glock, M&P is more reliable.

[@barneymiller7894]

In man hours, oh ya! Your buying a hand built gun not a production piece. The cost is in effort, just like anything else handmade.

[@kaioken1110]

I'm so confused whether he's right or left handed now.

[@lgdurocher]

Larry is right handed but left eye dominant. So he uses a rifle left handed and a handgun right handed but tilts his head to use his left eye for the handgun

[@kaioken1110]

+Larry Durocher cheers. I figured as much. Luckily I'm both right hand and right eye dominant so any training I do stays simple.

[@lgdurocher]

+kaioken1110 same! I imagine that was a difficult habit for him to form. Very impressive considering how accurate he is

[@snakeman48]

@@lgdurocher I'm the same way as Larry.

[@spraynpray]

I used my Dad's old 1911 with a worn recoil spring. The recoil was painful. My shoulder and chest hurt. An MG42 was soft in comparison.

[@kenhutcherson6082]

I appreciate the pistol and the discipline it takes to set them up and maintain them, but give me a Glock with some three dot night sights and call it a day.

[@WDLC1911]

I don't get the thumbs downs (??). WTF? Goddamned Lorcin, Raven and Jennings owners...

[@werewally3156]

WDLC1911 lol.

[@phillipcastro2394]

Thumbs down you're ass

[@albertohernandezfernandez3719]

😎💪👍👍

[@modernwarriorsystems7347]

I am REALLY surprised I just heard Ken Hackathorn say that the springs can weaken if the magazines are left loaded. That is completely false. That is a myth. That is not true. Springs don't weaken from compression alone. They weaken from complete cycles. I'm really surprised a guy as influential in the firearms industry as Ken believes that myth.

[@lgdurocher]

Agreed. But even masters have their misconceptions

[@nbates9893]

he was talking about a specific spring in a specific magazine dumb dumb. trust me you don't have more knowledge on the subject than Ken Hackathorn...

[@JR-ng2xy]

it is true, if left compressed, spring steel will normalize but not enough in a couple years to be any concern

[@alfredozamora5867]

Kyle Teeter your credentials please. you are an idiot to even critique Ken's professional opinion..which is fact.

[@LoganC1988]

Disagree

[@NavyCuda]

Springs do not get weak being under compression, that's a bit of misinformation that is disappointing to see coming from your channel. A properly designed spring will only get weaker through cycling. The other way is through physical distress such as compressing the spring beyond its elastic limit(poor design) or other physical damage.

[@SS-ex4gq]

NavySturmGewehr it wasn't the springs themselves, it was the older 8 round mags that used a thinner gauge wire spring to accommodate the extra round, and the issue was that the springs were over compressed when left loaded full up and that was causing them to weaken when left over time. This was solved by simply making the mags slightly longer and going back to the thicker gauge to alleviate the over compression. In theory a spring shouldn't weaken in ideal conditions from compression, but to be fair, these guys have been running 1911's longer and harder than most people, which is why they are considered among the top authorities on the subject. They have decades of real world, first hand experience, you can disagree all you like according to what you think a spring SHOULD do, they are speaking from experience of what a spring DOES do. Anyone familiar with 1911's knows who these men are, and knows that their word can pretty much be taken as gospel when it comes to the subject of these guns.

[@NavyCuda]

Stephan Sterns Taking someones word blindly is a recipe for disaster. If a magazine is poorly designed, that is the fault of the manufacturer. That doesn't change the fact that a properly designed magazine can be left loaded indefinitely. How many people actively seek out inferior magazines for something they might stake their life on?

[@SS-ex4gq]

NavySturmGewehr who said anything about taking someone's word blindly? It was a specific mag and spring combo that was the issue, and that was some years ago, designs are always being revised and improved. The fact is that WC mags are some of the best out there, which is why I run them in my 1911, and stake my life on them. They have never failed me over thousands upon thousands of rounds, whereas lesser mags have. And while we are on the subject of taking advice, Ken Hackathorn has had 30+ years as an instructor and operator of the 1911 platform, he is one of the world's top authorities on the subject, which is why many firearm schools, military units, law enforcement agencies, and custom gun shops have at one time or another consulted with him on training, or designs and features. Can you say the same? It's pretty much a given that when he gives you a piece of advice, you would do well to commit it to memory. Sorry if you don't agree, I'm sure your extensive experience and contributions to the world of gunfighting have given you a vastly superior knowledge and skill set than him, right? We shall declare you the godfather of gunfighting. Please sir, where can I sign up for your training camp? Teach me your ways! 😆

[@NavyCuda]

Stephan Sterns Well his 30+ years of experience clearly is wrong about the nature of springs. I have some WC magazines, I leave them fully loaded with all my other 1911 magazines. Ken did not specifically mention bad magazines, he generalized, which means he was spreading incorrect information. I'm not berating him or his experience, just pointing out a single instance where he is clearly in error. A true professional appreciates a constructive correction, because a true professional wants to be correct.

[@SS-ex4gq]

NavySturmGewehr 2:00

[@rosswade5958]

Check out FrogLube!

[@istartedajoke1704]

1911s should only be a 45

[@FlyTour69]

And 38 Super.

[@G2014SF]

Wilson has horrible customer service. Nobody picks up the phone or calls back. Contacting them thru their website was useless. Too many other good weapons firms out there with better customer service. If you ar egoing to talk about Wilson, you should talk about their customer service.

[@keliishaine]

I own an unfired Vickers Tactical Nighthawk (safe queen) and have a baby on the way. Anyone wanna buy it??

[@104thDIVTimberwolf]

Yeah, but my best offer (budget, not opinion) would give you a good laugh. Good luck!

[@JayM1989]

Dan Wesson whats up

[@kr25flyn]

Buy 5 glocks for the price of one wilson 1911

[@yetanother9127]

The point is that the 1911 is the 1911, and the Glock isn't. Is the Glock better? In some aspects, maybe. But the 1911 is iconic and provided a basis for pistols for the rest of the century.

[@TRoss240]

Took the words out of my mouth, Kyle. I think Larry agrees, as he makes custom Glock parts now.

[@ediot6969]

The 1911 is a precision machine. The glock is a similar machine with tolerances to allow for running better with less than ammo, lube, and accuracy. The glock is more accurate than a human can be. Inherently the 1911 is even more accurate than the glock. An old school 1911 like a colt. Are pretty loose and run like a glock. They rattle more than a glock and will run in mud no problem.

[@mattmarzula]

The reliability of the Wilson Combat 8-round magazine is why I stopped carrying a 1911 as a defensive pistol. They all went to shit after 3 years and anyone who says that it was the pistol, ammo, or shooter is making a leap to judgements without looking down my front sights. 19-round Springfield XD-M. Almost three times the capacity of a standard 1911 at nearly the same weight and a carry weapon that I feel comfortable with.

[@isaiahmarquez9717]

Matt Marzula I've had the same Wilson mags for about 6 years and they still run great. Guess we cancel each other out. Now what?

[@ericflores1986]

Beretta 92fs