Self Defense

EDC X9 FROM WILSON COMBAT

Off the Bench

Instead of reworking the 45 ACP 1911 platform, Bill Wilson and his engineers designed the EDC X9 from the ground up to reliably feed the 9mm cartridge. A redesigned extractor, reduction in barrel-lockup points and shortening of the slide rails can be thanked in large part for this pistol’s unwavering reliability. The barrel fluting carved into the bushingless bull-barrel not only looks outstanding but also gives channels for dirt, mud and grime to fall into to help keep the gun running in less-than-ideal conditions.

In keeping with my usual theme of testing the three most popular bullet weights in the given caliber, I chose Wilson Combat’s own brand for 115- and 124-grain, and plain vanilla American Eagle for 147-grain subsonic. Using a Caldwell Matrix Rest on a concrete bench at 25 yards, I measured each group twice. Measurement One is all five shots, to give an idea what the pistol can do in experienced hands under perfect conditions. Measurement Two encompasses the best three hits, which over the decades has proven to closely approximate what all five would have done from a machine rest.

Compared to a standard 1911, the trigger guard is extended forward by one-tenth of an inch for additional clearance with gloved hands. Between the aggressive starburst checkering pattern on the grips and the X-TAC treatment on the front and rear strap’s, the EDC X9 does a great job of locking-in your firing grip under recoil. Extended slide stop and magazine release are standard, and trigger is available in either short, medium or long length’s during the time of order.

The 147-grain American Eagle full metal jacket truncated cone bullets delivered a 5-shot group measuring 3.70”, with the best three in 2.05”. (All measurements were to the nearest 0.05”.)

Our Wilson pistol was true to its brand and shot better with ammo that wore the same stamp as its own. 115-grain Wilson Combat TAC XP, marked “+P” on the cartridge headstamps but not the box, comprises an all-copper hollow point rated for 1,200 feet per second from a five-inch service pistol barrel. It punched five holes into a group of 1.95”, and the best three in three-quarters of an inch. That’s darn good for a compact pistol with a 3.8-inch barrel.

The piece de resistance in the accuracy test turned out to be another Wilson Combat round, the 124-grain XTP +P, also rated for 1,200 foot-seconds from a five-inch tube. All five hits were in 1.85”, but the best-three cluster was simply awesome. The target presented with two 9mm holes and one misshapen one that measured half an inch from outer edge to outer edge and wasn’t confirmed as a three-shot group until the exit side of the target revealed three distinct radii. Center to center, near as I could tell, that trio of hits were barely more than a quarter inch apart.

Either a left side, right side or ambidextrous thumb safety can be spec’d when you place your order for an EDX X9. Both the rear of the slide and adjustable, U-notch rear sight are cut with 40-LPI checkering to reduce sight-picture glare.

There are a lot of rifles that can’t stack three hits like that at 25 yards. Needless to say, I was impressed with both the accuracy of those 124-grain Hornady bullets loaded under the Wilson brand, and that of the pistol from which they were fired. My compliments to the chefs.

And in the Field

In an effort to further reduce sight-picture glare, the unique and edgy-looking Tri-Top slide profile has been serrated along its entire top surface, save for the tasteful Wilson Combat logo inscribed just forward of the front sight.

G10 grips with a unique and ingenious attachment design are a signature feature of the EDC pistol. Trust me, they do not allow movement inside your grasp no matter how fast you are shooting. On the Wilson EDC X9, most shooters will be able to get the rear of their support hand on the rear edge of the grip to apply forward pressure, an advanced technique that has been attributed to champion shooters Mike Seeklander and Ron Avery. These grips are rough against bare skin in deep concealment, though. If you’re carrying inside the waistband beneath a tails-out shirt, wear an undershirt. Ask me how I know.