Wilson Combat CQB 1911 Pistol: Full-Size Steel

Thankfully, I never had any close encounters in my home with those intent on doing us harm, but I have done house-clearing stages in competition. I was shooting a 1911 at the time but nothing on the order of the Wilson Close Quarters Battle (CQB) pistol I have here on my desk. Wilson calls it a “standard package” of custom features designed for the “professional,” and it would be quite the handgun to have at your side when the chips are down.

Established in 1977, Bill Wilson’s firm was determined to manufacture the best in combat type firearms, starting with the 1911 platform. Its 1911 frames and parts are produced on CNC machinery for the utmost in precision, then built on order by a team of top gunsmiths.

The CQB is a full-size steel gun with an empty weight of 41 ounces. The pistol’s Battlesight rear assembly has a U-shape notch secured with twin locking Allen screws and is drift-adjustable for windage. The front sight is a fiber optic set within a dovetail.

On this two-tone version, the top of the slide is matte black, with the polished sides sporting the Wilson logo and “CQB.” The slide has cocking serrations front and rear. The ejection port has been relieved and lowered for positive ejection. The five-inch match-grade barrel is crowned, and its bushing is hand-fitted.

Design and Function

The carbon steel frame is checkered on the frontstrap and sports a flat mainspring housing, and there’s aggressive checkering on the High-Cut frontstrap. The magazine well is contoured, and two eight-round magazines with bumpers are furnished.

Controls include Wilson’s Bullet Proof High-Ride beavertail grip safety with a memory bump, and it’s mated perfectly with the skeletonized hammer when cocked by way of a slot on its upper surface.

The single-side thumb safety is Wilson’s Bullet Proof component, and the the mag release is slightly extended. The black G10 Starburst grips provide great traction and are recessed for easy access to the release. The three-hole trigger is serrated on its face. The specs indicate trigger pull weight is between 3.5 and 4.5 pounds, and my sample was 4.5 pounds.

This 1911 is built correctly from the start. All the edges are straight and clean, and the finish is up to the highest standards and worthy of the $3,533 base price. In the hand, the gun has the feeling of being ready for action. The CQB carries a one-inch accuracy guarantee at 25 yards, and with its palm-filling grips and well-executed checkering, it’s the way to go if you want the best.

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