utm fk

carry large everyday | February 2020 g&a 57
The barrel is about accuracy. It measures 5 inches, is
stainless steel and features a flush-cut reverse crown.
triggerguard, which allows a
high grip on the gun. A beavertail
prevents hammer bite.
In terms of controls, the
trigger, slide stop, magazine
release and manual safety are
all of the M1911A1-style. Both
Wilson’s Bulletproof slide stop
PERFORMANCE
LOAD
and safety levers are constructed with oversize surfaces, so they
are easy to manipulate in a hurry. I have average-sized hands
and was able to actuate the checkered magazine release without
shifting my grip on the handgun. Likewise, the serrated trigger
was within easy reach. Our test gun’s trigger fires after a crisp and
clean 31/ pounds. There was some take-up in Guns & Ammo’s
sample. However, the trigger reset was extremely short resulting
in fast split times between shots.
Wilson’s use of CNC milling stations is immediately evident
when examining the X9L. There is complex cross-hatching
cuts present on both the frame and slide, for example. The
X-TAC pattern milled into the slide takes the place of front and
rear cocking serrations and provides ample grip. Instead of a
traditional rounded top on the slide, a five-sided surface results
in a unique but attractive profile that also cuts weight. The slide
is milled narrower near the muzzle in the style of the Browning
Hi-Power and some of the custom M1911s of yesteryear. Wilson
calls them “carry cuts” and it is a good look. Ball-end mill cuts
on the slide’s transition to the dust cover adds a custom touch as
well. The bottom edge of the slide is chamfered to eliminate the
sharp edge. All of these cuts aren’t just for aesthetic reasons. The
result is a low-mass slide that still
manages to temper muzzle rise.
While the lower half of the
EDC X9L has more features of a
modern double-stack handgun,
the top end is like an M1911A1.
The slide is machined from 416R
stainless steel, as is the 5-inch
match ramped barrel. Neither
component is coated, which gives
the gun a two-tone look. A nearly
imperceptible reverse crown protects
the rifling from real-world
Sights encourage precision with the rear being adjustable yet snag-free. a
serrated topstrap prevents glare to focus on the green fiber optic front.
VEL.
(FPS) ES SD
BEST
GROUP
(IN.)
AVG.
GROUP
(IN.)
Horn. Amer. Gun. 115-gr. XTP JHP 1,148 58 19.3 1.11 1.34
SIG Sauer 365 Elite 115-gr. FMJ 1,198 47 17.3 2.29 2.5
Federal Syntech Range 124-gr. FMJ 1,129 22 8.4 1.61 1.97
Notes: Accuracy is the average of five, five- shot groups from a sandbag rest at 25 yards.
Velocity is the average of five shots recorded by an Oehler Model 35P chronograph.
abuse and the barrel locks up
by means of a single top lug.
Though the more compact
EDC X9 uses a fluted-cone
barrel that deletes the need
for a bushing, the X9L uses a
traditional barrel bushing to
secure it for better fitment at
the muzzle. Though the bushing may seem antiquated to some,
it has a purpose: Bushings can be replaced to account for wear,
which is important on a gun that will see tens of thousands of
rounds. (It is better to wear out the bushing than the frame.)
The EDC X9L uses the standard recoil spring and plug arrangement
of the M1911 with no full-length guide rod. Wilson’s polymer
Shock Buff pad provides cushion to the metal components
when the slide slams to the rear upon firing. As a result, disassembly
of the X9L follows the traditional M1911 steps and will be
familiar to any shooter comfortable with that manual of arms.
The sights on the EDC X9L are tall, visible and excellent. A
user-replaceable fiber-optic front sight is framed by an adjustable
snag-free black rear with 40 line-per-inch serrations. These cuts
continue on the rear surface of the slide, cutting glare and looking
good doing it. The flat on the slide’s top is serrated 30 lines-perinch.
The sights are adjustable for both windage and elevation
using two Torx and one standard screw, respectively. Rounding out
the slide, the ejection port is generously wide to allow for flawless
ejection and the slide-mounted spring-loaded extractor and framemounted
fixed ejector get empties out of the gun with authority.
The machining and polishing on the EDC X9L are first rate,
without a single visible flaw in the
various cuts made on the frame
and slide. The barrel locks up
tight, leaving no wobble when the
hood is depressed. Slide-to-frame
fit allows just enough clearance
to ensure reliability. The surface
finish is Wilson’s Armor-Tuff black
coating, which is durable but
only .001 inch thick so it doesn’t
interfere with the critical fitting
between the pistol’s various parts.
I’m a big fan of custom Model