Bill Wilson: 45 years of 1911 Goodness
Founded in the back of his family’s jewelry store in 1977 to help support his competition pistol habit, Bill Wilson’s little custom gun shop has grown to become a household name and employs over 200 professionals in three states working with no less than five brands.
Bill Wilson was one of the original custom M1911 competitors back in the days when Chip McCormick was on the circuit and a Mickey Fowler was on the cover of American Handgunner beside a young Rob Leatham.
Wilson, getting it done through the power of the John Holmes stache and ringer tee back in the days when bowling pins ran wild. (Photo: Wilson Combat)
Beginning with basic gunsmithing and parts, Wilson’s one-man operation grew quickly, and many of the world’s top pistol shooters were soon carrying guns with some of his ingredients. To this day, the Wilson Combat’s legendary 1911 magazines are the go-to for many and often ship as O.E. with some of the better .45s on the market today outside of WC’s own creations.
Today, Wilson Combat has grown a lot from that 10’x20′ area in the back his dad’s jewelry store, but they still like nice 1911s.
More in my column at Guns.com.
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