Well, I finally made it to the range to fire my newly acquired Wilson Combat KZ-45. The frame is a composite of stainless steel and Kevlar re-enforced polymer. The stainless steel insert contains all the critical pins, barrel lockup area, and feed ramp. The pistol will hold 11 rounds of .45 ACP (Law Enforcement) but only 10 rounds for non-LEO.
My first impressions were not great. Wilson came up with a unique design for this hi capacity 1911. Most hi capacity 1911’s (Para, STI, etc) have a real fat grip. Wilson’s grip is actually thinner then standard 1911’s. However, due to the design, the grip feels very blocky. It’s something that over the course of time, I could get used to.
The slide has Wilson’s outstanding Armor-Tuff finish. This durable finish in conjunction with 10 rounds of .45 ACP makes the KZ a serious CCW firearm. The weight is 31 oz unloaded compared to 38 oz unloaded for all steel 1911’s. However, if you carry 10 rounds, the weight jumps to 43 oz. A loaded all steel 1911 weighs 44 oz so you’re not saving a lot of weight with the KZ. Keep in mind, you’re carrying 10 rounds of .45 ACP though compared to 8 rounds.
I don’t care for the proprietary magazines. Wilson included two magazines, a gun rug, video and test target with the gun. Extra magazines run you $39.95.
The test target states that best accuracy is achieved using 4.5 grains of VitaVouri N310 with a 200 grain lead semi-wadcutter. However, from past reloading experiences with this powder, it burns very hot and leading will be a problem with 4.5 grains. Therefore, I shot my test loads with 5.0 and 5.1 grains of VitaVouri N320 and 200 grain lead semi-wadcutters. Along with the VitaVouri loads, I used Titegroup, Bullseye, Winchester 231 and 230 grain FMJ American Eagle Factory ammo.
The sight picture is outstanding with the Wilson Nite-eyes. Tritium inserts allow great target acquisition at low light conditions. The front post is bright green while the rear dots are dimmer green.
First, I started at 25 yards firing from sandbags with 5 shots of VitaVouri N320. I did this 5 times, with 25 shots total. Best groups were 1.25 inches. Then I fired the same using 4.4 grains of Titegroup with 200 gr. LSWC (lead semi-wadcutters). Best group was 2.1”.
I cleaned the gun at this point so I could have somewhat of a fair comparison with the other loads.
Then I fired 4.5 grains of Bullseye. Best group was 2”. Then 5.0 grain of Winchester 231, which resulted in 1.6”, groups. Factory ammo had the worse group at 2.75”. I had one misfeed with the Bullseye loads. That was the only misfeed out of all the ammo I shot.
From off-hand at 6 yards, I fired 10 shots of Federal 230 grain Hydro-Shoks. All 10 shots were touching. 10 shots of 5.0 grains of Titegroup with 230 grain Speer Gold Dots followed and 6 out of ten shots touched. The other 4 brought the group close to 1”.
I know this gun can shoot even tighter groups in the hands of a better shooter.
However, I was quite satisfied with this gun. For $995 (base price), you can’t go wrong. Once I put this gun through some more tests, I can easily see this becoming my primary CCW piece. For a long time now, I’ve been carrying either a Les Baer Concept III or Wilson CQB. However, given 2 extra rounds of .45 ACP with a thin 1911 style pistol and the KZ-45 becomes the new hip companion.
Regards,
------------------
Son
1911 Addiction
"The tree of liberty will grow only when watered by the blood of tyrants."
[This message has been edited by ArmySon (edited October 14, 2000).]
My first impressions were not great. Wilson came up with a unique design for this hi capacity 1911. Most hi capacity 1911’s (Para, STI, etc) have a real fat grip. Wilson’s grip is actually thinner then standard 1911’s. However, due to the design, the grip feels very blocky. It’s something that over the course of time, I could get used to.
The slide has Wilson’s outstanding Armor-Tuff finish. This durable finish in conjunction with 10 rounds of .45 ACP makes the KZ a serious CCW firearm. The weight is 31 oz unloaded compared to 38 oz unloaded for all steel 1911’s. However, if you carry 10 rounds, the weight jumps to 43 oz. A loaded all steel 1911 weighs 44 oz so you’re not saving a lot of weight with the KZ. Keep in mind, you’re carrying 10 rounds of .45 ACP though compared to 8 rounds.
I don’t care for the proprietary magazines. Wilson included two magazines, a gun rug, video and test target with the gun. Extra magazines run you $39.95.
The test target states that best accuracy is achieved using 4.5 grains of VitaVouri N310 with a 200 grain lead semi-wadcutter. However, from past reloading experiences with this powder, it burns very hot and leading will be a problem with 4.5 grains. Therefore, I shot my test loads with 5.0 and 5.1 grains of VitaVouri N320 and 200 grain lead semi-wadcutters. Along with the VitaVouri loads, I used Titegroup, Bullseye, Winchester 231 and 230 grain FMJ American Eagle Factory ammo.
The sight picture is outstanding with the Wilson Nite-eyes. Tritium inserts allow great target acquisition at low light conditions. The front post is bright green while the rear dots are dimmer green.
First, I started at 25 yards firing from sandbags with 5 shots of VitaVouri N320. I did this 5 times, with 25 shots total. Best groups were 1.25 inches. Then I fired the same using 4.4 grains of Titegroup with 200 gr. LSWC (lead semi-wadcutters). Best group was 2.1”.
I cleaned the gun at this point so I could have somewhat of a fair comparison with the other loads.
Then I fired 4.5 grains of Bullseye. Best group was 2”. Then 5.0 grain of Winchester 231, which resulted in 1.6”, groups. Factory ammo had the worse group at 2.75”. I had one misfeed with the Bullseye loads. That was the only misfeed out of all the ammo I shot.
From off-hand at 6 yards, I fired 10 shots of Federal 230 grain Hydro-Shoks. All 10 shots were touching. 10 shots of 5.0 grains of Titegroup with 230 grain Speer Gold Dots followed and 6 out of ten shots touched. The other 4 brought the group close to 1”.
I know this gun can shoot even tighter groups in the hands of a better shooter.
However, I was quite satisfied with this gun. For $995 (base price), you can’t go wrong. Once I put this gun through some more tests, I can easily see this becoming my primary CCW piece. For a long time now, I’ve been carrying either a Les Baer Concept III or Wilson CQB. However, given 2 extra rounds of .45 ACP with a thin 1911 style pistol and the KZ-45 becomes the new hip companion.
Regards,
------------------
Son
1911 Addiction
"The tree of liberty will grow only when watered by the blood of tyrants."
[This message has been edited by ArmySon (edited October 14, 2000).]
