Well, I think I've settled on my .45ACP

K

Kentucky Rifle

New member
The gun shop I usually do business with just called and made a fairly good offer (he's going to try another distributor next week and try for a better price) on a Wilson KZ-45 Compact. I haven't signed on "the dotted line" yet, so if anyone has any "horror stories" or other reasons why I shouldn't get the KZ, I'd sure appreciate reading them now. This is a fairly expensive pistol and I don't want to make a mistake. Especially with my first .45ACP.

Kentucky Rifle
 
Don't know anything personally about the KZ, but that is a big leap for your first .45 (and 1911 based pistol also, I assume). To each his own, but I would buy a base model from Kimber or a Springfield Loaded model first and be sure that was what I wanted before I took such a plunge. Regardless, congratulations on entering the elite club of .45 caliber 1911 style pistol owners/shooters. There has never been, nor will there ever, be a finer platform for a fighting handgun.
 
My first 1911 was a Les Baer Premier II and it was the right move for me. I vaguely remember reading about some problems (feeding?) with the fullsize KZ and it might be a good idea to ask and do a search on the 1911 Forum. Wilson does make a excellent product though and their customer service is legendary.
Ronin
 
COMPACT?

Can you try it before you buy it?
(Some folks don't care for the recoil 'feel' from stubbies.)

Have fired full-size (I own one) to Kimber Ultra-Elite; personal preference is full-size.
Your results may vary.
 
WESHOOT2...

I thought about sharp recoil for a little while, and you're right. It probably will be a little more noticeable that with a "full-size".45. However, sometimes I carry and practice with my Glock 27 (.40) and I don't think about recoil too much. Surely a shorter .45ACP won't have much more recoil than a G27. What do you think? I guess it's possible. People feel recoil differently. The G27 doesn't bother me, but a .357 snub just KILLS my hand. I've tried everything I can think of to make it more pleasant to shoot that one. (Short of holding it with a pillow from my couch.). I'm more concerned with the "MIM" parts question. I'm going to call Wilson tomorrow and talk to them about it.

KR
 
Are you sure the KZ-Compact is available?

Try Terry Peters at www.pt-partners.com

He is by far the most "schooled" high end 1911 retailer.

If the Compact is available, then rock on!

But before you buy, drop Terry a line.

Happy Holidays!

J Scott
 
J Scott...

Thanks for the link. I'll give Terry a call.
The truth is, I'm not even sure what all this "MIM" stuff is about. Different people tell me different things. However, all seem to agree that if a little comes off, the part it comes off is going to wear SUBSTANTIALLY and quickly. (And THAT sounds pretty bad to me!) I have to be sure about this. I'm not concerned so much with the money, but I think it'd break my heart to get an expensive pistol with a great reputation--and have it be a single shot jammer. Know what I mean? I have a friend with an AR15 like that. BANG--clear the expended round by hand--BANG--clear the expended round by hand--etc...

KR
 
KY Rifle,

I hear ya. Been there done that. (research that is)
I have never had a single problem with my Protector; ArmourTuf, feeding, jamming...etc. However, it can and possibly will happen.

Again, talk with Terry, tell him your concerns and LISTEN.
Whether you buy a Wilson or not, you will get free advice from one of Wilson Combats' leading retailers. And BTW, he carries more than Wilson. So be sure to ask about Les Baer and Ed Brown.

If you are like me, service after the sale is paramount.
I wouldn't recommend Wilson or Terry unless they exceeded my expectations...they have. Keep in mind my Wilson didn't need service, I did!

If you haven't already, check out www.pistolsmith.com

Good Luck and have fun with your research!

Happy Holidays,

J Scott
 
Put the KZ 45 down...

It's not too late to get a Baer TRS! :D

Seriously, I own both a Wilson Protector and two Baers. Wanna ask me why I own two Baers? Because I can't afford three right now! They are awesome guns, and beat the Wilson hands down in terms of finish, fit, accuracy, and reliability (my Protector is finicky, my Baers can't be made to fail). FWIW, that's my opinion. Good luck!

Bob
 
I am VERY pleased with my KZ45. It is very accurate and %100 reliable so far. It shoots just great. The whole design is near perfection.
My only complaint is that if you are into concealing multiple mags, the mags are wider than a single stack. So, I tend to opt for a single stack .45 with a couple extra mags which I can conceal. If this is not an issue for your, the KZ45 is a near perfect design.

Keep in mind that Wilson WILL make you happy. If your gun has any problems, they will fix it or replace it. If any parts break, they will replace them free. And the MIM parts are not that big of a deal, many 1911's have them these days as well as almost all other breands of guns. Glocks are almost all composite metal parts and they are known as arguably the worlds most durable pistol. I would not worry about MIM parts, I think it is a nit-picking detail, and I have yet to hear anyone actually show an example of the parts failing.
 
Kentucky Rifle, SHould have bought the Para LDA C7.45. Cheaper and a great gun not much recoil either.. Oh well good luck with it anyway. :D
 
I wasn't aware the compact was available yet, but since I got my KZ I have turned my attention towards other 45's. I would have to think a compact would be the "berries" tho. I have several different 1911's, but this one is definately a nice one to start with if you can afford to. Mine has been 100% so far and just keeps getting better. :D
 
I think he is getting the right gun.

Why? It's the gun he WANTS.

If you get ANYTHING ELSE - there will be a splinter in your mind about that other gun... the one you wanted to get... and regardless of logical reasons to the contrary or advice from everyone... you will end up getting it anyways.

So I say just GO FOR IT.

The KZ is a fantastic handgun. Full or Compact. Wilson doesn't make bad handguns. Its a safe bet. Get it and enjoy it.
 
Hi, jdthaddeus and folks,

I don't especially want to get into another "contest" on MIM parts, but I don't think having your barrel bushing break and let the recoil spring guide go down range is a "nit-picking detail". (No, I don't know the velocity and energy of a recoil spring guide; maybe it could be fatal to the BG at that.)

MIM parts are adequately hard and fine in many places, but they are cheap and easy to make and so have been used in places they don't really belong. The same is true of plastic, alloy, etc.; Polymer frames and alloy parts are here to stay, but you don't want a plastic barrel or an aluminum sear.

Jim
 
What the hell!?! If you don't like it, you can sell it - it will hold its value and if you have a good relationship with your dealer, you could probably trade it in... Go for it, then post a picture and keep us droolers updated on how much fun you have when you take it out!!!
 
Don't you hate it when........

somebody tells you that you should have bought something else.

Great choice and enjoy!
 
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