CONCEALMENT 46 Wilson Combat Division 77 Project 1 [Hands On] Dave Merrill August 25, 2025 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Read our affiliate policy. Find out more about how we test products. Wilson Combat's Skunkworks Future Shooter It makes sense that a watchmaker would get into 1911s. Pistols that were designed in a time when machine-hours were expensive but man-hours were cheap. When precision fit meant you needed a person. This is where Bill Wilson found himself back in 1977, a jeweler and pistol competitor who wanted a better pistol than he could buy. This was the original impetus and birth of Wilson Combat. In the nearly half century since, much has changed, and yet much is still the same. Though we now live in a time of luxury, where machines are capable of far greater than ever before while also being more affordable than ever, we’re still finding the touch of a human brings something to the table that an android still can’t quite grasp. Bill is now enjoying retirement and now Cam Ankele has the reins. Wilson Combat still makes 1911s – but boy howdy this one sure looks different. The namesake of this semi-skunkworks, Division 77, is homage to when Bill first started cutting metal himself. And it’s the Project 1 because it’s the first thing they’re putting out. STANDOUT FEATURES Wilson Combat doesn’t follow the standard 2011 formula. There’s no bulky two-piece frame and magazines that are unnecessarily too large, instead opting their EDX X9 2.0 as a base for slim all around. It’s still a smooth 1911 action, just not copying the other kids’ homework. There is no grip safety but it does have an ambi thumb safety. The barrel and slide are ported, and on the range this setup actually works very well even with cheap ammo – this technology has come a long way. It’s not as if a 33-ounce 9mm pistol had all that much recoil to begin with, but this gun has a lot of show in it – so let it show. Wilson Combat has a lot of tools and charts to show there’s a 42% recoil reduction compared to a standard offering but the real truth is in your hands on the range; it’s impressive indeed. One of the biggest changes from Wilson’s other offerings is the optic setup. Previously you had to get custom work from Wilson if you wanted to do this (we covered this whole process back in CONCEALMENT #40). Although Wilson Combat went through the trouble of developing their own interchangeable plates before, the True Zero Optic System, they didn’t use it here. Instead, with the Division 77 Project 1 they cut a universal-ish footprint directly into the slide and included removeable pillars to fit RMR, RMSc, and DPP optics. Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
