WILSON COMBAT CQB ELITE
Posted Jun 15, 2023
Wilson Combat CQB Elite: A Comprehensive Review
The Wilson Combat CQB Elite is an excellent option for experienced shooters looking for a military-grade handgun. Released in 2018, the CQB Elite is an upgrade to the standard CQB model, with the addition of several features and design elements, such as an adjustable trigger, interchangeable backstraps, an optic-ready slide, and more. This review will provide an in-depth discussion on the various features of the CQB Elite, its real-world performance, and whether or not it will meet the needs of shooters looking for a reliable and highly capable handgun.
Design and Externals
The Wilson Combat CQB Elite is a full-sized handgun with a stainless steel frame and a black Nitride slide. The black Nitride finish is highly durable and is designed to resist wear and corrosion. The handgun features a five-inch barrel, which is carried in one of Wilson Combat’s proprietary stainless steel match-grade slides. Additionally, the CQB Elite is a single-action only (SAO) pistol, meaning that the trigger must be pulled back and released for each shot fired.
The CQB Elite features adjustable backstraps and a trigger adjustable for over-travel. The over-travel adjustment screw on the CQB Elite is located on the left side of the pistol, just above the trigger guard. It allows the user to fine-tune trigger pull length and over-travel, further enhancing user control when firing the handgun. The adjustable backstraps, combined with the built-in beavertail grip, offer the user a more comfortable and ergonomic grip on the pistol.
The Wilson Combat CQB Elite also offers a number of other design elements and features, such as an enlarged and extended magazine release, a magazine well, an ambidextrous safety, competition-style magazine basepads, an extended slide lock, and deep-relief engraving on the slide. All of these features contribute to the CQB Elite’s well-rounded design, allowing the user to easily transition from range to competition to duty.
Performance and Reliability
The Wilson Combat CQB Elite is designed to be a reliable and accurate handgun. It features a match-grade barrel, and is chambered in 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP, making it a suitable pistol for a wide range of uses. In terms of accuracy, the CQB Elite is more than capable of producing consistent and tight groups at all distances, thanks in part to its match-grade barrel. Additionally, the handgun is fed via a staggered magazine, allowing for higher capacity and greater reliability under intense use.
The adjustable trigger of the CQB Elite further contributes to its accuracy and reliability. The adjustable trigger allows the shooter to customize trigger pull to his or her preference, allowing for precise and consistent shots. Additionally, the adjustable backstraps allow for a tailored and comfortable grip on the pistol, reducing fatigue and Recoil, both of which contribute to increased accuracy and reliability.
The CQB Elite is also equipped with an extended slide lock and a beefy steel magazine release. This helps ensure smooth loading and ejection of magazines as well as a secure mount on the slide. The extended slide lock also helps ensure that the slide remains firmly locked in place, even under harsh environments and extended periods of firing.
Features
The Wilson Combat CQB Elite is a feature-rich handgun. It is designed with a number of features and design elements intended to improve the user’s shooting experience. First and foremost, the CQB Elite is optics-ready, meaning that the user can mount a variety of optics on the slide. The CQB Elite features an extended forward slide rail that is compatible with a number of optics, including red dot sights, reflex sights, laser sights, and more. This allows the user to further customize and enhance the performance of the handgun.
The CQB Elite also features an enlarged and extended magazine release, as well as a competition-style magazine base pad. This allows for smooth and efficient loading and unloading of magazines, as well as added gripping surface for enhanced control. Additionally, the CQB Elite is equipped with an ambidextrous thumb safety, allowing the user to easily manipulate the safety when firing. Lastly, the CQB Elite has deep-relief engravings on the slide, adding to the aesthetic appeal of the handgun.
Conclusion
The Wilson Combat CQB Elite is an excellent handgun for experienced shooters looking for an optics-ready pistol. Its feature-rich design makes it well-suited for a wide range of uses, from range shooting to competition to duty. The CQB Elite is reliable and accurate, with adjustable features that further enhance its performance and user experience. All of these features combine to make the CQB Elite an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable and highly capable handgun.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Wilson Combat CQB Elite offers superior accuracy and reliability due to its match grade barrel and slide assembly.
- The pistol is designed for self-defense and features comfortable ergonomics that make it easy to use.
- The 4.3-inch stainless-steel match grade metal barrel is capable of accurate shooting.
- The frame of the gun is designed to deliver excellent performance with a secure grip and superior control.
- The gun also features G10 grips which allows for a secure grip.
- It comes with an adjustable rear sight and a tritium front sight for enhanced accuracy.
Cons:
- This gun is suitable for experienced shooters due to its bulky size and extra features, making it unsuitable for beginners.
- It is a bit more expensive than other similar models.
- The gun offers low capacities and not suitable for shooting competitions.
Who Should Buy
Wilson Combat CQB Elite is a professional-grade, full-size handgun designed to meet the needs of law enforcement and military personnel. It is a high-quality firearm with a very high price tag, so it is best suited to people who are experienced with firearms and have the money to invest in an expensive gun. This gun is not ideal for casual shooters or those who are on a tight budget.
Comparisons
| Feature | WILSON COMBAT CQB ELITE | SMITH & WESSON PERFORMANCE CENTER PC1911 | WILSON COMBAT CQB TACTICAL LE | HECKLER & KOCH HK 416 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caliber | .45 ACP | .45 ACP | .45 ACP | 5.56mm NATO |
| Barrel Length | 5" | 5" | 4" | 16.5" |
| Capacity | 8+1 | 8+1 | 8+1 | 30+1 |
| Finish | Armornite | blackened stainless steel | blackened stainless steel | blackened steel |
| Action | Single / Double Action | Single Action | Single Action | Semi-Automatic |
| Safety | Notched Cocking Serration | Manual Thumb Safety | Manual Thumb Safety | Ambidextrous Safety Selector |
Features / Specs
• Type: 1911 Compact
• Caliber: 9mm, .38 Super, .45 ACP
• Magazine Capacity: 8 round standard, 10 round X-TAC magazine available
• Barrel: 4” match grade stainless steel
• Slide: Match grade stainless steel with Armor Tuff finish
• Frame: Medium frame, black Armor Tuff finish
• Grips: G-10 Starburst Tactical
• Sights: Battlesight with fiber optic front
• Trigger: 4.5 to 5 lbs pull crisp and light
• Hammer: Tactical Combat
• Weight: 38 ounces (empty magazine)
• Overall Length: 7.6”
• Height: 5.6”
• Width: 1.3”
• Depth: 1.4”
Popular Accessories
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- Magazines
- Sights and optics
- Laser sights
- Slings
- Rail accessories
- Grips
- Flashlights and weapon lights
- Stocks and adapters
- Recoil compensators
- Magazine wells.
Accuracy
The Wilson Combat CQB Elite is known as one of the most accurate and reliable firearms on the market. It features a match-grade barrel and chamber, along with Wilson’s innovative “Burst Tool” system that compensates for any minor imperfections in ammunition. The gun also features a dual recoil system and is designed to reduce felt recoil and muzzle rise. The gun itself has a crisp trigger, which helps to ensure accurate shots. This is all backed up by Wilson’s Limited Lifetime warranty, ensuring that your new CQB Elite is a gun that will last for years to come.
