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Wilson Combat is known world wide for its reliable and heavily customized 1911s. For this reason, Western Arms released the Wilson Combat CQB several years back. The pistol had a black slide, matched with a grey frame and fake wood grips, while the real steel Wilson Combat CQB is available with black/OD, and all black in addition to the black/grey. The real steel Wilson Combat also features black diamond wood grips, and comes complete with its own instruction video, in addition to two magazines. Unfortunately, WA not only didn't include a instruction video, the gun quickly ran out of stock, and remained depleted for over a year. In October 2003, Western Arms released their Series 70, which contained a redesigned Blowback chamber, in addition to a new firing pin assembly. Every month after, WA released a new SCW pistol. Right in time for the holidays, Western arms put out the new SCW Wilson Combat CQB.
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Unlike the old CQB, this pistol has a olive drab lower frame, as well as black Wilson Combat Grips. Faithfully replicated is the Wilson Combat Pyramid site system. This site system makes aiming a snap, with three white dots that seem to naturally line up as you draw it from your holster.
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The CQB also features serrations on the front of the slide to make checking the chamber much easier. The grip safety is extended to eliminate any chance of the hammer "biting" the skin on your hand, and of course, the hammer is the skeletonized combat type, and is serrated on the rear.
Unfortunately, it does not come with ambidexturous manual safeties, which might be a problem for people who are left handed. However, Western Arms didn't completely forget about lefties, they offer a ambidexturous safety, with matching Olive Drab finish, on their site. The safety itself is longer then your standard Colt Gov't 1911, making it easier to flip on or off.
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Both the front of the frame and the bottom of the trigger guard are checkered. I find the checkering on the frame to be uncomfortable, it seems to "scratch" my hand. It does decrease slippage when wearing gloves.
Another feature I do not like is the flat main spring housing. It seems to offset the natural point of the gun, and makes the front of the slide dip down as you bring it up to fire.
The trigger is adjustable, there is a hole in the front of it that fits one of the two included allen wrenches. The stock trigger pull itself is very short and smooth, with no hang ups detectable.
Your standard magazine release button is present, no different then the standard Colt Gov't versions other then a olive drab finish on it.
The magazine itself has a stainless steel finish, and features something WA hasn't done in the past. The valve release button is painted black, while on all other previous WA models it is silver. This may indicate that they have made changes to it, I cannot for the life of me see any external changes, and until the magazine starts leaking, I have no intention of taking it apart. Old WA single stacker magazines work 100% in the new SCW guns. I have tried one of the earliest WA single stacker magazines in it and the gun still fired perfectly. The magazine features a black 47D wilson combat bumper plate. Contrary to popular belief, I have been able to load both HFC 134a as well as Green gas in it without any issues. The way Western Arms designed it was so that the gas can had no play, and it would gaurantee you putting the nozzle perfectly straight onto the fill valve. The magazine holds the standard 15 rounds, loads exactly the same as the old style magazines.
The grips of the pistol are black in color, and represent the real steel wooden Wilson Combat grips fairly well. The two diamond shapes on either grip side have a rubbery texture, and are fairly comfortable to hold. I noticed my hands don't seem to sweat as much with these grips as well.
Both the barrel and the chamber have a stainless steel finish, however, only the barrel is metal. The barrel bushing is metal and has a stainless steel finish, yet the recoil guide plug is black, giving the business end of the gun a two tone look.
Trade MarksAlright, on to the trademarks on this gun. Western arms is licensed to replicate the Wilson Combat trademarks in Japan as well as the United States, so you do not need to have trademarks removed if you order from overseas.
On the right side of the slide, the words "Wilson Combat" are present, engraved in a bold large font. The right side shows the acronym "CQB", and on the right side of the pyramid site reads "Wilson Combat"
The right side of the frame reads "Wilson Combat Berryville, AR USA" along with "WA ASGK" approval marking. Each grip panel has the Wilson Combat emblem along present, and the magazine reads "Wilson Combat" on the bumper plate.
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So how does it shoot? After loading my magazines up with a variety of combinations of gas, heres what I have seen: With a ratio of 2/3 134a and 1/3 green gas, the kick is extremely hard. I felt like I was shooting my real steel Walther P22 pistol. With pure 134a, the gun still managed to kick back a fair amount of recoil, though not the same as the above combination. It felt about 2/3 as powerful.
With pure Green gas, the kick wasn't much more noticably more powerful then the 2/3 134a, 1/3 green. Keep in mind, other then this test, I will not be using green gas in this pistol. The kick is so hard, your slide notch will wear down MUCH quicker then on the old Western Arms pistols. FPS isn't any higher then the older Western arms, around 240-250 FPS with 134a, 320 with Green gas. If you plan on running green gas in this pistol, you are going to want the PGC or Shooters Design metal slide for this pistol. The PGC is available at UN Company, and the Shooters Design is available at Den Trinity, both should allow the use of Green Gas without having to worry about your slide notch.
Accuracy on this pistol is not much different then any other WA 1911. Hitting a coke can at 60 feet is relatively easy for a veteran skirmisher.
AccessoriesSince the SCW series isn't even half a year old yet, accessories arn't really available. All Western Arms Single stack .45 magazines will fit in this gun, this includes the Parkerized 15rd magazines, Black 15rd magazines, Stainless 15rd magazines, Black Wilson 47D style magazines, and Stainless Wilson 47D magazines.
As mentioned above, both PGC and Shooters Design have released metal slides for this pistol, both costing around $100 + shipping.
Both Guarder and PGCs reinforced loading nozzles will not fit, as the new ones in the SCW version are redesigned and are longer.
ConclusionOverall, you will not be disappointed by this pistol. The kick alone is enough to warrant the cost. Combine this with the superb finish and excellent sites, and this pistol is easily one of the best on the market.
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