Re: 1st handgun purchase?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Matthew</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I say XD. I would hate to get my Wilson scratched up during every day carry. In my opinnion the XD is better than the glock in every way. I know Glock lovers will disagree, but I have the compact 4" .45 XD and it is perfect for carry. Never had a problem. I carry a Sig 229 as well and it works great.
Matthew </div></div>
In my opinion, a tool is worthless if you're not willing to use it. If I had a wilson, it'd probably be as worn as my Kimbers are.
The XD is far from better than the Glock in "every" way. It does have more durable magazines, a better trigger, and better factory sights, and a grip angle that I like better.
It also has a really high bore axis, which IMO, destroys all of the good features it has. Bore axis height is the biggest factor in recoil control and follow-up shots.
It's really too bad the XD is this way. In September, they were available for $420 with 4 mags--a GREAT value. Obama's election drove the price up considerably.
The S&W M&P is the new polymer on the block. It combines some of the best features of the Glock and XD. It has a light trigger with a short reset, the 1911 grip angle, interchangeable grip backstraps, etc.
I prefer 1911s, but the M&P is my favorite of the polymers. The compact M&P is all wrong, though. It's just too small. The Glock 19 has that market cornered (and the G19 has a 4" barrel, too!).
For the OP,
I'm sure you'll like a Wilson, but there are a lot of nice 1911s on the market. I have shot a Wilson, and the performance/fit did not fit the price tag...but if you must have a nice, semi-custom 1911, go for it. For the price they're charging, though, I think you could get a full-custom 1911 just the way you want it rather than a cookie cutter model.