Wilson Combat Division 77 series

Wilson Combat has been a name associated with quality for decades. Their 1911s and rifles are considered premier products, and their performance is exceptional. So, I pay attention when the word comes down that they have something special in the works. However, nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to see when I received the information. It is absolutely beautiful. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the Wilson Combat Division 77 series – Project 1.

Wilson Combat Division 77 Series – Project 1

Introducing Project 1. This gun and program represent a new standard for Wilson Combat. The feature list on this gun is long. First, it uses an all-new innovative optic pin system that allows seamless transitions between RMR, RMSC, and DeltaPoint Pro footprints. The gun also has an increased rear slide width, and a relocation of the optic to the rear of the slide for unobstructed chamber access is ideal for SROs and longer red dots. The precision-cut ported slide seamlessly fits their integrated compensated barrel. It is engineered precisely for low recoil and quick target acquisition. It is designed to provide perfect ergonomics and function tailored for speed and accuracy.

If you choose not to run an optic, they still have you covered. The Project 1 has a newly designed cover plate with dovetail rear sight and integrated firing pin stop. This unique design allows for a stronger iron sight platform that allows the user to transition from optics to iron sights without having to re-zero or drift the rear sight. The integrated firing pin stop gives the cover plate more integrity by creating a sturdy cover plate/iron sight platform that is movement-free, maintaining zero through removal and re-installation.

Enhanced Guide Rod

Something you notice in the photos is the guide rod. Project 1 is further enhanced with WC’s advanced “RPG” guide rod. This unique design allows for a longer one-piece guide rod. This, in turn, improves reliability and ease of use. The reduced diameter allows the guide rod to tilt out of the slide assembly for easy removal and installation. It also allows the removal of the guide rod without removing the reverse plug. The longer shaft has shown increased recoil spring reliability, longevity, and an all-around improvement in the firearm’s function.

Other features of the gun include an integrated mag well and a flat trigger. The barrel and slide parts are PVD coated for enhanced durability. The Wilson Combat Division 77 series—Project 1 has aggressive TRAK pattern front and back straps and user-changeable TRAK pattern grip panels. Lastly, it includes a new 18-round base pad with precisely machined grooves on both sides of the extended pad. This is to facilitate faster, smoother mag changes.

The Wilson Combat Division 77 series—Project 1 is more than a pretty face with nice features. It is the product of extensive, cutting-edge testing. Project 1 was tested with an all-new Dynamic Recoil Analysis System (DRAS), a state-of-the-art testing device designed to measure and analyze pistol recoil with unprecedented accuracy.

Special Recoil Testing

Unlike conventional recoil testing that relies on a single peak angle measurement, DRAS collects 2,000 pressure data points within a 350-millisecond window, capturing the entire recoil event in fine detail. By utilizing pneumatic cylinders in a push-pull configuration, the system achieves a free-floating state, enabling real-time suspension of the pistol to simulate true recoil dynamics.

This approach allows DRAS to generate a comprehensive recoil curve, which provides invaluable insights into how compensator barrels differ from standard barrels over the entire recoil cycle. The result is a detailed graph that represents not just peak forces but the complete behavior of the pistol during recoil, offering a more accurate and in-depth understanding of performance characteristics. This information, in turn, is used to fine-tune the design to create an incredibly smooth shooting gun.

Wilson Combat Division 77 series – Project 1

The Wilson Combat Division 77 series: Project 1 represents a new chapter for Wilson Combat. The first 100 Project 1 pistols will ship in a custom metal case with a commemorative challenge coin to celebrate this launch, making them instant collector’s items.