Almost five years ago Wilson Combat released the EDC-X9, a double stack 9mm designed from the ground up as the ultimate everyday carry pistol. To kick off 2022, they’ve one-upped themselves with the new Wilson Combat SFX9.
The major difference between the previous EDC-X9 reviewed here back in 2017 and the SFX9 is in the frame. The upper half of the gun is exactly the same as before, and that’s a very good thing.
All the X9 guns have the same serrations fore and aft and the same external extractor. The barrel is the same reverse cone match-grade 4″ bushing-less barrel with a fluted chamber. The stainless steel slide also features the same tri-topped cut that brings the eye right to the same user-replaceable fiber optic front sight.
Also note that, while the slide is flat at the rail, there’s a slight angle cut above it for the full length on each side. Beyond just the components, it’s the attention to this kind of design detail that sets Wilson’s entire X9 line apart from most pistol designs, new and old alike.
This new pistol is the Solid Frame X9. Look closely, and you’ll see that, unlike the EDC-X9, there are no interchangeable grip panels on this pistol. In fact, there are no grip panels at all. The entire frame — grip included — is cut from one solid piece of T6-7075 aluminum. The result is an easily concealable pistol with a full 15-round capacity, and a grip no wider than a standard single stack 1911.
That slimed down grip frame may be the only difference the SFX9 sports, but it’s a big one. Beyond the pure ease of concealability, the more rectangular grip, compared to the EDC-X9, means less twist in the hand for most shooters.
One potential drawback for this type of grip shape is that it can leave some shooters with what is essentially a less-than-ideal length of pull. No problem. Wilson Combat solves this issue with three different trigger lengths available from the factory.
Unlike Wilson Combat’s 1911s, the SFX9 is only available with an arched mainspring housing. Take a look at the difference between the two in the photo above. For the SFX9 (to the rear), the angle begins just below the edge of where your thumb would lie, but doesn’t swell much until near the heel of the grip.
Like the Berretta 92 series, this is ideal geometry for most hands. Flat rear grips, like Berretta’s Vertec frame, are visually appealing and often more popular, but an arched grip frame allows most shooters more purchase and helps them keep the gun pointed at the target throughout the firing cycle.
A slim grip frame, an arched mainspring housing, along with multiple trigger lengths options is a recipe for a perfect user interface with the pistol. And that’s exactly what I got with the SFX9.
The entire grip frame surface is textured with the familiar Wilson starburst pattern. The grip also features a cut-out for the thumb to more easily reach the magazine release button. Because of the SFX9’s grip shape, all I had to do to reach the textured mag release was drop my firing hand thumb down. It required no other repositioning of the grip or fingers.
The frame of the SFX9 features an integral funnel in the magazine well, with a slight angle cut all the way around the interior of the grip. The magazines themselves are made in Italy by Mec-Gar. We see the attention to detail here as well, as the pad on each of the magazines is angled at each side, allowing the user a firm grip to pull a stuck magazine out or to simply check to make sure it’s firmly locked into place prior to firing.
The neat magic trick of the EDX-X9 follows into the slim framed SFX9. That is, with a simple punch or using the supplied tool, you can press into the bottom of the frame, pull out on the bottom of the hinged mainspring housing, and reveal the trigger and the internals of the frame.
It’s the exact same exceptional trigger as the EDC-X, and swapping out triggers or performing maintenance is a breeze. If you thought taking apart the internals of a 1911 was easy — and it is — just wait until you see this.
Groups using ammo from a variety of manufacturers and from 115gr FMJ, 115gr +P Barnes TAC-XP, to three different 124gr +P defensive loads and two 147gr rounds scored between 1.2″ and 1.7″. The best-shooting round was the 147gr Wilson Combat Gold Dot Hollow Point and the worst was the Wilson Combat 135gr Berry HBFN training round. All groups were five round groups averaged over four shot strings, seated off a bag at 25 yards.
When so many different rounds average that close together, I have to wonder how much of the group size was pure human error via my hands and my eyes.
Reliability was boringly perfect. The SFX9 came slick and clean from the factory, so all I did was take it out and shoot it. I put 520 rounds through the gun in two days, with 400 of them on day one. At no point did anything go wrong. No round failed to fire, eject, or load into the chamber.
The sights never moved, the magazine never failed to lock into place or eject on an empty magazine. There was nothing to shooting this gun other than to just…shoot it.
And like the EDC-X9, that’s the best part of this SFX9. Yes, it has a bunch of good things going for it, but the best thing about it is that it’s easy to shoot. Wilson Combat spent a lot of time developing this platform, and it really shows when you start pouring rounds downrange.
I shoot a different gun every week. It gets to be a chore. The SFX9 was not a chore at all. Time on the range slipped away, and ammunition was quickly converted to brass, noise, and smile.
Specifications: Wilson Combat SFX9 HC 4″ Solid Frame Compact Handgun
Caliber: 9mm
Magazine Capacity: 15
Barrel Length: 4”
Overall Length: 7.4”
Sight Radius: 5.6”
Height: 5.25”
Width: 1.4″
Weight Empty: 29.3″
Magazines Supplied: 2
MSRP: $2,895
Ratings (out of five stars):
Style and Appearance * * * * *
Everything is tied together on the SFX9. The front and back strap pattern carry over to the radials of the grip. The top of the frame angles into the bottom of the slide. The DLC finish is extremely durable, and attractive as well.
Customization * * *
User alterable trigger lengths and an easily swappable front sight.
Reliability * * * * *
Perfect with any round.
Accuracy * * * * *
Nothing under a 1 inch but nothing over 2-inch groups from a 4-inch barreled concealed carry pistol.
Overall * * * * *
I loved the first EDC-X almost five years ago. The solid frame SFX9 version is even more of an already very good thing.
