Southfield, Michigan — The dust has settled, the brass has cooled, and the verdict is in. After an exhaustive evaluation of firearms from across the 1911 and 2011 spectrum, Athlon Outdoors is proud to name the Wilson Combat Project 1 as the winner in the 2011s category for Ballistic’s Best 2025.

Built on Wilson Combat’s Division 77 platform, the Project 1 stood out among four single-stack 1911s and five double-stack 2011s for its combination of precision, speed, and refined control. With a ported slide and barrel, the Project 1 reduced muzzle rise so effectively that, in the words of the panel, it “felt as if there was none.” Round after round, this pistol demonstrated exceptional accuracy, control, and reliability under rigorous range conditions.

The Project 1 is no typical double-stack handgun. Wilson Combat engineers stripped away the traditional grip safety to smooth the draw, while a match-grade trigger broke at approximately 2.5 pounds with no creep. The skeletonized slide cuts reduced reciprocating mass, enabling rapid follow-up shots. Chambered in 9mm with an 18+1 capacity and dressed in a rugged Armor-Tuff finish with G10 grips, the pistol melds practicality with race-gun performance.

“The Wilson Combat Project 1 reigns supreme. No matter which evaluator was shooting this gun, one thing was sure – the groups were consistently tight.” Said Karen Hunter, lead evaluator for Ballistic’s Best 2025 1911s/2011s.

The competition included expert shooters who judged every pistol across nine categories from aesthetics and ergonomics to trigger, recoil, reliability, and value. The Project 1 delivered near-perfect scores across the board, proving itself the summit of 1911/2011 evolution.

For shooters seeking a do-everything pistol, the Project 1 represents the sweet spot between custom-level performance and practical reliability. In a class crowded with high-quality entries, Wilson Combat’s Project 1 rose above.

About Ballistic’s Best
Ballistic’s Best is Athlon Outdoors’ annual awards series, evaluating more than 100 firearms and gear entries across multiple categories. Each product is subjected to real-world range testing, judged by veteran shooters, and scored on a detailed 0–5 scale across performance, ergonomics, value and more. The winners represent the best-of-class for 2025, the firearms world’s equivalent of a heavyweight championship.

About Bleecker Street Publications

Bleecker Street Publications is a leading digital media company covering firearms, survival, tactical gear, outdoor living, and skill-building for enthusiasts and professionals. Since acquiring Athlon Outdoors in 2023, Bleecker Street has continued expanding its portfolio with powerhouse brands including Athlon Untamed, RottenGunReviews.com, Athlon Outdoors,Ballistic,Tactical Life, Personal Defense World, Combat Handguns, and GAT Daily.

Whether it’s expert gear reviews, hands-on training guides, breaking industry news, or beginner-friendly resources, Bleecker Street Publications delivers trusted content for the modern firearms community.

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