Wilson Combat has announced the return of the Sentinel, described as the smallest 1911 the company has ever produced, alongside two new Sentinel XL variants. The relaunch brings three total configurations to the lineup, all hand-fit in Berryville, Arkansas, and all carrying Wilson Combat’s 1.5-inch-at-25-yards accuracy guarantee.
The original Sentinel was designed around a sub-compact 1911 format with a 3.6-inch hand-fit cone barrel and a grip frame a full half-inch shorter than Wilson Combat’s Compact model. The reissued Sentinel (9mm) retains that configuration, built on a carbon steel frame weighing 35.6 ounces empty with an 8+1 capacity. It ships with a high-ride Bullet Proof beavertail, Black G10 slim-line grips, a contoured magwell, fiber optic front sight, serrated Battlesight rear, and a trigger pull in the 3.5 to 4.5 lb range. MSRP is $4,085.
The new Sentinel XL pairs the same sub-compact grip frame with a 4-inch Compact-length slide and swaps the steel frame for aluminum, reducing empty weight to 27.6 ounces, 60% lighter than the steel Sentinel.
The longer slide provides additional sight radius and, according to Wilson Combat, softer recoil and faster follow-up shots compared to the base model. The Sentinel XL comes with a Concealment Bullet Proof beavertail and hammer, Black Cherry ultra-thin grips, a fluted barrel and chamber, and 30 LPI slide-top serrations. It is offered in both 9mm and .38 Super. Both Sentinel XL configurations carry an MSRP of $4,535.
Sentinel Family Specs:
Sentinel (9mm)
- Frame: Carbon steel
- Barrel: 3.6 in, hand-fit cone
- Capacity: 8+1
- Weight: 35.6 oz empty
- Grips: Black G10 slim-line
- MSRP: $4,085
Sentinel XL (9mm)
- Frame: Aluminum, 60% lighter than steel
- Barrel: 4 in, fluted, Compact-length slide
- Capacity: 8+1
- Weight: 27.6 oz empty
- Grips: Black Cherry ultra-thin
- MSRP: $4,535
Sentinel XL (.38 Super)
- Same configuration as Sentinel XL 9mm
- Chambering: .38 Super
- MSRP: $4,535
Shared features across all three models:
- Match-grade stainless barrel
- Bullet Proof thumb safety
- Fiber optic front sight, serrated Battlesight rear
- Trigger pull: 3.5 to 4.5 lb
- Accuracy guarantee: 1.5 in at 25 yards
- Hand-fit, Berryville, Arkansas
All three models are available to order now at wilsoncombat.com or by contacting Wilson Combat at 800-955-4856.
Wilson Combat has offered .38 Super in custom builds since 1977. Is that a chambering you would seriously consider in a sub-compact carry gun, or does 9mm remain the practical choice for most shooters? I use a .38 Super Comp, but only for my competition race gun.
