Specs

When it comes to the new BULWARK handgun from Wilson Combat, they took a number of design features from their other models, like the EDC line of handguns, as well as the Experior Elite, which I’m also writing up in the coming weeks. The major departure for Wilson Combat is the fact that this is a ground-up new pistol with an internal hammer-fired system. The new BULWARK comes standard with a grip safety and trigger safety that allows for a lighter trigger than other systems on the market. The pistol has an all-metal design and uses their EDC line of magazines with a 15-round capacity. Wilson Combat equipped the BULWARK with a 4” match grade barrel as well as a fiber optic front sight and blacked our rear sight.

The 1911-style trigger is lighter than hinge-style triggers. The BULWARK has a grip safety as well as a trigger safety as standard. There is no manual safety present, but the inclusion of a grip safety and trigger safety allows the pistol to be drop safe without having a manual safety. When taking a trigger weight gauge, the BULWARK had a trigger weight of 3.25 lbs with a reset of millimeters of travel, making it an extremely fast trigger reset. In terms of other features, the BULWARK comes from the factory cut for an optic, as well as includes a modular optics mounting system that you can set up in minutes and have a variety of different optics with the kit included with each BULWARK. The system was incredibly easy to set up and eliminates the need for different plates for various optics. For this review, I have mounted the new EOTech closed emitter EFLX, which I will be completing a review on in the coming weeks. MSRP on the new Wilson Combat BULWARK is $1,899.99 and it’s officially out today.

Range Time

Over the last week, I have put roughly 525 rounds through the BULWARK, with 400 rounds being 135-grain reman ammo that Wilson provided. I also shot 100 rounds of Federal American Eagle 115gr and 25 rounds of Hornady 115gr HAP rounds. The absolute first thing I have to talk about is how insanely good this trigger is right out of the box. As I mentioned earlier, it had a 3.25 lbs trigger from my trigger gauge, but the ability to shoot quickly with this trigger and reset is insane. I have experience with Wilson’s higher-end pistols, but for the price point, this trigger is insanely good. The gun certainly has an interesting appearance with the grip safety and flat side grips, but once it’s in your hand, the grip safety disappears and the BULWARK feels good in the hand.

One of the features that really started to stand out the more I shot and used the gun was how simple yet effective the slide serrations were, which made charging the handgun very easy, even if you didn’t get a perfect hold on the slide. The grip texture is also appropriately aggressive, with enough to keep it in your hand but won’t tear you up if you carry this for longer periods of time. Wilson also included a built-in magwell, allowing for fast reloads even if you don’t get it perfect every time. Throughout my time with the BULWARK, it proved itself to be a fast shooting tac driver with the 1911 style trigger really shining compared to other options on the market.

I did slow testing groups with the 135 gr Wilson ammo as well as the Hornady 115 HAP ammo with the 135 gr ammo grouping an average of 1.35” shooting from a bench rest at 25 yards. For the Hornady ammo, the average group was slightly less at 1.16” between three groups. My personal opinion on the accuracy is the fact that the BULWARK comes standard with a match barrel as well as having a low bore axis, which allows you to have faster follow-up shots rather than fighting muzzle rise. Wilson Combat did a nice job keeping the center of gravity for this pistol really low, allowing for a straight back recoil impulse rather than having a significant amount of muzzle rise.

Having a 4” barrel in a carry gun really is the sweet spot to allow for an easily concealable firearm, which at the same time is large enough to handle and manipulate without any issue. It’s that in between sizes that most of my favorite carry handguns end up being because they are the best compromise between both worlds. Even with the enclosed-emitter EOTech sight, the BULWARK was really easy to conceal with no real issues or painful rubbing. I plan on carrying this gun on a regular basis.

Overall Thoughts

The new BULWARK from Wilson Combat is certainly an interesting, fresh option on the market, especially for the mid to higher-end carry pistol market. The trigger is genuinely one of the best triggers I have felt in a very long time. The trigger alone is worth the experience of owning this gun, in my opinion.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. If you have questions about the Wilson Combat BULWARK or firearms in general, feel free to shoot me a message on Instagram @fridgeoperator. Stay safe out there and we will see you in the next review.