Wilson Combat SFX9 Review – Did the Best Get Better?

January 2018, I wrote an article in these pages titled “The Best Pistol Ever Made.” It was about the Wilson Combat EDC X9. I believed what I wrote back then, and I have held firm to those words ever since. It was so true that I convinced many shooters to purchase an EDC X9. How did I do it? They just shot mine. I let them shoot mine. The SFX9 is slightly more compact than the EDC X9. The EDC X9 has a grip framework that accepts grip panels. The SFX9’s grip frames, which are similar to modern polymer pistols such as the Glock, are solid. SF stands for solid frame. Wilson Combat now offers three solid frame SFX9mm pistols with this 4-inch, 15 shot version. There’s a 3.25 inch, a 4-inch, and a 5-inch. So how are the SFX9 and X9 pistols different? The EDC X9 allows you to remove or replace the side grip panels and grip scales. This is done by pressing a release at bottom of the 1911’s mainspring housing. Once the release is pressed, it will cause the backstrap to swing up and out of the way. This will allow access to the mainspring or sear spring. There are no grip panels with the newer solid frame SFX models. The SFX9’s grip, with the exception of the pivoting rearstrap, is a monolithic unit. The SFX9’s accessory rail slots were a bit closer together. The sights are the EDC X9 has a Wilson Combat elevation adjusted Tactical rear Battlesight, while the SFX9 has a fixed rear Wilson Combat Concealment Battlesight. The guns look identical and use the same magazines. They are a little closer with the SFX9 The grip of the SFX9 has a thinner 0.164 inch. It’s not much, but it could be significant for some people. The second reason is the SFX9 does not have an adjustable rear view, which is arguably another part that could break. (It’s worth noting that I have never seen an adjustable rear view on a Wilson Combat pistol fail. This last reason isn’t the most important. In fact, if you have the money to buy a Wilson Combat handgun it’s probably not of any consequence. The SFX9’s suggested retail price is $100 lower than the EDC X9. The SFX9’s suggested retail price is $100 less than the EDC X9. It was tested at 10 yards from the box. The user interface is directly related to shooting performance. A gun that doesn’t fit well in your hand will not allow you to shoot it as well. The SFX9’s flat-sided grip frame is more Glockish-feeling than the EDC X9’s. This is almost a given if you are a Glock shooter who likes the way Glocks feel inside your hand. I have never liked the feel of a Glock in my hand. Therefore, it is no surprise that I prefer to hold the EDC X9 with a more rounded grip. In my 2018 article, I suggested that the EDC X9 could have been the result of a combination of a 1911, a Browning Hi Power, and a Glock 19. The EDC X9 is a single action pistol with a straight-pull trigger, just like the 1911. It also has the manual thumb safety like the Hi Power and the 1911, but it lacks grip safety. Finally, the EDC X9 was almost identical in size to the Glock 19 but had the same high capacity as the Hi Power. I carried a Hi Power a lot, and felt that the Hi Power was the dominant partner in this three-way creation. The SFX9 is different. I was immediately struck by the squishy grip of the SFX9 and instantly thought “Glock.” SFX9 Vs. EDC X9 at the Range. They are so similar and with the importance of what is at stake, they just beg to go head-tohead. The Forty-Five Drill is my standard defensive handgun test drill. It’s made up four elements of five. It is a goal to draw from the holster, hit a 5-inch circle at 5 yards, five times in less than 5 seconds. It sounds simple, but it is not. It sounds easy, but it’s not. The SFX9’s solid frame has no interchangeable grip panels. I ran the drill 10 times with it and 10 times with it. I alternated between the pistols after each run. With the EDC X9, my average time was 3.09 seconds with 47 hits from 50 shots. My average time with SFX9 was 3.05 seconds, with 45 hits from 50 shots. Practically, there was no difference in how the handguns performed. The SFX9 performed better after the test, which is not surprising considering the limited ammunition available. Combining the SFX9 with other ammunition, I was able to fire 450 rounds without having to wipe it down… and there were no stoppages. The SFX9 was equipped with a red fiber optic front sight. Although there was no apparent difference in range between the two sights, I found the red fiber-optic sight twice as easy to see in all lighting conditions than the green fiber optic sight. Let that be your opinion. My EDC X9 feels better in my hands, which is why I prefer it. As a police officer, I had a Glock for 13+ years and never liked how it felt. It’s a personal choice. I don’t want to understate my opinion. However, many younger shooters, especially those who grew-up with a Glock, will find the new SFX9 from Wilson Combat amazing. They are right. I don’t disagree with them either. With its 1911-like operation and Hi Power capacity, the SFX9 feels like a Glock. It also has a Glockish feeling frame. Corral to face off against McLaurys and Clantons, or any modern-day hoodlums. If we only had two guns, the SFX9, and an EDC X9, I might ask for the one with the red front sight. But, I’d be happy with either gun. The SFX9, a 4-inch, 15-shot handgun, and the EDC X9 are my two favorite self-defense handguns. Choose the one that best fits your hand and you will be able to feel confident in your purchase. Storm Tactical’s impressive target pack includes62 printable targets for rifle and handgun range usage. Target grids and bullseye sizes can be downloaded in MOA. This is a great option for long-range shooting. Enter your email address below.