When we discuss great guns from Wilson Combat, the conversation can be lengthy. There is a wide variety of guns under the Wilson Combat flag that have proven themselves to be exceptional. One line of pistols that enjoyed great success was the Sentinel. It proved to be a fantastic, compact concealed-carry pistol. Now Wilson Combat has announced the return of the Sentinel.
Wilson Combat Sentinel – A Classic Returns
Wilson Combat has announced the return of one of its most iconic concealed carry pistols: the Sentinel, the smallest 1911 ever produced by Wilson Combat. Reintroduced to meet popular demand and now joined by the all-new Sentinel XL, the platform combines classic 1911 craftsmanship with modern manufacturing precision to deliver two distinct pistols purpose-built for deep concealment without compromising shootability or reliability.
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Originally developed to provide serious defensive capability in the smallest practical 1911 platform, the Sentinel quickly earned a reputation among experienced carriers who wanted true 1911 performance in an ultra-compact form. With its abbreviated 3.6″ slide and shortened grip frame — a full half-inch shorter than Wilson Combat’s Compact — the pistol was engineered to disappear under light clothing while still delivering the accuracy, trigger quality, and confidence expected from a Wilson Combat handgun.
Ultra Compact Concealment
The relaunch honors that legacy while introducing a second configuration for carriers who want a little more sight radius and a lot less carry weight. The new Sentinel XL pairs the same-sized sub-compact Sentinel grip frame with a 4″ Compact-length slide and an aluminum frame that is 60% lighter than a comparable steel frame. The result is a pistol that wears smaller than the base Sentinel at 27.6 ounces empty — lighter than the 35.6-ounce steel Sentinel — while offering a longer sight radius, softer recoil, and faster follow-up shots. For shooters who want something beyond 9mm, the Sentinel XL is also available in .38 Super, a cartridge Bill Wilson has chambered in custom 1911s since the early days of Wilson Combat.
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Both pistols are hand-fit in Berryville, Arkansas, by experienced Wilson Combat pistolsmiths, backed by the company’s 1.5-inch-at-25-yards accuracy guarantee, and feature premium components throughout, including a match-grade stainless barrel, Bullet Proof thumb safety, fiber optic front sight with serrated Battlesight rear, and a crisp 3.5–4.5 lb. trigger pull.
The Sentinel Family
Sentinel (9mm) MSRP $4,085
The original. Carbon steel frame, 3.6″ hand-fit cone barrel, 8+1 capacity, 35.6 oz empty. High-ride Bullet Proof beavertail, Black G10 slim-line grips, contoured magwell. The smallest all-steel 1911 Wilson Combat has ever built.
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Sentinel XL (9mm) MSRP $4,535
The shootable sub-compact. Aluminum frame (60% lighter than steel), 4″ Compact slide, 8+1 capacity, 27.6 oz empty. Concealment Bullet Proof beavertail and hammer, Black Cherry ultra-thin grips, fluted barrel and chamber, 30 LPI slide-top serrations.
Sentinel XL (.38 Super) MSRP $4,535
The same Sentinel XL platform, chambered in the flat-shooting, high-velocity .38 Super cartridge Bill Wilson has championed since 1977.
For more information, visit Wilson Combat.
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