Gun Owners News Hour: Bill Wilson

Published on December 22, 2016
Duration: 43:35

Bill Wilson, author of 'The Gun Guy' and founder of Wilson Combat, discusses his personal preference for carrying a compact handgun daily. He explains that comfort is paramount for consistent carry, and at 63, he finds compacts easier to manage due to improved sight acquisition with closer sight radius, even preferring them over full-size firearms for shooting accuracy. This preference is driven by practical considerations for daily carry and shooting performance.

Quick Summary

Bill Wilson, founder of Wilson Combat, prefers carrying a compact handgun daily due to comfort and improved shooting accuracy with age. He notes that the shorter sight radius on compacts aids his sight acquisition, making him more effective than with full-size firearms.

Chapters

  1. 00:03Introduction to Gun Owners News Hour
  2. 00:11Guest Introduction: Bill Wilson
  3. 00:31Bill Wilson's Career in Firearms
  4. 01:15From BB Gun to Wilson Combat
  5. 02:05Wilson Combat Product Range
  6. 02:43First Gun at Age Nine
  7. 03:13Childhood Gun Ownership vs. Today
  8. 04:36Changing Perceptions of Guns and Kids
  9. 05:27Early Firearm Experiences
  10. 06:03A Different World: Gun Ownership Then and Now
  11. 06:16Hope for Gun Law Reform
  12. 06:30National Reciprocity Bill Discussion
  13. 07:28Criminals' Fear of Armed Homeowners
  14. 07:38Comparison: US vs. UK Gun Ownership
  15. 08:32Path to Wilson Combat: Competition
  16. 09:11Competition's Role in Wilson Combat's Start
  17. 10:20Welcome Back to Gun Owners News Hour
  18. 10:32Bill Wilson's Book and Company
  19. 11:09Wilson Combat's Growth and Staff
  20. 11:49Striving for a Better Gun
  21. 12:27Wilson Combat's Quality Commitment
  22. 12:52A Generational Family Business
  23. 13:31Grandsons Involved in the Business
  24. 14:35Transition from Revolvers to Semi-Autos
  25. 15:16Transition to IPSC Shooting
  26. 15:44Preference for 9mm over .45 ACP
  27. 16:10Daily Carry: 9mm Preference
  28. 16:44Economical Advantages of 9mm
  29. 17:20Terminal Performance of Modern Calibers
  30. 18:12Recoil of Small .40 Caliber Pistols
  31. 18:45Discussion with Bill Wilson
  32. 19:03Preview of Next Segment
  33. 19:05Advertisement Break
  34. 23:18Welcome Back to Gun Owners News Hour
  35. 23:30Bill Wilson's Book: The Gun Guy
  36. 23:48Wilson Combat's Influence
  37. 24:30Business Development and Concealed Carry Movement
  38. 25:13Growth of CCW Popularity
  39. 26:01More Guns, Less Crime Correlation
  40. 26:47Observing Low Crime in High Gun Ownership States
  41. 27:12Vermont: The Granddaddy of Concealed Carry
  42. 27:35Push for Constitutional Carry
  43. 28:31A Great Time to Be in the Movement
  44. 29:05Impact of Election on Carry Laws
  45. 29:32Wilson Combat's Organic Growth
  46. 30:01Wilson Combat Arms: Primo Custom Firearms
  47. 30:14Booming Business and Concealed Carry
  48. 30:20Evolution of Gun Owners of America
  49. 30:35The Industry in the Mid-70s
  50. 31:13Changing Political Discourse on Firearms
  51. 31:21More Concealed Carriers, Less Crime
  52. 31:35Wilson Combat's Role in Firearm Enthusiasm
  53. 32:04Bill Wilson Carries a Compact
  54. 32:31Considerations for Daily Carry
  55. 33:01Back from Break: Discussing Compact Carry
  56. 33:10Guest: Bill Wilson, Author of Gun Guy
  57. 33:33The Rise of America's Most Influential Custom Gun Shop
  58. 34:18The Business Model: A Better Gun
  59. 34:42Why Bill Wilson Prefers Compacts
  60. 35:19Shooting Compacts Better with Age
  61. 35:32History of Handgun Popularity
  62. 35:40Personal Choice: Kimber Handguns
  63. 36:00Kimber's Move into the .45 Market
  64. 36:12Colt's Stagnation and Kimber's Opportunity
  65. 37:02Impact of Competitors on Wilson Combat
  66. 37:43Wilson Combat's Accessory Market Focus
  67. 38:02AR-15: A Liberal Favorite to Hate
  68. 38:23Wilson Combat's Involvement with AR-15s
  69. 38:43AR Platform Rifles: A Huge Market Segment
  70. 39:09AR-15s in Competition and Hunting
  71. 39:33Grandchildren and Hunting
  72. 39:44AR-15 for Eliminating Prairie Dogs
  73. 40:12AR-15 as a Varmint Rifle
  74. 40:46Facts vs. Perceptions of AR-15 Usage
  75. 40:54Surprise at AR-15 Business Volume
  76. 41:04Enjoyment of Working on AR Platforms
  77. 41:28Beretta: A Home Run for Wilson Combat
  78. 41:38Beretta: The World's Oldest Company
  79. 42:13Dealing with Beretta Firearms
  80. 42:35Interest in Various Firearm Platforms
  81. 42:53Dislike for Plastic Guns
  82. 43:08Conclusion and Book Recommendation
  83. 43:31Thank You to Bill Wilson

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Bill Wilson prefer carrying a compact handgun daily?

Bill Wilson prioritizes comfort for daily concealed carry, as an uncomfortable firearm is less likely to be carried consistently. At 63, he also finds that the closer sight radius on compacts improves his sight acquisition, leading to better shooting accuracy compared to full-size firearms.

How has age affected Bill Wilson's firearm choice for carry?

As Bill Wilson has gotten older, his eyesight has changed. He finds that the shorter sight radius on compact handguns allows him to see the sights more clearly than on longer-barreled full-size guns, making him a more accurate shooter with compacts.

What is Bill Wilson's perspective on the 9mm vs. .45 ACP debate for carry?

While acknowledging the historical preference for .45 ACP, Bill Wilson now largely favors the 9mm for competition and carry. He notes that modern ammunition has narrowed the performance gap, and the 9mm is more economical, less punishing to shoot, and easier to manage, especially for those experiencing age-related physical changes.

What makes Wilson Combat a leading custom gun shop?

Wilson Combat has built its reputation on striving for the highest quality product, initially driven by Bill Wilson's competitive shooting needs. The company focuses on meticulous craftsmanship, offering a wide range of custom firearms and accessories for handguns, modern sporting rifles, and tactical shotguns, catering to discerning customers.

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