Review by John Markwell | Contributing Editor
GUN GUY, by Bill Wilson/Michael Bane. ©2016. Published by Wilson Combat, 2452 CR 719, Berryville, AR 72616. Illustrated, hard cover, 386 pages. Price: $35. Online at: wilsoncombat.com. Some signed copies still available.
Here’s the complete story behind the rise of Wilson Combat as the premier custom builder of 1911 pistols in the world and the guy behind it all. This well illustrated volume traces Bill Wilson’s journey from young watch maker to a firearms industry icon.
Trained as a jeweler/watchmaker, it was assumed by Bill’s folks that he would take over the family business in Berryville, AR. However, a fascination with firearms at an early age and Bill’s eventual participation in practical shooting in the early days derailed that plan. Shooters everywhere have reaped the benefits of that career change.
We have known Bill on a casual basis for a long time, having shot with him at national matches in the early days of IPSC. We have also hunted hogs with him at the Texas ranch. But the details of his childhood and the evolution of Wilson Combat were always incomplete for us. Gun Guy fills in the story. From Bill’s early competitive years and his dissatisfaction with the work of some gunsmiths, this book traces the history of how Bill grew a hobby into a full-fledged powerhouse of a specialty firearms business. Starting in a corner of his dad’s jewelry store tweaking 1911s, and selling other gun stuff, Bill eventually began building complete 1911 custom pistols. As the reputation of Wilson pistols grew, this became a full time endeavor with customers worldwide. However, what really put Wilson Combat on the map was the introduction of hard to obtain parts for building custom 1911s. Triggers, SHOK-BUFFs (an Armand Swenson idea), Dwyer Group Grippers, and the #47 stainless steel magazine are just a few of the products that helped build the Wilson Combat brand. Magazines for all caliber 1911 pistols are now a mainstay product of Wilson Combat and these magazines are the industry standard for functional reliability.
Above and beyond 1911 parts and magazines, handcrafted 1911 pistols of many configurations are available from WC as well as a complete line of AR platform rifles. Bill also purchased Scattergun Technologies in 2000 and began doing tactical shotgun conversions. Most recently he has concentrated on improving the Beretta 92 series pistol.
The real joys to be found in Gun Guy are the behind the scenes details of the growth of a true American success story. Throughout the 386 pages there are the personal stories about every facet of Bill’s life as they relate to his life-long passion for firearms, hunting and shooting. It’s been a long road from the corner of the jewelry store to the Ranch in Texas where Bill spends most of his time now with his wife, Joyce, and their dogs. Bill is still developing products and testing new ideas in Texas while son Ryan takes care of the business in Arkansas.
Gun Guy is Bill Wilson’s personal story. If you like guns, hunting and shooting, you will enjoy this book. Wilson continues to live a life that many of us older gun guys can only dream of, and for any younger shooter looking to carve out a place of significance in the gun industry this volume should be an inspiration.
