Today on I Carry we have a Wilson Combat EDC X9 pistol chambered in 9mm, carried in a Milt Sparks OWB holster and teamed up with a GiantMouse Ace Corta knife.

Wilson Combat EDC X9 Pistol (MSRP $3,145)

Recently, there has been a lot of 9mm, double-stack, 1911-esque pistols introduced that are designed for concealed carry rather than competition. The Wilson Combat EDC X9 is one of the originators of that trend, and it sets the standard for build quality and meticulous attention to detail.

The EDC X9 carries 15+1 rounds of ammo and has a 4-inch, stainless steel fluted barrel with a flush cut reverse crown for added accuracy. The pistol has all the nice touches you’ve come expect from Wilson Combat, such as a tough DLC (Diamond Like Coating) finish as well as checkering on both the front and rear of the slide for smoother manipulations. The front sight has a fiber optic inset and the rear sight is adjustable for windage and elevation. The grips are G10 in the distinctive Wilson Combat style, and the rear of the frame is smoothed off for added comfort and concealment. The EDC X9 is almost the identical size and shape as most compact 9mm carry guns, so it’s easy to conceal. However, the frame is made of aluminum, not polymer, so it’s a little heavier than its striker-fired competition.

The added weight does come with some advantages, however, as it helps control recoil and muzzle flip. The 1911-style trigger is just a joy to shoot, with a clean, crisp feel and a four pound break. When you hold an EDC X9, your trigger finger and thumb will tell you you’re holding a 1911, while the rest of your hand tells you you’re holding a double-stack 9mm pistol. The combination of the two gives you the accuracy that 1911s are known for with the capacity of a modern defensive pistol. Add in Wilson Combat’s outstanding reputation for reliability and accuracy, and you have a defensive pistol of the highest caliber.

Milt Sparks 55BN Holster (MSRP $160)

For years, when you said the words “pistol holster,” you meant something made of leather, not plastic. That has changed, and you’re most likely to see holsters made of Kydex or some other synthetic material rather than leather on the hips of American gun owners. The natural materials of a leather holster, however, give you a softer, more comfortable carry, making them ideal for OWB (Outside the Waistband) carry.

The phrase “You get what you pay for” is readily apparent with a Milt Sparks holster.The instant you pull it out of the package, you’ll understand why Milt Sparks sets the standard for leather holsters. The feel of the holster is solid and well-guilt, and the quality of the leather is readily apparent to both your hands and your eyes. The stitching is tight, and the holster is set up right from the start to retain your gun as you go about your day, yet provide you with a smooth and fast draw when you need to get your pistol into action as fast as you can.

GiantMouse Ace Corta Black G10 Blackout Knife (MSRP $195)

A pocket knife is one of the most useful tools out there. For some people, that means going with an inexpensive knife that’s meant to be used up and then replaced with another knife when the first one gives up the ghost. Other people, however, understand that if a knife is going to fail, it will probably fail at the worst possible moment. Therefore, having a knife that is rugged and reliable (but costs a little more) makes a lot more sense than something that may not be up to the task at hand when you need it the most.

The GiantMouse Ace Corta is created for that second kind of knife owner. The frame is heavier and stouter than knives that cost less. The grips are made from G10 laminate and are perfectly fitted to the frame. The liner lock is stout and robust, yet easily folds out of the way when you no longer need your blade. The backspacer is brass and adds a nice decorative touch, while the blade is made from Böhler M390 stainless steel with a PVD finish and has a flat saber grind. The wire clip on the knife is reversible for carrying in either pocket, and the bade features an easy to open flipper stud for fast opening.

Article by KEVIN CREIGHTON