Earlier this year I got a sneak peak at the Paul Howe Package GLOCKs customized by Wilson Combat. Wilson embargoed any stories at the time, but I got to shoot the G19s and G26s of these models all weekend. They all shot well, EXTREMELY well for small GLOCKs, and I left wanting one of the Paul Howe model G26s.
For those of you who don’t know, MSG Paul Howe (Retired) is the real deal. The really real deal. One of the few people who have ever been able to rightfully call themselves an “Operator”.
He’s a quiet, intense, and intensely knowledgeable man, who also just happens to be an incredible instructor. I would highly recommend his book “Leadership and Training for the Fight”.
While I was visiting at Bill Wilson’s ranch, MSG Howe showed up to shoot the guns. He didn’t want any line with his name on it that he hadn’t personally shot and approved of. His requirements for how the guns were to be modified were uncompromising, and he wanted to shoot them with the Wilson Combat team members the next morning. His desire was not taken as a request.
I arrived early, just about dawn that next day, hoping to get an idea of what MSG Howe was looking for as he walked through the modified GLOCK 19s and 26s with the Wilson Combat staff.
MSG Howe was already on the firing line, dry firing. For the next half hour, before the staff arrived, I watched him methodically draw, dry fire, follow the target down, scan, drop to a knee, reload, stand, and holster. He did this all at varying distances, over and over again. It was a skillful meditation. The basics, done perfectly.
When he was finished, he turned to me and said “what do you want to learn?” He answered every question I had, showed me some drills to take home with me, and dramatically improved my shooting in very short order.
When the Wilson Combat Team got there, he showed the same methodical manner in reviewing each of the guns. He spent time with them with a critical eye. He liked what he saw.
There was no reason not to like those guns. Standing at the 100 yard line, we all stood in awe as we watched MSG Howe ring a silhouette with the Wilson smithed G26, over an over again, with perfect consistency. Like it was nothing. In fast fire, he was shooting as precisely as we were in slow fire, and several of the other shooters were well lauded competitive shooters.
Most of that was decade upon decade of active, intense shooting on the part of MSG Howe. But also, Wilson Combat did a great job on the guns. MSG Howe himself said that the right gun with a good trigger would cut his groups in half.
There are a few significant changes on the Wilson Combat Paul Howe models, like the 4 1/2 pound trigger, but what is particularly special about the Paul Howe Signature models are the fitted barrels. Yup, fitted, oversized barrels, on GLOCK 19s and 26s. Very accurate GLOCKs.
I just said accurate GLOCK, two words I’m unlikely to put together again. I love ’em.
And yup, it will cost you (and me).
Base Price: $1,500
From the Wilson Combat website:
The Paul Howe Signature GLOCK® from Wilson Combat combines our legendary build quality and attention to detail with the 30 years of tactical experience that Retired Master Sergeant Paul Howe (US Army, SFOD-D) has learned as an operator and trainer in building his ultimate “all-around” tactical and concealment pistol.
The Paul Howe-Wilson Combat GLOCK® features our newly engineered, match accurate gunsmith-fit Wilson Combat barrel that turns your GLOCK® into a precision shooting platform. This oversize barrel enhances accuracy that rivals that of a tuned target pistol while maintaining legendary GLOCK® reliability.
Along with Wilson Combat custom options like our starburst grip stippling, smooth 4.5-pound action tune and other performance upgrades like high-visibility sights and smooth, undercut trigger guard-the Paul Howe Signature GLOCK® is ready to take on any tactical handgun task-with the accuracy of a target pistol and the reliability of a modern service weapon.
A new wide slide top serration pattern and an extended backstrap pin that prevents backstrap loosening under extreme use are standard.
Only available on Gen 4 GLOCK® 19 or 26 9mm handguns, the Paul Howe Signature GLOCK® will impress you with its intrinsic accuracy with all the features selected by one of our nation’s most seasoned trainers in a portable, concealable package
About Paul Howe
Paul Howe is a high-risk training instructor that served 20 years in the US Army, ten of those in Special Operations. He served as a Tactical Team Leader in multiple combat operations and Senior firearms Instructor while assigned to a tier-one unit of US Army Special Operations. During his service and since his retirement he has become one of the most sought-after experts on close quarters combat and law enforcement/military small arms weapons and tactics in the world. Learn more about Paul Howe at www.combatshootingandtactics.com.