Kimber is just not a brand new identify within the gun biz for me. I’ve been aware of their merchandise since they first made a reputation for themselves a number of a long time in the past with their top-rung .22 rifles. Made in Oregon, these rifles might shoot the wings off a gnat with little effort.
Then, they bought into making 1911s. Once more, these had been top-drawer and weren’t low cost. I’d shot a number of of them and had come away impressed with their general construct high quality and a spotlight to element. I had gotten fairly aware of their small-frame 1911s as effectively, and I keep in mind being impressed with how properly they ran… It’s arduous to make the geometry of a full-size 1911 perform in a smaller bundle. So, on the entire, I’ve appreciated what I’ve seen from Kimber. Are they good? In fact not. They’ve their hiccups like several producer.
That feeling extends to the present overview pattern earlier than me, a 2K11 O.R. – optics-ready pistol. This pistol is downright good-looking, if any inanimate object may very well be labeled that.
Stay Stock Worth Checker
The GT Match set off. It was very good… no take-up or creep, and no overtravel after it broke. It struggled to get to a few kilos earlier than it broke… two-and-a-half was frequent. I assume that’s what a match set off does, although. This one labored as marketed.
I discovered an fascinating picture on the Kimber 2K11 webpage. Typically, I’ll do an inventory of options along with the specs – this picture does that in a extra visible trend.
As you may most likely surmise by studying by means of these specs, there are a number of components which might be “imported” by Kimber to make the 2K11 particular. The optics adapter plate, the set off, the entrance sight… these are customized touches that might add to the price of a inventory 2011. The stainless-steel body and barrel are nice for corrosion resistance, and the aluminum grip module ought to final for years. As for the set off, they declare 3-4 kilos, however I measured this set off at not fairly two-and-a-half kilos… it was wonderful.
Who Is This Gun For?
Kimber is aiming this gun (no pun supposed…effectively, perhaps a bit) on the competitors crowd initially, after which at these shooters who admire well-built pistols and have the sources to amass them. It isn’t supposed to be a each day carry, though it might definitely work in that position.
For competitors, the gun would work very effectively. Even with the magazines that include it – one seventeen-rounder and two twenties – you’ll have what is required to begin out. Add a holster and (if that’s the case desired), an RMR-footprint purple dot, and also you’re in bidness, as my beloved uncle George used to say. When you personal one other purple dot, you should purchase adapter plates from Kimber… see under.
One other use that won’t spring to thoughts instantly is as a house protection weapon. With its purple dot functionality and three-slot mud cowl rail, you may have each an illuminated optic and a lightweight on the gun. Add within the very first rate journal capacities you get with the gun, and you ought to be set. Or, when you’re like me and you reside within the boonies, use it as a hen coop safety machine. I simply dispatched yet one more invasive possum the opposite day with my Bersa Thunder Plus .380 – it was what I had helpful. This Kimber can be wonderful in that position. And, no, possums will not be straightforward to deactivate. However we don’t need any extra useless chickens.
Sufficient about this. Suffice it to say the gun has functions, not all of which you would possibly want.
Vary Time
I’m blessed to have ammo offered by Black Hills Ammunition in South Dakota, so I grabbed an assortment and headed to my yard vary.
I set a number of targets up at 25 yards and proceeded to ventilate the yonder hill with 9mm-diameter holes. Listed below are some pattern targets…
This was their +P load, utilizing a 100-grain “corkscrew” – my time period – bullet. Go to the hyperlink above when you’re not aware of the Honey Badger bullet… It’s an ideal idea. In addition they despatched some 125-grain subsonic hundreds. These would work nice with a suppressor. The reloader in me is amazed that they regulated this proven load with its light-for-caliber 100-grain bullet to strike within the middle of the goal. I’ve all the time had hassle regulating my hundreds with gentle bullets.
One large benefit in utilizing a 100-grain monolithic (machined stable copper) bullet is the dearth of recoil. This load, although it’s shifting at near 1600 fps, didn’t recoil as a lot because the “common” 115-grain FMJ load. In fact, that’s subjective, however I wasn’t the one one who felt that approach. I actually like Black Hill’s Honey Badger load. I’ve some in all of the calibers they make it in, and I will likely be reviewing them quickly.
One Glitch
There may be one factor that I’ll rely as a unfavourable relating to the Kimber 2K11s. That will be the purple dot mounting plate drill. You get one plate with the gun, however when you want a special footprint, you must purchase it from the corporate. That’s simply not proper. You have got simply paid a few grand for a pistol, however you continue to need to shell out extra money to make use of your RMSc, DPP, ACRO, or 509T purple dots. I’ve by no means agreed with this philosophy and suppose that it must be modified.
The best way to resolve this case is for all pistol producers to make use of the identical footprint on all weapons.
Summing Up
Have you ever ever thought of entering into some kind of pistol competitors? Ever needed a high-capacity 1911 in 9mm? Do you want top-end weapons? If the reply to any of those is “sure”, then you may want to check out a 2K11. There are a number of completely different fashions to select from, however I just like the one they despatched me… It’s optics-ready, with sufficient bells & whistles to get the job performed. It’s not the most costly pup of the litter, however it can do the job.
Considering the match-grade set off, sights, and development typically, this gun will do what you want it to do on the vary or competitors discipline. There are lesser-expensive 2011s on the market, however the previous saying nonetheless holds sway… You get what you pay for. You would possibly simply spend greater than this gun’s MSRP on a customized 2011, however I feel this gun’s worth is obvious. As soon as they mounted the set off, the factor ran nice, with zero stoppages and very nice accuracy. The slide is a pleasure to retract – very straightforward – and the grip makes the gun match completely in my hand. Three high-cap magazines seal the deal.
Smith &Wesson M&P FPC 10mm Auto | Gun Evaluation
Springfield Armory XD-S Mod 2 .45 ACP – A Fistful Of Forty-5
About Mike Hardesty
With expertise spanning over 45 years, Mike Hardesty has lengthy loved taking pictures and reloading. An inveterate reloader, he casts bullets and reloads for a various array of firearms, every dealt with with long-practiced precision. Residing in rural Indiana, his homestead boasts a private 100-yard vary the place he shares his love for weapons to his 4 sons, their wives, and eleven grandchildren. As a acknowledged writer, his writings have been featured in notable platforms like Sniper Nation, Bear Creek Arsenal Weblog, Pew Pew Tactical, TTAG, Dillon Precision’s Blue Press, and Gun Made, revealing his ongoing ardour for firearms on the age of 72.
