Kimber Goes Wide

[Jim Watson]

I just saw an item on the Kimber KDS9C
https://www.kimberamerica.com

About the size of their single stack compacts, but at 15 x 9mm.

[JSGlock34]

I suspect every 1911 manufacturer will introduce a double stack soon. The upper is the same and they already produce that…

[RevolverRob]

Glad to see the DWX finally make it out to the wild. :eek: ;)

[Trooper224]

Shocking.

[JHC]

Nice feature set. Nice form factor. Could it be as solid as their K6 revolvers pretty much seem to be?

[TicTacticalTimmy]

Weight of just over 25oz with a metal frame is impressive, I beleive that is lighter than any aluminum 1911? More than makes up for the extra weight of the ammo

[theJanitor]

That's WAAAY cheaper than an optics ready EDC X9 (which I like very much).

[WobblyPossum]

I kinda like the looks of it. Interested in seeing some reviews where people actually shoot it a bunch.

[Jim Watson]

My dealer did not have one even though they handle the Kimber line.
A full five hours after the ads hit and nothing on the shelves. What kind of company is that?

[awp_101]

My dealer did not have one even though they handle the Kimber line.
A full five hours after the ads hit and nothing on the shelves. What kind of company is that?

Even instant gratification takes too long nowadays, amiright?;)

[zaitcev]

I'm very curious if it's sized like a standard 1911 or like EMP4. Unfortunately, it's very hard to tell without measuring the gun. EMP4 slide is just 7% thinner, although some of the key dimensions were kept, like the distance to the ejection port. The only available photos of that Kimber look suspiciously like EMP4.

BTW, how many of you remember that Kimber used to make a double-stack 1911 in the past, with a plastic frame no less? That one was certainly sized to take standard 1911 slide, in fact it came out in .45 ACP (it was called "BP Ten" but was not in 10mm, just like Glock 45 is not in .45). I never understood why Kimber jettisoned that gun. I didn't hear many complaints about the plastic frame cracking, and even if it, it would be still be a very interesting gun.

[JJN]

I'm sure it will run well...

[MandoWookie]

I'm very curious if it's sized like a standard 1911 or like EMP4. Unfortunately, it's very hard to tell without measuring the gun. EMP4 slide is just 7% thinner, although some of the key dimensions were kept, like the distance to the ejection port. The only available photos of that Kimber look suspiciously like EMP4.

BTW, how many of you remember that Kimber used to make a double-stack 1911 in the past, with a plastic frame no less? That one was certainly sized to take standard 1911 slide, in fact it came out in .45 ACP (it was called "BP Ten" but was not in 10mm, just like Glock 45 is not in .45). I never understood why Kimber jettisoned that gun. I didn't hear many complaints about the plastic frame cracking, and even if it, it would be still be a very interesting gun.


IIRC those were built on BUL frames made in Israel, and Wilson Combat made a gun on them too.
Both were discontinued around the same time I believe.

[spyderco monkey]

I just saw an item on the Kimber KDS9C
https://www.kimberamerica.com

About the size of their single stack compacts, but at 15 x 9mm.

Pistol is very handsome, and I like the lack of grip safety, as well as the external extractor. Overall looks like a 1/2 price Wilson EDC X9.

Big question: wonder what magazines it uses? If it uses some existing MecGar mag that would be great. Especially for states that have an AWB - they can use their 'previously owned' compatible mags.

https://gunmagwarehouse.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/black-silver-Kimber-KDS9c.jpg

[Borderland]

I suspect every 1911 manufacturer will introduce a double stack soon. The upper is the same and they already produce that…

I never knew the 1911 was that popular. Double stack with the M9 grip ergonomics plus? Is that like a Kim Kardashian 1911? I see a marketing opportunity here for somebody. Double stacked baby. Is Dolly Partin still around? Maybe she could promote it. Better than Bud Lite.

[Bucky]

As interesting as this looks, I don’t think I can bring myself to buy a Kimber based on past experience. That said, I already have an EDC X9.

[MDFA]

Looks interesting, but I don't think Wilson Combat has anything to worry about...

[Hambo]

What kind of company is that?

A typical gun company.


Big question: wonder what magazines it uses?


That's always the big question. Are they available? Do they feed? Do they cost a hundred bucks? The next question with this is: will it last long enough for holsters to be made?

[bac1023]

That's WAAAY cheaper than an optics ready EDC X9 (which I like very much).

Well yeah. You’re talking Kimber vs Wilson though. The funny thing is, the Wilson is likely a better value.

[bac1023]

As interesting as this looks, I don’t think I can bring myself to buy a Kimber based on past experience. That said, I already have an EDC X9.

Kimber can keep their garbage

[bac1023]

Glad to see the DWX finally make it out to the wild. :eek: ;)

I just shot mine at a match last week. I love the DWX

[Ichiban]

Pistol is very handsome, and I like the lack of grip safety, as well as the external extractor. Overall looks like a 1/2 price Wilson EDC X9.



Not so sure about the grip safety. Can't really tell what's goin on here. Looks like it pivots like a normal grip safety but there doesn't appear to be any protrusion to deactivate it.

103559

[HeavyDuty]

Not so sure about the grip safety. Can't really tell what's goin on here. Looks like it pivots like a normal grip safety but there doesn't appear to be any protrusion to deactivate it.

103559

I’m assuming there isn’t a grip safety.

[Robinson]

Here's the problem with Kimber now. They have done some dumb stuff and their products have reflected that. Their external extractor was crap, they use a lot of MIM parts, they have some blingy guns, etc... The issue now is that they have screwed so many things up over the years that even if they do something right people will mock it.

Case in point -- the LW Government models Kimber is making. No frills guns without their hated firing pin safety. And they actually run. Well in fact. But it doesn't matter to people who have already made up their minds based on Kimber's missteps.

[bac1023]

Here's the problem with Kimber now. They have done some dumb stuff and their products have reflected that. Their external extractor was crap, they use a lot of MIM parts, they have some blingy guns, etc... The issue now is that they have screwed so many things up over the years that even if they do something right people will mock it.

Case in point -- the LW Government models Kimber is making. No frills guns without their hated firing pin safety. And they actually run. Well in fact. But it doesn't matter to people who have already made up their minds based on Kimber's missteps.

I see Kimber as style over substance. All sorts of crazy slide cuts and color schemes, etc. They’re priced largely in the mid range, but deliver low end products from a quality standpoint.

No thanks

[Robinson]

I see Kimber as style over substance. All sorts of crazy slide cuts and color schemes, etc. They’re priced largely in the mid range, but deliver low end products from a quality standpoint.

No thanks

Like I said. Kimber is offering 45 and 9mm guns in the $600-$700 price range with no frills that actually run. But people have their minds made up. I am carrying a Kimber LW Government Model 9mm because I've shot it enough to know it's not going to malfunction. I'm not a Kimber fanboy and I've owned guns from Colt Custom, Springfield Armory Custom, Wilson Combat, Nighthawk, Baer, etc... and yet I trust a lowly Kimber. My gun has no crazy slide cuts or color scheme, though it has gone thousands of rounds without a single malfunction. I must be a fool. Or maybe I know some things based on experience.

[farscott]

I see Kimber as style over substance. All sorts of crazy slide cuts and color schemes, etc. They’re priced largely in the mid range, but deliver low end products from a quality standpoint.

No thanks

Kimber does push a lot of style in anything above the basic models, offering no real value over the base Kimber Custom. The flip side of that is good custom pistols built on Kimber pistols sell for much less than the same gun built on a Colt or SA would. I have one that has some work from Chuck Rogers. Well, it was a Kimber. The only OEM parts left are the frame, slide, and barrel. He does not build junk, and he will use Kimber barrels, frames, and slides. I did not have the work done, and I paid much less than the cost of the parts, let alone the labor, for the finished product.

[bac1023]

Like I said. Kimber is offering 45 and 9mm guns in the $600-$700 price range with no frills that actually run. But people have their minds made up. I am carrying a Kimber LW Government Model 9mm because I've shot it enough to know it's not going to malfunction. I'm not a Kimber fanboy and I've owned guns from Colt Custom, Springfield Armory Custom, Wilson Combat, Nighthawk, Baer, etc... and yet I trust a lowly Kimber. My gun has no crazy slide cuts or color scheme, though it has gone thousands of rounds without a single malfunction. I must be a fool. Or maybe I know some things based on experience.

I have always said, the best Kimbers are the base models.

I’ve owned several myself over the years.

[Robinson]

I have always said, the best Kimbers are the base models.

Agreed, and they can keep the crazy (flashy) stuff. They can also keep their firing pin safety of which I am not a fan.

[spyderco monkey]

Well yeah. You’re talking Kimber vs Wilson though. The funny thing is, the Wilson is likely a better value.

That will be tough, unless the Kimber ends up being pure aids.

$1499 MSRP vs $3200 MSRP; Lets say $1300 vs $3000 street price.

The Kimber at $1300 could have $700 worth of Gunsmithing to get super perfect, and still be $1000 less then the EDC X9.

That said, Kimber.

....

The real killer app is likely to be the DWX Compact when it comes out.

[bac1023]

That will be tough, unless the Kimber ends up being pure aids.

$1499 MSRP vs $3200 MSRP; Lets say $1300 vs $3000 street price.

The Kimber at $1300 could have $700 worth of Gunsmithing to get super perfect, and still be $1000 less then the EDC X9.

That said, Kimber.

....

The real killer app is likely to be the DWX Compact when it comes out.

I don’t look at value as the cheapest. I look at value as the best quality for the dollar. You put another $700 into a $1300 Kimber and you have a used gun worth $1000 if you’re lucky. $700 into a Kimber also doesn’t give you a Wilson either.

We can agree to disagree

[spyderco monkey]

I don’t look at value as the cheapest. I look at value as the best quality for the dollar. You put another $700 into a $1300 Kimber and you have a used gun worth $1000 if you’re lucky. $700 into a Kimber also doesn’t give you a Wilson either.

We can agree to disagree

Yes in terms of re-sale value / guns as a "store of value" possession that can be converted into cash, upgrading is almost always a net loss, and premium products almost always hold their value much better.

I was speaking in terms of 'bullet shooting machine per $' value.

[rdtompki]

We have a couple of Kimber HD Pro Carry II converted from 38 Super to 9mm. They have been reliable, but the 'smiths who took care of the conversions did a good. Earlier in the thread someone noted "they already make the slide". With that I give you the bumbling introduction of the 5" Springer Prodigy. We've had as many as six of the 9mm Stainless Springfields, all super reliable with tool steel ignition parts for durability of our 3 lb. triggers over many, many tens of thousands of rounds.

Back to the Kimbers - I really like the balance of the 4" bull barrel 1911s, but I still carry my C2.

[awp_101]

https://youtu.be/kksxco2Vkw4

[Tokarev]

https://youtu.be/kksxco2Vkw4

[Tokarev]

HM gives some initial thoughts.


https://youtu.be/zCYdZkmfJGI

[TCinVA]

No mention of stoppages or malfunctions...which I find surprising. It sounds like he bought it himself, so we'll see how it goes in the long term.

Incidentally, a long time ago when Todd told me he was going to test a 9mm 1911 after I got done laughing at him and delighting in how the gun was going to utterly ruin his life (I was proven wrong), we started talking about possibilities and I said at the time it was a shame that Smith & Wesson couldn't blend the 945 and the 5906 to produce a high capacity 9mm pistol that ran reliably and had the 1911's safety and trigger advantages.

This Kimber is within striking distance if what I had in my head, but way uglier than what I envisioned.

Wouldn't it be a hoot if Kimber actually makes a reliable handgun and it's a double stack 9mm?

Imagine telling yourself that would be the case 15 years ago.

"TC...I'm you from the future!"

"Wow. So what's it like?"

"Well, somebody shot a gorilla. Donald Trump was president. And Kimber makes a reliable double-stack 9mm 1911."

"Riiiiiiiiiiiiight, future man."