Tag Archives: optics ready 1911

Kimber updates the 1911 for 2025 (and keeps it just under $1K)

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Alabama-based Kimber on Friday debuted the Next Generation 1911 series in both 9mm and .45 ACP, and we have one on hand for a closer look.

While in the 1911 biz for generations– my first “nice” 1911 was a Grand Raptor more than 25 years ago– Kimber has made a serious effort to update the design in the past couple of years. We’ve already covered the excellent Kimber 2K11 double stack from the company, and many of the features from that design are appearing in the more traditional Next Gen series. We’ll get into that below.

At launch, the company plans to offer these pistols in four models, all with full-length (Government) sized slides and 5-inch flush-fit deep-crowned stainless steel barrels. They also sport a nice GT match-grade trigger, black walnut grips with a G10 inlay for added texture and a rounded fastback-style heel. External extractors are the norm, as are front and rear slide serrations, ambi safeties, a round commander-style hammer spur, and an optics cut.

Where the differences between the four models lie is in caliber (9mm or 45ACP, shipping with two stainless 9+1 or 7+1 round mags each) and in the finish, with an option for either a two-tone with a Matte KimPro II black slide over a stainless frame, or all-stainless.

Best yet, the MSRP is $999 across the board, allowing for a classic American-made (in a pro-2A state) 1911-series pistol with a much more modern feature set.

Kimber Next Generation 1911 stainless model in .45 ACP.
The Kimber Next Generation 1911 stainless model in .45 ACP. (All photos: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
Kimber Next Generation 1911 stainless model in .45 ACP.
The overall length of our review pistol is a very 1911 standard 8.6 inches from the flush-fit muzzle crown to the extended beavertail sweep. 
Kimber Next Generation 1911 stainless model in .45 ACP.
Kimber uses forged slides, frames, and barrels with these guns, which give a standard weight of 36.2 ounces, unloaded. 
Kimber Next Generation 1911 stainless model in .45 ACP.
Taking a look at the inside, the Kimber Next Generation 1911 field strips like standard models, using a GI-style recoil assembly. It was very tight, and Kimber includes a bushing wrench, but we didn’t have to use it. Splitting the difference between the 17-pound recoil spring weight (for more reliability) and the 15-pound weight for smooth shooting/easy recoil, Kimber went with a 16 on the .45ACP. Of note, the 9mm variant uses a 12-pound spring. 
Kimber Next Generation 1911 stainless model in .45 ACP.
Check out the polishing on the feed ramp and the barrel fitment. We found the barrel to have a rock-hard lock-up when in battery with no wiggle or rattle. 

 

External extractors significantly up the reliability of a pistol without the same iffy tensioning problem that internal extractors have. Staccato’s revised C and HD series have external extractors, as does Kimber’s 2K11. Also, note the greatly lowered and flared ejection port in the image below.

 

Kimber Next Generation 1911 stainless model in .45 ACP.
Kimber’s GT match trigger is advertised as having a break between 4 and 5 pounds. We found our test gun to break right at 4 pounds. 

More in my column at Guns.com. 

You’ve heard of the 1911 X Carry, yeah?

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SIG Sauer isn’t well-known for its 1911 line, but the company has invested enough time to create an excellent entry to the genre in the XCarry series.

SIG has been in the 1911 game for over 20 years, entering the market around 2004. They hit the ground running and were one of the first M1913 “railgun” pistol makers available then continued to enhance the century-old design and produced models with characteristic styling including the Granite, Super Target, and Spartan.

The SIG 1911 Fastback Nightmare– one of the best gun names ever– was always a favorite of ours. (All photos: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

Today, SIG catalogs five distinctive 1911 variants in .45 ACP, a more or less classic stainless 5-inch barreled government model for California markets, and four 1911-X models which balance classic engineering with modern features– namely a direct cut for Shield RMSc optics footprints, an excellent flat-faced trigger, and an accessory rail. Two of these 1911-X models are Emperor Scorpions and as such sports a Coyote PVD finish over a steel slide and frame, offered in both government and commander (SIG calls it Carry) sizes.

Then there is the all-black 1911-XFull (5-inch) and 1911-XCarry (4.25-inch), the latter of which we feature in this review. Like the rest of SIG’s 1911s, they use stainless steel frames and slides but carry the company’s traditional black Nitron finish just like the well-loved P226s, P229s, etc.

The SIG Sauer 1911-XCarry. This model was sent to us with an optional SIG Romeo-X Compact 3 MOA fully enclosed mailbox-style red dot optic installed, a package that is available to consumers.

The commander-length 1911-XCarry runs a 4.25-inch barrel which gives it an overall length of 8 inches.

I’ve been kicking one around since last November and have the full report in my column over at Guns.com.