Kimber is an American gun manufacturer that we’ve discussed once before in our “Who Is Kimber America" blog, which is more about their history and their most popular handguns.
Today we will discuss 3 pistols from Kimber America that you should give a shot if you’re in the market for a new handgun. The 1911 models are the most famous, so we will discuss the Kimber Ultra Carry models designed for concealed carry use and the Custom Defense Pistols (CDP) in the 1911 frame.
Kimber Custom CDP II
The Custom CDP is just a fancy way of saying Kimber added features to this gun that would not normally come with the gun, such as night sights, a Premium Aluminum Trigger, and a 30 lines-per-inch front strap checkering. These features will enhance the pistol and if you buy this gun in the custom model, you’ll save anywhere from a couple hundred to well over $500. As beautiful as this gun is to look at and as great as it feels in your hand, the performance is why it’s so expensive. This 1911 is designed as an everyday carry pistol that has the stopping power and accuracy to eliminate whatever threat opposes you. The custom night sights along with the 30-lines per square inch checkering in the grip provide excellent control of the heavy recoil.
| Kimber Custom CDP II | |
| Weight | 1.93 lbs |
| Height | 5.25" |
| Barrel Length | 5" |
| Overall Length | 8.7" |
| Width | 1.28" |
| Trigger Pull Weight | 4-5 lbs |
| Caliber | .45 ACP |
| Magazine Capacity | 7 |
| Sight Radius | 6.8" |
| Twist Rate | 1:16 Left-Handed |
| Sights | Meprolight Tritium 3-dot night sight |
| Safety | Ambidextrous safety lever |
| MSRP | $1,173.00 |
Kimber Custom CDP II Pros
- .45 ACP provides excellent stopping power
- The 4-5 lb trigger pull is better than most other .45 ACP handguns
- Perfect for Law Enforcement as a primary carry pistol
- Aesthetically beautiful
- Accurate
- Dependable
- I love the trigger!
Kimber Custom CDP II Cons
- Steep price
- Felt recoil is still a lot (16lbs)
Kimber Custom CDP II Features
- Ambidextrous thumb safety, lanyard slot, and bumped grip safety
- Rosewood and 30 lines-per-inch front strap checkering
- Meprolight Tritium 3-dot night sights
- Kimber Tactical Rail permits quick and secure accessory attachment
- KimPro® II finish offers outstanding additional resistance to chemicals, moisture, salt, and UV light
Why Should I Buy the Kimber Custom CDP II
If you’ve read the “Who is Kimber America?" blog above and thought about buying the Warrior instead, let me discuss why this is a better defense pistol. The grip is enhanced on the Custom CDP II with 6 more lines per square inch than the Warrior 1911. The Warrior also has the G-10 grip strips instead of the Rosewood, but the CDP II even enhanced the grip for the trigger well. I’d buy this pistol over the Warrior because you’ll spend a few hundred less and is built for more control.
Where Can I buy the Kimber Custom CDP II?
Kimber Ultra Carry II
The Kimber Ultra Carry II is a more condensed version of the CDP II with the same stopping power and beautiful design. The Ultra Carry II uses the same G-10 grip strips that the Warrior uses to maximize control when firing a larger and more powerful round. At 6.8" you can carry this on your waistband, but I’d recommend considering a shoulder holster for this specific pistol. The pistol is very light and thin for a .45 ACP chambered pistol, but still carries that huge kick with16 lbs of felt recoil. The G-10 grip with the Ultra Carry II comes with the enhanced 30 lines per inch checkering for shooters with bigger hands to grip the gun and trigger comfortably and securely.
| Kimber Ultra Carry II | |
| Weight | 1.56 lbs |
| Height | 4.75" |
| Barrel Length | 3" |
| Overall Length | 6.8" |
| Width | 1.15" |
| Trigger Pull Weight | 4-5 lbs |
| Caliber | .45 ACP, 9mm |
| Magazine Capacity | 8 |
| Sight Radius | 4.8" |
| Twist Rate | 1:16 Left-Handed |
| Sights | Meprolight Tritium 3-dot night sight |
| Safety | Ambidextrous safety lever |
| MSRP | $1,100.00 |
Kimber Ultra Carry II Pros
- .45 ACP provides excellent stopping power
- The 4-5 lb trigger pull is better than most other .45 ACP handguns
- Aesthetically beautiful
- Accurate
- Dependable
- Aluminum Match Grade Trigger
Kimber Ultra Carry II Cons
- Steep price
- Felt recoil is still a lot (16lbs)
Kimber Ultra Carry II Features
- The ambidextrous thumb safety, lanyard slot, and bumped grip safety
- Rosewood and 30 lines-per-inch front strap checkering
- G-10 grip
- Fixed low-profile 3-dot tritium night sights
- KimPro® II finish offers outstanding additional resistance to chemicals, moisture, salt, and UV light
Why Should I Buy the Kimber Ultra Carry II
This is a great concealed carry pistol that is going to cost you well over $1,000 when you add a light or aftermarket optic to the frame. Simply put, if you can afford this pistol and like the traditional feel of the famous 1911, this will be a great gun to own. However, you can get many concealed carry pistols for half the price that function just as well or close to Kimber’s 1911 pistols. This pistol will be comfortable, durable, and reliable for years to come with your standard practices on cleaning and maintenance.
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