Honestly, I’ve not been high on Kimber for nearly a decade. They were known for building a quality 1911 at a reasonable price, which set them apart. Unfortunately, many companies are now doing that—including ones from Turkey. Kimbers were once in demand, and like many companies with an in-demand product, they ramped up production. But like in most cases, quality control falls while the price remains high, leading to disappointment. Kimber has tried to rectify the issues. They even moved from the restricted state of New York to the free state of Alabama! However, releases such as the Solo, Evo SP, and the Mako prove that Kimber has struggled. So that’s where the 2K11 comes in. Instead of a compact CCW-type pistol, the 2K11 is a double-stack 1911 geared for the competitive shooter. This is a direct response to Staccato, Springfield Armory, and the Turkish companies SDS and MAC (well, American importers of Turkish companies). But is the pistol good? Well, for nearly two grand, it better be.

The 2K11

Kimber was historically a respected manufacturer of 1911s (while their forays into polymer handguns is another story). With that, most of their success is built on a century-old design. They needed something new to bring to market. A couple of years back, Kimber did release the KDS9C, a double-stack 1911 sort-of-looking pistol. Its lines were a bit classic, and it appears to have been more of a competitor to Wilson Combat’s EDC X9 series. But it wasn’t a true double-stack 1911. Here’s what Kimber has to say: “The 2K11 is the most capable, out-of-the-box, high-capacity 1911 variant available. From hammer to muzzle, the 2K11 has been built around all the features Kimber enthusiasts requested. An aluminum alloy grip module featuring one-of-a-kind designed Stan Chen Customs Magwell. An enhanced sub-frame shaped for superior magazine fit and control, plus an accessory rail for optional lights and lasers. The slide is made of stainless steel and features an external extractor for relentless reliability. Included: TAG Custom FiberLok 2 front sights and one C&H Precision mounting plate for Trijicon and Holosun optics make the 2K11 a masterpiece of modern firearms design from Kimber.”

That’s bold marketing from Kimber, but honestly, upon first look, I get it. Where Staccato is after the duty/CCW market, Kimber is going after competitive shooters. For looks, I’d say flashy comes to mind. This is on brand for a company that makes the Rapide line of 1911s. The overall ergonomics are good, and the partnership with Stan Chen and C&H gives the pistol additional clout. The main feature that makes this pistol appear to focus on the competitive crowd is its use of an aluminum grip module. Staccato, Springfield, and the Turkish builders use polymer models to lighten the model and cut down on expenses. Kimber chose rigidity and weight instead. I like that. The gun can be had in 9mm and .45 ACP with either 1-17 round and 2-20 round magazines or 3-13 round magazines, respectively. What’s even better is the magazine prices. 9mm ones cost $59.99, while the 45 ACP fetch $10 more. Compare this to Staccato, whose magazines go over $100 a pop.

Final Thoughts

This is an interesting direction for Kimber to go with. Unfortunately, they are using borrowed trust on this. Recent new releases in handguns have been lukewarm at best and disastrous at worst (the ones mentioned above), so it’ll be interesting to see how the market responds. Prices are better than expected. The base model with an optic plate costs $1759.99, while the upgraded and flashy target model costs $2229.99. While these seem high, remember, Staccato starts at around $2,500. Infinity Pistol prices (SVI, the company Staccato broke away from) begin in the stratosphere.