No Kahr, A Kimber
Posted Sat Sep 17, 2011 in
Hardware
After my experience with the Kahr CW-45 eating the web of my right hand, I decided that wasn’t the sidearm for me. The only other sidearm that is that slim (that I know of) is the 1911 platform. I know the folks at Carson Armory carry the Kimber line, so I spent a little time on the Kimber website.
What I learned is that the Commander-size Kimber pistols with the allow frame weigh only a few ounces more than the Kahr polymer frames. I know the 1911 platform reasonably well. I spent some time last weekend looking at Kimber pistols. I considered the Ultra Carry line, but didn’t like the bobbed beavertail. I tend to use a deep hold and I know that bobbed beavertail would result in a big hammer-bite out of the webbing of my hands.
So, I traded the Kahr for a Kimber. I picked up the pistol last week (so long, Kahr&hellip glad I got to meet you, not sad to leave you) and was waiting for the weekend to go shoot it in. Kimber recommends running at least 250 rounds through the gun before carrying it.
I packed up my range gear this morning and headed out about 0730 for the Carson Range. I had a couple hundred rounds of Wolf (steel-cased) and some Winchester White Box (brass cased) and a handful of magazines. I had my target setup planned and ready to rock-and-roll.
However, when I arrived at the range, the 4H’ers had the bays all tied up for the day. Blast! So, I parked at the square range, disappointed I would not be able to set up my targets for combat shooting and would not be able to work from the holster.
Oh well.
Moreover, there was a class going on at one end of the line, so I’d have to share. I can do it, but prefer to work at my own pace.
Oh well.
One of the line officers approached to let me know what they were doing and that the range was cold. I appreciated that. I set up a couple of targets — one at about 7 yards and the other at about 10 yards. I loaded up my magazines and called range hot.
I had a few failures to feed, but no extraction problems. The gun shot better near the end of my third box of ammunition. It’s a handful and knocked off the scab from my Kahr war-wound, but I wasn’t leaking at the end of my session. The pistol definitely prefers brass cases. That’s OK, the Glocks eat anything so I can always use up my Wolf in them.
By the end of the session, I was confident that the pistol will run. I still need to shoot it some more and run some defensive rounds through it to confirm they will feed and fire reliably. I have a holster, but need a magazine carrier to go with it.
The Kimber will make a fine carry gun. I pray I never need it. But, after the IHOP shooting a couple of weeks ago, I will have something with me wherever and whenever I can.
But, the IHOP story is another tale to tell. It will have to wait. The Girl is wanting to walk.
I own a Walther PPS (Police Pistol Slim) a single stack .40 cal. It is as slim as the 1911 and built similar to the Glock. It’s not a Kimber, but I like it… Walter PPS.
— Mark 29 September 2011, 15:46 #Walther makes nice sidearms. I decided to stick with the 1911-pattern pistols because I know the manual-of-arms. Although I love to experience different machines (of all sorts), use of a defensive sidearm has to be second-nature. For me, that means 1911s and Glocks.
— ruminator 5 October 2011, 19:37 #