Kimber has a long and rich history of innovation and made a huge splash when they jumped into the 1911 pool back in 1997. Their initial offering, the Custom Classic, was the first production 1911 that possessed an extended thumb safety, beavertail and low-profile combat sights. That was only 28 years ago, and Kimber quickly took market share from Colt and Springfield Armory by offering a 1911 that was cheaper and possessed all of the custom features that savvy 1911 shooters wanted. The formula for their success was simple; give consumers what they want for a fair price!
Not ones to let moss grow under their feet Kimber introduced the 2K11 in 2024 and the doublestack 1911 was greeted with immense enthusiasm. Possessing many of the features of Staccato and 2011 guns, Kimber engineers also incorporated some unique innovations into the 2K11. Just recently Kimber introduced the single-stack Next Gen 1911 (NG 1911) pistol which includes some of the 2K11’s improvements. Among them are the external extractor, optics plate, ramped disconnector rail and GT Performance trigger.
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Designed to be a carry gun, the new Kimber NG 1911 has a bobbed frame heel to make the gun easier to conceal. Ambi extended safeties are perfectly proportioned for carry use and the slide is given a bevel treatment to prevent cutting the user. Other shooter enhancements include a high-sweep beavertail grip safety, checkered frontstrap and mainspring housing.
The 9mm NG1911 uses a stainless-steel supported barrel with an integral feedramp and a deep-dish, concave muzzle crown. Its 1:16” rifling more than adequately stabilized all bullet weights I tried.
Fit and finish of the gun is exemplary with all parts fit with precision. The GT Performance trigger broke crisply with 3.8 pounds of pressure. I equipped my sample with a Trijicon RMR HD and tested the NG 1911 for accuracy at 25-yards. I tested 8 different loads split between range loads and hotter defense ammos and the aggregate groups size was just 1.02”!
During range exercises I found the bobtailed frame to be very comfortable. GT Performance’s crisp trigger and firm reset accounted for some very fast doubletaps. Of course, the NG 1911’s steel frame makes it an absolute pleasure to shoot with minimum recoil and muzzle disruption.
If you prefer metal to plastic and the crispness of a 1911’s trigger to the squishy pull of a striker fired gun, the Kimber Next Gen 1911 might be right up your alley! I found the gun to be utterly reliable and has laser-like accuracy. Priced at a suggested $999 this pistol offers custom gun performance at a production gun’s price!
