By R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor
The 1911 Government Model .45 is among the finest fighting pistols ever designed, and Kimber’s Pro Carry II is a very good example of where the design has come in more than a century.
With a straight to the rear trigger compression, a low bore axis, a slide lock safety and grip safety, and a grip that fits most hands well the pistol is a high point in design and manufacture. The 1911 has remained at the top of the list in fighting pistols for more than 110 years. The only legitimate criticism of the 1911 is its size and weight. The pistol is plenty thin, thinner than most modern service pistols.
Some seventy years ago Colt introduced a shortened 1911 with an aluminum frame. The Commander model was among the best concealed carry pistols of the day. The Commander, in both aluminum and steel frame versions, is a formidable choice for personal defense. Kimber’s Pro Carry II is a modern Commander type in most ways.
No need to debate 1911 versus striker fired pistol contest. Each has its place. However, if you deploy a 1911 it should be a good quality example not a bargain basement pistol manufactured of inferior parts and made to sell cheaply. The 1911 definitely needs more training time. On the other hand, once mastered there is no pistol faster to an accurate first shot hit than the 1911.
The 1911 hits hard. The .45 ACP cartridge operates at low operating pressure resulting in modest weapons wear. The .45 ACP exhibits low muzzle flash, usually only a warm orange glow or a few sparks. Wound ballistics are superior to small bore cartridges. While magazine capacity may be limited compared to a 9mm high capacity pistol perhaps you are training for the wrong scenario. A take over gang is one threat but in personal defense most problems will be solved with a few well placed shots. The lightweight frame 1911 is a modest drag on the hip but handles as quickly as any steel frame 1911, perhaps a little faster.
The pistol features a slide lock safety that clocks positively into the indent. The grip safety releases its block on the trigger half way into its travel. The controls are not difficult to handle they are easily operated as you draw the pistol. The grip safety will prevent the pistol from firing if it is dropped.
The Kimber Pro Carry II also has a positive firing pin block. The trigger is a very nice crisp action for a single action pistol. There is little take up, the action is tight. The Pro Carry II trigger breaks at 5.0 pounds, even. No trigger bar, no action bar, no prepped action.
The Pro Carry II differs from the true Commander type in that it features a bushingless lock up. The original Commander barrel is 4.25 inches long and features a barrel bushing slightly shortened compared to the Government Model. The Pro Carry II uses a 4-inch barrel. The lockup is the type used in Officer’s Model 1911 pistols. The lack of a barrel bushing allows the shorter barrel to tilt at a sharper angle and aids function in short handguns.
The Pro Carry II features a full size firing grip the same as the Government Model. The frame is aluminum alloy. The sights are far superior to 1911 GI sights and most pistol sights of a generation ago. I replaced the original sights with a set of Williams Gun Sights three dot sights. The green/red contract is excellent for fast combat shooting. While I sometimes need reading glasses I find the Williams sights excellent as issued and bright enough for my unaided vision. The sights are well regulated for 230 grain loads at 15 yards.
All controls on the Kimber are positive in operation. You don’t want a light magazine release and the slide lock should not be elongated as the thumb tends to bounce into an enlarged slide lock. While the factory grips are fine I added a set of MD Grips- (Mdgrips.com) These are stag grips and absolutely beautiful on this stainless steel pistol. The frame itself is nicely anodized aluminum.
When carrying the pistol concealed the thin 1911 literally disappears under a pulled out T shirt. Proper holster selection is important. I have used the Bullard (Bullardleather.com) Leather inside the waistband holster for concealed carry. This holster keeps the bulk of the handgun concealed in the trousers. Since most of the handgun is concealed inside the pants only a relatively short covering garment is needed to conceal the pistol. When wearing a covering garment, I often carry the Pro Carry II in a Bullard Leather cross draw.
Firing the Kimber Pro Carry II produced no revelations. The lightweight .45 recoils more than a Government Model which has about ten ounces more mass to absorb momentum. However, the difference in recoil isn’t startling. The pistol is as fast to an accurate first shot as a Government Model, perhaps clearing leather a bit quicker, though it isn’t quite as fast between accurate shots.
All handguns are a trade off, and the aluminum frame makes all day carry much more comfortable. Firing off hand with the Winchester 230-grain FMJ loading the pistol is controllable. Firing quickly at 7, 10, and 15 yards few rounds strayed from the ten ring.
Absolute accuracy is always interesting. I set up the MTM K Zone shooting rest to test accuracy at a long 25 yards. I fired three shot groups (recognizing the ammunition shortage caused by panic buying and hoarding) with a number of defense loads. The results were good to excellent.
The Pro Carry II is good enough to ride with. It offers good reliability and superior performance for those willing to practice.
Accuracy results, 25 yards
Winchester 230 grain FMJ 3.0 inches
Winchester 230 grain white box JHP 1.8 inches
Winchester 185 grain Silvertip 2.7 inches
Browning 230 grain Razor 3.0 inches
Specifications
Manufacturer: Kimberamerica.com
Model: Pro Carry II
Weight: 28 ounces
Length: 7.7 inches
Capacity: 7/8 Kimber/Wilson Combat magazines
Slide: Stainless Steel
Frame: Aluminum
Barrel: 4 inches
Caliber: .45 ACP
