I've worked on multiple Kimber 2K11 pistols for customers at RFV Tactical, and I was not really that impressed with them. This is mainly due to their longer slide and short dust cover frame. I also don't like that they use MIM internal components in a $2400 gun. When Kimber came out with the 2K11 Pro, which is a 4.25" version with a full-length dust cover frame, I got a little more interested in them. I randomly stumbled across an online retailer selling the "Stainless" version brand new for only $1750, which is about $250 cheaper than most other retailers, so I decided to pick one up. Then I got really excited when I realized that Kimber actually sells a 2K11 optic plate for the Holosun 509T that has an integrated rear backup iron sight. I have never seen a 2K11 with anything other than an RMR footprint optic and none of those had rear backup iron sights despite positioning the optic really far forward. Unfortunately, the factory front sight is too short to properly align with the rear iron sight on the 509T optic plate.
I specifically wanted the Stainless version, which is their base model, because I wanted the MJD Solutions grip module rather than their aluminum grip module and the Stainless version is the only one with the gold PVD barrel. I thought the gold barrel would look really good with the slide and frame done in a custom mix of black Cerakote. I also wasn't interested in any of the other fancy looking color options that they offer with the 2K11 Pro series.
The front of the slide and frame have a really nice chamfer, but there were still a few spots in other areas that needed some dehorning. Most notably was the left side thumb safety lever. This is a consistently complained about issue with all of the 2K11 pistols. Kimber had supposedly redesigned it with a better chamfer due to all the complaints, but I have yet to see the redesigned part on a production gun out in the real world. While reprofiling and dehorning the levers, I also thinned them down to work with my high grip as I do with most of my personal 2011 style guns.
Rather than go with my custom DLC Mimic color mix of Cerakote, I wanted to try a new custom mix of Graphite Black and Stainless with a 12:1 ratio of catalyst for a slightly higher gloss that would hopefully mimic Black Nitride. It doesn't really show up well in the photos, but there is a slight metallic flake within the black. I'm really happy with how it turned out and the contrast of the gold PVD barrel looks great.
With the MJD grip module, I only stippled over the factory checkered areas and left the 2K11 styling lines in place, added a smooth border at the bottom of the mainspring housing to match the magwell border, and did a step-cut grip chop to accept 16-round Staccato C2 magazines. I really like the step-cut grip chop because it provides a little more concealability while still maintaining a full-size feel in the hand. Unlike STI/Staccato grip modules, the MJD grip still has a little bit of a magwell flare left after the grip chop as does the Prodigy 1911DS grip module.
The pistol had a decent trigger right out of the box at 3.5 pounds, but I tuned it down to my preferred weight of just under 3 pounds using the factory components. The trigger shoe itself is a little longer than my other 2011 style guns, but it's not a problem for me as I have large hands. No other tuning or refinements were needed. The gun looks great and runs great. The recoil impulse is just as soft as my non-ported Prodigy 1911DS with my reloaded training/match ammo, but is a little bit snappier than the Prodigy with off-the-shelf factory ammo. I'm really happy with this gun, especially for what I paid for it.
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