Sometimes in life, you find the right one—whatever that one is. Maybe it’s a person, a car, or perhaps a pair of shoes or even socks. In this case, it was a pistol. A single action, one at that. It is different in all the good ways. I was convinced it was the one. Then, after getting the Kimber KDS9c on the range, things changed.

Hitting the Range with the Kimber KDS9c

I never saw it coming. The Kimber KDS9c showed up for simple, garden-variety video work, and I walked away in love.

I remember I’d pick the pistol up for no reason, seek it out during mental breaks throughout the day, and dry fire it until my hands hurt from squeezing it so dang hard. I think the KDS9c represents what a single action, single stack 1911 should be and what the double stack, polymer framed striker-fired pistol wants to be.

When I first picked it up, I was convinced the pistol would feel like the typical 1911. I like the 1911, but the grip still leaves something to be desired. It’s still a bit block-ish in a way—different from double-stack polymer pistols, which are blocky too.

The KDS9c is at the top of the ergonomic heap. In my observations, it begins with the backstrap. Free of a grip safety, it’s shaped and proportioned just right. Grabbing the pistol and placing your web under the beavertail is satisfyingly comfortable and free from any comfort-robbing anomalies.

It’s smooth and rounded off just right. I find this to be an amazing feat of design, having an aluminum frame grip that feels as if it were polymer. This results in no pressure points after long sessions with the Kimber. The perfectly shaped G10 grips also helped with this.

The KDS9c in Hand

The KDS9c sits low in the hand. Noticeably low. I know “low bore axis” is a claim used by many, but I’m not sure if Kimber makes the claim on this pistol. However, I can tell you that it’s very noticeable on this pistol.

I described to a friend that it feels like the pistol is resting on my index finger—as if simply pointing the pistol or my finger will accomplish everything I need it to. Strange indeed.

The KDS9c has an excellent flat face trigger, but it’s not quite competition-level good. There is actually a short take-up before the wall, and then the trigger breaks. I wouldn’t call it clean, but rather “cleanly.”

But it’s excellent in its distance from the curvature of the backstrap. It’s short and straight, making for very positive trigger actuation. All these things combined scream intuitive, and it feels as such.

Dual safety levers adorn the Kimber, along with an accessory rail and a very well-shaped mag release button. Instead of round, Kimber made it elongated. It works well.

Operating the Double-Stack 1911

Up top, the KDS9c has a steel slide that is handsomely cut with enough angles to bring it well outside of the land of 1911 boredom, without all the windows and cut-outs that scream “overdone.”

Front and rear cocking serrations serve their purpose with the front serrations wrapping over the top angles of the slide. Correspondingly, the top is flat with lines to cut out reflections. Underneath the barrel, the front of the slide is cut at a rearward angle, adding a sleek and racy look. This compliments the protruding threaded barrel, which is fluted, crowned, and ramped, technically making it a KDS9c TFS model.

Target acquisition is aided by a fiber optic front sight and a Novak dovetail carry rear sight that rides on the removable optic cover plate. Although it is optics-ready, it’s far from necessary as the pistol performs to excellent standards with the iron sights intact.

All these are good things, right? So, what’s the problem?

Shooting the Kimber KDS9c

Pistols can make or break your confidence. I find myself more and more intrigued by pistols that make everything easier—trying to ascertain how they do it. Yes, you can learn how to shoot certain pistols well, but I don’t think that should always be the case.

I’d rather the pistol allow me to shoot well. The Kimber does that. Point, press follow through, and do it again. If you let the KDS9c work, you’ll be a true rockstar.

I placed a Sig Romeo Zero atop the Kimber—reluctantly. My best interactions with the Kimber were in its iron sight configuration. It was easy. Intuitive. However, that didn’t translate as much with the optic installed. Mounting screws that kept coming loose had me chasing my tail a bit. I shouldn’t cave to the peer pressure of optics on pistols.

Recoil is very ammo-dependent with the Kimber. It’s fast. Intuitive. It’s a true pleasure to shoot with soft-shooting 115-grain ammo. Any hotter and you feel it. That said, I believe the size to be a great blend of carry and range use.

A Finicky Magwell

The chink in the armor of the KDS9c is its finicky magwell. I think the mags fit too snugly, as best I can tell. Even a slow insertion of the mag can result in a glitch.  I want to say it’s the lack of an oversized/competition-style magwell. A 15 and 18 round mag comes with the pistol, and the 18 round has an extension installed.

This magwell issue isn’t enough to deter me. I’m an official fan of the Kimber KDS9c. It’s like the best polymer-framed pistol that isn’t because—it isn’t. It really does change the game a bit.

I’ll be looking into some “improvements” to see if I can bring out all it can be. That said, I really do like the pistol, even with its quirks. I believe the aftermarket will help raise the KDS9c to the next level. I’ll be waiting.

Kimber KDS9c Specs