WATCH: The Kimber Rapide 1911 Combines Beauty, Function and Speed

The 1911 is one of the most popular pistols in the United States, and has been for more than 100 years. John Moses Browning designed this gun specifically for the .45 ACP round, which is very popular for self defense. However, it also makes a great platform for other calibers, including the 10mm. Additionally, this pistol is extremely customizable, with versions and models to suit anyone’s desires, including the brand new Kimber Rapide.

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Kimber claims the Rapide is a new take on 1911. Of course, it has most of the standard features of a full-size 1911, such as a 5-inch barrel and full-length guide rod. It also has a beavertail safety and a thumb safety. Of course, the beavertail is extended and the thumb safety is ambidextrous, making this pistol good for both right- and left-handed shooters. Additionally, the entire gun is made of stainless steel, featuring Kimber’s durable KimPro II finish in black. However, despite these features being important to most shooters, they aren’t what make the Rapide interesting.

For the Rapide, Kimber developed new stepped cocking serrations. As such, the serrations provide an excellent grip for racking the slide, which features lightening cuts to reduce weight. The cuts provide faster lock time, which allows shooters to more quickly fire followup shots. Kimber also included Kimber Stiplex TM stippling on the frontstrap, as well as G10 WavZ TM grips to provide extra grip retention. It also comes with a skeletonized hammer and trigger, and a match-grade barrel featuring a TiN coating. This give the barrel a gold look that realy stands out against the black finish. To finish it off, the company added Tru-Glo TFX Pro Day Night sights so shooters can find targets in any lighting condition.

In any way, you look at it, the Rapide provides an upgraded version of the 1911, and its available in both .45 ACP and 10mm.