The Kimber, paired up with a SureFire light and Galco Yaqui Paddle Holster, makes for a formidable self-defense combo. The Yaqui is available in tan or black and offers speed and elegant simplicity.

In 2010 Kimber introduced their new Super Carry line of pistols. Built entirely in Kimber’s Custom Shop, the Super Carry guns feature lightweight aluminum frames, custom slide and receiver enhancements, ambidextrous safeties and night sights. Both the full-size gun—the Super Carry Custom—and the smaller 4-inch model—the Super Carry Pro—possess a rounded butt. It’s a neat feature that not only enhances the way the gun feels in the hand but also makes it easier to carry concealed. Unfortunately, the mainspring housing of the Super Carry Ultra, Kimber’s 3-inch model, is just too short for the full rounded butt treatment—and that’s a shame because the Ultra size guns that Kimber produces are some of my most favorite carry guns.

I did, however, receive the 4-inch Super Carry Pro and absolutely loved it. With its lightweight frame, night sights and rounded butt, it was a pleasure to carry and proved to be incredibly accurate and reliable—enough so, that I purchased my evaluation sample from Kimber. But I couldn’t help but wonder how nice a 3-inch Ultra version of the gun would be.

The rounded butt is perfect for concealed carry while still providing the shooter with an extremely comfortable grip.

Kimber’s Custom Shop keeps meticulous records of customer requests and when they spot a trend they wisely try to create a product that will meet the demand. In the past year, since the addition of the Super Carry line of pistols there have been a dramatic number of requests for a Super Carry Ultra top-end on full-size frame. This combination gives the user the short, compact 3-inch barrel for concealment but also gives them a full-size aluminum frame for control. But more importantly, it gives the shooter the abbreviated rounded butt of the Super Carry Custom and Super Carry Pro. It didn’t take long for Kimber’s marketing team to decide that this should be one of the new additions in 2011.

Special serrations on the flat top slide do a tremendous job of minimizing unwanted glare.