Kimber 2K11 Target Review: Is Kimber’s First 2011 Worth $2,700?

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Kimber has built a reputation on 1911s, but in recent years, the gun maker has pushed into new territory. 

This year, Kimber takes it further…bursting into one of the fastest growing, hottest segments in the gun market…the 2011. 

Kimber’s 2K11 Target, the company’s first 2011-style pistol, brings competition-grade performance out-of-the-box with head-turning looks and race-gun features. 

But great 1911s don’t always translate into great 2011s. So we did what we do best and took this race horse to the range with 600 rounds to see what it could do. 

Specs & Features

Specs

• Country of Origin: USA
• Caliber: 9mm
• Action: Semi-auto
• Capacity: 20+1
• Length: 8.56”
• Barrel Length: 5”
• Width: 1.5”
• Height: 5.74”
• Weight: 42.3 oz.
• Comes with: Soft zippered case, 17-round magazine, (2) 20-round magazines, owner’s manual, C&H Precision optic plate, gun lock.

Features

• Toolless guide rod
• C&H Precision RMR optic plate
• Stan Chen Magwell
• TAG Precision fiber-optic sight

The 2K11 Target Origin Story

Kimber has long been known for its high-end 1911 firearms, but recently, the company has been branching out into other exciting areas previously untapped.

We reviewed the commander-like KDS9C a while back, but the R7 Mako really broke ground as their first polymer-framed, striker-fired handgun. Continuing in the competitive trend, it was only a matter of time before Kimber created its first double-stack 1911.

The 2K11 is the company’s first foray into this rapidly growing market, and Kimber understood the importance of a good first impression. With a very distinctive finish and upgraded features, the 2K11 seeks to give shooters competition-ready performance.

Range Testing the Kimber 2K11 Target (Performace + Accuracy)

Let’s dig into accuracy and performance at the range.

Immediately, I noticed that the 2K11 has a light and short trigger. I found it easy to release, to reset, and then break the next shot, racking up a string of hits in rapid succession.

Right out of the gate, I could feel the balance and weight of the 2K11 working to help keep muzzle flip relatively tame. With a solid grip and stiff wrists, I was able to maintain my dot through recoil.

Slowing things down a bit, we used our video challenge to test the accuracy of the 2K11. Initial zeroing efforts were promising, with three round groups touching at 7 yards.

At 10 yards, we set up and fired 10 rounds of 115-grain AAC just to see how it would group. I went first, followed by Scott, and Wyatt closed out the group.

The results were encouraging. Scott’s group measured 1.39 inches, Wyatt’s group was 1.93 inches, and mine was 2.49 inches, including a dropped round. Overall, accuracy was good.

Reloads were a breeze thanks to the large magwell. As long as I was within a few degrees of the right angle, I could slam home the magazine and drop the slide for a fresh round.

Reliability was decent, though not perfect. So let’s break down what went wrong.

First up, I rode the slide stop at one point, which caused a failure to lock back. Admittedly, that was on me and not the fault of the gun. That said, you’ll want to be mindful of your hand placement so as not to repeat my mistake.

There were several instances where the slide did not completely return to battery, stopping just short. A simple tap returned the slide to position and corrected this, but that does take away from your ability to run it fast at times. Let’s be honest: If you’re spending $2,700 on a gun, you want to run well all the time.

We wanted to give it a fair shake, so we ensured the 2K11 was well lubricated before beginning our review. We even lubed it again during testing for good measure. But that didn’t completely solve the issue. We still encountered times when the slide did not return to battery.

We then set out to see if it was user-induced…wrist limping or thumbs dragging the slide. (It’s not uncommon for my big hands to get in the way and cause issues like that from time to time.)

So I called in Wyatt, who has medium-sized hands, to test my theory. He gave it a try and did not drag the slide with his thumbs, yet the issue persisted. At that point, he suggested that the 2K11 Target might be a bit undersprung.

Editor’s Note: The team also brought a Staccato P and fired it during our range session. Though the P is from a different manufacturer, the controls are similar. It bears mentioning that the team did not encounter any of the issues they had in the 2K11 while firing the Staccato P — which likely rules out operator error.

The following week, I returned to the Pew Pew Tactical Range to test the 2K11 again. With my thumbs tucked neatly away, I fired an additional 120 rounds of AAC 115-grain.

This time, I didn’t have any issues with the gun not returning to battery like before. It wasn’t all sunshine, though, as I did experience a malfunction. This time, the external extractor got caught on a fresh round and would not go into battery. To fix it, I racked the slide to clear the round.

During the prior week’s testing, Wyatt evaluated the 2K11 using a looser grip to see how it handled. It did show similar issues with the extractor. It’s entirely possible there is a correlation between the two issues we experienced.

Barring these issues, we had no other problems arise during testing, which consisted of over 620 rounds.

Ergonomics: Fit & Feel

The first thing I noticed when picking up the 2K11 is the girth and heft — it’s a beefy gun. Its frame is aluminum, and the slide is steel, though there is remarkable balance with only a slight tip toward the muzzle.

As mentioned, the grip is wide to accommodate the double-stack 9mm magazines, a feature common to all 2011s. (Editor’s Note: Wyatt confirmed the Kimber 2K11 can use Staccato-pattern magazines.)

My 2X-sized hand absolutely relishes grips this size, though I recognize smaller-handed shooters may have some issues with them.

Texturing on the grip is checkered and milder, though it’s still effective. I would call it a medium texture compared with something extremely aggressive like the Staccato P.

There isn’t an undercut present at the trigger guard, though Kimber left off texturing for the shooter’s middle finger. This helps indexing as well as cutting down on wear and tear on the finger.

Overall, the ergonomics feel very good (for big hands). The 2K11 sits well in my hand and points very naturally. Its beavertail covers the web of the hand extremely well.

Slide serrations on the rear are cut in an interesting pattern and are adequate to the task, though the front ones are different. Along the sides they are the same though over the top they cut all the way through the slide, revealing the barrel.

The barrel is fluted, ramped, and covered in a black DLC finish. The total package is a striking balance between copper and black.

Fit and finish are extremely nice with black making up the majority, while the slide, trigger, grip screw, and magwell wear copper. This craftsmanship is echoed in how smoothly the slide moves along the frame.

The 2K11 ships with three Check-Mate Magazines (17-round flush fit and two 20-round extended magazines). All three locked back, inserted cleanly, and dropped freely when I pressed the release.

Reloads were assisted by the enormous magwell from Stan Chen, a gunshop specializing in custom 1911s. If I got the mag arguably close to the right angle, it was guided in.

While we shot with the green dot from Viridian for the test, the sights on the 2K11 are impressive. The front is a user-serviceable/changeable red fiber optic from Tag Precision, and the rear is a precision adjustable model that must be removed to install the optic plate.

Controls

The trigger is a straight pull-back design with a flat bow. The distance from the grip safety to the front of the trigger is fairly long.

Again, it’s great for my large hands, and I found myself using the pad of the tip of my finger to press. Wyatt and Scott still found it okay, but made note of the length.

During trigger press, there is perhaps a millimeter of travel before quickly hitting a defined wall. At 2.7 lbs. on a Lyman Digital gauge, the trigger breaks crisply. Reset was audible and tactile.

The safety on the 2K11 is ambidextrous though the right side is thinner and longer. Both were easy to access with the appropriate hand.

I could not press the magazine release in my master grip, but that is not uncommon for 2011s. The button itself is round and covered with the same squared texture as the grip.

Its slide stop/release was similar to most 1911/2011 models, tucked along the slide. I used my support hand thumb to activate it during reloads and could access it easily.

Who Is the Kimber 2K11 Target For?

The Kimber 2K11 is a fine example of a 2011, blending high capacity with the excellent trigger and hammer-fired accuracy of its predecessor, the 1911. This one is upgraded in the fashion of a race gun, so it’s competition-ready.

Even among 2011s, the 2K11 Target is distinctive based on its color scheme. Pretty guns aren’t really a flex to me, but they sure don’t hurt anything.

Let’s be up front about it, this pistol retails a little under $3K, so casual shooters are not going to be the target audience. The gun is also a little too large and heavy for concealed carry work.

However, in capacity and sheer performance, the 2K11 shines, making it a solid contender for competition-style shooting. Also, fans of Kimber, or 2011s in general, will definitely want to check out this model.

In addition, the 2K11 would be suitable for roles such as home and vehicle defense or even law enforcement.

By the Numbers

Reliability: 3/5

The 2K11 was very reliable, though we did experience a few out-of-battery issues that may have been caused by the recoil spring or light grip.

Ergonomics: 4/5

I really enjoy the ergonomics of the 2K11 in general, but I have large hands. Smaller-handed shooters may need to adapt techniques to make it work.

Accuracy: 5/5

With such a clean, light trigger break, it’s easy to stack up impressive accuracy with this pistol.

Customization: 3.5/5

With the 2011 fans continuing to receive more options, the aftermarket support is growing too. There are already holster options available for the 2K11, and you can mount up optics or other accessories on the rail. In addition, shooters can select from different colors (stainless, coyote, or black), optics-ready, optics-included, iron sights, and even 9mm or .45 cal. models.

Value: 3.5/5

With an MSRP of $2,699, the 2K11 is EXPENSIVE. But…the performance is impressive. Actual street prices appear to be around $2,500. This is actually competitive for the field, which starts around $1,500.

Overall: 3.5/5

Kimber 2K11 Target Upgrades & Accessories

I’m a big fan of shooting red dots these days because of the target focus they can teach shooters. The RFX-35 from Viridian is a competition-sized dot, and it’s bright green!

You’ll want to spend some time practicing before you hit the next competition and AAC provides an affordable and reliable means to do it.

Finally, you’ll want some top-end ear and eye pro for your competitive edge. ShellShock Protection are all-day wearable and won’t let you miss any range commands.

How We Tested Kimber 2K11 Target

For this review, three shooters tested the Kimber 2K11 Target with a Viridian RFX 35 green dot, shooting 10-round groups from 10 to 50 yards and a variety of speeds to assess accuracy, reliability, and the gun’s ability to handle both slow and fast firing rates.

We went through 620 rounds of ammunition, using both practice ammo and defensive ammo:

• AAC 115gr FMJ
• Federal Premium, 124gr HST

We also tested the trigger on the Kimber 2K11 Target with a Lyman Digital Trigger gauge to accurately assess the actual trigger pull weight. Finally, we ran the Kimber 2K11 Target with all three magazines included in the box.

We concluded our testing with a challenge of accuracy. (Make sure to watch the video at the top of the review to see who won!)

Meet the Experts

At the helm of this review is Pew Pew Tactical Content Producer Sean Curtis. Sean spent over two decades in law enforcement, where he became a POST-certified handgun instructor and NLEFIA Red Dot Instructor and received CLEFIA Advanced Firearms Instructor Training and AR-15 armorer training. He has since attended a variety of training, including Tactical Performance Center Handgun Mastery & Carbine Mastery, and earned USCCA rifle instructor certification. Aside from training and prior to joining the Pew Pew Tactical team full-time, Sean wrote for several gun publications, evaluating and testing guns and gear, and has written hundreds of articles.

Pew Pew Tactical Editors Wyatt Sloan and Scott Murdock contributed to this review as well.

This review was edited by Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings, who runs Pew Pew Tactical’s experienced team of reviewers. Jacki is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association and has her bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications. She has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years, and has worked as an editor for five years. She uses her extensive professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards.

Kimber 2K11 Target Final Verdict

Having carried a Kimber on duty many years ago, I can attest to their quality. The 2K11 does a fine job of keeping within that tradition while providing all the advancements of the 2011 platform.

It is expensive, but nice things usually are. If you want to shoot fast and accurately, and have the money to spend, the 2K11 is a great option for you.

Is $2,700 too much for this 2011? Let us know if you would drop that much on the Kimber 2K11 in the comments below. If you’re looking for another solid 2011 option, check out our review on the Staccato P!