Hand-Picked Daily GUN DEALS, and Exclusive Coupons Codes >>>
We review products independently. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission to help support our testing. Learn more.

Kimber KDS9c Review: Better than Staccato?

We take a hands-on look at the Kimber KDS9c to see how it runs and if it can hang with competing guns that cost much more.
We review products independently. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission to help support our testing. Learn more.
JUMP TO SECTION Jump To:

    Kimber KDS9c Pros & Cons

    Pros

    • Accurate
    • Good value
    • Reliable

    Cons

    • Rear sight isn't fully adjustable
    • Optics plates not available yet
    • Grip texture could be done better

    The Bottom Line

    Throughout testing, the Kimber KDS9c proved to be accurate, comfortable, flat shooting, and reliable.

    Kimber KDS9C Specs & Features

    Specs

    • Caliber: 9mm
    • Action: Semi-Auto, single-action-only
    • Width: 1.33″
    • Length: 7.75″
    • Barrel Length: 4.09″
    • Height: 5.35″
    • Weight: 25.3oz
    • Capacity: 15+1 rounds
    • Comes With: Soft zipper case, two 15-round magazines, three spare front sight fiber optic rods, two hex keys, gun lock, owner’s manual

    Features

    • 7075 aluminum frame
    • Swappable magazine release
    • G10 grips
    • Optics-ready slide with RSMC/407k footprint
    • Green fiber optic front sight, black serrated adjustable rear sight

    Metal-framed handguns are seeing a massive resurgence in popularity, especially double-stack 1911 and 2011-style handguns.

    More and more people are starting to appreciate good triggers and fast shooting, low-recoiling platforms.

    Kimber recognized this trend and delivered their all-new KDS9c to compete with the likes of guns such as the Staccato C2 and Wilson EDC X9.

    With the Kimber coming in at a much lower price than its competitors, I had a few questions. Will it work? Can it hang with the big dogs? Is it worth the asking price?

    A good bit of range time answered everything and yielded some surprising results. Read on to find out!

    Table of Contents

    Loading…

    Why You Should Trust Us

    What can I say? I love guns so much I have over 200 firearms (I know, I have a problem).

    But I am also a huge stickler for bargain buys, and I don’t believe in overpaying for products. I enjoy taking the time to find out what works, what doesn’t, and what is worth it.

    Being around guns most of my life has given me two decades of firearms experience, including hunting, competition, certified instructing, and plenty of time concealed carrying.

    $1,104
    at BattleHawk Armory

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    Source: Kimber

    Kimber KDS9c Background

    Kimber set out to create a sleek, concealable, double-stack pistol geared heavily toward personal protection.

    Although the KDS9c may look like a standard 1911 at first glance, Kimber created this gun entirely from the ground up to avoid having any adaptation issues.

    The KDS9c is available in both black and stainless.

    High-end double-stack 1911s and 2011s are known for their hefty price tags, often costing $2,000 or more.

    Kimber sought to challenge this status quo by releasing the KDS9c in August of this year with an MSRP of $1,499.

    Who Is It For?

    These guns are made for those seeking a slick, accurate, and fast concealed carry gun who don’t mind toting around something a little bit bigger for the performance increase.

    The KDS9c is meant to offer a more affordable alternative to guns like the Staccato CS, C2, Wilson EDC X9, and SFX9 without sacrificing performance.

    Fit & Feel

    If you couldn’t tell by the pictures, this gun leans very heavily on the 1911. This means it retains a similar grip angle, straight-back trigger, and classic thumb safety of the 1911.

    It is a commander-style gun, sporting a beautiful 4.09-inch fluted barrel with a generous target crown.

    A 7075-aluminum alloy frame with a generous amount of material machined away helps keep the KDS9c to a relatively light 25.3 ounces. For reference, an empty Glock 19 weighs 22 ounces.

    The rounded butt of the grip and the slim G10 grip panels help this gun feel much less blocky than my Staccato C2. The weight and ergonomic grip make this gun comfortable to hold and shoot.

    This brings me to my first gripe. The texturing and checkering on both the frame and grip panels look nice, but it is too rounded for me. Sharper edges would provide a more aggressive grip, which is important on lighter guns.

    Secondly, the trigger undercut is far too skinny to actually serve its intended purpose. A good undercut should let your second finger rest entirely in the groove.

    The trigger undercut needs to be about twice the size.

    The slide release is adequately sized without being obtrusive, and the magazine release is placed well. The safety was easy to manipulate, tactile, and didn’t feel like it would accidentally engage.

    While the slide is optics-ready with an RSMC footprint, no plates are included, and they are not yet available as of the time of writing.

    The rear sight is integrated into the optics plate.

    My Lyman Digital Gauge yielded an average trigger pull of 3.25 lbs. There is a bit of take up, a soft-but-noticeable wall, followed by a clean break. Reset is fairly short and tactile.

    Nothing crazy here, just a good 1911 trigger.

    How Does It Shoot?

    This is where my expectations were exceeded — with a few minor caveats. She is a shooter.

    The iron sight picture of the KDS9c is excellent and is well-suited for combat usage. With no plates available, I tested with irons only.

    The serrated black rear and fiber front is a great combo.

    I experienced outstanding precision throughout testing. Accuracy was close to my Staccato C2, as seen below, which was impressive.

    However, this gun did shoot to the right. Usually, I would adjust the sights and call it a day, but the rear sight is not windage adjustable — the manual calls for the front sight to be moved for windage adjustments.

    KDS9c (right) vs. C2 (left). 10 shots at 7 yards.

    Unfortunately, the front dovetail was too small for my Wheeler sight pusher. Attempting to move it without a sight pusher was futile; that thing is on there. This might be a one-off situation, but this was my biggest complaint.

    There is a bit more muzzle flip than a heavy steel-frame gun, but the ergonomics and good trigger made controlling the recoil a breeze.

    9mm Ammo in Stock

    Deal
    Grain
    Cost Per Round
    Notes
    124gr
    $0.26
    CYBERMONDAY 8% off, Free Ship $149+
    115gr
    $0.26
    Free Shipping
    115gr
    $0.27
    124gr
    $0.27
    147gr Subsonic
    $0.26
    124/147gr Hollow Point
    $0.22
    CYBERMONDAY 8% off, Free Ship $149+
    124/147gr Hollow Point
    $0.22
    CYBERMONDAY 8% off, Free Ship $149+

    Double taps and Mozambique drills were easy. With some Talon grips, it would be even better.

    Reliability was my biggest concern, as it is with any double-stack 1911-style gun. Over the course of 500 rounds, I personally suffered zero stoppages with FMJ or hollow point ammo.

    I do want to note that on the very last trip, my girlfriend suffered one failure to feed, which was remedied by a slight tap. This may have been due to limpwristing or ammo; it is tough to say.

    Kimber’s proprietary 15-round magazines seem to work exceptionally well and are even easy to load by hand. Bad mags are what typically kill guns like this, so kudos to Kimber.

    What Sets The Kimber KDS9c Apart?

    Call me a heretic, but you are getting performance close to the Staccato C2 and the Wilson EDC X9.

    The difference is that an optics-ready C2 is $1,000 more than the Kimber, and an optics-ready Wilson is an eye-watering $2,000 more.  

    A size comparison with the Staccato C2 (top) and the Kimber KDS9c (bottom).

    For a street price of around $1,300, you are replicating that 2011 feel and performance. While there is room for improvement with the KDS9c, I feel it is priced much more fairly than many other comparable guns.

    I have long said there is an artificial tax on 2011s and double-stack 1911s, but I am glad to see companies like Kimber and BUL Armory offering similar guns at much more aggressive price points.

    By the Numbers

    Accuracy

    4.5/5

    I was able to get precise groups that were comparable to my Staccato C2. The sights being so difficult to adjust for windage knocks off half a point.

    Reliability

    4.5/5

    This would have been a clear 5/5, but a single malfunction on the last day of testing has to be mentioned. It may have not even been the gun's fault.

    Customization

    2/5

    An optics-ready slide will eventually allow for the mounting of optics. The lack of an accessory rail and a proprietary frame shape means holster options will likely be limited.

    Ergonomics

    4/5

    The gun feels very svelte and comfortable in the hand. I wish the checkering was more aggressive and the trigger undercut was bigger.

    Value

    4/5

    You are getting alot of gun for the money compared to its competitors. I would like to see the gun come with optics plates included and maybe one more mag.

    Overall

    4/5

    This is an excellent shooter that offers a ton of performance for the money. A few minor tweaks to the platform would make this gun a true 5/5.

    Final Verdict

    Dropping $2,300 on a badass carry piece isn’t for everyone, but some people are still looking for something nicer than a $500 gun. Kimber identified this and created the KDS9c to occupy that middle ground.

    They seem to have taken their time to deliver a well-functioning firearm out of the gate.

    I would like to see slightly redesigned grip texturing, a windage adjustable rear sight, and included optics plates, but the core of the gun works incredibly well for its intended role.

    Some people might take umbrage with some of the comparisons I made, but that isn’t a bad thing. Quality competition at affordable prices challenges the status quo surrounding expensive guns, which means the consumer wins — and I like that.

    $1,104
    at BattleHawk Armory

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Prices accurate at time of writing

    Available Coupons

    What are your thoughts on the KDS9c? Let us know in the comments below! Like these types of firearms? Be sure to check out our article on the Best Double-Stack 1911s of 2023!

    The Best Gun Deals, Coupons and Finds

    Subscribe to Pew Pew Tactical's sales and deals email.

    18 Leave a Reply

    • Longtrail

      You've earned my trust long ago by proving yourselves. You left no stone unturned in your review.

      Kind regards.

      August 1, 2024 4:54 pm
    • ted bouchard

      So refreshing to see an intelligent fair and thoughtful review. Especially when it comes to Kimber. Keep up the great work Wyatt I'll be looking for your next review!!

      June 26, 2024 9:19 pm
    • william overton rudder

      My KDS9c exhibits very poor rear barrel fit. Hood is not fit properly, bottom lugs poorly fit exhibiting generous vertical play. There is no aftermarket barrel to fit to this gun. Kimber states the barrel is a drop in fit item, no oversize barrel available to fit by them or me. This is a very poor fit for a gun in this price range. The Springfield Prodigy is a superior fit, in the same price range. Kimber has no solution for this situation. Mine groups around 2 inches at 15 yards; poor for a gun in this range. My Beretta 92's out shoot this model. The elevation adjustable rear is disappointing, and moving the front sight is a real difficult thing, as most sight pushers won't do it without damage; Kimber states will void warranty. Thus there is another issue. I discussed this with Bruce at Kimber, and it seems there is no solution. BarSto may be able to provide a barrel for me to fit, but won't be cheap. So, Houston, there is a problem here. Kimber should fit these barrels, not drop in. Tolerances should be far better. I recommend the Prodigy in this range. Staccato's will leave this Kimber in the dirt, as will others. I am sorry to report this, as my other 1911 Kimbers exhibit proper barrel fit.

      May 15, 2024 4:01 pm
      • BILL O RUDDER

        Thus far Kimber has offered no remedy to the poor barrel fit. Further, Kimber management seems disinterested. Folks, the Prodigy is a better buy, by a long shot.

        May 20, 2024 1:43 pm
      • Bob Dillon

        Wow, sounds like you have an axe to grind with Kimber. This is my first Kimber pistol and absolutely LOVE IT. Im not the best with irons on a pistol, but with a red dot, this pistol is kickass. I've had ZERO problems in the 6 months I've owned it, so no idea what this idiot is talking about- "very poor rear barrel fit"???? WTF does that even mean? So, Houston, there is a problem- its name is william overton rudder. Check the mental ward, you have an escapee!!

        June 10, 2024 4:32 pm
    • Judithe

      How is it compared to the Springfield Prodigy? This seems to be the market that Kimber is targeting, since a lot of people can't quite pull off the $2,500+ for a Staccato.
      Thanks for the great write-up; I'm going to look at this as my next purchase!

      March 24, 2024 12:42 am
      • william overton rudder

        Prodigy is a far better buy.

        May 20, 2024 1:43 pm
    • David Jones

      I love my Kimber KDS9c !!! I own a Kimber 1911 9mm "Black Ice" as well as (3) Kimber Micro 9's and was looking for something in between ! Bought the KDS9c based on how much I've been impressed with Kimber firearms. I also own a number of Sigs and custom CZ's, so I'm not easy to impress ! This handgun knocks it out of the park with all of it's features and how accurately it shoots. I Have carried it concealed several times and worked really well.
      Get One, you won't be disappointed !

      January 12, 2024 7:37 pm
    • BRAD SMITH

      wish I could buy one in California

      December 6, 2023 3:19 pm
      • Bob

        You can, but only with a 2 round mag.... LOL

        January 31, 2024 7:25 pm
        • Andrei

          It's even worse: California has a state-approved list of handguns you can buy, with a bunch of unnecessary "safety features" required to get a handgun approved for that list.

          February 20, 2024 3:36 pm
    • Godfrey Peltor

      I'd like to see more articles like this! This is a good-lookin' carry piece and sounds like a good deal for the price!

      November 24, 2023 4:33 am
      • Wyatt Sloan

        It definitely offers a lot for the money when you look at the other guns in class. I hope to see more pistols with similar features and performance for around the same price.

        November 26, 2023 2:29 am
    • Godfrey Peltor

      Goodness gracious, now this is the kind of American-made ingenuity that I've been huntin' for.

      Good ol' Kimber, the American classic, with a beautiful stainless look, them cuts under the trigger guard for these big ol' bear paws. Double stack 9mm? Just the cherry on top of this modern bad-guy remover. Ignore that "Needs muh .45ACP" guy below.

      A rail? What you gonna do flashlight 'em to death? NUTS!

      November 24, 2023 4:32 am
      • Andrei

        The flashlight is to help you see your target and sights when it's dark: not every self-defense scenario happens during the day, or inside a well light space.

        February 20, 2024 3:39 pm
    • D

      Safety needs to be ambi, rail needs to be added, needs 14-round .45ACP option too.

      Other than that, looks decent.

      November 23, 2023 7:27 pm
      • Wyatt Sloan

        I suspect their may be plans for an ambi safety given the construction, and a rail would be an easy addition. I don't think this mag and frame design would support .45 ACP though.

        November 26, 2023 2:28 am
        • Yetiman

          This is my first Kimber, though I have been shooting 1911's since the late 80's.
          I picked up a silver no rail KDS9c three weeks ago when Midway had them on sale. I have about 800 rounds through it right now, mostly 124gr Norma FMJ and about 80 124 +P Gold Dots.
          I had one failure to fire, and it went off when re struck.

          I have a plate for my Holosun 507c but haven't used it yet.

          The gun fits all my Commander holsters (The reason I didn't buy a rail version) which is a major plus.

          I HATE the way the rear sight looks from the side, but the sight picture is excellent. Accuracy has been very good.

          Overall I think this is a major winner.

          Did I go to long??

          June 12, 2024 9:19 pm
    Join the community! Log in
    Please provide a valid email address.
    Password is required.
    or
    Register
    Please provide a valid display name.
    Please provide a valid email address.
    The password should contain at least 8 characters with at least one number or special character.
    Please accept in order to continue.
    By unsubscribing, you will not be able to access exclusive training courses in your profile. You will still be able to save and access your products and articles.
    or
    Trouble logging in?
    Type your email address and we’ll send you a link to reset your password.
    Please provide a valid email.
    Password
    Type your new password and hit button below to confirm it.
    Field is required.
    Account already exists
    We already have an account registered for email address () which is linked to your Facebook account.
    To log in type your Pew Pew Meter password below.
    Field is required.
    Account already exists
    We noticed that you have previously logged in with your Account which is linked to the same email address () - we can link both of your accounts together.
    In order to link your accounts, hit button below and log in to your Account with the same email as above.

    Account in Pew Pew Tactical means more.

    Login or create a free account to get the following
    Access and save hundreds of reviews, gun guides, and articles!
    Find the best daily deals on guns, gear, and ammo
    Manage your newsletter subscriptions and comments