Kimber Next Gen 1911 Review [Hands-On Tested]

Kimber’s Next Gen 1911 is not a departure from that legacy — it’s a direct response to it. This is a pistol that embraces the classic feel and proportions of a traditional 1911 while giving shooters everything they’ve come to expect from custom builds and carry pistols in 2025.

It’s not a reinvention of the wheel.

It’s the wheel, blueprinted and re-machined with modern tools and smarter expectations. After running a couple of hundred rounds through it, carrying it IWB, and looking at it through the lens of both shooter and instructor, I think Kimber’s quietly delivered something pretty special here.

Let’s get into it.

Specs & Features

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm / .45 ACP
• Capacity: 9 rounds / 7 rounds
• Barrel Length: 5″
• Overall Length: 8.6″
• Height: 5.4″
• Width: 1.35″
• Recoil Spring Weight: 12 lbs / 16 lbs
• Weight w/ empty magazine: 36.2 oz

Features

• Optics ready – ships with RMR mounting plate
• Flush-fit deep crown SST barrel
• Black walnut with G10 inlay grips
• Available in stainless or two-tone variant

Some History

The 1911 pistol occupies a sacred space in the world of handgunning. For over a century, it’s been the gold standard of single-stack precision, mechanical elegance, and pure shooting enjoyment.

For many of us, owning a 1911 isn’t just a purchase — it’s a rite of passage. It’s one of the most deeply personalized handguns in American shooting culture, and it has inspired generations of shooters to chase that “just right” blend of performance and heritage.

(You can read more about the history of the 1911 here!)

And yet, the platform hasn’t always kept up with modern user expectations, until now. The Kimber 1911 Next Generation ushers in a more modern shooting experience that aims to keep up with the times while preserving what users love most about 1911s.

Ergonomics: Fit & Feel

Slide Work

The slide design on the Next Gen II is one of the most immediately striking parts of this pistol.

The Kimber’s finish isn’t too flashy for the sake of it; it’s deliberate. The top rib is flat cut with nine sharp serrations that reduce glare and give the slide a matte, focused presence under direct light.

It’s a detail that might go unnoticed in a product photo, but as soon as you get into your shooting stance outdoors, you’ll appreciate how well it controls the eye line and reduces distractions.

Instead of the now-popular tri-cut design, Kimber has gone a different route here. It’s a kind of quad bevel profile that’s both elegant and practical. The top bevels and forward slide serrations give you tactile confidence from any grip angle, and the bottom chamfer lifts the visual weight of the slide while preventing any hard edges from digging into your gear or your hands.

In terms of machining, this slide is sharp where it needs to be and smooth everywhere else. The forward and rear serrations are clean and confident, and when you run your hand across the flats, it doesn’t snag or bite. That might sound like a small thing; but carry a blocky 1911 long enough, and you’ll know why this matters.

Barrel & Crown

Kimber’s choice to run a stainless steel match-grade barrel with a deep crown and flush-cut fit at the bushing is a real nod to custom-shop aesthetics.

The fit at the muzzle is tight, clean, and perfectly aligned. When I wiped it down after my first 100-round session, I had that moment…the one where you look at the pistol and think, “This could have shipped from a gunsmith’s bench.”

And that’s kind of the point here. The Next Gen II is built for the shooter who wants that experience, without the waitlist or the second mortgage.

The barrel itself held tight groups with both range and defensive ammo, and I saw the best results from Lehigh Defense’s 170gr copper slug, which printed a tidy 2-inch group at 35 feet.

Velocity averaged 1038.6 fps, measured using my Garmin Xero chronograph, and this was on a warm 80-degree day at around 700 feet of elevation.

It’s not race-gun accuracy, but it’s far tighter than most factory offerings at this price.

Frame Features

The forged frame is where the Next Gen II really blends its heritage with modern sensibility.

Kimber has included 32 LPI checkering on the front strap, which walks the line beautifully between control and comfort. Some aggressive checkering can eat up your hands over time, but this strikes a balance. It bites just enough to keep the muzzle flat in fast strings, without creating fatigue.

You’ll also notice chamfers on the magazine well, specifically cut on three sides. During reloads, especially under stress, this matters more than people admit. Whether you’re reloading under a timer or one-handed on a bench, that little bit of flare makes a measurable difference in clean magazine alignment.

And while some purists may raise an eyebrow at the bobtail frame, for me it’s one of the best choices Kimber made. That aluminum mainspring housing pairs beautifully with the round butt steel frame to create a carry profile that simply disappears on the belt. I ran this gun in a Side Guard Holsters IWB reinforced snap, and it was shockingly comfortable for a full-size steel-framed gun. You don’t need a commander slide or a chopped grip to make the 1911 disappear—you just need smart design.

Sights & Optics

Sighting systems have become a dividing line in 1911 culture. Old guard shooters want their Novak-style irons. Newer shooters want optics cuts and plate compatibility. Kimber chose to offer both, and it works.

The Next Gen II ships with a black U-notch rear and a high-visibility red front post. Out of the box, it’s a capable and fast setup. But here’s the kicker—the entire rear sight and plate assembly lifts off to reveal an optic-ready cut for RMR-pattern optics, and it comes with a C&H Precision mounting plate.

I mounted my Meprolight MPO Pro-F, which happens to be one of my favorite carry optics right now. The footprint and weight complement the slide’s bevels nicely, and the optic sits at a height that allows for natural presentation without retraining your index. With the Pro-F in place, the pistol feels like it was born to host it.

Controls, Trigger, and Grips

The GT trigger is a standout. Kimber advertises a 4-pound pull with an overtravel stop, and mine measured right on the nose with a crisp wall and clean reset. The Series 70 action isn’t a tuned competition trigger, but it’s consistent, deliberate, and far better than what most factory 1911s offer at this price.

Kimber also opted for an external extractor, which is worth talking about. While some traditionalists will always want the internal claw, I found the external extractor to be utterly reliable during testing and easy to clean. For shooters who want low-maintenance longevity, this design choice makes sense.

The black walnut grips with G10 inlays were a surprise. At first glance, I assumed they were ornamental—just a touch of flair. But in the hand, they’re actually quite functional. The inlays offer grip texture exactly where you need it, and they don’t catch on clothing.

Kimber took the time to round the edges and make these comfortable for carry. Again, that’s a detail that gets missed in spec sheets but matters to daily users.

How Does the Kimber 1911 Next Generation Shoot?

Over the course of a few sessions, I put 100 rounds of mixed .45 ACP and 100 rounds of Wilson Combat JHP and Lehigh Defensive copper through the Next Gen II. The pistol ran flawlessly—no failures to feed, no extraction issues, no slide lock hiccups.

Recoil was flat and manageable, with the checkering and grip geometry helping control muzzle rise in quick pairs.

But beyond the range, I carried this gun. I wore it during workdays, range instruction, and regional travel. With the bobtail frame and chamfer-heavy slide, it sat low, rode easy, and printed far less than any other 5-inch 1911 I’ve carried.

If you’re someone who wants one 1911 to do everything—range, training, and discreet carry—this gun is a serious contender.

Improvements I’d Like to See

There’s not much I’d change, but if I had to be critical: I’d love to see a full-length guide rod instead of the standard plug. It adds some stability, weight, and easier recoil spring changes for those who like tuning their setups.

Second, 8-round magazines should be standard. The included 7-rounders are reliable, but in 2025, a modernized 1911 should ship with that extra round. It’s a small bump, but it makes a difference in carry contexts.

By the Numbers

Accuracy: 4/5

Good performance and industry-standard accuracy at 35 feet.

Reliability: 4/5

One time, through my firing, did I experience an issue where the slide failed to lock to the rear on empty. No other notable issues occurred.

Ergonomics: 4/5

Kimber has put an incredible amount of extra steps and cuts into making this a very ergonomic 1911.

Customization: 3/5

Ability to mount an optic but it lacks a rail. It would be great to be able to mount a light and that may be on the product roadmap from Kimber.

Value: 5/5

With so many extra steps and cuts it offers an incredible value to those looking for a more “Custom” feeling 1911 that doesn’t break the bank. At $999 MSRP, it delivers features you’d expect to see in pistols $500 higher.

Overall: 4/5

1911s speak to their market on their own. At first glance, you’d understand if this was “your” 1911 or not. I think for many, this is an instant nod, yes.

Final Thoughts

The Kimber Next Gen II is more than a refresh. It’s a philosophical update — a recognition that shooters want legacy and modern performance in the same chassis.

With two different two-tone color schemes to pick from and two calibers as well, deciding is a bit more difficult. From the beveled slide cuts to the optic-ready system, to the thoughtful ergonomics and carry-conscious lines, this 1911 is built for the modern traditionalist.

Kimber didn’t reinvent the 1911. They refined it for the next chapter.

What do you think of the Kimber Next Gen? Let us know in the comments below! For more 1911s, check out our list of the Best 1911s.