NRA Gun of the Week: Kimber Aegis Elite Pro OI

by
posted on March 19, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Kimber America’s Aegis Elite Pro OI is another well-crafted addition to the company’s expansive lineup of 1911 pistols. Despite the gun’s full-size frame, this latest model iteration of the famed John Browning pistol design incorporates many elements that make it a capable carry option. In addition, the Aegis Elite Pro comes machined for slide-mounted optic, which further updates the classic handgun design for the 21st century.

Pistol in brown holster tan pants black shirt text on image

Kimber made a concession to CCW holders with a rounded treatment at the heel of the frame, a place that has a tendency to easily print through concealment. Pairing the frame modifications with melted edges throughout, the Commander-size Aegis Elite Pro is further validated as a carry gun with its corrosion-resistant KimPro II finish that gives the pistol a two-tone look. Additionally, Kimber relies on stainless steel for the slide and frame.

Pistol slide hammer steel metal glass optic text on image

Unique slide serrations are supplied to foster positive purchase during manipulation and help to ward off irritation when carried inside the waistband. Kimber employs multi-colored G10 stocks and straight-line serrations on the gun’s mainspring housing for additional grip. An extended beavertail grip safety and over-sized thumb safety are standard equipment. A skeletonized hammer and trigger add a modern look to the gun and quicken lock time.

Handgun grip silver metal color patterns

American Rifleman’s preview sample came chambered for 9 mm Luger and supplied with a 6 m.o.a. Vortex Venom red-dot sight. Our testers noted thoughtful additions such as all-steel construction, full-length steel guide rod, and optic combined with a bushingless, bull barrel and suppressor-height sights bolster the 1911's capability as a modern pistol defense for defensive use.

Metal steel shiny barrel gun muzzle parts handgun pistol

Watch our NRA Gun of the Week video above to learn more about the Kimber Aegis Pro OI.

Kimber Aegis Pro OI Specifications

Manufacturer: Kimber America

Action Type: recoil-operated, single-action, semi-automatic pistol

Chambering: 9 mm Luger

Frame: stainless steel, KimPro II finish

Slide: stainless steel, KimPro II Finish

Barrel: 4” stainless steel

Sights: raised, three-white-dot configuration

Optic: Vortex Venom, 6 m.o.a.

Magazine: nine-round detachable box

Height: 5.25”

Length: 7.7”

Width: 1.28”

Weight: 40 ozs.

MSRP: $1,516

Further Reading:
A Look Inside Kimber

Making an Impression: Kimber’s Rapide Black Ice 10 mm

Review: Kimber EVO SP

NRA Gun of the Week: Kimber K6s Revolver


The Kimber Rifle Story


Latest

AC Podcast Screenshot With Greenlee 9.16.26
AC Podcast Screenshot With Greenlee 9.16.26

The History of Repeating Arms Gun-Control Groups Don’t Want the Courts to Know

This episode of NRA’s The Armed Citizen Podcast refutes one of the biggest false claims gun-control groups and the politicians they support repeat ad nauseam by asserting that the Founding Fathers could not have imagined the AR-15.

Rifleman Review: Springfield Armory Kuna

Initially designed by Croatian manufacturer HS Produkt to fulfill a military contract, the Kuna has since arrived on U.S. shores through Springfield Armory as a semi-automatic, large-format handgun chambered for the 9 mm Luger cartridge.

All-American AK: The Bear Creek Arsenal BC-47

North Carolina’s Bear Creek Arsenal makes AR-15s, 10/22s and handguns, but new for 2026, it is introducing its first AK-pattern firearm with the BC-47.

Review: TNW Firearms ASR 1911

Reliable pistol-caliber carbines, especially with quick-caliber-change capability, are fun, and the ASR 1911 from TNW Firearms is one of the most unique of the bunch.

GOEX Resumes Black Powder Production

Voyager Technologies announced on Sept. 8 that the GOEX plant in Camp Minden, La.—the sole black powder manufacturing facility located in the United States—has been modernized and is back in production.

NRA-ILA Names SIG SAUER Official Partner of the 2026 NRA Gun Bus Battleground Tour

New Hampshire-based firearms and weapons-systems maker joins NRA-ILA on the road.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.