New For 2024: Kimber R7 Mako Compact Carbon

by
posted on September 25, 2024
** 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. **
Right side of the Kimber R7 Mako Compact Carbon.
Images courtesy of Kimber Mfg.

Kimber jumped into the micro-compact handgun market in 2021 with its R7 Mako, a polymer-frame, striker-fired 9 mm Luger pistol. New for 2024, the company is giving the Mako its most extensive makeover to date, with the R7 Mako Compact Carbon.

Left side of the all-black Kimber R7 Mako Compact Carbon.The Mako Carbon Compact features an all-new frame made of a carbon-fiber infused matrix.

The most obvious area in which the Mako Compact Carbon stands apart from previous versions is in its frame design. Its profile has been re-designed, with an extended frame beavertail, high undercut on the grip, squared-off and textured trigger guard, three-slot Picatinny accessory rail on its dustcover and more aggressive molded-in stippling.

An interchangeable backstrap system allows for the grip size to be customized, with four sizes provided. While previous Mako models used an 11-round magazine, with extended capacity magazines available, the Compact Carbon has a longer grip with an enlarged magwell that accommodates a flush-fit magazine with a capacity of 15 rounds.

This new frame design is more than on the surface. Kimber makes the Compact Carbon’s frame out of a carbon-fiber infused matrix that the company claims “delivers superior durability featuring up to a 60,000 lb p.s.i. tensile strength.”

Right side of the suppressor-ready Kimber R7 Mako Compact Carbon.The Mako Compact Carbon uses the extended slide of the previously introduced Mako TFS and an extended grip that houses a flush-fit 15-round magazine.

Other features remain the same as previous Mako models. Slide release and magazine release are bilateral for completely ambidextrous use. The slide has the longer length of Kimber’s previously introduced TFS Mako models. It features an optics cut with a Shield RMSc footprint. Both slide and barrel are made of stainless steel and have Kimber’s ferritic nitro carburizing (FNC) finish. Sights are TruGlo Tritium Pro night sights.

Left side of the Kimber R7 Mako Compact Carbon with a Holosun red-dot optic attached.The Mako Carbon Compact is available in Optics Ready (OR), Optics Installed (OI) and Threaded for Suppression (TFS) models (OI model pictured).

The R7 Mako Compact Carbon is available in either a standard model 3.92” or a “Threaded for Suppression” (TFS) model that features an extended 4.42” barrel with its muzzle threaded 1/2 x 28 TPI. Each of the models are available in either optics ready (OR) or with a Holosun HS407K X2 installed from the factory (OI) formats.

  • Mako Compact Carbon (OR): $735
  • Mako Compact Carbon (OI): $995
  • Mako Compact Carbon (OR)(TFS): $795
  • Mako Compact Carbon (OI)(TFS): $1,080

For more information, visit the company’s website.

Latest

Armscor Tm22 S 18 Gotw F
Armscor Tm22 S 18 Gotw F

Gun Of The Week: Armscor TM22-S-18

We're on the range in this video to get a closer look at an affordable plinker imported by Armscor. Whether you’re training on a budget or just want a rimfire for plinking, the TM22 is a proven platform worth investigating.

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 22, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Winter Warrior: The Finnish Lahti-Saloranta M/26 LMG

A little-known light machine gun from the inter-war era, the Finnish Lahti-Saloranta M/26 garnered a poor reputation during its service in World War II, but a closer look and some context reveals how innovative it was for its time.

Federal Ammunition Honored By National 4-H Shooting Sports

Federal Ammunition was recently honored with the 2025 4-H Shooting Sports Pioneer Award, which recognizes individuals or companies that have made significant contributions to the 4-H Shooting Sports program at a national level.

I Have This Old Gun: Polish Vis 35 Radom

One of the lesser-known designs from the 1930s, the Vis 35 Radom is widely considered to be one of the best of the pre-World War II handguns.

Rifleman Q&A: Colt 1860 12-Notch Conversion

"At a gun show, I saw a Colt 1860 Army Richards Conversion with 12 cylinder notches instead of the usual six. The dealer was not sure whether this was original to the gun. Were these extra notches a factory variation or just some frontier gunsmith’s backroom project?"

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.