Kimber Firearm’s lineup of M1911 handguns varies from the traditional to the radical. The company isn’t afraid of deviating from the standard M1911 form either, offering everything from proprietary, compact carry pistols that maintain some elements of John Browning’s original design to hybrid-framed 2011 pistols. It’s elements from that last pistol, their recently released 2K11s that have crept into the company's traditional pistols, with Kimber’s new-for-2025 Next Generation 1911.
The Next Generation 1911 is based around a full-size (5” barrel), all-steel pistol with a single column magazine. Barrels use a traditional bushing paired with a mil-spec guide rod. From there, the pistol starts to borrow details from the 2K11, starting with its optics-ready (via a C&H Precision optics adapter plate) slide and has a serrated flat top to reduce glare on the sighting plane. The extractor is external.
A match-grade GT Performance Trigger, factory set for a 4 to 5 lb. pull weight, is lifted and paired with a sloped disconnector ramp. Grips are made of black walnut with a G10 inlay. Sights are a blade front with an orange dot set into a dovetail and a notch rear that is fixed to the optics adapter plate. Each pistol ships with two magazines, plus an RMR footprint adapter plate.
Kimber’s Next Generation 1911s are available chambered in 9 mm Luger or .45 ACP with two finish options. The first is a custom two-tone with a stainless steel slide with a black KimPro II finish and a stainless steel frame with a satin silver finish, and the second has both slide and frame in satin silver stainless steel. The pistols, in either finish or chambering, have an MSRP of $999. For more information, see the company’s website.
