NRA Gun Of The Week: Kimber R7 Mako

Following Kimber America’s extensive lineup of M1911 handguns and bolt-action rifles is the latest offering from the Alabama-based manufacturer—the R7 Mako—a polymer-framed, micro-compact handgun with optic-mounting capability. It is safe to say the R7 Mako is a complete departure from the steel-frame M1911s its maker is known to produce.

Borrowing technology from Browning’s blueprints gives the R7 Mako repeatable functionality through recoil operation, though Kimber has done so rather uniquely. A lug at the top of the barrel locks into a matching recess on the top face of the slide creating an arrangement that is designed to prevent gas and debris from blowing out of the chamber and obscuring a mounted optic.

That’s right, the R7 Mako truly is an optic-ready handgun. Kimber produces two models, one with a milled slide and cover plate, and the other with an included Crimson Trace CTS-1500 optic installed. Both feature Glock-pattern sight dovetails and three-dot sights; a set of Truglo Tritium Pro night sights are included and co-witness easily with a mounted red-dot.

Ergonomic styling of the micro-compact frame is designed to assist operators with achieving positive purchase, thanks to the high relief cut under the magazine release, as well as a rounded backstrap, texturing panels throughout, beveled magazine baseplates and a well-contoured slide. Bilateral controls provided with the R7 Mako mean that even right-handed shooters can make full, effective use of a gun should their strong hand be injured or otherwise occupied in a fight. Watch our NRA Gun of the Week video above to watch the R7 Mako in action.

From holster to target, our experience on the range with Kimber’s striker-fired R7 Mako proved that the diminutive concealed-carry gun packs a big punch. Formal testing of the Kimber R7 Mako by American Rifleman staff recorded an average accuracy spread of 0.76” from five consecutive, five-shot groups at 7 yards.

Kimber America R7 Mako Specifications
Manufacturer: Kimber MFG., Inc.
Action Type: recoil-operated, semi-automatic, centerfire pistol
Chambering: 9 mm Luger
Slide: stainless steel
Frame: glass-filled nylon
Barrel: 3.37” stainless steel
Magazine: 11-round detachable box
Sights: steel; three-dot
Trigger: stiker-fired
Height: 5” (with optic installed)
Length: 6.2”
Width: 1.18”
Weight: 22.6 ozs. with optic
MSRP: $599 (base), $799 (optic included)