NRA Gun Of The Week: Kimber Rapide Black Ice

by
posted on April 1, 2022
** 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 has built its identity with an expansive lineup of M1911 handguns. In addition to smaller 1911-style pistols like the Micro 9 and Micro 380, the company has also introduced a number of big-bore guns designed for handgun hunting, camp defense and more. While .45 ACP is a mainstay in Kimber’s 1911 collection, the 10 mm Auto chambering is available in a number of designs, like the Rapide Black Ice seen on the range in the above video.

man wearing black shirt ballcap earmuffs on shooting range with handgun kimber america rapide black ice 10 mm video remote camera


The Rapide Black Ice in 10 mm Auto ships from Kimber with a stainless-steel slide and frame. A DLC-treated barrel comes standard for added reliability and corrosion protection. Adding to the Rapide's eye-catching aesthetics and functionality are uniquely textured black G10 stock panels. While many M1911s feature traditional serrations and slide cuts, the Rapide Black Ice incorporates a windowed slide, along with specially milled serrations at the front and rear that sit within cut borders. Kimber’s effective Stiplex texturing treatment is provided for enhanced purchase. Rectangular cutouts on the gun's backstrap provide additional grip texturing.

Kimber America Rapide Black Ice 10 mm Auto left-side view stainless steel gun gray silver semi-automatic

 

A generous beavertail grip safety comes standard on the Rapide Black Ice, as well as a skeletonized hammer and a skeletonized trigger, all upgrades from the standard M1911. A left-side magazine release is also standard, though lefties will appreciate the mirrored thumb safety. The provided Tru-Glo TFX Pro night sights feature an orange circle with an illuminated tritium center on the front post and two illuminated tritium dots on the rear sight face that we found to be effective for myriad target types.

close-up right-side view handgun Kimber America Rapide Black Ice 10 mm Auto handgun pistol gun


With its 10 mm Auto chambering, the Kimber Rapide Black Ice can be a bit of a handful for the uninitiated, but given its all-steel construction and full-length, 5-inch barrel, sheer weight helps temper some of the blistering power of the cartridge. Our range testers particularly appreciated the combined texturing techniques found on all faces of the grip, as it helped anchor the jumpy gun in our hands. Reloads were fast and easy, thanks to the generously flared magazine well, and the combination of the match-grade barrel with the easily picked-up Tru-Glo sights allowed us to put rounds exactly where we wanted them.

Specifications
Manufacturer: Kimber America
Model: Rapide Black Ice
Action Type: recoil-operated, semi-automatic, centerfire, repeating pistol
Chambering: 10 mm Auto
Frame: stainless steel
Slide: stainless steel
Finish: KimPro II Silver/Gray
Barrel: 5"
Sights: Tru-Glo TFX Pro
Stocks: G10
Magazine: eight-round detachable box
Overall Length: 8.7"
Width: 1.28"
MSRP: $1,665

Latest

smith & wesson performance center model 19 carry comp moss
smith & wesson performance center model 19 carry comp moss

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 6, 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.

FEMA Notes Decline In Disaster Preparedness

A recent report from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) noted a decline in local government preparedness for natural disasters, putting increased pressure on individuals to prepare themselves for emergencies.

Army Announces Type Classification Of New Infantry Rifle, Machine Gun

In May 2025, the U.S. Army’s Soldier Lethality Project at the Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey announced the official type classification of SIG Sauer’s M7 rifle and M250 automatic rifle, previously known as the XM7 and the XM250, respectively.

RXR22: Savage Arms Redefines The Budget Rimfire Rifle

Savage Arms has a long history of producing affordable and accurate rimfire rifles, but with its RXR22, the company is bringing a new level of affordability and modularity to rimfire rifle fans.

SARCO: A Lifetime Covered Up With Surplus Firearm Parts

When it comes to selling gun parts and gun-related military surplus, Charles “Cholly” Steen has been at it for longer than almost anyone. It all started when, as a 5-year-old, he began stashing odds and ends in the drawers of his clothes dresser.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.