Kimber 2K11: Double-Stack Race Gun

Double-stack 1911-style pistols (more colloquially known as 2011s) have generated pretty strong reactions — positive and negative — among the firearms community over the years, but it’s safe to say that they’ve now cemented their position as high-performance pistols.

We don’t need to tell you about the 1911, the most American of American pistols, chiseled out of pure badassery by Saint John Moses Browning himself. As a pistol chambered in the portly .45ACP cartridge with a single-stack magazine, it doesn’t provide you with a whole lot of rounds before needing a reload. Despite macho protestations about not needing more than a handful of rounds to take care of business, more is better. 

So companies such as Para Ordnance began making double-stack magazines and frames as early as 1989. A few years later, Sandy Strayer and Virgil Tripp designed the 2011 as we now know it, with its signature two-piece frame and grip.

For the longest time, 2011s remained largely in the realm of competition shooters and enthusiasts. The platform, from the gun itself to custom gunsmithing to magazines, was expensive. Magazines could be finicky and often had to be sent out to alchemists who would tune and sprinkle them with chupacabra dust to function reliably. They required regular maintenance and attention to keep them running at peak levels.

The end result, however, was a thing of beauty. The trigger could be tuned to perfection, with a light, crisp break and a razor short reset. And it travels straight to the rear, making it easier to execute a clean trigger press. While the grip is chunky — it was designed to accommodate a double-stack .45ACP magazine — the ergonomics of the pistol are excellent, allowing you to get a high grip, place a lot of meat on the gun, exert leverage on it, and acquire and maintain the same grip consistently. 

Palmetto State Armory	$1,800
Guns.com	$2,000
KY Gun Co	$2,200

Additionally, 2011s are heavy, and many shooters find the grip angle to point very naturally. All of these things result in a shooting experience where many users are able to shoot more accurately and consistently, as well as manage recoil more effectively, than they would otherwise expect. There’s a reason that people often refer to 2011 pistols as “cheat codes,” and when competitors are purely chasing the best results without consideration for budget or brand preferences, so many of them end up with 2011-style guns.

Still, tactical shooters sneered at them, calling them unreliable gamer guns. Clearly, they weren’t actually unreliable, since serious competitors have significantly higher round counts than most and could lose matches if their guns aren’t reliable. However, they required effort to achieve that reliability.

Since then, Staccato made reliability a key priority, finally solving the magazine problem. Their duty-grade 2011s exploded in popularity, and officers who saw their quals improve clamored for them. Now, these so-called “gamer guns” are hanging on duty belts and hidden in concealment holsters all across the country.

KIMBER 2.0

Like 2011s, Kimber also engenders some strong opinions amongst gun owners. The company has been making some big changes, moving from New York to Alabama and christening its new facility in 2022. With over 80 acres and 250,000 square feet in Troy, Alabama, Kimber refined its priorities and has been on a tear, releasing new products at a rapid pace. They’re focused more than ever on what customers are asking for and have adjusted how they design and develop their guns, including collaborations to incorporate expertise from others.

While Kimber has several double-stack pistols in its product mix, they never made a 2011-style double-stack 1911 — until now, with their new 2K11 pistol. They’ve applied their time-worn formula, looking to offer custom features in a production gun. Kimber is offering four variations at launch: a base model, stainless target, target, and target with a Trijicon SRO optic included. The sample gun shown here is the higher-end target model. Did we mention it’s available not just in 9mm but also .45 ACP?

The 2K11 fundamentally is a classic 2011 design with an all-metal two-piece lower. The frame is made from DLC-coated stainless steel, with a Picatinny light rail on the dust cover. Rather than polymer, the grip module is machined from 7075 aluminum with moderately grippy checkering all the way around, except for the stainless target model that comes with a Kevlar and carbon-fiber grip. The trigger guard is thinner than standard polymer 2011 grips; combined with the undercut on the grip, you can get your hand high on the gun. The grip safety is functional; many competitors pin them on match guns, but this one engages fairly early in its travel so shouldn’t be much of a concern.

Kimber worked with custom gunsmith Stan Chen to develop a magwell specifically for the 2K11. It’s impeccably designed with all of the OCD that you’d expect from Chen. Note that it’s taller than many other magwells; in other words, the top of it is a little closer to the trigger guard, which some may prefer as providing additional leverage. It also doesn’t flare out as much to the sides as many others, making it more comfortable for those with big hands — as well as fitting in the IDPA box. We removed it to compare it to others. 

Kimber’s dimensions on the bottom of the grip appear to be slightly larger than typical 2011s, so if you have a base model 2K11 that doesn’t come with a magwell and want to add one, aftermarket magwells will likely require some fitting. Kimber also designed the frame to prevent over-insertion of magazines and to protect the ejector, a nice bonus feature for those with poor stage planning; however, this also prevents MBX magazines from seating.

The quint-topped stainless steel slide is hand-fit and glides smooth as silk. The base model is DLC coated, the stainless target has a matte KimPro granite finish, and the two target models sport a coyote PVD coating. All are optics-ready, with a TAG Precision FiberLok front sight and a rear cover plate with built-in adjustable, plain black serrated rear sight (the base model comes with a fixed rear). To mount optics, Kimber uses C&H Precision adapter plates. 

Thankfully, one with an RMR footprint is included with the gun; plates for RMSc, DPP, ACRO, and 509T footprints are also available. All models have funky front and rear serrations with front cutouts on all but the base model. The corners are purposely left rather sharp to ensure good purchase. 

Notably, Kimber has gone back to an external extractor on the 2K11; they say they’ve dialed it in to provide enhanced durability and reliability. And fear not — it’s long, not short. Another thing for folks to get into internet fights about: the slide features a disconnector ramp cut. Indeed, hand cycling the slide is buttery. 

The bushing-less barrel is DLC-coated stainless steel with 5R rifling. It’s ramped and fluted all over. The guide rod is a new proprietary Kimber design that locks for disassembly by simply twisting it. It’s brilliant and makes field stripping the gun so quick and easy. No more bent paperclips!

SPECS: KIMBER 2K11 TARGET (OR)

• Caliber: 9mm
• Capacity: 17 or 20+1 rounds
• Weight: 38.5 ounces (unloaded with iron sights)
• Barrel Length: 5 inches
• Length: 8.6 inches
• MSRP: $2,495

OFF TO THE RACES

Once you install an optic, the 2K11 is ready to go for Limited Optics division in USPSA. We fitted Holosun’s 507 Competition sight, which has a huge window. We appreciate the recoil lug on the slide for the optic mounting plate; it uses T-nuts to secure the optic, which works but isn’t our favorite type of system. 

The narrower trigger guard that we mentioned before may cause some issues with some 2011 holster fitments. Some of our old 2011 holsters worked fine, others were a little off. Holsters that lock up on the weaponlight, such as a SureFire X300U, also worked. We mainly used a Crucial Concealment Covert OWB holster that’s specifically molded for the 2K11.

After mounting the optic, we could feel the slide binding while manipulating it. During our first range session, we experienced numerous failures to go completely into battery; the slide would stop a little short. After some trouble shooting and disassembly, we discovered that the firing pin stop was out of spec. It was oversized and dragging on the ejector and sometimes the frame, exacerbated by the tail end of the optic mounting plate pressing downward on the top of the firing pin stop. 

Kimber dropped replacements in the mail, but we were impatient. Some filing solved the problem, and we were back in business.

We shot five-shot groups off sandbags to check accuracy and muzzle velocities. At 20 yards, the largest groups were from Federal Syntech Training Match 124-grain at 1.3 inches and 1,163 fps. With CCI Blazer and Winchester white box 115-grain FMJ, we’d shoot three rounds in a cloverleaf with the next two increasing the total spread to 0.7 to 1.1 inches, with average velocities of 1,134 and 1,200, respectively. 

Federal Gold Medal Action Pistol 147-grain did the same, with group sizes of 0.8 to 1 inch at 885 fps. Finally, Winchester RA9T 147-grain duty ammo delivered groups of 0.7 to 0.9 inch, at 999 fps. Needless to say, we were pleased with the 2K11’s accuracy potential.

The trigger certainly helped, with a short take up followed by a crisp 3-pound break and short reset. Kimber went with a long, flat-faced aluminum trigger shoe. We’d prefer a shorter one for our stubby fingers, but those with long digits will appreciate it.

Ergonomics are peak 2011 

goodness, with a few things to note. First, the slide serrations and especially the front cutouts are absolute DNA collectors — there’s no way you’ll lose your grip on this slide. On the other hand, we wouldn’t have minded if the grip checkering were a tad bit sharper. The tail end of the left-side thumb safety where it pivots needs additional melting, like on the right side; it caused an irritating hot spot during live fire.

Speaking of the ambi safety, it needs a little extra clearance as our test gun is showing some wear on the slide from it. To nitpick a bit more, Kimber’s beavertail grip safety is a little fatter than the thinner high-ride grip safeties on our other 2011s, which are handy to get higher on the gun with better purchase. 

We shot USPSA-style stages with the 2K11, and it was everything you’d want from a double-stack race gun. The ergonomics rewarded us with a consistent, durable grip, presenting naturally and easily returning on target after each shot. There’s less stress taking precision shots and high-risk targets, while hoser targets are a blast to shred. 

Two other shooters tried out the Kimber. One loved it and burned the stage down with it; he has large hands and didn’t have any complaints about hot spots. Another shot well with the 2K11 but said it didn’t fit him; he explained that his agency recently approved Staccatos but he hasn’t switched for the same reason after trying one out. Meanwhile, many of his compatriots jumped at the opportunity.

Palmetto State Armory	$1,800
Guns.com	$2,000
KY Gun Co	$2,200

IYKYK

So, 2011-style pistols may not be for everyone. But if you’re on Team 2011, you’ll love the Kimber 2K11. They’re amazing shooters and look great to boot; our Target model is downright sexy. If you’ve never shot a 2011, you owe it to yourself to try a 2K11. The base model retails at $2,125, so street prices are even lower. 

You’ll see why so many people love the ergonomics and trigger on these guns. We should add that Kimber brought in Special Forces veteran and USPSA Grand Master Frank Proctor to consult on design choices and tuning the 2K11; it shows. Kimber has incorporated everything you need to compete in matches.

We’ve gone through around 800 rounds and had no malfunctions once we filed the firing pin stop after our first range trip. And the external extractor has functioned reliably throughout; we’ve only cleaned the gun once. Time will tell as the round count climbs with more matches, but our 2K11 continues to deliver.

Kudos to Kimber for coming out blazing with the 2K11.

F.A.Q.

How Many Rounds Does The Kimber 2K11 Hold?

The 2K11 comes with one 17-round magazine and one 20-round magazine, but compatible 2011-style magazines commonly come in up to 26-round extended mags.

How Much Does A Kimber 2K11 cost?

Depending on the model, $1,600 to $2,300 are the street prices at time of publishing.

What Kimber Did John Wick Use?

Kimber Warrior 1911 .45 ACP pistol

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