Kimber R7 MAKO 9mm Pistol Review: A Shark in the Handgun Market

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

I love the outdoors. Hiking, camping, fishing, you name it. But I also love feeling safe and prepared for any situation. That’s why I always carry a handgun with me when I go on an adventure. And my latest choice is the Kimber R7 MAKO 9mm pistol.

The Kimber R7 MAKO is a micro-compact, striker-fired, high-capacity, optics-ready handgun that was released in 2022. It’s designed to compete with the best in its class, such as the SIG Sauer P365, the Springfield Armory Hellcat, and the Smith & Wesson Shield Plus. But does it live up to the hype? And is it worth the price tag of $599 for the optic-ready version and $799 for the optic-installed version?

I decided to find out for myself and got the optic installed version which comes with a Crimson Trace CTS-1500 red dot sight mounted on it. Here are my impressions after shooting over 500 rounds with it.

Kimber R7 MAKO Design and Features

The first thing that caught my eye about the Kimber R7 MAKO was its sleek and futuristic look. The slide has a closed-top design, meaning that it has an ejection port instead of an open-top like most pistols. This gives it a more rigid and durable feel, as well as protecting the optic from gas and debris. Crud on the optic can be real problem with most pistols. The slide also has front and rear serrations for easy manipulation, and a black finish that resists corrosion and scratches.

Made with glass-filled nylon, the frame is lightweight and comfortable to hold. The grip has a near full-wrap texturing that provides a secure and ergonomic grip, even with wet or sweaty hands. The grip also has a slight palm swell that fills the hand nicely, and a beavertail that prevents slide bite. There is also an accessory rail for mounting lights or lasers.

The Kimber R7 MAKO comes with two steel magazines: one flush-fitting 11-round magazine and one extended 13-round magazine. The magazines have witness holes and orange followers for easy round count. An ambidextrous magazine release makes it easy to reach with either thumb.

Trigger and Sights

The trigger is one of the best features of the Kimber R7 MAKO. It’s a flat-faced, safety-bladed trigger that has a smooth and consistent pull of about 5.5 pounds. It breaks crisply and resets audibly and tactilely. The trigger guard is undercut for a higher grip and better control.

READ MORE: Kimber America Doubles Down with R7 Mako Micro-Compact

Similarly, the sights are another highlight of the Kimber R7 MAKO. It comes with TruGlo Tritium Pro night sights, which have white dots in the rear and an orange dot in the front. The sights are bright and easy to see in any lighting condition, and they co-witness with the red dot sight if you choose to install one.

The Kimber R7 MAKO is compatible with the Shield RMSc footprint for red dot sights, which is one of the most common footprints for micro-compact pistols. I opted for the Crimson Trace CTS-1500, which is a 3.5 MOA red dot sight that has a battery life of over two years. The sight was easy to install and zero, and it held zero throughout my testing.

Performance and Reliability

The Kimber R7 MAKO performed flawlessly during my range sessions. I shot various types of ammo, including FMJ, JHP, steel case, aluminum case, and +P loads. The Kimber R7 MAKO fed, fired, ejected, and locked back on every round without any malfunctions or failures.

The Kimber R7 MAKO was also very accurate and easy to shoot. Thanks to the low bore axis and the ergonomic grip, the recoil was mild and manageable. The trigger was crisp and responsive, allowing me to shoot fast and accurately. The sights were clear and aligned well with the target, and the red dot sight added an extra level of precision and speed.

READ MORE: Kimber Releases New 1911 RAPIDE, R7 Mako, and Limited-Edition Micro 9

I was able to shoot groups at various distances, from 7 yards to 25 yards. My Kimber R7 MAKO handled well in rapid fire drills, as well as in slow fire accuracy tests. I also shot some steel targets and paper targets with different shapes and sizes, and the Kimber R7 MAKO hit them all with ease.

Specifications for the Kimber R7

• Caliber: 9mm
• Weight: 19.5 ounces (unloaded)
• Length: 6.2 inches
• Height: 4.3 inches
• Width: 1 inch at grip
• Barrel Length: 3.37 inches
• Capacity: 11 Round Standard, 13 Round Extended and 10 Round Flush Captured Recoil Spring Assembly
• Sights: Iron Sights: 3-Dot TruGlo Tritium Pro Night Sights w/ Orange front ring and White rear rings
• Finish: FNC
• Trigger: Trigger Safety, Factory setting (approximate pounds): 5.5 – 6.75

Pros and Cons

Now, the Kimber R7 MAKO is not a perfect pistol, but it has a lot of pros that outweigh its cons. Here are some of the pros and cons that I found:

Pros:

• Sleek and futuristic design
• Closed-top slide for durability and optic protection
• Lightweight and comfortable frame
• Near full-wrap texturing for secure grip
• High-capacity magazines
• Ambidextrous magazine release
• Ambidextrous slide release
• Smooth and crisp trigger
• TRUGLO Tritium Pro night sights
• Optics-ready slide
• Compatible with Shield RMSc footprint
• Flawless reliability
• Excellent accuracy
• Mild recoil

Cons:

• Expensive price tag
• Internal extractor (some may prefer external)
• Limited holster options (due to new and unique design)

Recalls and Issues

Kimber discovered a quality issue involving the firing pin safety block of certain Kimber R7 model handguns. This recall affects certain Serial Numbers that were shipped from January 10, 2022 through February 14, 2022. This recall, while affecting a limited number of firearms, demonstrates Kimber’s commitment to safety and customer satisfaction. Affected owners were promptly notified, and Kimber offered free repairs or replacements. Since then, the company has taken steps to ensure rigorous quality control in its manufacturing process.

Conclusion

The Kimber R7 MAKO is a shark in the handgun market. It’s a micro-compact, striker-fired, high-capacity, optics-ready pistol that offers a lot of features and performance for its size. This gun is reliable, accurate, easy to shoot, and comfortable to carry. It’s also sleek and futuristic, making it stand out from the crowd.

The Kimber R7 MAKO is not a cheap pistol, but it’s worth the money if you’re looking for a quality handgun that can do it all. Whether you’re looking for a concealed carry pistol, a backup gun, or a fun range toy, the Kimber R7 MAKO can handle it.

I’m very happy with my Kimber R7 MAKO, and I plan to keep it as my go-to outdoor companion. It gives me confidence and peace of mind, knowing that I have a reliable and effective tool for self-defense and survival. If you’re looking for a similar pistol, I highly recommend checking out the Kimber R7 MAKO. You won’t regret it.

For more information visit Kimber by clicking HERE

Kimber R7 MAKO 9mm FAQs

Q: Is the Kimber Mako 9MM suitable for concealed carry?

A: Absolutely! The Mako’s compact size and lightweight construction make it an excellent choice for concealed carry. Its slim profile allows for easy concealment, while its reliable performance ensures peace of mind.

Q: Does the Mako have any safety features?

A: Yes, the Kimber Mako 9MM features a integrated trigger blade safety and internal safeties. These safety mechanisms provide an added layer of protection against accidental discharges.

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