Kimber, known for quality 1911s, has applied their creative eye to the new Rapide Black Ice. They also updated the Micro 9 and added a 4″ barrel to their K6S DASA revolver. True Pearce takes a closer look at these handguns in this video:
Beyond its function as a reliable 1911, the Rapide Black Ice just looks and feels good. The cutouts above the carry cut are mirrored in the ports on the slide as well on the mainspring housing and even in the black G10 grips.
The ports in the side and top of the slide are simply lightening cuts; the barrel itself is not ported. The 5″ barrel does have a diamond-like carbon (DLC coating), however. DLC is highly durable and smooth and should help this gun operate smoothly while also making clean up easy.
The trigger guard is undercut and the grip safety is contoured to help attain a high grip. It comes chambered for the classic .45 ACP, but 9mm and 10mm are also available.
The Rapide is 8.7″ long with Tru-Glo TFX fiber optic sights, and the rear sight is adjustable for windage. Kimber’s Rapide Black Ice will begin shipping in February 2020. MSRP for the .45 ACP is $1,490, while the 9mm and 10mm are $1,510.
The Micro 9 is an established subcompact 9mm pistol design. One thing that makes it popular is the variety of finishes and embellishments Kimber offers. The latest addition to the pack is the Triari.
It has stacked cubes laser cut into the black oxide finish of the stainless steel slide to aid in cocking and the same pattern continues on the Micarta grips and straps. Click here for more details on the Micro 9 Triari. MSRP $788.
Also new this year, Kimber has added a 4″ barrel to the K6S DASA Combat. It has a very good trigger, slim cylinder, and the new 4″ barrel will help with this .357 magnum’s accuracy. Kimber is also making it in a target configuration with a fully-adjustable rear sight. MSRP: $989.
Specs for Rapide Black Ice
- Caliber: 9mm, 10mm, .45 ACP
- Height (inches) 90° to barrel: 5.25
- Weight (ounces) with empty magazine: 38
- Length (inches): 8.7
- Magazine capacity: 8
- Recoil spring (pounds): 16.0
- Full-length guide rod
Frame
- Material: Stainless steel
- Finish: Black, KimPro II
- Width (inches): 1.28
Slide
- Material: Stainless steel
- Finish: black, KimPro II
- Front serrations
Barrel
- Length (inches): 5
- Material: Stainless steel, match grade w/ DLC coating
- Stainless steel match grade bushing
- Twist rate (left hand): 16
Sights
- Tru-Glo TFX Pro Day Night
Grips
- Black Rapide G10 grips
Trigger
- V-Cut aluminum
- Factory setting (approximate pounds): 4.0 – 5.0
I own one it is all most a custom made mrico9.It feels great and is a dream to shoot.I have 4 different mirco 9.It is the best of all 4
I like the looks as a BBQ kind of pistol- but given my proven ability to get dirt/mud/crud, into my gear, it’s best if I don’t carry firearms allowing more of that stuff into important places 🙂 In response to the JMB credit- the 1911 isn’t perfect. JMB knew the extractor was a compromise- he designed a better one in the Hi-Power. The staked front sights (Colts…et al) just flat suck. If you handload, lowered ejection ports are nice- they save beating your brass to pieces… Kimber is making a better hammer! I want one in 10mm!
More superfluous bells and whistles to take more money from your wallet. A 1911 the way JMB intended doesn’t need chrome bumpers. Save your money and buy an AO or RIA. You’ll get more bang for your buck and have a pistol true to the original design. Hard to improve on perfection.
Who pissed in your Wheaties? Geez!!!
I heard beautiful so many times I thought I was watching Martha Stewart. Top of my list is reliability, ergo, placement of controls, capacity, ease of breakdown and on and on. “Pretty” is far down the list. I admit I am old school but pretty to me is a 1911A1 in blue with diamond wood grips, not some silver thing with holes in the slide that looks like it should belong to some mexican general.
Are you reading the same article as me ? I didn’t see the word beautiful once. I did read one time “Beyond its function as a reliable 1911, the Rapide Black Ice just looks and feels good.” So you don’t like the firearm or the price ? Maybe you don’t like the authors choice of words ? Maybe you should get a job writing articles for a living ? I wonder how many people would criticize you work ?
Read o heard
Eat your heart out Kimber haters