Shipping with both 11- and 13-round magazines, the new Kimber R7 Mako micro-compact 9mm pistol debuted on Thursday.
Striker fired with a modular polymer frame, the R7 Mako is just 6.2-inches long overall, 4.3-inches high, and 1-inch wide. By comparison, this is a near match for the recently introduced Taurus GX4, Ruger MAX, Sig P365, S&W Shield Plus, and Springfield Armory Hellcat. Unlike some of these contemporaries, however, the Mako is optics-ready and has fully ambidextrous controls with a full wrap-around stippled texturing along with TruGlo Tritium Pro U-notch sights.
"Kimber reached out to carry enthusiasts and asked what was most important in a concealed-carry pistol; the resounding response included the requirement of an outstanding trigger and ability to carry with the confidence of having sufficient ammunition capacity for any situation," said the company in a release.
The R7 uses a stainless-steel slide with a matte FNC finish that covers the barrel hood to help keep the optics clean while its 3.37-inch low-tilt barrel is also stainless steel. The pistol comes standard with Kimber's new flat-face Performance Carry Trigger, which is billed as having a "consistent short pull and a clean, crisp break, making the R7’s factory-set 5.0 to 6.75 pound trigger pull feel much lighter."
Kimber has done a good job of getting the Mako in the hands of the YouTube gun review regulars and legacy gun media, and several have posted their initial takes on the newest micro-compact 9mm on the block. The below selection ranges from standard fodder from Shooting Illustrated, Guns & Ammo, and Personal Defense Worlds, to Colion Noir, Mr. Guns and Gear, and the Yankee Marshal.
