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  4. First Look at the New Kimber R7 Mako Carbon Compact 9mm

Alabama-based Kimber is pushing the boundary on its well-liked R7 Mako series with a new Carbon Compact line – and Guns.com has a sneak peek. 

The Mako R7 line first swam to market in 2017 as an 11/13+1 9mm micro-compact that was soon one of the company's most popular models. Then came updated threaded barrel R7 TFS models, which gave a more tactical 15+1 round suppressor-ready option for the modern-day EDC crowd. 
 

Related Review: We Went 500 Rounds With the Kimber R7 Micro Compact 9mm


Now, with almost a decade of service, including the platform seeing the elephant in Ukraine, Kimber has taken lessons learned and developed the Carbon Compact. 

The new R7 series gets its name due to the redesigned frame constructed with a carbon fiber-infused matrix that delivers superior durability (up to a 60,000 psi tensile strength) over compared to standard polymer frames. This frame also gives the ability for a flared magwell and four interchangeable modular backstraps, both features that are big upgrades from legacy R7s. 

Standard features of the new pistols are a pair of 15-shot magazines, an installed flared magwell, fully ambi surface controls, and three-dot TruGlo Tritium Pro night sights with an orange front ring and white rear rings: 

The new Kimber R7 Mako Carbon Compact will be offered in four models. 

  • A carry-friendly optics-ready basic model with a 3.9-inch barrel. (MSRP: $735)
  • An optics-included 3.9-inch model that ships with a Holosun HS 407K already installed. ($995)
  • An optics-ready TFS version with an extended 4.42-inch threaded barrel. ($795)
  • An optics-included TFS version that not only has the threaded barrel but also ships with a Holosun HS 407K. ($1,080)

Guns.com had a chance to head to Kimber's factory in Troy, Alabama for a couple days last month to both see how these pistols are crafted and to lay hands on them on the range. 

 

Kimber factory
Kimber's new 250,000-square-foot state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and headquarters, which the company started moving to in 2019 from New York, can make over 1,500 pistols per day if needed. (All Photos: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
Kimber R7 Mako Carbon Compact 9mm
The new Carbon Compact has a completely redesigned frame compared to Kimber's original R7s. 
Kimber R7 Mako Carbon Compact 9mm
The new carbon-fiber infused matrix frame includes ambidextrous slide lever and magazine releases, molded stippling, and a high undercut that provides superb ergonomics and control.
Kimber R7 Mako Carbon Compact 9mm
Plus a flared magwell. Four interchangeable modular backstraps are included – a feature the standard R7 didn't have.
Kimber R7 Mako Carbon Compact 9mm
All models are optics-ready (Holosun K footprint) or optics-included and ship with very decent TruGlo Tritium Pro sights installed. 
Kimber R7 Mako Carbon Compact 9mm
The Carbon Compact retains the R7's hallmark side ejection port (which looks a little goofy but is reliable in practice) and no-snag slide design. Also, note the flat-faced trigger that breaks at 90 degrees. Factory trigger pull weight is set at 5 to 6.75 pounds.
Kimber R7 Mako Carbon Compact 9mm
Drink in that high undercut, a feature that lets the user get a better grip on the pistol and thus have faster follow-ups. 

 

Weight on the Carbon Compact runs 24.4 to 25.8 ounces depending on the model selected, while width across the series is 1.16 inches. All are made in the USA, not imported. 

 

Kimber R7 Mako Carbon Compact 9mm mags
We put several hundred rounds through the newest R7 on the range, with no issues to report. 
Kimber R7 Mako Carbon Compact 9mm
And will have a full review in the coming weeks. 

 

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