Overview
Kimber, best known to many for its assorted 1911 series pistols, introduced the original R7 Mako in August 2021. A striker-fired micro 9 carry pistol with a polymer frame, it was pitched as an alternative to such handguns as the Taurus GX4, Ruger MAX, SIG P365, S&W Shield Plus, and Springfield Armory Hellcat.
Loaded with a lot of features that some of those competitors lacked, the Mako was optics-ready and had Kimber's Performance Carry trigger, fully ambidextrous controls, a full wrap-around stippled texturing, and TruGlo Tritium Pro night sights.
I put well over 500 rounds through the original Mako, and it proved so accurate, comfortable, and dependable that I carried it for several months as an EDC.
In the years since the original R7's debut, Kimber expanded the line with threaded for suppression (TFS) models that carried extended threaded barrels, and some special editions such as two-toned gray and FDE options as well an American-flag coated Liberty model.
Last month, Kimber introduced a more muscular version of the Mako, the new Carbon Compact line.
The new R7 CC 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) 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.
The new Kimber R7 Mako Carbon Compact is offered in four models:
- A carry-friendly optics-ready basic model with a 3.9-inch barrel. (MSRP: $735)
- A 3.9-inch OI (Optics Included) 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 OI version that not only has the threaded barrel but also ships with a Holosun HS 407K. ($1,080)
This puts the gun into the same general "stretched micro-9" category pistols such as the SIG P365 Fuse and Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro TB.
For full disclosure, Kimber hosted Guns.com for an event in Alabama in early July where we shot early run Carbon Compacts on the range. The company later sent Guns.com an optics-included TFS OI version of the pistol for review purposes. All further testing was done on this one gun, which has been under evaluation since August.
The Specs (R7 Mako Carbon Compact TFS OI model*)
- Overall length: 7.6 inches
- Barrel length: 4.42 inches, extended and threaded (1/2-28TPI)
- Sight radius: 4.5 inches
- Overall width: 1.16 inches at the widest point over ambi surface controls.
- Overall height including standard mag: 5.8 inches
- Magazine capacity: 15+1 rounder flush fit (ships with two)
- Trigger pull: 5.3 pounds (10-pull average), advertised at "5.0 - 6.75 lb."
- Weight, with empty magazine: 25.8 ounces
- Weight, loaded: 32.8 ounces (with15+1 rounds of 124-grain 9mm Federal Punch JHP) and Holosun 407K X2 optic
- MRD Optic Footprint: Shield RMSc/Holosun K
*Note that the R7 Mako Carbon Compact models without a threaded barrel are about a half-inch shorter in length and a half-ounce lighter in weight, with all other specs identical.
Features
Trigger
Fitted with what Kimber terms a "Performance Carry Trigger," set to between 5 and 6.75 pounds right out of the box, we found it had a smooth, consistent pull with a clean break at about 5.3 pounds in testing. Using a safety insert lever in an aluminum shoe that breaks flat, it has a short and audible reset that the user can feel.
Check out this video of the trigger in action:
Reliability
We ran an early production R7 Mako Carbon Compact right off the table for about 300-350 rounds at the Kimber event in Alabama in July with no issues other than the fact that it got hot to the touch – which is a common trait of any smaller-framed handgun.
Meanwhile, our test gun sent in August performed similarly to Kimber's event gun. We ran about 500 rounds through it throughout three range sessions, with the last 150 being suppressed. This was on a pistol right from the box with no additional lube or treatments. The ammo used included Federal's 115-grain Syntech, 147-grain Gold Medal Action Pistol, 124-grain Syntech Training Match, and 115-grain Train & Protech JHPs. This was blended with some Blazer Brass 115 and some Wolf gray/green case. Personal protection loads included Federal Punch 124 and Speer Gold Dot 124 JHPs along with a handful of loose Noslers.
We suffered no malfunctions on the range. As such, the Carbon Compact outperformed its older plain-Jane R7 brother, which gave us two FTFs in testing in 2021.
Accuracy
Using a 4.42-inch stainless-steel barrel with a 1:10 LH twist and equipped with excellent TruGlo Tritium Pro Nights with an orange front ring and white rear dots that co-witnessed with the installed 407K, we found the R7 to be exceptionally accurate, especially for its size.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Accurate
- Reliable, even with a suppressor
- Fully ambi controls
- Variants include threaded barrel options
- Removable magwell
- Still very concealable
- Just eats up recoil
Cons
- Few holster options
- Slide serrations could be more aggressive
- Blocky aesthetic
Conclusion
The old Kimber R7 Mako, with its short slide and grip, was snappy but accurate and dependable, leading it to become something of an under-loved micro-9 option. The ergonomics of the new R7 Carbon Compact make it probably the best-feeling grip on a polymer-framed handgun on the market. Kimber knocked it out of the park, especially compared to the inaugural Mako variants. Plus, while some polymer-framed handguns feel spongy – as if you could squeeze it flat if you tried hard enough – the carbon fiber-infused frame on the Carbon Compact feels rock-solid. This leads to the pistol being easy to control and get back on target.
The profile of the slide still looks very Hi-Point C9, with its one-sided ejection port, but that blocky look hides the trick of keeping the optic's lens clean and schmutz-free even after 500 rounds. Speaking of optics, we found the fitment to be solid and remain solid, even after racking the slide several times by ripping the Holosun.
The worst we can say is that there aren’t a lot of holster options we can find currently available for the gun and that the slide serrations are shallow. Aftermarket support outside of Kimber is also slim, with the proprietary mags hitting the $50 mark for those shopping for a few extras.
Overall, for those looking for a capable carry gun, this newest Mako is on the hunt.
