VIDEO
HISTORY
We would not have a 10mm cartridge if it were not for the FBI. In 1983, the FBI requested a hard-hitting pistol to replace the .357 Magnum revolver.
Jeff Cooper (of Gunsite fame) and Norma ammunition teamed to design this new round. It has high stopping power, greater range, and shoots flatter than the .45 ACP or 9mm rounds. It is also known for more recoil.
MY IMPRESSIONS
I love the 1911 platform! What a gorgeous gun. It is black steel, but the grips grab my attention. They appear stippled but are smooth to the touch with a subdued shine. “Pick me up and hold me,” the Kimber beckons. This 1911 feels smooth and heavy in my hand, as it should.
Some pistols are overly checkered, but not this one. Custom II features include a beavertail extended safety, beveled magazine well, enlarged ejection port, lightened trigger with over-travel adjustment, and those wonderful grips.
Holding and aiming, I notice the sights are no-nonsense non-adjustable with two rear white dots which center on a single front red dot. This is a duty gun meant to take hard use and deliver a pounding when needed. Just a tiny bit of take-up in the trigger leads to a crisp break of bit over 5 pounds but feels lighter. This is no lightweight – at over 2 pounds, it has the mass to tame the high-energy 10mm round.
The full-frame 5-inch barrel provides a long sight radius and should make it accurate. Smooth describes this pistol. Only the mainspring housing is checkered. All other surfaces are unmarked except for the front and rear slide serrations. It gives me a sense of confidence. Time to take it to the range and run some ammo through it!
SPECIFICATIONS
- Length: 8.5 inches
- Height: 5.25 inches
- Width: 1.25 inches
- Weight: 2.37 pounds
- Trigger: 5 pounds, 6 ounces; Aluminum Match-grade
- Barrel: 5 inches
- Material: Matte-black steel frame and slide
- Grips: Custom-color polymer
- Sights: Fixed rear white dots, front red dot
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MSRP: $1,190
RANGE TIME
Arizona weather is cooperating today at the Area 51 range, but I am a bit nervous. I have never fired the 10mm round before. The .400-caliber, 180-grain bullet has a muzzle velocity of at least 1,100 feet per second, which is much faster than that of the .45 ACP.
Comparing the two shows a marked difference in design. I will also be shooting hollow-point ammo today that is sure to do damage to any liquid-filled container. It is difficult for me to be objective – I love 1911s!
Starting on steel, the first shot surprises me with some sharp kick but hits center. The trigger is breaking nicely as I become accustomed to it. The “flapper” is a heavy piece of steel that moves left and right as if it were made of tinfoil. That is the power of 10!
Switching to my steel “milk bottle” shaped target on the right, the 10mm slugs move it as if it were much lighter than it is. The upper range of a 10mm bullet is 200 grains, and these 180-grain slugs are impressive.
10MM VAPORIZER
Time to shoot water jugs. When hit center, they explode as the bullet shreds the plastic. Next, my favorite, 2-liter root beer jugs. Careful aim and squeeze surprises me with a root beer bottle that vaporizes! I am watering the desert today with vapor soda. The second 2-liter blows apart too. A 17-yard long-range water jug goes down easily. The tiny soda cans are always a challenge but explode when hit and shred their skins violently.
You can defend yourself with this pistol chambered in the mighty 10. Notice how smoothly the magazines drop out when reloaded. That is a good feature. However, two failures to feed were encountered. This is a nearly new gun and may need some further break-in period with hollow points.
PROS & CONS
Pros:
- Well- made quality
- Accurate
- Good-looking, available in many attractive colors
- Many upgrades: trigger, ejection port, mag well, extended safety, beavertail safety
- Available in multiple calibers
Cons:
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Heavy at 2.37 pounds
CONCLUSION
Starting with high quality .22 rimfire rifles many years ago, now Kimber is well-known for high quality pistols. This Custom II is a beautiful black solid example of Kimber to the 10th power. Its weight tames recoil, especially as tested in this chambering. I was surprised by its accuracy and hitting power on soft targets. Its non-adjustable sights are simple but did not hinder me.
The trigger breaks nicely and aids in accuracy. If you choose a 10mm, you will notice a sharp buck in kick – not unmanageable, but different than a .45 ACP. Check our Certified Used collection, and you may find a lightly used Custom II like this one in your favorite color.
