Kimber 2K11 Pro Eclipse
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Kimber has a long history of producing 1911s and in late 2024 got into the double stack 1911 game with the smartly-named 2K11 series after another maker managed to trademark "2011". We haven't had many Kimbers on GBGuns over the years aside from the Bubits-improved actions of the R7 Mako and R7 Mako Carbon Compact.
The 2K11 Pro line all have 4.25" barrels and is available in six different trims/colors as of the time this article was written. The double stack 1911 world is crowded, and Kimber sets the 2K11 models as a whole apart with the inclusion of a tool-less guide rod, improved internal magazine geometry, and an external extractor. The magazine geometry interests me as the original "2011" magazines designed for .38 Super are still used, just angle differently in the grip. A tweak of magazine angle could help reduce the reliability problem some shooters have experience using these .38 Super magazines with the shorter 9mm cartridge.
I opted for the "Eclipse" coloring which I've always admired. The two-tone of black and chrome or in this case brushed stainless has always appealed to me and Kimber's Eclipse trim pistols have always stood out to me for having a particularly rich black that really makes the contrast pop.
Take a look at the Kimber 2K11 Pro Eclipse in the tabletop video below. Rumble Link
Specifications:
Height: 90° to barrel: 5.76"
Weight with empty magazine: 35oz
Length: 7.79"
Magazines Included: 19 | (2) 19RD UHC magazines included
Recoil spring: 12lbs
Slide Material: Stainless Steel
Sights: Fixed rear sight cover plate - All 2K11 models ship with an optic adapter plate - RMR footprint. C&H Precision Optic adapter plates available for purchase in RMR, RMSc, DPP, ACRO, and 509T
Front: TAG FiberLok 2
Sight Radius: 6.8"
Trigger: GT Match Grade Aluminum Trigger 3-4lb pull
Frame Material: Stainless Steel SST steel sub-frame with matte KimPro black finish
Width: 1.53"
Ambidextrous safety
Barrel Length: 4.25" Fluted, Ramped, Black DLC finsih
Material: Stainless Steel
Twist rate (left hand): 5R rifling | 1:10
Grips: Composite MJD Grip Module, MJD Magwell
MSRP: $2,399
Prices around the web as of date article written
Check links for current pricing and availability
I had some "he must be new" struggles during the tabeltop thanks to the tiny relief cut for the slide lever and a guide rode that at first did not want to twist to lock into place. Those are both easy enough to get over. I was a bit disappointed that the "fluted barrel" means only that the chamber is fluted, something that really doesn matter, but can be a bit misleading if you read the product page.
To get a fair range assessment of course means putting the Kimber 2K11 Pro Eclipse through the same range protocol we've now used for over 500 handguns:
Cold Shots: Truly our first shots through the gun.
Full Magazine +1: Suprisingly some modern guns still struggle with this. It's a test of how much play is in the magazine as well as how the slide cycles with pressure. This is also when I do my best to learn the trigger.
What's For Dinner™: A test to see what ammunition the gun will eat. Does the gun feed the round from slide lock, will it cycle and feed another round of the same type, does the slide lock to the rear on empty, and is there any notable point of impact change with different loads.
For this gun the following ammunition was used:
Priced and linked where found at the time this article was written
124gr Wolf Brass-plated Steel Case $11.27 / 50 at Target Sports USA
124gr HotBrass $25 / 50 direct from HotBrass Full Review HERE
100gr S&B XRG SCHP $11.73 /25 at Target Sports USA Full Review HERE
100gr Hornady Critical Defense Lite $23.46 / 25 at Target Sports USA
165gr Scorpion FMJ $18.39 / 50 at Target Sports USA
115gr Nickel-plated Magtech Steel Case $10.57 / 50 at Target Sports USA
147gr Federal Premium LE HST $27.59 / 50 at Target Sports USA
115gr EcoBullet $19.99 / 50 direct from EcoBullet Full review HERE
124gr Federal Syntech $16/55 / 50 at Target Sports USA
115gr Wolf Steel Case $10.99 / 50 at Target Sports USA
Range Ammunition was Fiocchi 115gr $282.99 / 1000 at Firearms Depot
Sights & Trigger Control: on a 6" spinner target at a distance of 12-ish yards. We got this from Titan Great Outdoors and use it to gauge how learnable the trigger is and usable the sights are for forced, timed, precise shots.
Practical Accuracy: Five shots from a distance of seven yards at a one inch target. This isn't so much about printing a tight group as it is a culmination of the shooting experience and time for to collect thoughts prior to making a conclusion.
After Shots: Final impressions and reflections from the range session.
You can watch the entire process for the Kimber 2K11 Pro Eclipse in the Shooting Impressions video below. Rumble Link
On the range there was an unfortunate surprise for me as the grip safety doesn't seem to want to disengage when I hold the gun in my right hand. My first pistol, and first major training course (4-Day Handgun at ITTS) was a bone-stock GI 1911. I've reviewed dozens of single- and double stack 1911s, taken them to training courses, and daily carry a double stack 1911. The problem is not a lack of knowing how to hold the gun. I suspect the engagement between the grip safety and sear spring is as such that whatever torsion my hand applies to the grip safety causes it to slip off the finger of the spring inside. The pistol works fine for Anna, and works fine in my left hand, just refuses to fire in my right hand. This resulted in Anna shoting most of the review and forced me to group with my left hand:
Unfortunately this means I also can't personally fairly assess the Kimber 2K11 Pro Eclipse using my experience with similar guns because I shot all of those with my right hand and am not about to go torture myself with a range day of all left hand. What I can assess is that the 2K11 Pro Eclipse has beautiful finish and a tight fit. It is also American made and priced above entry-level, but below boutique; I find that appropriate though I have yet to be convinced that the boutique-level guns offer any performance advantage.
I have reviewed a handful of less-expensive alternatives that all came with a few, "you'll probably want to replace/upgrade" parts. I don't think the Kimber 2K11 Pro Eclipse includes any of those and while my particular example will need the sear spring tuned or replaced, that's a $5 part; it's both petty to need it replaced and petty to be upset over it.
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