Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews
  • Guns
    • Rifles
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
    • Airguns
    • Specialty Guns
    • Custom Guns
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
    • Rifle Ammo
    • Reloading
  • Parts
    • Handgun Parts
    • Rifle Parts
  • Accessories
    • Optics & Sights
      • Night Vision
      • Thermal Vision
    • Lasers & Lights
    • Suppressors
    • Holsters
    • Slings
    • Shooting Rests
  • Gear
    • Ears & Eyes
    • Knives
    • Apparel
    • Tactical-Gear
    • Storage
    • Flashlights
    • Electronics
    • Less Lethal
  • Lifestyle
    • Sport Shooting
      • Hunting
    • Competition Shooting
    • Precision Shooting/Long Range
    • Training
    • First Aid
    • Pop Culture
    • History
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Gun Facts & Laws
    • Police News
    • Military News
    • Politics
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews
  • Guns
    • Rifles
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
    • Airguns
    • Specialty Guns
    • Custom Guns
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
    • Rifle Ammo
    • Reloading
  • Parts
    • Handgun Parts
    • Rifle Parts
  • Accessories
    • Optics & Sights
      • Night Vision
      • Thermal Vision
    • Lasers & Lights
    • Suppressors
    • Holsters
    • Slings
    • Shooting Rests
  • Gear
    • Ears & Eyes
    • Knives
    • Apparel
    • Tactical-Gear
    • Storage
    • Flashlights
    • Electronics
    • Less Lethal
  • Lifestyle
    • Sport Shooting
      • Hunting
    • Competition Shooting
    • Precision Shooting/Long Range
    • Training
    • First Aid
    • Pop Culture
    • History
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Gun Facts & Laws
    • Police News
    • Military News
    • Politics
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews
No Result
View All Result
 
ENTER TO WIN > Free Gun Friday for your chance to WIN the SIG Sauer P320 AXG Legion and Black Hills HoneyBadger Ammo

Kimber Pro CDP II

Rich Grassi by Rich Grassi
June 30, 2009
in Knives, Lifestyle
0
Kimber Pro CDP II
0
SHARES
385
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
kimber.gif

I first became aware of Kimber as a 1911 provider in the mid-1990s, shortly after I started writing articles. The Custom Classic was my first exposure to the brand and it was an eye-opening experience. I had become accustomed to 1911 pistols with small sights and an inability to function with hollow-point ammo as well as 1911s that had been toyed around with by the guys that could repair Uncle Joe’s shotgun, but had no experience with Uncle Sam’s pistol.

New out of the box, the Kimber Custom Classic consumed volumes of .45ACP, including factory loads and commercially rekimber2.gifmanufactured ammo without a stoppage. It has some years on it now and it still runs whenever it’s called on. There’s been nothing done to it. It has the remainder of the factory finish, the factory trigger pull, the same parts it did when it left except for recoil spring replacement at regular intervals. It needs to have the full-length guide rod removed and GI parts installed. I’ve meant to get around to that for some years. Otherwise, it’s a good a .45 as I’ve ever owned.

It took some time before I became aware of the Pro series. Rendered with a shorter barrel and an alloy frame, it’s the more-or-less “Commander” equivalent in the Kimber line. Featuring a bull barrel, no bushing and a full-length guide rod, it wasn’t quite what I was seeking, but I’ve shot a number of them and owned a couple over the years. They gave me no reason to curse them because they worked.

On top of that, they were a pleasure to carry. I’m not fond of .45ACP +P in any auto, less so in lightweight guns. That may prove I’m a lightweight, but I don’t see the point. It wears springs and parts quicker and gives little ballistic advantage in return. Add the lapse in split times and you have a lose-lose situation.

There were some standouts in that field like the CorBon 185-grain JHP, but mostly I avoid such loads especially in light guns. The Pro series shared the Kimber mark and, in my experience, Kimber reliability. I found them to be a good compromise; they were light but powerful, easy to carry and accurate.

Frankly, I was surprised by the first Kimber Custom Shop gun I tried. That was the Custom Eclipse back when it was a Custom Shop-only gun. A fine shooter, reliable and solid, it accompanied me to Amarillo, Texas, on a training class. That gun sure got a workout. It also got acclaim from students who shot it during training.

That’s a part of the country where the 1911 is still well thought of. The Eclipse gave them no reason to change their opinions. Come to think of it, that’s another Kimber I need to install the GI recoil system onto.

Gun Details
Since that time, I’ve tried a few other Kimber Custom Shop creations. I’ve been pleased with them all. The goldrail.gifKimber Custom Shop CDP (Custom Defense Package) is one I’ve had my eye on for some years. Extremely rounded and dehorned, it’s a two-tone 1911 with a striking appearance. My selection for evaluation was the Pro CDP II.

The 4-inch, bushingless bull barrel format is carried over as well as the classic Kimber low mount sights. The rear sight is nicely serrated along its bottom half below the white-outline tritium windows. The front sight also has a white outlined tritium vial.

The frame is black finished aluminum alloy. The frontstrap and bottom of the triggerguard are nicely checkered. The slide stop, ambidextrous safety levers, magazine release button and components, grip safety, plunger tube, transverse pin, mainspring housing and mainspring housing pin are rendered in silver, some of these parts no doubt being stainless steel.

The trigger is a ventilated silver aluminum affair. The stock screws are stainless hex head screws. They hold double-diamond checkered rosewood stocks that nicely contrast with the black and silver motif. The slide is frosted stainless steel, nicely melted. The entire gun has been unsharpened and deburred. It was rounded like a well-used bar of soap. While the Pro CDP II is smooth all over, it makes me think about is a used bar of soap.

The trigger breaks at around 4 pounds and feels firm to the break. The reset is likewise solid. The safety operation bespeaks a well-fitted unit and it has a pronounced “click” on and off. The gun feels like a nice, light 1911, which is what it is. Our shooting test was truncated by travel and required chores. We spent all too little time with the Pro CDP II.

details-4.gifThe CDP II pistols are an exceptional value, even amongst Kimbers. Each model features a collection of the most popular Custom Shop features that are added as the pistol is produced. The resulting savings can be more than $500 if these features were added separately.

Range Time
Our friends at 5.11 Tactical provided their new holster and magazine pouch setup. At first reminiscent of Kydex, it became apparent that 5.11 Tactical had partnered with Blade-Tech to provide this new line of synthetic holsters.

These are of the Revolution Line; the holster and magazine pouches are made from a proprietary blend of polymers that have a wide operating temperature range. The material is very slick, allowing a very quick draw. It’s also slick enough that it doesn’t hold dust the way that some natural and manmade materials do, lessening finish wear on your favorite pistol.

5.11 Tactical sells the Revolution holster with a belt loop slide and with a paddle. The paddle is handy for quick removal for the pistol licensee that has to unarm to enter an establishment where carry is prohibited.

Working out to learn the new pistol, I did several “draw to a hit” repetitions from 7 yards. The time averaged out to just over 1.15 seconds. The quickest time was just under a second with the slowest running just over 1.25.

8.gifMy friends at Kimber also provided a pair of KimPro Tac-Mags, eight-shot stainless steel magazines, for the gun test. I’ve used these before and they have proven to be quite reliable in Kimber 1911s as well as other manufacturers.

I worked on a handling test using a B-27 repair center for a large silhouette. The repair centers cover from the 8-ring in, covering the center of shot-out PPC targets. While I had a few rounds escape into the 8-ring, those were my fault, trying to outrun my skill level, the center of the target was cut to pieces from Speer Lawman 185-grain TMJ bullets.

The Pro CDP II was all I’ve come to expect from Kimber and their Custom Shop. However, the accuracy test ended up being a rushed affair as the range was awash with hunters preparing for rifle season. I had to settle for standing unsupported from 15 yards so as to let others “play through.” Mike Rafferty stood behind me, checking out the Kimber’s progress.

He was suitably impressed with the first load out of the chute, Winchester’s 230-grain SXT. This was the accuracy load for the little custom pistol, giving a 2.5-inch five-shot group. The best three cut into one 0.75-inch hole.

Fiocchi 200-grain FMJ put five bullets into 3.25 inches, with three giving us 1.25-inch accuracy. Finally, Hornady 200-grain XTP/JHP—an above-average performer in every gun tried to date and an accuracy load in others—gave us a group with shots falling into a 2.5-inch group.

Final Notes
The Kimber CDP II line is still a strong seller as it has been for several years. Frankly, I took too long to get to it. The Kimber was quick to the target from the 5.11 Tactical/Blade Tech Revolution holster. The KimPro Tac-Mags performed flawlessly. If you are in the market for a custom carry pistol, check out the Pro CDP II.

Didn't find what you were looking for?

CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS

RELATED POSTS

Shooting the SAR K12 Sport proved its worth as a competition pistol.

A Shining SAR: Shooting the SAR K12 Sport Competition Pistol

“Bloody Bill” Anderson and the pistols of the period.

The Gifted Psychopath: Civil War’s “Bloody Bill” Anderson

Shoot SIG comprises a new membership organization and shooting sport.

VIDEO: Shoot SIG Brings Competition Shooting Accessibility to All

The Volquartsen Mamba-X.

Tested: The Volquartsen Mamba-X .22 LR Competition Pistol

Load More

WATCH NOW: TACTICAL-LIFE’s RELOADING ZONE

Discussion about this post

FEATURED POST

The new Extar EP45 AR-style pistol comes chambered in .45 ACP.

Extar EP45: AR-Style, Large-Format Pistol Chambered in 45 ACP!

You would think, with all the targeting of large-format, AR-style pistols by the Biden-Harris administration via the ATF, that companies...

Read more

TRENDING

New Jersey LEOSA, federal law

Big Court Win for New Jersey LEOSA Permits

...

The Dicken Drill is named for Eli Dicken who saved many lives in the Greenwood Mall

The Elisjsha Dicken Drill

...

U.S. Secret Service adopts Glock G47

FIRST LOOK: Glock Just Very Quietly Unveiled the New Glock 47 Pistol

...

Police Sidearms, police duty pistols, Handguns, America's Largest Police Departments 2018

Police Sidearms: The Handguns of America’s 10 Largest Departments

...

PICK A CATEGORY

TACTICS & TRAINING SPOTLIGHT

CMP surplus ammunition.

CMP Surplus Ammo Coming Soon in M2 Ball, .30 Carbine & More

Some big news for trigger pullers recently from the Civilian Marksmanship Program. A wide selection of CMP surplus ammo will...

TACTICS & TRAINING SHOWCASE

Active School Shooter Training: 14 Key Points to Consider

Active School Shooter Training: 14 Key Points to Consider

Tactical Reload Semi-Auto Pistol Step 8

5 Strategies For Effectively Completing a Tactical Reload

The Colt CBX Precision Rifle ushers in a new era in colt bolt-gun offerings.

FIRST LOOK: Colt CBX Precision Chassis Rifle Ready to Compete & Win

Fact vs. Fiction 5 Myths Gunfight Survival lead

5 Common Myths on How to Survive a Gunfight

Standing Your Ground Castle Doctrine lead

Understanding Stand Your Ground Laws and Castle Doctrine

long distance shooting tips

Long-Distance Shooting: 5 Must-Know Tips For Spotters & Shooters

IMPACT Experience Events.

IMPACT Experience Events Redefine Your Long-Range Shooting Limits

Enhance your shooting precision skills in a course with Modern Day Sniper.

Sniper Skills: Taking Your Shooting Precision to the Next Level

Once you find a carry gun that works for you, get another for a spare. These “hammerless” S&W J-frame lightweights are M340 M&P with Hogue Bantam grips, top, and a M442 Airweight with Crimson Trace Lasergrips, below.

10 Commandments of Concealed Carry

AMMO SPOTLIGHT

The Rock River Arms RBG-1S.

Rocking Out: Going Long Range with the Rock River Arms RBG-1S

Spotter up. Steel silhouette at 1,075 yards. Half-value wind, hold right edge. Send it. The shooter presses the trigger, and...

site logo
Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun news, gun reviews and gun magazines for gun enthusiasts, military and law enforcement

Tactical

  • tactical-life.com

Magazines

  • Tactical Life
  • The Complete Book of Reloading
  • Guns of the Old West

Facebook

  • Tactical-Life Facebook
  • Guns of the Old West Facebook

Twitter

  • Tactical-Life Twitter

Self Defense

  • PersonalDefenseWorld.com

Magazines

  • Personal Defense World
  • Combat Handguns

Facebook

  • Personal Defense World Facebook
  • Combat Handguns

Twitter

  • Personal Defense World Twitter

Shooting Lifestyle

  • BallisticMag.com

Magazines

  • BallisticMag.com

Facebook

  • Ballistic Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Ballistic Magazine Twitter

Alpha Lifestyle

  • SkillsetMag.com

Magazines

  • Skillset

Facebook

  • Skillset Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Skillset Magazine Twitter

Instagram

  • Skillset Magazine Instagram
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Privacy Notice
  • Cookie Policy
© Athlon Outdoors, All Rights Reserved.
You use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and awareness of the California Privacy Rights. Pursuant to U.S. Copyright law, as well as other applicable federal and state laws, the content on this website may not be reproduced, distributed, displayed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, without the prior, express, and written permission of Athlon Outdoors.

Manage your GDPR consents by clicking here. Manage your CCPA consents by clicking here.
No Result
View All Result
  • Guns
    • Rifles
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
    • Airguns
    • Specialty Guns
    • Custom Guns
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
    • Rifle Ammo
    • Reloading
  • Parts
    • Handgun Parts
    • Rifle Parts
  • Accessories
    • Optics & Sights
      • Night Vision
      • Thermal Vision
    • Lasers & Lights
    • Suppressors
    • Holsters
    • Maintenance & Tools
  • Gear
    • Ears & Eyes
    • Knives
    • Apparel
    • Tactical-Gear
    • Knives
    • Storage
    • Flashlights
    • Electronics
    • Less Lethal
  • Lifestyle
    • Sport Shooting
      • Hunting
    • competition-shooting
    • Precision Shooting/Long Range
    • Training
    • First Aid
    • Survival
    • Pop Culture
    • History
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Gun Facts & Laws
    • Police News
    • Military News
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Contact Us

© 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.