The top of the slide is back cut and scalloped to reduce glare and also adds a nice styling touch.

Straight from the Kimber Custom Shop, the trigger broke at four pounds even, with just a hint of slack before the sear released.

All Series II guns include a integral firing pin block, thumb safety, beavertail grip safety, disconnector and a hammer safety stop that--according to Kimber--"is a notch on the hammer which prevents it from falling fully forward in the event of primary sear notch failure."

High quality Meprolight target sights come standard. Note the small line of tritium under the notch.

Operator controls are easily accessible and are for the most part set up for right-handed shooters, although the safety is ambidextrous. The slide release is checkered, and the magazine release is located directly below this release. One note here is that I wish Kimber would make the mag release just a little larger, as it would speed up dropping the magazine--especially with gloves on.

In any event, pushing in on the magazine release drops empty magazines with enthusiasm. Thanks to a beveled magazine well, a fresh magazine can be inserted easily, and an extended magazine bumper makes sure the magazine is fully seated. If desired, a full-size mag well can be special ordered from the Kimber Custom Shop (914-964-0742).

The gun proved accurate and dependable; no malfunctions were reported with any of the ammo tested.

Because of tight-fitting subassemblies, a bushing wrench is supplied for takedown. Place this special wrench on the barrel bushing and, while pushing down, turn the bushing clockwise. Remove the bushing, being mindful of the recoil spring plug and spring-- they are both under tension.

Cock the hammer, bring the slide to the rear until the slide latch is in alignment with the disassembly notch, and push the slide stop in on the right side while pulling it out from the left. Remove the slide, recoil spring and barrel. Reassemble in reverse order.

ACCRUACY RESULTS: KIMBER GRAND RAPTOR II
.45 ACP Ammo Type	BULLET WEIGHT (gr.)	AVG. VELOCITY (fps)	AVG. GROUP (in.)
Remington JHP + P	185	1,112	1.75
Hornady FMJ	200	896	1.75
Remington FMJ	230	829	1.5
Notes: Velocity recorded 10 feet from the muzzle with a Shooting Crony Chronograph. Accuracy was the result of offhand shooting and all groups are the average of five shots, groups at seven yards. Abbreviations: JHP Jacketed hollowpoint, full metal jacket.

At the range, the gun behaved like a true thoroughbred. Using various brands of ammunition, range testing moved right along without a hitch or malfunction of any kind. At the typical defensive distance of seven yards, shooting offhand, groups smaller than two inches could be counted on from a wide variety of ammunition and bullet weights.

After spending some serious range time with the Grand Raptor II, I would recommend it to anyone. If it's your time to purchase a quality .45 automatic, look no further.