Both Kimber Raptor II models come with full-length guide rods while the Pro Raptor II uses no barrel bushing.

The sides of the frame exhibit the same deep-blue finish as the slide, and the bottom and back of the frame are in matte blue. What's more, instead of a checkered frontstrap, the Raptor is embellished with the same scale/feather-like cuts as are found in place of slide cocking serrations. If all this weren't enough to link the past with the present, the grips of the Raptor will cinch it. Made of two-tone cocobolo, these grips have a surface that is unmistakable as reptilian scales, and the texture is as positive as checkering, but in the center of each panel is the now-typical Kimber Oval logo.

The author found the Raptor II to be very accurate and capable of two-inch groups at 25 yards.

With a crisp four-pound trigger and an excellent fit, the Kimber Raptor II is ready for the range, for formal-dress concealed carry or as an heirloom for your gun safe.

The Pro Raptor II
Not only is this unique masterpiece available in the top-end pistol thus far described, it can also be had in a compact version. Called the Pro Raptor II, this compact Raptor contains every feature of the flagship model except for its size, all-matte-blue finish and one other major difference: The barrel of the Pro Raptor II is bushingless. That is, the conical barrel of this model has no separate bushing; instead, its muzzle locks directly into the slide. However, differing from more conventional conical bushingless barrels, that of the Kimber Pro Series is machined in an eccentric pattern to better control the barrel position during cycling.

I suspect a few more Kimber enthusiasts will fire this version even if it is only slightly more Spartan than its larger sibling. While the fit of the Pro Raptor II was every bit as good as that of its larger sibling, its trigger let-off occurred at about five pounds. While I would prefer a lighter trigger for duty, this one performed fine and will probably become lighter with use.

ACCURACY PERFORMANCE
AMMO TYPE	GROUP SIZE (inches)
	Smallest	Largest	Average
Raptor II
Black Hills 185-gr. JHP (1,052 fps)	1.88	2.02	1.91
Cor-Bon 165-gr. PB (1,219 fps)	2.07	2.18	2.11
Wolf 230-gr. FMJ (847 fps)	2.12	2.20	2.17
Pro Raptor II
Black Hills 185-gr. (1,007 fps)	2.18	2.29	2.24
Federal 165-gr. PD (994 fps)	2.09	2.21	2.16
Winchester 230-gr. JHP (833 fps)	2.22	2.34	2.27
NOTE: Shooting results based on five 5-shot handheld groups at 25 yards

Both Kimber Raptor 1911s performed flawlessly in test-firing several boxes of ammunition, but the full-size deluxe Raptor took honors by averaging five-shot hand-held groups of about two inches at 25 yards. The Pro Raptor II printed five-shot groups averaging about 2.5 inches at the same distance. Neither pistol experienced any malfunctions during our testing and, while this was relatively brief, the results were typically Kimber.