Kimber KDS9c Rail Pistol: Review

The 1911 is an iconic pistol, with ergonomics that give it an almost universal appeal and a trigger that is the envy of all others. The one drawback to the 1911 has been its relatively low capacity, with its single-stack magazines holding just seven or eight rounds. However, with the introduction of double-stack 1911s, you get 1911 functionality with twice as many rounds—making capacity on par with modern striker-fired offerings.

Kimber’s KDS9c is a 9mm, double-stack 1911-esque pistol with an excellent trigger. The pistol’s grip panels keep it nearly as slim as a traditional 1911 despite its 15- and 18-round magazines. A version of the gun with 10-round magazines is available for restrictive states.

The KDS9c lacks the 1911-style grip safety but retains the familiar thumb safety on the left side of the pistol. But as good as the KDS9c is, some shooters wanted a version with an accessory rail and an ambidextrous thumb safety, which is where the KDS9c Rail comes in.

The feature-rich KDS9c Rail enables you to mount a light, laser or combination thereof to the four-slot Picatinny rail, making it a true fighting pistol that’s well-suited for both duty use and concealed carry. Unlike the original KDS9c, it also boasts an ambidextrous thumb safety that lefties and even righties forced to run the pistol left-handed will surely appreciate.

Size and Frame

The KDS9c Rail is 7.75 inches long, 6.01 inches tall and 1.5 inches wide across the safeties. It weighs 29.6 ounces with an unloaded 15-round magazine and 30.3 ounces with an unloaded 18-round magazine. It features a 4.1-inch fully fluted, stainless steel barrel with 30-degree flush cut, deep crowning. A barrel ramp helps ensure reliable feeding and chambering.

The 7075 aluminum frame is plenty strong without being unduly heavy. It wears a KimPro gray or black finish that provides both lubricity and corrosion resistance. The undercut trigger guard and an extended beavertail facilitate a high hold that helps reduce muzzle flip, which could otherwise be substantial in a lightweight 9mm pistol.

Designed with concealed carry in mind, the bobtail-style grip provides a snag-free surface and reduces printing through your cover garment. While the beavertail is smooth, the area below it features crosshatch texturing, as does the frontstrap. Similarly textured grip panels help lock the pistol into your hand without being abrasive.

The thumb safety is oversize and serrated for easy manipulation. It produces an audible and tactile click when engaged and disengaged. It provides a ledge, upon which downward thumb pressure can further mitigate muzzle flip.

Trigger and Magazine Release

The knurled magazine release is reversible for lefties. Its size and oblong shape make it easy to use, but it doesn’t protrude so far from the grip that you’re apt to eject the magazine accidentally.

One of the pistol’s best attributes is the curved, serrated trigger. Kimber lists the adjustable trigger as having a pull weight between 3.5 and 4.5 pounds, but mine was barely three pounds according to my Lyman digital trigger pull gauge. That’s on the light side for a carry gun, but it was very smooth and clean breaking, which is conducive to accuracy.

Like the frame, the stainless steel slide wears a KimPro black finish. It has serrations both front and rear to provide a solid gripping surface, whether you’re checking the chamber or racking the slide.

TruGlo night sights adorn the slide to provide 24/7 aiming regardless of lighting conditions. Like most pistols these days, the KDS9c is cut for optics. It comes with adapter plates to accommodate Shield RMSc/Holosun K, Trijicon RMR and Docter footprints. The sights are not suppressor height, so you won’t see them through the window of an optic.

Accuracy

For testing, I mounted a Trijicon SRO. From a bench at 25 yards, it printed five-shot groups that averaged between two and 2.5 inches with bullets ranging in weight from 115 to 135 grains. The two best groups measured just over an inch.

I shot several rapid-fire groups at 10 yards, with equally impressive results. The KDS9c Rail felt well balanced, and the dot settled predictably after each shot. This enabled me to register hits in the upper chest about as fast as I could pull the trigger. The only hiccup during my test, which consisted of about 150 rounds, was a single failure to feed a Black Hills 124-grain jacketed hollowpoint round. I tapped the back of the slide with my palm to correct the problem. I think that could be chalked up to the pistol needing a bit more of a break-in period.

Double-stack single-action semiautos are gaining in popularity, and if you’re fan, you’re really going to appreciate the KDS9c Rail.

Kimber KDS9c Rail Specs

• Type: hammer-fired semiauto centerfire
• Caliber: 9mm Luger
• Capacity: 15-, 18-round mags supplied; 10-rounders available
• Barrel: 4.1 in. stainless steel
• OAL/Height/Width: 7.75/6.0/1.5 in.
• Weight: 29.6 oz. (15-round mag)
• Construction: 7075 aluminum frame, stainless steel slide
• Trigger: 3 lb. pull (measured)
• Sights: TruGlo three-dot night; slide cut for optics adapter plates
• Safety: ambidextrous thumb
• MSRP: $1,615
• Manufacturer: Kimber, KimberAmerica.com

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