(Photo submitted by the author)
October 10, 2024
By Richard Nance
Kimber , best known for 1911 pistols, ventured off course a few years ago with the introduction of the R7 Mako. In fact, the Mako was about as far as you could stray from Kimber’s well-trodden 1911 path. While a different direction for Kimber, manufacturing a polymer-frame, striker-fired subcompact pistol is far from a novel idea. But the R7 Mako and its latest evolution, the R7 Mako Tactical , distinguish themselves from a heavily saturated market.
Both guns feed from double-stack magazines, but while the original comes with a flush-fit 10-round magazine, a standard 11-round magazine, and an extended 13-round magazine, the new Tactical model ships with two 15-round magazines. These not only provide additional ammunition but also extend the Mako’s grip to better accommodate the shooter’s hand.
The R7 Mako Tactical sports three-dot TruGlo Tritium Pro night sights. The orange ring on the front sight is highly visible, drawing the eye from the two white rings on the rear sight. In addition to these excellent irons, the Tactical model I reviewed is the OI (for optics installed) and comes with a Holosun 407K X2 . The pistol also features a threaded barrel, giving you the option of using a suppressor.
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Dimensionally, the Mako Tactical is slightly longer, taller, and heavier than the original, but it retains the slim one-inch grip, which helps it conceal well. In addition, the new pistol’s thinner grip enables the shooter’s fingers to better envelop it. This aids in recoil control and lessens shot-to-shot recovery time, two important considerations in a concealed-carry pistol.
Smooth Slide The R7 Mako Tactical (OI) comes with a Holosun red-dot sight already installed. The gun lacks a thumb safety, but there’s a safety lever in the trigger face. (Photo submitted by the author) The Mako Tactical incorporates a stainless steel slide with an FNC finish for durability and corrosion resistance. Front and rear slide serrations provide solid gripping surfaces for racking the slide or checking the chamber. Kimber’s design for the R7 Mako line differs from most semiautos in that the ejection port is fully encapsulated on the right side, as opposed to extending to the top of the slide.
The lockup is also different. Instead of relying on the barrel hood for lockup, the Mako’s low-tilt barrel features a lug near the breech that fits in a recess in the frame. This slows the cyclic rate just enough to soften felt recoil.
With the Tactical, you get a threaded muzzle for mounting a suppressor or other muzzle device. (Photo submitted by the author) The slide and barrel lockup is reminiscent of the work of Wilhelm Bubbits, an Austrian pistol designer whose engineering can be seen in a variety of pistols like the Taurus TS9, among others. Bubbits’s design, with its more consistent lockup, may also contribute to improved accuracy. At least, that seemed to be the case in my testing.
The more enclosed slide design leaves fewer entry points for dirt and debris, and this setup reduces the likelihood of malfunction from this cause. Additionally, having the ejection port confined to the side of the slide helps prevent lubricant, carbon, and other byproducts of firing from coating the red dot’s lens, which could potentially obscure the shooter’s view.
Accessory Options The TruGlo Tritium Pro night sights are excellent and feature serrated faces to reduce glare. They co-witness with the supplied red-dot optic. (Photo submitted by the author) The R7 Mako Tactical (OI)’s single-slot accessory rail enables you to attach a light, which is a desirable accessory on a defensive pistol. And lefties will rejoice in the fact that all the R7 Mako models are fully ambidextrous. This is a rare and desirable attribute of a defensive pistol, which you may need to operate one-handed, potentially with your non-dominant hand.
The R7 Mako Tactical (OI) palm swell and beavertail facilitate a high grip, which places your hand closer to the bore line, thus mitigating muzzle flip. Thanks to the extended magazine with texturing to match the rest of the grip, the Mako Tactical locks well into your hands.
The trigger’s factory setting runs five to 6.75 pounds. I measured the one on my sample and came up with only 3.8 pounds.
Accuracy and Final Impressions (Accuracy chart provided by the author) The pistol excelled in testing both from an accuracy and a reliability standpoint. Accuracy results were obtained using a rest at 15 yards. Average size for five-shot groups measured less than 1.5 inches. Just as important for a carry pistol, the R7 Mako Tactical (OI) ran smoothly without incurring a single malfunction.
At seven yards, I was able to run the gun offhand, maintaining rapid-fire multi-shot strings on target. The trigger was smooth and broke cleanly. The reset, while not particularly short, was at least easily discernible.
The R7 Mako Tactical (OI) is a solid choice for a concealed-carry pistol. Its Holosun 407K X2 red dot protrudes from the slide like the dorsal fin of the pistol’s namesake, and the six m.o.a. red dot makes it easy to aim. Should the optic fail, the TruGlo Tritium Pro sights make for an excellent backup. At $951, The R7 Mako Tactical (OI) saves you about $41 compared to purchasing the pistol and optic separately.
Kimber R7 Mako Tactical (OI) Pistol Type: striker-fired semiautomaticCaliber: 9mm LugerCapacity: 15+1Barrel: 3.4 in. stainless steel, 1:10 twist; threadedOAL/Height/Width: 6.8/5.3/1.0 in.Weight: 24.2 oz.Construction: FNC-finished stainless steel, polymer frameTrigger: 3.8 lb. pull (measured)Sights: 3-dot TruGlo Tritium Pro night sights; Holosun 407K X2 red dot installedSafety: Trigger bladeMSRP: $815Manufacturer: Kimber, KimberAmerica.com