Preparedness – Page 24

Intro Ever since it was established in 1979, Kimber has maintained its reputation for quality and precision. It continues its tradition with the Kimber Micro-9, which gives the impression of a perfectly finished and machined product that looks great and is ready for the range. A popular concealed carry firearm, Kimber's Micro-9, is a compact 1911-style single-action, single-stack, sub-compact 9mm handgun that is no slouch in style or performance. Out of the Box A complete package, The Micro-9's stainless steel barrel, and slide are machined using CNCs for optimum moisture resistance. Less than half a kg in mass, the aluminum frame is lightweight but extremely durable and corrosion-resistant. There are no metallic rattles to be heard, machining marks or flaws, and lines that are clean and well finished. The Micro-9 is a single-action semi-automatic handgun with a steel slide and aluminum receiver that weighs slightly less than one pound. The barrel locks to the slide upon firing and stays that way until the bullet has left the muzzle. It is well-strengthened to deal with the pressures that arise from the 9mm Luger cartridge. The Micro-9 trigger does not slide back-and-forth in the slot but instead pivots on an axle in the top portion of the trigger guard. The thumb safety is bilateral, which goes up to "safe" and down to "fire." Specs Caliber: 9mm Frame: Aluminum Slide: Steel Weight: 15.6 oz (empty mag) Height: 4.1" Length: 6.1 inches Width: 1.06 inches Recoil Spring: 1.5 lbs. w/full-length guide rod Barrel: 3.15", stainless steel Sights: Three-dot metal sights, dovetailed Safety: Thumb, left side only – not ambidextrous Capacity: one 7-round magazine Trigger: Solid aluminum, approx. 7 lbs. pull weight Action: Single (1911) MSRP: $654 The Trigger The trigger is single action with a swift, short, and smooth pull that equates to a confident and accurate shot. The ejection port is flared and flawlessly ejects from the fast-loading beveled magazine that can load up to 7 rounds with an extended magazine. Every edge on the slide and receiver is rounded/ curved, making it easy to carry the gun in pockets for long periods. While we're on that topic, this handgun is ideal for people with smaller hands due to its tiny size. People with larger hands may require adjusting their grips to avoid a mishap due to improper adjustment with the grip size. The Micro-9 is a small pistol, which means if you have large hands, it might take some changes to your standard shooting grip and might not even fit large hands. The Micro-9 uses a single-column, six-round magazine. The six-round magazine might render the handgun even less grip-friendly for people with larger hands. Magazine The Micro-9 comes with a flush fit 6 round magazine. Kimber also offers a 7 round extended magazine which is recommended if you have moderate to larger hands. With this gun, an improper grip could also cause problems with the thumb safety mechanism. Size It is generally described as a miniature 1911 having the same look and feel. Still, it is a light sub-compact gun meant for personal protection. The Micro9 is a small handgun quite comparable in size to the Bodyguard 380. It will not disappoint if you are looking for something small, comfortable to carry, and easily concealable. It comes down to the user because a larger gun does not make a better gun. If you are accustomed to carrying a full-sized 1911 of any caliber and would like to have the option to carry a more concealable and compacted version. In that case, the Micro-9 is an excellent choice. Sights Dovetailed into the top of the slide are combat-style sights fitted with long-lasting tritium dots in the three-dot pattern. They have a full-size notch and post contours. At the range, I had no issues with being reasonably accurate and putting rapid shots on paper. Kimber does offer an optional Crimson Trace Lasergrip for the Micro-9. Recoil The overall recoil is minimal, considering it is a 9mm, due to a very stable and lightweight frame made out of aluminum. The spring tension is pretty standard and works in almost all cases considering you keep your gun cleaned, oiled, and polished. The gun is sturdy and lightweight and can function well in less than ideal conditions. Still, the polymer casings over aluminum alloy frame make the gun brittle. Hence, care must be taken not to let the weapon collide with a lot of hard surfaces. The Cons The only problems that arise out of this gun are due to its small size. People with larger hands may have issues adjusting to this gun. The other issue I experienced was a problem during a ‘tactical reload’ that I discuss in length in the next section, Range Performance. Range Performance The Micro-9 looks excellent, but it shoots excellent as well. The pistol feels very comfortable to fire, and I had no issues being reasonably accurate. The recoil is managed well due mainly to the secure grip and comfortable angle. The gun cycled well and ejected without any problems or jams even though it was new and straight out of the box. We fed it a good assortment of ammo from 115g full metal jacket target loads to +P rated jacketed hollow-point personal defense ammo. We also use brass, aluminum, and steel casings. The Micro-9 powered through every single round without any hesitation or misfeeds. The one issue that presented itself came when attempting to do a quick mag change. Several times I shot the gun to slide lock and tried to drop the mag and reload with a second mag. On most attempts, I had difficulty getting the mag to drop free without catching on my hand. Several attempts I also had trouble getting the mag into the mag well smoothly. I am sure this is something that would work itself out with some range time and training, but it is not a problem I generally run into testing new handguns. Overall Opinion Overall the Micro-9 is a well built and high-performance handgun that is small enough to carry comfortably but not so small it is difficult to shoot. The recoil is pretty much standard, and users have generally presented favorable reviews regarding ease of use, ability to conceal easily, and incredibly smooth flow of the trigger. Kimber Micro-9s are designed to be defensive handguns, configured for concealed carry, or police backup roles. In 9 mm Luger, they are nicely suited for these jobs. I think the Micro-9 would be an excellent choice for most as a concealed carry gun. This is especially so if they are a fan of or have experience shooting a traditional 1911. FAQs What caliber is the Kimber Micro 9? The Kimber Micro 9 is chambered in 9mm. How many rounds does the Kimber Micro 9 hold in the magazine? The Kimber Micro 9 has a total capacity of 8 rounds...7 rounds in the magazine, plus one in the chamber. Is the Kimber Micro 9 a single action or double action pistol? The Kimber Micro 9 is a single action pistol. How much does the Kimber Micro 9 weigh? The Kimber Micro 9 weighs about 15.6 ounces unloaded. How long is the barrel on the Kimber Micro 9? The barrel on the Kimber Micro 9 is 3.15 inches long. Does the Kimber Micro 9 have a manual safety? Yes, the Kimber Micro 9 has a manual safety on the side of the slide. Is the Kimber Micro 9 suitable for concealed carry? The compact size and lightweight design of the Kimber Micro 9 make it a popular choice for concealed carry. However, whether it is suitable for your specific needs will depend on your personal preferences. How accurate is the Kimber Micro 9? Any weapon's accuracy can vary depending on the shooter's skill level and other factors such as the type of ammunition used. How much does the Kimber Micro 9 cost? The price of the Kimber Micro 9 can vary depending on the specific model and where you purchase it. In general, you can expect to pay around $600 to $800 for a new Kimber Micro 9.