Kimber R-Bob ... the evolution of a Raptor.

[MCMXI]

Here's how it came from Kimber, kind of boring, nasty grips and full of MIM parts.

Here's how it looked with most of the MIM swapped for Ed Brown parts, but still with the plastic MSH and Cylinder & Slide Rhino Hide grips.

And finally, after "bobbing" the frame and fitting an Ed Brown chainlink MSH along with VZ ETC grips. I may do a little more blending but the MSH is just about how I want it. I did a brushed stainless finish for now but am planning to paint the whole think with Cerakote at some point. So what do you think of the little Raptor now?

 

[Get R Done Guns]

That gun KICKS **S!!! Great work! By far, hands down the best gun Kimber produces.

 

[Rail Driver]

I think you've just convinced me to bob my Colt. I like the original grips though.

 

[HorseSoldier]

Very nice looking finished product.

 

[Greg528iT]

YEP.. that's the ticket.. Like the new grips better, but still I like wood better than composite.

When I find the right Commander, I'll be making one.

 

[MCMXI]

Thanks for the positive feedback ... I really appreciate it. This is my first attempt at bobbing a frame and I'm pleased with how it turned out. Here's a photo of the bob from the other side. When I run my finger over the MSH and frame I can just barely feel the seam but it's so slight that I may leave it as is.

 

[MCMXI]

And a couple more photos for those that prefer wood grips. These are the Cocobolo grips from an Ed Brown Special Forces Carry.

 

[KAS1981]

With the wood grips.....OMG. I'm in love!

WOW is all I gotta say. Awesome job!

I think my next 1911 needs to be a stainless commander model of some sort.

 

[Greg528iT]

The fit looks great in the pictures. If it's just a slight edge, I'd probably leave it. You would always feel some differential.

Looks GREAT with both grips. Enjoy!

 

[tiro6]

Wow, that looks great! I definitely need a bobtailed 1911 now....

 

[Olympus]

I think it looks great. Keep the brushed stainless and forget the Cerakote though.

 

[Apocalypse-Now]

did kimber have to pay royalties to mr. peanut for that serration pattern?

 

[Stringfellow]

Excellent work!!!

 

[MCMXI]

did kimber have to pay royalties to mr. peanut for that serration pattern?

Not only does it look interesting, the "peanut" checkering is very functional. It's smooth if you run your finger along the frame towards the muzzle, but rough in the opposite direction giving excellent purchase on the slide, definitely more purchase than standard serrations. The front strap checkering is rough laterally if that makes any sense and similar to Ed Brown's chainlink checkering, again very effective.

I think it looks great. Keep the brushed stainless and forget the Cerakote though.

Thanks and I think you may be right about that. It looks so good that I'm in no hurry to paint it. I'm going to put a few hundred rounds through it first. I haven't put a single round through it yet. I only picked it up a couple of weeks ago. I am very optimistic about this Raptor given that the slide to frame fit is excellent and there's no barrel movement when it battery.

To everyone else, thanks again for the positive comments. I have to say, the "bob" makes this pistol feel so much better in the hand and makes it easier to conceal. To everyone who says that want a commander sized 1911 or they want to "bob" a 1911 they already have ... I look forward to seeing your photos. "Bobbed" commanders are without doubt my favorite 1911s.

Here are two more photos in case anyone needs a little pushing to make this "upgrade". I won't post anymore photos unless I decide to go ahead with Cerakote. One final comment, I did have to remove quite a bit of material from the Ed Brown MSH to blend it to the frame. Looking at my Ed Brown SFC, I may need to remove a little more on the radius of the MSH if I want to match it to the SFC. For now though, I love it how it feels and will shoot a few hundred rounds before deciding on more blending and painting.

 

[Olympus]

You did say you looked forward to seeing our bobbed commander photos.






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[MCMXI]

Olympus, beautiful pistols and stunning grips. Bobbed commanders really are the "bees knees" in my world with the best aesthetics of any 1911 size or style. Is the bottom one a custom? It looks like it's had a "melt" treatment .... not a sharp edge to be found ... amazing!

 

[Olympus]

Yes, the bottom one is a custom job. Thanks for the compliment.


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[Walkalong]

Looks great, but Cerakote?

One vote for leaving it as is.