New Kimber BP Ten II

[Chairman Meow]

This year Kimber released several versions of their polymer framed high capacity 45 with the new external extractor. The Ten II's have stainless slides and steel frame inserts while the BP Ten II's have matte blued slides and aluminum frame inserts. They are both very nice. Here's a BP:

The best part is that the full size BP Ten II retails for around $500! I was very impressed so I picked one up. As expected, it functioned perfectly at its first range session, eating several kinds of JHP's and FMJ's with ease. P14 mags fit with slight modification so I will be looking for some of those. Kimber seems to have fixed the grip this year so that it doesn't dig into the base of your thumb when firing with a high grip with your thumb up on the safety. It is really quite comfortable to shoot. I have to say this is the best deal I've seen in a while.

 

[Reason]

Very nice. How much fatter is it compared to the single-stacks?

 

[Chairman Meow]

Kimber claims it has the same grip profile as a single stack 1911 with normal grips but in reality it is more square in profile. This profile fits big hands like mine very well but is no good at all for small hands. The checkering on the polymer is very sharp and grabs your skin quite well. Almost too well in fact; I'm worried it will rub the pads of my fingers raw in long range sessions. I'm sure it will lighten up a bit as it wears in. While the thumb safety profile is better than the old Kimber Ten's, it will still need a bit of material removed to make it round enough to be comfortable.