Kimber Next Gen 1911 Review: Is It Better Than A 1911?

The 1911 is one of the most iconic handguns ever made, timeless, reliable, and endlessly customizable. Now, Kimber is taking that legacy a step further with their all-new Next Gen 1911. Blending classic styling with modern performance upgrades, this pistol aims to bring the 1911 into the 21st century without losing its soul.

In this review, we’ll take a close look at the Next Gen 1911, from its modernized features to live performance, and see how it stacks up against the OG 1911.

Kimber Next Gen 1911 Overview

Kimber’s Next Gen 1911 builds on the proven success of the 2K11 series and brings with it a suite of refined upgrades that push the 1911 platform into the modern era. Designed for shooters who appreciate the timeless appeal of a 1911 but want modern performance and flexibility. The Next Gen 1911 strikes an ideal balance between heritage and innovation.

Visually, it still holds true to the classic two-tone styling Kimber is known for, but it’s what’s under the hood is what really makes this pistol shine. A factory optic-ready slide makes it easy to mount your preferred red dot sight, and the external extractor adds to its reliability and ease of maintenance. Internally, the inclusion of a sloped disconnector ramp and Kimber’s GT Performance Trigger give this pistol a competition-ready feel right out of the box.

What’s In The Box?

Out of the box, the Kimber Next Gen 1911 arrives with:

• Next Gen 1911
• 2 magazines
• Cable lock and owner’s manual
• RMR Optic Plate
• Kimber branded soft case

Tech Specs Chart

Specification	9mm – Custom Two-Tone Gen 2 (OR)	.45 ACP – Custom Two-Tone Gen 2 (OR)
Model	Custom Two-Tone Gen 2 (OR)	Custom Two-Tone Gen 2 (OR)
Caliber	9mm	.45 ACP
Height (inches)	5.4	5.4
Length (inches)	8.6	8.6
Width (inches)	1.35	1.35
Weight (oz) w/ empty mag	36.2	36.2
Magazine Capacity	9	7
Recoil Spring (lbs)	12	16
Guide Rod	Stainless Steel (SS)	Stainless Steel (SS)
Frame Material	Stainless Steel (SS)	Stainless Steel (SS)
Frame Finish	KimPro II (KP)	KimPro II (KP)
Ambidextrous Thumb Safety	Yes	Yes
Front Strap Checkering (LPI)	32	32
Round-Heel Frame	Yes	Yes
Slide Material	Stainless Steel (SS)	Stainless Steel (SS)
Slide Finish	KimPro II (KP)	KimPro II (KP)
Front/Rear Serrations	Yes	Yes
Flat Top w/ Serrations	Yes	Yes
Barrel Length (inches)	5	5
Barrel Material	Stainless Steel (SS)	Stainless Steel (SS)
Bushing w/ Deep Crown	Yes	Yes
Twist Rate (LH)	16	16
C&H Rear Plate	Yes	Yes
Sight Radius (inches)	6.8	6.8
Trigger	GT Performance Trigger	GT Performance Trigger

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Key Features

GT Performance Trigger

At the heart of the Next Gen 1911’s shooting experience is the GT Performance Trigger. This is a match-grade trigger with a 4–5 lb pull weight, engineered for precision. The firing control group delivers a clean, crisp break with a distinct wall and short reset.

Optics-Ready Slide

The slide comes optics-ready with a factory C&H RMR adapter plate. Out of the box, it ships with a fixed black serrated rear sight and a red fiber optic front, plus a RMR adapter plate.

Ambidextrous Safety

Kimber included a fully ambidextrous thumb safety, making it easy to manipulate from either side. It’s well-sized—large enough to engage and disengage confidently, without being oversized or intrusive.

Slide Design

The slide features thin, elevated front and rear serrations that provide excellent grip without being overly aggressive. It also sports a serrated flat top, which flows amazingly with the optic cut. The matte stainless finish rounds it out with a clean, understated aesthetic.

Grips and Checkering

This 1911 comes fitted with black walnut grips featuring a G10 inlay, a unique take on traditional grips. They offer solid texture without being too abrasive, and they’re complemented by front strap checkering that adds extra control when firing without chewing up your hands.

External Extractor

One of the most functional changes Kimber made is the inclusion of an external extractor. This modern touch improves reliability and simplifies maintenance compared to traditional internal extractors, especially under hard use or dirty conditions.

Barrel

The pistol uses a flush-fit, deep crown stainless steel barrel, built for both performance and longevity. The deep crown not only enhances accuracy but also protects the rifling at the muzzle end.

On-Range Performance

Let’s start with the question everyone’s wondering… did it jam? Not once. I’ve got around 500 rounds through it so far, and it’s run flawlessly from round one. No hiccups, no feed issues, no failures to eject, just smooth and reliable performance. And that alone already sets it apart from the reputation some of their original 1911s carry. (Not hating but everyone bashes them for jamming)

Now, let me try to paint the picture of its performance and feel. It’s definitely a 1911, but it doesn’t have that old-school, classic 1911 feel.. But in all the right ways. The trigger is one of the highlights. It’s super crisp, with a very short, predictable reset, and a distinct wall that I personally love. It feels light, clean, and keeps me confident with every shot.

The grip feels like a 1911 should, natural, balanced, and solid in the hand. The frontstrap knurling surprisingly added a good amount of grip. It’s subtle but adds way more traction than I expected without feeling too aggressive. Shooting it is genuinely comfortable… except for one minor issue for me.

I tend to run a high grip, and occasionally, the top of the left-side safety lever digs slightly into my hand just beside my thumb. The bottom edge of the lever has been nicely machined to blend with the grip, but that finish doesn’t continue all the way to the top. The right-side lever, oddly enough, is nice and smooth throughout. If Kimber extended that machining just a little more up top, it would completely solve the issue. For now, shooting with a slightly lower grip or just take it like a man will eliminate the problem. (See photos)

The safety itself works perfectly and is sized just right, easy to manipulate but not oversized or in the way. The slides front and rear serrations offer excellent grip, and the flat-top cut slide really flows well paired with the optic cut. I haven’t added an RDS yet, just because I love the clean look without one, but I will say the setup is ready to go if I do change my mind.

The slide release is decent, the ledge is a bit short for me, especially with my smaller hands, but it’s easy to manipulate without excessive force.

Accuracy out of the box was solid. At 20 yards, I was punching out pretty tight groups with just the irons. The sights feature a red front dot with a blacked-out rear. They’re not my personal favorite, but they worked well enough to be accurate.

I’ve had more fun with this pistol than most classic 1911s. It keeps all the best parts of the 1911 roots while adding just enough modern flair to feel fresh and functional. And for those who always say, “Don’t fix what’s not broken,” I hear you but if you guys keep complaining they jam constantly maybe it was broke. And sometimes you gotta take that risk to standing out and Kimber genuinely crushed it with the Next Gen 1911.

Next Gen 1911 Value

With a price tag of $999, the Kimber Next Gen 1911 delivers an impressive bang for your buck. From the performance I’ve experienced firsthand to the quality of the pistol you’re getting, it’s genuinely hard to find another 1911 in this price range that checks this many boxes. You’re not just getting a solid handgun, you’re getting a full package: an optic-ready slide with RMR adapter plate, a sleek cover plate, magazines, and a Kimber soft carry bag all included.

But the real value shows up on the range. This pistol has performed well for me, with zero malfunctions across just over 500 of rounds. And that’s not just a one-off. Over the last two years, Kimber has seriously impressed me. I’ve put rounds through the KDS9c, the 1911 Rapide Heat, the 2K11, and now this Next Gen 1911, and not a single one of them has given me reliability issues.

I know Kimber’s name still gets brought up in conversations about jamming 1911s, but based on my experience, it feels like they’ve completely outgrown that reputation with this new era of Kimbers. If you’re on the fence because of something you heard years ago, it’s time to give them another look. The Next Gen 1911 is a reliable, well-built, and modernized take on a classic platform, and at under a grand, it’s an awesome bang for your buck handgun.

Overall Rating

Performance & Reliability – 4.9/5

This is where the Next Gen 1911 truly shines. Across 500+ rounds, I had zero malfunctions. The pistol cycles cleanly, runs reliably with various types of ammo, and feels consistent from shot to shot.

Build Quality – 4.7/5

The fit and finish are excellent. The slide-to-frame lockup is tight, the machining is clean, and all components from the GT trigger to the optic-ready slide feel like they belong on a much more expensive pistol. It’s not custom-shop level, but it’s very close for the price.

Ergonomics – 4.0/5

I genuinely love how this pistol feels in hand, especially the grip texture and front strap checkering. But the left-side safety lever can dig into my hand during firing due to my high grip. It’s a minor issue, and easily avoidable with a slightly lower grip, but it’s worth noting.

Value – 4.4/5

At $999, the Next Gen 1911 is a strong value. You’re getting an optic-ready 1911 with modern internals, premium features, and performance that rivals much pricier options.

Fun Factor – 4.6/5

This is a fun gun to shoot. It feels fast, smooth, and crisp with every trigger pull. The mix of modern touches and classic feel makes it a blast at the range, whether you’re punching paper or just enjoying the mechanics of a great 1911.

Overall Rating: 4.5/4

Final Thoughts

The Kimber Next Gen 1911 isn’t just a refresh it’s a statement. Kimber took everything that worked in the 2K11 and previous models and gave it that extra push into modern territory without losing the classic 1911 feel we all love. From the moment I unboxed it to the last round fired, it’s been nothing but reliable, smooth, and seriously fun to shoot.

The trigger is incredible, the optic-ready slide is well executed, and the build quality feels tight and refined. Yes, the safety digging into my hand was a small gripe, but it’s not a dealbreaker, just something to be aware of depending on your grip style. Outside of that, the gun runs flawlessly and looks sharp doing it.

For under $1,000, you’re getting a 1911 that feels far beyond its price point. Kimber has really been on a roll the past year or so, and the Next Gen 1911 is proof of that momentum. If you’ve been sleeping on Kimber or stuck on the old “1911s jam” narrative, this one might just change your mind. It definitely did for me.

And now for the big question: is it better than a traditional 1911?
Well… it’s like this, you’re gonna have to subscribe to our newsletter so you don’t miss the full Next Gen 1911 vs. Classic 1911 Showdown. That’s where we’ll break it all down and give you the true answer.

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