Observing Eclipse: Kimber has set the 1911 World on Fire with Its Great Shooting, Good Looking Pistols. The New Eclipse only Fans the Flames Higher

Guns Magazine, Feb, 2002 by Massad Ayoob

Firing Federal's low-priced generic American Eagle .45 ACP 230-grain hardball, the test Eclipse gave me a 300 out of 300 score. All 60 bullet holes measured a little over 4 inches, center to center of the farthest-spaced bullet holes. The slow-paced firing from the 25-yard bench had shown that the Kimber Eclipse was accurate; the fast-paced firing in the pace-setter run showed that it was user-friendly.

Any self-defense pistol can end up going to the ground in a fight or other strenuous activity. You want one that won't go off when dropped. The II designation in this gun's name denotes the presence of the Schwartz-type firing-pin block, resurrected by famed handgun designer Nehemiah Sirkis, who has been with Kimber for a few years now. It renders the gun "drop-safe," and working off the grip safety instead of the trigger mechanism, it does not in any way interfere with the quality or reliability of the pistol's trigger pull.

Conclusion

Kimber promised dealers that the original Eclipse pistols would be limited to a few thousand each, and production runs were completed in September of 2001. However, the guns were such a hit that Kimber will be doing a subtle refinement of the concept and adding the Eclipse series as a standard item in 2002. Look for the addition of an Ultra Eclipse with short grip frame and 3-inch coned barrel. This will be the first of these smallest Kimbers to be offered with a steel frame instead of the usual aluminum.

The Eclipse lives up to its name in more than just its striking appearance. Even when the pistol was filthy, it ran 100 percent with factory jacketed ammo. We had to get it filthy and then run lead bullet reloads through it to induce malfunctions. The gun combines duty reliability with target pistol accuracy in a concealable handgun whose classic 1911 styling appeals to so many performance-minded handgunners.

By eclipsing most other Commander-style 1911s in accuracy and so very many other guns in styling, the Kimber Pro Eclipse II has lived up to its name. At a suggested retail of $1,065, it is an excellent value.

The Pro Eclipse II test pistol shot as follows from 25 yards:

Manufacturer               Type      All 5 Shots  Best 3 Shots

Federal Hydra-Shok      230 gr. JHP     2.10"        1.35"
Winchester USA          185 gr. BEB     2.30"        0.90"
Remington Golden Saber  230 gr. JHP     2.35"        0.75"
Pro-Load Tactical  P    230 gr. JHP     2.45"        1.50"
CCI Blazer              200 gr. JHP     2.50"        1.30"
Black Hills             230 gr. LRN     2.55"        1.20"
Average                                 2.375"       1.16"