Kimber anniversary pistols

American Handgunner, Jan-Feb, 2005 by Charles E. Petty

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Kimber name but today's shooter may not even know they began making very classy little .22 rifles. To celebrate, they are making a limited edition of anniversary edition of their 1911 pistol which is now their major product. The noteworthy point is these are faithful to the original Kimber pistol design, sans external ejector and Swartz firing pin safety.

First is the anniversary edition of the Custom which will be in a limited run of 1,911 guns (get it?) finished in matte blue. Next is an Anniversary Gold Match with a production limit of 250 guns with a brightly polished blue finish. Both are serial numbered in a special range, marked with a distinctive anniversary logo and wear fancy grips also with the anniversary logo. Finally there will be 250 sets with one of each model with matching serial numbers and lodged in a very attractive wood display case.

I doubt that many of these will be shot much although they certainly could. Just for curiosity's sake I shot the Anniversary Custom a little. Function was perfect with a good assortment of ammo. No formal accuracy testing was done but shooting from a good rest, no group exceeded 2.5". What more could one ask from a production pistol? And they really look good too, by the way.

For more information, contact: Kimber Manufacturing, 1 Lawton St., Yonkers, NY 10705 (800) 880-2418, www.kimberamerica.com.