Kimber Ultra Carry .45???

M

MattyMatt

Inactive
I am thinking of purchasing the Kimber Ultra Carry .45 which comes with a grip length that is .400 inches shorter than the full size Kimbers. Will this .400 inches be a significant amount in reducing the abilty to get a secure grip on the pistol? Will I still be able to get a good three finger grip on the pistol, and not have my pinky hang of the bottom like it would if I was holding a sub-compact Glock 27/33? Any +/- regarding the Kimber Ultra Carry .45 would be greatly appreciated.
 
MattyMat:
I have a Kimber Compact with the same grip which I love. I don't find any significant difference in hold between it and my Gold Match.
All the best,
Bill Daniel

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Prosecute criminals to the fullest extent of the law and their weapons will become harmless.
 
Ditto what Bill said. I'm 6'3", 215 lbs. with fairly large but not thick hands. I can handle my Kimber Compact nicely. It's a good gun. Don't leave it over a grip.

RJ
 
I have slightly above average hands - not thick, but fairly wide through the knuckles and I have no problems with getting all three fingers solidly on the grip.

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Jim Fox
 
Thanks for the fast replies...I was comparing the Ultra Carry and the Ultra CDP. Do any of you have a preference, and are the upgrades in the CDP okay to do without in the regular model. I know the CDP has the meltdown procedure done to it, but I did read it takes +P ammo...Does the standard Ultra Carry also take +P, etc...Thanks again...

-Matt
 
One other question...Do you recommend the Ultra Carry with the 3 inch barrel, or the compact with the 4 inch barrel, or the pro-carry with the 4 inch barrel (full size grip). I am looking for this to eventually be an off duty firearm...Thanks again...

-Matt
 
I was contemplating the Ultra carry and after looking them over , I went for the Ultra CDP. I like the plain Ultra just fine but you do get over $500.00 worth of extras with the CDP. The night sights and the checkered front and rear strap make up for the extra price not to mention the melt down treatment and beautiful Rosewood grips. Some people say that function should come before the beauty, but why not have both? Plus you get bragging rites for a whole year! :)

[This message has been edited by cplane (edited September 29, 2000).]
 
If you add up the cost of the extras on the CDP it is a bargain. Night sights, wood grips, ambi safety, finish and meltdown add up to a lot more than the difference in price. My wife carries an Ultra Elite and loves it.
 
Matt, there is a very good article that I just read about all three of the CDPs. I just wish I knew which magazine it was in so I could refer you to it. I loaned it to a buddy. I'm buying a Pro Elite which is basically the same gun (at least looks like it) as the Pro CDP. 4" barrel with full size frame. The article got the two models with the 4" barrels reversed. Anyways, the author had 3-4 other buddies, two Border Patrol agents, a former Marine, and a gun dealer along with himself shooting the pistols. Their main comment about the Ultra was that none of them shot it good. They didn't know if it was just that particular gun, or due to the short sight radius of the 3 incher. They all shot the Pro and the Compact CDP much better. The Compact CDP has the shorter frame like the Ultra, but with the longer 4" barrel. So I'm thinking it's not so much the grip size as the sight radius that may cause you problems. DANG, I wish I had that magazine! Good luck.

PS: It was either GUNS or American Handgunner and it was (I think) Oct 2000 issue???? Hope this helps.
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"Charlton Heston is my President"

Danny45
NRA Life Member, NAHC Life Member, Buckmasters Life Member

[This message has been edited by Danny45 (edited October 01, 2000).]
 
Matt - I have Kimbers in all three sizes (classic, compact & ultra) and I have no problem getting a good, full grip with my big hands on any of them. All have been very reliable and accurate, though I did find that the Ultra is sensitive to limp-wristing (operator error that is easy to correct). The CDPs are really nice guns, but at the time, I couldn't go the extra $440. Enjoy! M2
 
I have the Kimber Custom Combat Carry Model and it has the 4" barrel and the abbreviated grip and it shoots great. In fact it is the most accurate 1911 that I own.

7th




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SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL POLICE, KEEP THEM INDEPENDENT.
 
Thanks Ronin. There you go Matt. I think you'll find the article enlightening. Plus, you can drool over all three of the CDP's. Good luck with your choice!!!

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"Charlton Heston is my President"

Danny45
NRA Life Member, NAHC Life Member, Buckmasters Life Member
 
The Ultra-sized Kimber is a little tricky to learn to shoot, mostly because of the short sight radius, assuming you have only shot larger .45s. That being said, practice with a few hundred rounds and you won't miss those extra barrel inches. The Ultra is a very accurate gun. It is also a great size for carry purposes.

As far as the CDP, the front strap checkering is a little $200+ feature if added by a smith, plus the cost of refinishing. The melt down treatment is also an expensive feature if done by a smith. On the CDP, it is a nice feature if it is going to be a carry gun. The night sights are great if you like them (I do). As far as the rosewood grips, whatever. Aesthetics are not a major consideration for me when I purchase a gun.
 
I have the Ultra Carry and I have no complaints about it. It's very accurate, though a little difficult to shoot due to the short sight radius. I suppose the souped up version would have been preferable, but I was unable to afford the cost difference at the time. The night sights and the checkered front strap would be nice to have, the rubber grips that came with the gun work fine however.
 
http://www.americanhandgunner.com/Media/FeatSO0/feat1.jpg

feat1.jpg
 
Just got ( a few months back) a Compact Stainless. I have added grip extenders onto 8 round mags and it puts the grip back at the same length as a full size gubmint. Even with the 7rnd mag (no extender) it is more accurate than I am. It seems a little picky about magazines. I have an older colt 8 rnd mag that works fine with my Colt but won't feed the second round in my Kimber.

All in all, would buy another immediately. Short, long, or in-between.
 
I went to the store looking for a plain old Commander(stainless) and was talked into trying the Ultra CDP. I'm not an easy sell but this is now my favorite gun!

You wont go wrong with the ultra! I've got wide hands and it feels great in mine. I think it's the perfect design for the discreet 1911 carrier
 
I'm not sure why a couple of people have said that the Ultra Carry is "a little tricky to shoot". As with any gun, especially a gun that your life may depend on, you need to regularly practice, practice, practice and then practice some more. That's all it takes.

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NRA Life Member/Volunteer Recruiter
Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners(MCRGO)
 
The reason people say their "a little tricky to shoot" is that they are. They have a much shorter sight radius than a full size 1911 and that makes them more difficult to shoot accurately. Derringers can be plenty accurate too, but their also tricky to shoot. I agree that you should be comfortable with a gun your going to stake your life on, but than again I don't plan on shooting competition with my Kimber, I have a custom Clark for that game. Three inch groups at 50 feet are about all I can do with the Ultra and that's good enough in my book.
 
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