Gun owners are like any other group of purchasers out there (think guitarists or beer stein enthusiasts) in that there are a group who are purely about the functionality, and there are others who are prestige collectors, who want their items to be special and collectible in some way.
If you take guitarists, some will buy the $350 model made in Korea that plays well and sounds good. Others want the hand made replica of Jimi Hendrix’s guitar that costs $15,000. Both guitars will work. Both may even do the job well in the hands of a capable player.
In the same way, some people just want their firearms to do the job; others want their firearms to be pretty, too, even if they cost significantly more.
Kimber, on the other hand, wants to bring a collectible-type 1911 pistol more into the price range of your average shooting enthusiast who would like to have a pretty firearm, too, but may not be able to stomach the $4,500 or more price tag that many collectible 1911s have.
At an MSRP of $1,490.00 (which means that the street price is likely to be a few hundred dollars lower), the Kimber Rapide (Black Ice) may be in a price range that you can justify to your significant other as a Christmas present.
The Rapide (Black Ice) comes in two-tone stainless steel and black (see the picture above) and is available chambered in .45 ACP, 9mm, and 10mm which means that you won’t have difficulty finding ammunition for this pistol in a pinch (if you want your collectible to be practical, too).
This pistol weighs 38 ounces with an empty magazine and has a magazine capacity of eight rounds.
Basically, this takes a nice, functional 1911 and makes it something pretty to look at, too.
So, if you’d like to add a collectible fire arm to your personal armory without spending an arm and a leg, the Kimber Rapide may be one to consider.
The Kimber Black Ice is about $1000 over priced. The Taurus PT1911 is also a non mil-spec 1911. Non, in that it exceeds all mil-spec minimums by a large measure. In a training class requiring about 4500 rounds to qualify, the PT 1911 bested the Black Ice, and Operator 1911’s in reliability, by a 10 to 1 margin. Matching the Rock River 1911. Factories said- oh!ya gotta break them in. Taurus said, oil it, and go. Rock River said if it fails, send it back, we’ll junk it, and send ya a new one. Accuracy and trigger smoothness/ pull were equal across all guns, ie- better than the shooters abilities. At the end of the 4500 break in period, the Taurus would still go 1000+ rounds without a stoppage, while the other two improved from one stoppage in 50-100 rounds, to one stoppage in 300-500 rounds. So, buy what you want, but expect to have to work with it to some degree to get it where you want it.
I have a Taurus PT1911 in .45 caliber, that I have been shooting for several years now and have never had it malfunction. It will shoot with the best. But, I want another 10mm but in a 1911. I do like the looks of this Kimber however, but I’m not spending that kind of money to buy one. I already have a Kimber Ultra Carry II in .45 caliber that I paid about $800 after all the taxes, so I have gotten the Kimber, I wanna have it now, syndrome out of my system!! Bottom line, I’m looking for a good, low cost shooter in a 1911 10mm!!
Personally I like the Ithaca 1911. Problem is the price of it, I am only about 30 miles from where it’s made at. All are hand made which makes the price higher than most but it’s a beautiful shooting .45 IMHO. Soon enough I will get one but until then I will stay with what I have for now.
Thank you for this offer. I’m seriously considering upgrading to your Kimber Rapid black ice 45 caliber. I at present still own my Colt 1911 from the USMC . I would like to continue shooting competition as I have many years. Please send me nessary info on your Kimberly Rapid Bl Ice thank you
I wish! But as long as these manufacturers are able to get these prices out of some of you, the rest of us are screwed. I’d love a Kimber. Just not likely going to happen in my lifetime. I’m sure it’s a sweet weapon. But it will always be out of range for old retired guys that are on a fix income for over 20 years. Unless I find a used one that needs some TLC!! Hint hint 🤣
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