Kimber 2K11 Marks Bold Leap into the Double-Stack Arena for 2025
In a move sure to excite 1911 enthusiasts and competitive shooters alike, Kimber America has officially unveiled the 2K11, a thoroughly modern take on the iconic 1911 platform. This release marks Kimber’s first foray into the double-stack 1911 market, offering a blend of traditional styling and cutting-edge enhancements that speaks to both legacy and innovation.
For decades, Kimber has been synonymous with craftsmanship and classic American styling, producing some of the most respected single-stack 1911 pistols on the market. But with evolving shooter demands particularly among those in competition circles and tactical communities the need for greater capacity and modularity has never been more apparent. The 2K11 answers that call with a pistol that retains the soul of a 1911 while adopting features that reflect the needs of today’s shooters.
At the heart of the 2K11 is a fluted 5-inch bull barrel, boasting 5R rifling and a rugged DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) finish, engineered for both precision and longevity. Chambered in 9mm and .45 ACP, the pistol offers capacity options that range from 17+1 to 20+1 in 9mm, and 13+1 in .45, effectively doubling the traditional 1911's round count without sacrificing the revered balance and handling.
The stainless steel subframe, also DLC-coated, pairs with a hard-anodized 7075 aluminum alloy grip module, creating a frame that’s both durable and lightweight. The flat-faced GT Match Grade Trigger breaks crisply at around 3.5 pounds, and the optics-ready slide available in either black DLC or Coyote PVD allows shooters to mount their red dot of choice with ease. Select models even come equipped with a Trijicon SRO straight from the factory.
Controls are intuitively laid out and fully ambidextrous, with thumb safeties on both sides, a beavertail grip safety, and an enhanced magwell for lightning-fast reloads. A three-slot Picatinny rail under the dust cover supports tactical lights or lasers, while a tool-less guide rod simplifies field-stripping for maintenance.
In addition to the standard model, Kimber is offering a Target variant, featuring a ported slide, adjustable rear sight, and a competition-ready magwell courtesy of Stan Chen Customs® a nod to its suitability on the match circuit.
From its enhanced capacity to its competition-tuned internals, the Kimber 2K11 feels like a deliberate and strategic evolution a pistol that respects the past but isn’t constrained by it. With demand growing for double-stack 1911s that bridge the gap between duty-grade reliability and race-gun performance, Kimber’s 2K11 looks poised to be a serious contender in 2025 and beyond.
As always, the devil is in the details, and if first impressions are any indication, Kimber has nailed them.