Kimber sidearms

G

g Bo

New member
I recently purchased my wife and I Kimber micro 9’s . For carrying concealed . We have been carrying S&W airliights (5 shot revolvers) for years. These are double actions so if you have to pull it out to protect yourself it is ready to go but still safe in the holster.

We also have full size (double stack) auto S&W’s which are double action as well. A double action is safe but ready when you are.

My question is, the Kimber is not a double action and I would like some opinions on how to carry it in the holster. I assumed I’d carry it with one in the chamber with the hammer not cocked (or half cocked) from the beginning but some have said do not do it that way as it is not safe. Several others have told me put one in the barrel with the saftey on and it is safe to carry that way.
They say cocked and locked is the way to go.

I’m asking for opinions, or maybe there is the way recommended by Kimber I am not aware of.

Appreciate your expertness!

Thanks
 
The only way to carry a single action semi is "cocked and locked". Just get used to dropping the safety as you pull the pistol from the holster.
 
If you're carrying for defensive use it has to be ready to go instantly. For a 1911 design that is cocked and locked. This is not a pistol to drop into a pocket or purse holsterless.
 
As others have said. But I know as someone that was use to also carrying DA pistols and switching over to single action semi that you might not feel it is safe or that the safety might get dis-engaged at some point while carrying. It does not happen in a good holster. And If you are nervous about it being cocked and locked then when you are cooking and doing the dishes at night for your wife then carry it in the ready until you get comfortable with it.
 
I'm like you with a preference towards da/sa defensive handguns and I have always had sigs which as you said the long da pull is the safety and I too have a little trouble trusting a short single action trigger with the safety on to carry although I love shooting 1911's.
Maybe you should look at some other options if your uncomfortable with "clocked and locked" as I want to be 100% comfortable and familiar with any handgun that's strapped to my body and may be needed to be put into action at the drop of a hat. And wow there are lots of good options out there; sig p365, xds mod 2, the sw shield and so many other great picks there's no reason not to be comfortable with your choice.
 
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If it makes you nervous to carry it cocked and locked then you should look for another pistol. My 1911 45 ACP is cocked and locked with the safety on. A firearm that is not ready to go is not any good if you need it.
 
And there is a difference between a 1911 and the mini Kimber. A 1911 has the grip safety in addition to the thumb safety. The mini Kimber, and the very similar mini Sig model, does not have that extra measure of safety for carrying cocked & locked. Personally I don't care for those mini guns and that is one of the reasons why. And I have packed 1911 handguns for years and am very comfortable with C&L. But all my 1911's are Commander size and up and fitted with a grip safety.
 
Originally Posted By: GCAnd there is a difference between a 1911 and the mini Kimber. A 1911 has the grip safety in addition to the thumb safety. The mini Kimber, and the very similar mini Sig model, does not have that extra measure of safety for carrying cocked & locked. Personally I don't care for those mini guns and that is one of the reasons why. And I have packed 1911 handguns for years and am very comfortable with C&L. But all my 1911's are Commander size and up and fitted with a grip safety.

+1^^^^^^Carried a 1911 C&L for years w/confidence. Only complaint was size in hot weather. Picked up a Sig 938 w/o grip safety and it had to earn my confidence. Was uneasy for quite a while since it has no grip safety, but, with the relatively heavy trigger and months of close monitoring the mini "1911", I'm now comfortable w/holster C&L.

Regards,
hm
 
Originally Posted By: g BoI recently purchased my wife and I Kimber micro 9’s . For carrying concealed . We have been carrying S&W airliights (5 shot revolvers) for years. These are double actions so if you have to pull it out to protect yourself it is ready to go but still safe in the holster.

We also have full size (double stack) auto S&W’s which are double action as well. A double action is safe but ready when you are.

My question is, the Kimber is not a double action and I would like some opinions on how to carry it in the holster. I assumed I’d carry it with one in the chamber with the hammer not cocked (or half cocked) from the beginning but some have said do not do it that way as it is not safe. Several others have told me put one in the barrel with the saftey on and it is safe to carry that way.
They say cocked and locked is the way to go.

I’m asking for opinions, or maybe there is the way recommended by Kimber I am not aware of.

Appreciate your expertness!

Thanks

As Reb said, it depends on your level of comfort and your level of training and effectiveness with the firearm. Firearms require human interaction and sometimes people FEEL more confident with certain firearms than with others. The 1911 style of pistol has been around for a long time and Kimber certainly has a good reputation, but it has it's drawbacks, like being a single action semi-auto. As many of the guys here have said, you are going to want to be able to draw the pistol and engage targets as quickly as you can during an engagement. That being said, Condition 1 is preferable. But some people are just not comfortable with that. They should have thought about that before they bought a 1911 style pistol. Drawing THEN cocking the pistol during the heat of the moment can create problems. But it can be a safer way to carry it. Many double action pistols, such as Sigs, S&W's, Glocks, etc, have other features that can make them different to use, and sometimes easier.

But you CANNOT rely on the machine to do your work for you. You have to practice, practice, practice. Most folks do NOT practice nearly enough to be safe, let alone proficient with their handguns. You need to try the different ways to carry with your Kimbers and find what you are safe AND proficient with. It is not an "or" proposition. You must be safe and proficient with them.
 
Competence breeds confidence.

Carry one in the boom tube. Safety or not.

Keep your booger hook off the bang switch.

Most carry pistols today are free of safeties- Glock, SW, Walther, HK and their lower end copies usually only have a trigger safety.

I carry a LB UTC in condition 1. Condition 0 would be no different than my Walther PPQ.
 

I was interested in the Kimber micro 9 until I read reviews. It seems the gun prefers certain ammo and has function issues if many other brands / loads are used. The trigger is another issue. If only it was a true 1911 clone.
 
Originally Posted By: 6mm06
I was interested in the Kimber micro 9 until I read reviews. It seems the gun prefers certain ammo and has function issues if many other brands / loads are used. The trigger is another issue. If only it was a true 1911 clone.

David, you should take a look at the Sig 938 if you're interested in a small 9mm (semi)1911 (semi because it has it all except the grip safety). I was concerned about carrying cocked & locked at first but the safety is solid and it has probably a 10 # trigger, so I've gained confidence in holster carry. It functions reliably with everything I've put through it and all the bells and whistles are in the right place
smile.gif
.

Regards,
hm
 
That's just a WAG but it is pretty stout. I have learned to use 2nd joint rather than tip of finger (similar to position used when "staging" DA revolvers) and it is not all that bad. Plenty accurate for it's intended purpose.

Regards,
hm
 


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