Kimber Custom LW 37000597 45 ACP

The Kimber is a dull black pistol compared to the Ronin, but it offers good fit and finish. We feel that accuracy would have been better with a lighter trigger, but the trigger drew no complaints for threat management. The lightweight frame didn’t materially affect handling.

1

Gun Test Grade: A-

$709

Kimber hit the ground running with a pistol that covered many custom features previously found only on expensive custom items. While it is old news today, at the time it was introduced, the pistol was a sensation. The pistol tested was the “base” Kimber, the original Custom II with an optional aluminum LW, or light weight, frame. Potentially, an LW-frame Government Model might do very well against the steel-frame pistols simply because it was lighter, if nothing else.

Kimber Custom LW 37000597 45 ACP

Action TypeShort recoil-operated locked breech, single action
Overall Length8.6 in.
Overall Height5.5 in.
Maximum Width1.32 in.
Weight Unloaded31.5 oz.
Weight Loaded36.5 oz.
Slide MaterialForged steel
Slide Retraction Effort17 lbs.
Receiver MaterialAluminum
FinishMatte blued
Front Strap Height2.6 in.
Back Strap Height3.2 in.
Barrel Length5.0 in.
Grip Thickness Maximum1.32 in.
Grip Circumference5.2 in.
MagazineOne 8 round
Rear SightFixed drift adjustable
Front SightDovetailed post with fiber optic insert
Sight Radius6.4 in.
Trigger Pull Weight5.5 lbs.
Trigger Span2.8 in.
SafetiesSlide lock, grip
Warranty1 year
Telephone(888) 243-4522
WebsiteKimberAmerica.com
Made InUSA
The Kimber presented a smooth forward surface, while the backstrap was checkered.

We noted the barrel was well fitted with a good, tight lock up. The lightweight-frame gun had the pleasant shooting characteristics of the steel Government Model 45. The raters noted that while it isn’t advertised as having a carry melt or any such alteration to the slide and frame, the pistol was practically devoid of sharp edges. The pistol featured a well-designed set of high-profile sights with a serrated rear sight against a fiber-optic front sight. This sight would not allow racking the slide against a belt, if this is important to you, so it suffers compared to the Springfield Ronin Operator.

The Kimber (right) pistols featured full-length guide rods.

On the other hand, it was snag-free in concealed carry. The finish was a dull black oxide, durable enough, if not overly attractive. Small parts are blacked out, and the grips are dark, and half checkered in common with the Ronin. Trigger compression was 5.5 pounds. This was heavier than some other Kimber pistols we have tested. The pistol featured a flat mainspring housing and long match-type trigger. The barrel bushing was finger tight, and the pistol featured a full-length guide rod. The magazine well was beveled, and the mainspring housing was nicely checkered. The grip safety didn’t have a memory pad, but it worked well enough during testing.

The Kimber sights (left) are designed not to snag on the draw.

The single supplied stainless-steel magazine isn’t a Kimber type but was instead a stainless Metalform. It was a flush-fit magazine, which is better for concealed carry, less so for slamming the magazine home quickly. The pistol featured forward cocking serrations. The slide lock safety was slightly more upswept than the Springfield’s. It clicked into position with a firm indent. Kimber uses the Swartz-type safety to lock the firing pin, and a heavy-duty firing-pin spring is considered a safety feature.

This is the operator’s view of the Kimber Custom LW sights near a target and in not-great light. Fiber optics are a welcome addition in fast combat shooting.

The Kimber LW is a Custom II with a lightweight frame, so we paid close attention to recoil. The Custom LW was fired with the same ammunition and magazines as the Ronin. At 31 ounces, the pistol was 7 ounces lighter than the Ronin. Just the same, there was little detectable difference in recoil. Some raters noticed a difference with the +P load. The comments, in summary, were that the pistol isn’t more difficult to control well in recoil, but it feels noticeably lighter when worn on the hip.

Our Team Said: Fired offhand, the Kimber’s results were good to excellent. The pistol came on target quickly. In common with many 1911 handguns with a long trigger and flat mainspring housing, the pistol fired low in the hands of some raters. With effort, this tendency was corrected. The pistol was controllable, and turned in good combat results. There was little practical difference between this handgun and the Ronin in combat shooting.

As far as accuracy from the benchrest, the pistol turned in good groups, with an average virtually tied with the Ronin. We experienced a single odd malfunction with the Speer +P load. The pistol locked back on the last shot, it seemed, but a live round was laying in the ejection port. Perhaps the rater did not properly grip the pistol. We gave the pistol a half point demerit on this malfunction.

45 ACP Range Data

All groups were fired at 25 yards from a solid benchrest position using a Bullshooters pistol rest. The first chronograph screen was 10 feet from the muzzle of the firearm. We used a Competition Electronics Pro Chrony to record velocities.
Black Hills 200-grain LSWCTisas DutyMetro Arms BobcutKimber Custom LWSpringfield Ronin
Average Velocity877 fps854 fps860 fps884 fps
Muzzle Energy342 ft.-lbs.324 ft.-lbs.328 ft.-lbs.347 ft.-lbs.
Small Group2.5 in.2.3 in.2.0 in.1.9 in.
Average Group3.3 in.2.7 in.2.3 in.2.3 in.
Hornady XTP 200-grain JHP 9112Tisas DutyMetro Arms BobcutKimber Custom LWSpringfield Ronin
Average Velocity987 fps960 fps980 fps959 fps
Muzzle Energy433 ft.-lbs.409 ft.-lbs.426 ft.-lbs.408 ft.-lbs.
Small Group2.5 in.2.3 in.2.0 in.1.5 in.
Average Group2.9 in.2.8 in.2.3 in.1.9 in.
Speer Gold Dot 230-grain JHP 23966GDTisas DutyMetro Arms BobcutKimber Custom LWSpringfield Ronin
Average Velocity899 fps814 fps908 fps903 fps
Muzzle Energy413 ft.-lbs.338 ft.-lbs.421 ft.-lbs.416 ft.-lbs.
Small Group2.8 in.2.4 in.2.1 in.2.2 in.
Average Group3.4 in.2.9 in.2.5 in.2.5 in.

Value Guide 45 ACP 1911 Handgun Rankings

Gun NameIssueGradeComments
SIG Sauer Ultra Compact W1911U-45-BSS 45 ACP, $949May 2021AOur Pick. Has a flared and extended ejection port, extended ejector, and a very nice trigger pull.
S&W SW1911 Pro Series 178020 45 ACP, $1249May 2021A-We liked the recoil impulse and movement of the S&W the best. Function was 100% with all ammo.
Colt Defender Lightweight Stainless O7000XE, $999May 2021B+We want our frames to last for years, so we are not great fans of aluminum feed ramps as on the Colt.
Ruger SR1911 Officer Stainless 06762, $979May 2021BAll-steel construction and slightly longer slide-barrel combo resulted in the softest recoil impulse.
Springfield Loaded Operator PX9105LL 45 ACP, $1162July 2020ABest Buy. If you need a personal-defense handgun rather than a show piece, this is the trick.
Guncrafter Commander 45 ACP, $3285July 2020AOur Pick. The fitting is excellent, the sights are ideal for combat, and the trigger is superb.
Nighthawk Custom Falcon 45 ACP, $3699July 2020AAn excellent production/custom grade handgun. Very smooth, excellent finish. Best combat ability.
Dan Wesson 1911 Heritage RZ-45 01981 45 ACP, $1227July 2020A-The Dan Wesson Heritage offers good fit and finish and outstanding accuracy. Had break-in malfunctions.
Devil Dog Arms 4.25 Standard DDA-425-BO45 45 ACP, $1150July 2020A-Of this set of five, this gun makes the most sense for real-world concealed carry.
Desert Eagle 1911C 45 ACP, $695August 2019ABest Buy. Reliability was good and accuracy was the best of the test.
Kimber Pro Carry SLE 45 ACP, $750August 2019AGood reliability, excellent sights, the best trigger of the test, and more-than-acceptable accuracy.
Taurus 1911 Commander 1-191101COM 45 ACP, $500August 2019B-We did not like the fit of the beavertail safety. Less accurate than the previous 2018 test gun.
Iver Johnson Arms Polished Hawk Commander 45 ACP, $570August 2019CPoor attention to detail in feed-ramp finish, trigger-pull weight, and selection of the proper-size slide lock.
Taylor’s & Company Compact 1911 51469 45 ACP, $450June 2019A-Had good sights and a good trigger. We would have liked a textured front grip strap.
American Tactical Firepower Xtreme GI 1911 45 ACP, $398June 2019A-This a traditional GI-style Commander with a nice trigger and good sights.
Taurus 1911 Officer 1-191101OFC 45 ACP, $459June 2019B+Had all the right features, but it did not shoot to point of aim. Would need a new rear sight.
Colt Gold Cup NM O5870A1 45 ACP, $1190May 2019AOur Pick. The National Match Colt is the most accurate of the five handguns tested.
Colt Series 70 01970A1CS 45 ACP, $865May 2019ABest Buy. The least expensive tested, but it could be the best carry gun for the money.
Les Baer Concept VI 45 ACP, $2290May 2019A-It wasn’t faultless; we dinged it for a sharp edge on the safety.
Colt Bright Stainless Gov. O1070BSTS 45 ACP, $1549May 2019B-Flawless fit, finish, and build quality. Slippery grip isn’t easily addressed.
SIG Sauer Match Elite 1911T-45-TME 45 ACP, $1050May 2019DIf you’re willing to do some light gunsmithing, move the grade up to B.
Remington 1911 R1 Enh. TB 96339 45 ACP, $675February 2019AA well-outfitted gun for the money. Consider the threaded-barrel model over an R1E.
Kimber 1911 Warrior SOC 3000253 TFS 45 ACP, $1309February 2019B-The Bobcut offers a crisp trigger pull and bobbed grip for better concealment.
American Tactical Imports ATIFGX45 45 ACP, $525February 2019FWe had ongoing function problems when the suppressor was fitted to the gun.
Metro Arms MAC 1911 Bobcut 45 ACP, $746October 2018AThe Bobcut offers a crisp trigger pull and bobbed grip for better concealment.
American Classic ACC45C 45 ACP, $568October 2018A-Our only ding on this gun is the lack of a serrated front grip strap.
Taurus 1911 Commander 1-191101COM 45 ACP, $459October 2018A-The trigger was a bit too heavy, but the sights are good. Great fit and finish.
RIA Tactical 2011 w/TruDot Night sights 45 ACP, $590April 2017ABest Buy. Light rail, good barrel fitting, TruDot night sights, ambi slide-lock safety.
Springfield Armory TRP PC9108LP 45 ACP, $1347April 2017A-Good fit and finish. The Match Grade barrel lived up to its name. Reliability was faultless.
EAA Witness Elite 1911P 600347 45 ACP, $470April 2017B-Least accurate pistol off the bench. Magazine latch could cause dire consequences.
ATI Firepower Xtreme Hybrid FXH-45 45 ACP, $600April 2017DWe could not convince the pistol to fire without a trip back to the factory.
Kimber Gold Match II 45 ACP, $1311June 2016AOffered an excellent trigger action and was more accurate than the Springfield.
Springfield Armory TRP PC9108LP 45 ACP, $1347June 2016ABest Buy. The Springfield offered excellent reliability and good accuracy.
Colt Rail Gun 01070RG 45 ACP, $1199April 2016AAn all-stainless 1911 with Novak sights, ambi safety, and a rail. Excellent.
Springfield Armory TRP PC9108LP 45 ACP, $1347April 2016AOur Pick. This is a first-class 1911. Excellent reliability, accuracy, and night sights.
Springfield Loaded PX9109LP 45 ACP, $790April 2016BBest Buy. A good choice for home defense, carry, IDPA, and as an all-round handgun.
Colt Combat Elite 08011XSE 45 ACP, $1015April 2016BWe rated it down based on the lack of an ambidextrous safety.
Colt’s Mfg. Co. Series 70 O1970A1CS 45 ACP, $953August 2015AExcellent trigger action, good accuracy, relatively light weight for a steel-frame 1911.
Colt’s Mfg. Co. 1991A1 No. O1991 45 ACP, $745August 2015B+Accurate and reliable. Some of the 1991A1 pistols have a nicer trigger than ours.
Colt’s Mfg. Co. Gold Cup Trophy O5070X 45 ACP, $1249July 2015A-Excellent trigger action, good accuracy, and sights that offer good adjustment.

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