Kimber CDS9 Review: A Handful Of 9mm Goodness!

Image	Product	Price
	Kimber CDS9	Check Price

Images by the author. Sorry about the tag on the trigger guard… the gun is a loaner.

Kimber is a company on a mission. They have never given up on the 1911 platform, and they make some of the most eye-catching, accurate, and reliable 1911s out there. They’re not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

They just introduced their first double-stack version, the 2K11. Talk about a head-turner! I’ve wanted to review a Kimber for a long time, and recently I got the chance to do so with their concealed carry wonder, the CDS9 (covert double-stack 9mm). 

Optics-ready out of the box, this tiny 9mm was designed for deep concealment. With a 3.18” barrel and weighing just over 20 ounces, the gun should be easy to conceal. Add in the fact that you have one 15- and one 13-round magazine, and you have some serious firepower at your disposal.

Photos

Let’s cut to the chase and have a look at this little wonder. Here is a series of photos I took, in no particular order. I just wanted to ensure you have a clear idea of what this pistol looks like; it is unique-looking, to say the least. I do like it.

Now that we have stepped out of the photo gallery – move along, please – let’s discuss how this pistol handles and shoots.

Range Time

I was a bit trepidatious before I fired this 3-inch-plus 9mm, especially with defense loads. I figured that its short stature and light, 20-ounce-plus weight might translate into some pretty stout recoil. I was right, but only to a certain extent. It is, after all, a 9mm and not a 10mm or greater caliber, so its recoil is not going to be wrist-bending. 

Did it kick? Sure, but it was nothing that couldn’t be handled with practice. Plus, I mostly shot it from a bench, which always magnifies felt recoil. The main thing is that the gun was comfortable to shoot. They’ve removed sharp edges and have built an overhanging beaver tail that protects your hand. The gun was easily handled, especially with the longer 15-round mag in place. (The magazines’ extended base plates are textured, too – a nice touch). 

Let’s look at some targets.

Fiocchi Defense Dynamics 124-grain JHP

Fiocchi Training Dynamics 115-grain FMJ

Monarch 124-grain FMJ

Armscor 115-grain FMJ

Fiocchi 115-grain JHP

These groups won’t make Jerry Miculek jealous, but they’re a place to start. Some of them would suffice for practice. I mixed a couple of defense loads in… the gun recoiled a bit more with them, as you would expect. The Fiocchi 115-grain JHP and the Armscor load would be worth pursuing. The thing is, with a little gun like this, you need to practice more than you might with a larger gun. It handles and shoots differently than a compact 9mm, so be aware of that. It’s a good thing, but you’ll need to get used to it. 

With VZ Frag pattern grips, you have something positive to hold on to. Add in that the pattern is continued on both the front and back straps, and the gun seems to lock itself into your hand. At least it did mine. You can see the pattern in the photos above. 

Slide serrations are positive, as well. They don’t talk much about them, but they sort of remind me of a large snake’s scale pattern, or fish scales. They are cut well and allow a firm grip, so the slide doesn’t slide in your hand. You can get a firm grip. 

Another bonus I discovered when I shot the thing was the front and rear sights. The rear is fixed but has a generous cut that allows light on either side of the fiber-optic-equipped front sight. Plus, if you desire, you can mount an RMSc-footprint optic via the removable plate. 

Controls are fully ambidextrous – once you move the mag release to the other side. It allows that. 

After shooting, cleaning it is easy. It is a 1911, after all. Just remember that the recoil spring is both free and captured… it is in two sections.

Specifications

These are from the CDS9 web page.

• Height (inches): 4.560″ with 10 Round Magazine, 5.0″ with 13 Round Magazine, 5.520″ with 15 Round Magazine
• Weight (ounces) with empty magazine: 20.8
• Length (inches): 6.2
• Width (inches): 1.1
• Magazine capacity: One 13- and one 15-round magazine
• Recoil Spring: Dual 
• Frame Material: Aluminum

• Frame Finish: KimPro® II
• Accessory Rail
• Ambi Controls
• Frag pattern checkered front strap
• Frag pattern mainspring housing
• Slide Material: Stainless Steel

• Slide Finish: KimPro® II
• Front and rear serrations
• RMSc direct mount optic cut
• External extractor
• Barrel Length (inches): 3.18

• Barrel Material: Stainless steel, match grade
• Twist rate: 5R (right hand): 10
• Sights: Tag Fiber Lock front sight, Black fixed rear sight
• Grips: VZ Frag pattern G10 grip panels
• Trigger: Flat faced with vertical brake point

Where To Buy

Summing Up

For shooters seeking a 9mm that is compact yet still offers decent capacity, the CDS9 is a suitable option. It can be a handful, but you can train for it. Heck, any small 9mm can be a handful… grab it tight and don’t let go! 

The gun is reliable, has no glitches, is accurate with the right ammunition, and is aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, Kimber backs it, so you have someone to turn to if you encounter any problems. This is about as good as it gets… check one out!