Much like a shark, companies in the firearm industry will die if they stop moving. That’s why they’re always under pressure to deliver new products that customers want. That’s the exact situation that well-known classic firearm company Kimber Manufacturing finds themselves in today. And they’re swinging for the fences with their newest gun offering: the subcompact Kimber R7 Mako pistol.
The Mako will be competing with household names like this Sig Sauer P365. Photo Courtesy of Jimmy Smith.
What is the Kimber Mako?
If you’re familiar with the firearms world, you’ve likely heard of Kimber before. First and foremost, they’re best known for their higher-end 1911. In addition, they have a reputation for making quality revolvers, too. All in all, they’re known for making old-school guns – and doing it well.
But the R7 Mako is a different story. This is Kimber’s first foray into the “wonder nine pistol” category of guns. Instead of the typical metal-framed firearms Kimber is used to, the R7 Mako features a polymer frame built from glass-filled nylon. It’s also a noted departure from the typical single-action of a Kimber 1911 or double-action of one of their revolvers, since the R7 Mako uses a striker-fired system.
In addition, the R7 Mako is doing its best to appeal to a new type of firearm consumer that Kimber doesn’t typically court: concealed carriers. Its tiny, subcompact frame makes the R7 Mako a breeze to conceal. With its staggered 9mm magazine, Kimber is taking aim at industry titans like Glock and Sig Sauer with the introduction of the R7 Mako.
We’ll definitely be watching the R7 Mako’s development with great interest!
The R7 Mako gets its name from the Mako Shark.
Kimber R7 Mako Specs
- Caliber: 9×19 parabellum.
- Action: striker-fired, gas-operated semi-auto.
- Barrel: 4.3 inches.
- Capacity: 11+1 rounds standard (13+1 rounds with extended magazine).
- Trigger Pull: 5.0lbs – 6.75 lbs.
- Sights: TruGlo Tritium night sights (orange front ring, white rear dots). Standard optics-ready slide, Crimson Trace CTS-1500 sight optional.
- Weight: 19.5 oz
- MSRP: $599 for optics-ready version, $799 for CTS-1500 optic installed.
What are your thoughts on the Mako? Do you think it has the potential to go up against some of the giants of the striker-fired world like Glock and Sig? Let us know on social media.
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