Now that summer is upon us, it’s time to think about how best to carry concealed with less and typically looser clothing. The Kimber Micro Rapide pistol is one of the smallest carry guns I’ve gotten hands-on with, but just because it’s small doesn’t mean it’s not mighty. If you’re a fan of 1911’s, this micro single-stack pistol might just be your next EDC for the summer.
Kimber Micro Rapide Features
7+1 Capacity
When I first started carrying a gun daily, I carried the Smith & Wesson Shield and the Glock 43. These two pistols were easy to conceal and had endless holster options. The Kimber Micro Rapide is right on par with these two pistols in terms of capacity but adds the quality of a 1911-style gun rather than polymer. I compete with a double-stacked 1911 Nighthawk 9mm pistol, so it’s easier for me to carry a 1911-style gun as I’m used to the controls. The Micro Rapide is a perfect pocket pistol carry option or even a boot or ankle carry gun, as it’s so compact.
Tru-Glo TFX Pro Day Night Sights
The Kimber Micro Rapide comes with the TFX Pro sights already installed. These sights were designed to be snag-free, which is exactly what you want and need in a carry pistol. The sights glow brightly in the dark without needing exposure to light or batteries to make them work. The front sight on this pistol is unbelievably bright and easy to pick up in daylight. Finally, these sights will not wear as they are impervious to oils, chemicals, cleaning solvents, and even ultra-sonic cleaning processes. Kimber made a good investment in choosing these sights for this pistol, as the first thing I typically do with an iron sight carry gun is replace the sights with something that glows in the dark.
Black G10 Grips
If you’re familiar with G10 grips on knives, this Kimber Micro Rapide 9mm Black Ice version is outfitted with the same material for the grips. The Rapide is available with different grip styles, different colored barrels, and more. The Black Ice version I have is made with G10 grips that feel good in the hand. The necessity of having a good grip on a micro pistol cannot go understated. Because you’re shooting out of a 3.15-inch barrel, there will be more felt recoil than on a full-size pistol. The need to hang on to the gun is crucial, and the right grips can help you even in rain, mud, or other slippery conditions.
G10 is a fiberglass-epoxy composite material that is highly durable and corrosion-resistant. It is most commonly used in applications where high strength, low weight, high chemical resistance, low water absorption, and high electrical and thermal isolation are needed.
DLC Coated Barrel
Barrel coatings are not all equal. The Kimber Micro Rapide has a stainless steel, match-grade barrel that is DLC-coated. DLC coatings can make objects harder, more robust, and more scratch-resistant, and they can also reduce friction, wear, corrosion, and other issues. A DLC-coated barrel will last a long time, especially against sweat, which ultimately means salt. You know how sweaty your gun can get if you carry on your body. My holster hardware has all rusted, and when I did not clean my Glock 43 often enough, I noticed rust on the barrel and slide. You can get away with a little less maintenance with DLC coating, but make sure you maintain your carry gun.
Kimber Micro Rapide Hands-On Experience
I fell in love with this little gun. The familiarity of the 1911 functions was what really sold me on the pistol’s design. The quality of the stainless steel slide and barrel, the aluminum frame, and the aluminum trigger all contribute to the pistol’s value. I had no problem ringing steel at the range. It was easy to draw this pistol from concealment despite its smaller grip size. I naturally rest my thumb on the safety as I draw any 1911-style pistol, so as I present the gun, I’m depressing the thumb safety. If you don’t practice often with an external thumb safety, I suggest practicing this in both dry fire and live fire before making it your EDC pistol. Overall, I’m impressed by the accuracy, comfort, and ease of shooting the Micro Rapide.
Specifications
Caliber: 9mm
Height: 4.07 inches
Weight with empty magazine: 15.6 ounces
Length: 6.1 inches
Width: 1.08 inches
Magazine Capacity: 7 rounds
Frame: Material: Aluminum and Finish: Kimpro II Silver
Slide: Material: Stainless steel and Finish: Silver / Grey KimPro II
Barrel Length: 3.15 inches
Barrel: Material: Stainless steel, match grade and Twist rate (left hand): 16
Grips: Black G10
Sights: Tru-Glo TFX Pro Day Night Sights
Trigger: Premium aluminum and Factory setting (approximate pounds): 7
MRSP: $1,060.00
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kenzie Fitzpatrick is a professional competitive shooter and an active blogger for many firearm websites. As an NRA-certified instructor and National Range Officer Institute Chief Range Officer, Kenzie trains new shooters on basic firearm safety, brings new shooters to competitive shooting and works major matches across the country. She has a passion for teaching people how to carry concealed and is a positive ambassador for the Second Amendment. Kenzie is also the host of the Reticle Up Podcast, where she interviews competitive shooters, hunters, anglers, archers, entrepreneurs, and outdoorsmen.
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