Kimber 1911 DS Warrior
The Kimber 1911 DS Warrior: Entry-Level Value or a Regrettable Purchase?
In the rapidly expanding world of double-stack 1911s (often referred to as 2011s), Kimber stepped into the budget ring with an American-made, entry-level option: the Kimber 1911 DS Warrior.
On paper, it’s an intriguing package: stainless steel slide and barrel, carbon fiber grip module, performance trigger and a traditional bushing barrel. But after taking it out to the range for its first real workout, I’m left with some mixed feelings. Here’s the breakdown of my experience and why this might not be the "budget 2011" champion we were hoping for.
First Impressions: The Build
Out of the box, the DS Warrior feels like what it is—an entry-level gun. While it’s American-made, the internal refinement isn’t quite there. During my initial teardown, I found some "gritty" parts; specifically, the firing pin retainer and the front bushing required some fitment work just to get the gun back together smoothly.
Although it’s a light gun, due to its aluminum subframe, it feels notably top-heavy. Unlike the high-end 2011s we often feature on Jim's Armory, this gun isn’t ported or compensated, meaning you’re going to feel every bit of that recoil, especially with such a light gun weighing only 33 oz. Higher end 2011s typically weigh over 40 oz.
At the Range: Fighting the Gun
The shooting experience was where the "regret" started to creep in. Here are the key takeaways from the range session:
Snappy Performance: Without a comp or porting, the gun is quite snappy. I found myself fighting it the whole time to stay on target.
Oversprung Issues: The gun feels significantly oversprung. During double-tap tests, the slide returns so hard that it causes the muzzle to dip, leading to shots landing lower than intended.
Trigger Quality: The trigger is heavy—definitely over four pounds. I also experienced a strange malfunction where the trigger jammed up during rapid fire, refusing to reset for the second shot.
Accuracy: On a positive note, the accuracy at 20 yards was solid. Despite the heavy trigger and the "work" required to shoot it, the gun is capable of good groups if you do your part.
The Verdict: Should You Buy It?
If you're comparing the Kimber DS Warrior to other entry-level options like the Springfield Prodigy or the Mac 9DS, it falls into a similar category: it’s not terribly refined and it's definitely oversprung.
My Take: If you can find a killer deal on the DS Warrior, it’s a functional entry into the double-stack world—just keep it well-oiled. However, if you’re looking for a smoother, more refined experience, my honest advice would be to save your money a little longer and look at something like the Romulus.
The Kimber DS Warrior is a decent effort to cater to the lower end of the market, but it’s a "workhorse" that makes you work a little too hard for your hits.
