As concealed carry became increasingly popular, gun makers turned out dozens of smaller, much-easier-to-conceal handguns. Makes sense, right?
But there's a big potential problem with pint-sized pistols, though: they can be very difficult to shoot accurately. Tiny grips, smallish trigger guards, and dinky sights. Sure, they tuck right into a pocket. But try to hit a target at 10 yards. Not the bullseye—just the target!
Thankfully, Kimber figured out how to make a smaller carry gun that is also accurate and easy to shoot: the Kimber Micro 9 Rapide in 9MM.
SummaryWhy is the Kimber Micro 9 Rapide so good?
Design Concept: It functions like a compact version of a 1911 pistol.
Design Features: It includes custom cuts and distinct stabilization grips.
Physical Profile: The firearm weighs under a single pound.
High Accuracy: The pistol shoots remarkably small groups at close ranges.
Concealed Comfort: It carries comfortably in various holsters over many hours.
About the Kimber Micro 9 Rapide Pistol
Essentially a baby 1911, the Kimber Micro 9 Rapide is a single-action, semi-automatic, and mine looked great right out of the box.
Done in a two-tone finish—a silver gray slide and a darker, almost pewter-colored frame—the pistol also features stepped cocking serrations, slide lightening cuts, black G10 grips, and a Stiplex front strap pattern cut into the frame for added gripping stability.
But it was also small, fairly short with a 3.1-inch barrel, and weighed under a pound. So, I had to wonder: can I hit anything with it?
Check Price at Guns.com Check Price at Cabela'sRange Time
Kimber Micro 9 Rapide Range Statistics
| Category | Test Metric / Result |
|---|---|
| Total Rounds Fired | Over 200 rounds |
| Malfunctions Encountered | 0 loading or ejecting failures |
| Ammunition Brands Tested | 5 distinct brands |
| 5-Yard Group Size (Offhand) | 1.0 inch or better |
| 10-Yard Group Size (Average) | 1.5 inches to 2.0 inches |
| Best 10-Yard Group Size | 0.85 inches (Winchester Train & Defend) |
| USA Ready 10-Yard Group | 1.0 inch |
| Average Trigger Pull Weight | 5 pounds, 5 ounces |
To answer that question, I used five brands of ammunition in the Micro 9 Rapide, including Winchester’s Train and Defend self-defense round with a 147-grain jacketed hollow point bullet. In over 200 rounds, I experienced no loading or ejecting malfunctions.
The one problem I had with the Micro 9 Rapide, early on, was gripping the pistol too high.
With the recoil of firing, my hand came up on the grip and onto the beavertail, and the side of my shooting hand’s thumb engaged the ambidextrous butterfly safety.
I was holding the Micro 9 Rapide much like a full-sized 1911, with my shooting thumb riding up on the frame.
The solution? I laid my shooting thumb over the left grip on a horizontal line with the middle of the trigger, then placed my other thumb over the shooting thumb at a 90-degree angle.
The pressure from my non-shooting thumb kept the other thumb away from the safety.
Once I had mastered this holding technique, I was amazed at this little pistol’s accuracy. I started at a concealed carry range of five yards, firing offhand, and quickly concluded that any five-shot group not at 1.0 inches or better was my fault.
At 10 yards and still shooting offhand, my groups averaged larger in the 1.5-inch to 2.0-inch range, still quite admirable. My best 10-yard group was shot with the Winchester Train and Defend ammunition at just .85 inches. I also shot a 1.0-inch group with Winchester’s USA Ready range ammunition.
Features: Kimber Micro 9 Rapide
Design & Action
- Action Type: Single-action, semi-automatic mechanism.
- Platform Style: Designed fundamentally as a miniature 1911 handgun.
- Finish: Features a two-tone silver gray slide paired with a pewter frame.
Frame & Slide
- Slide Cuts: Built with stepped cocking serrations and slide-lightening windows.
- Grip Texturing: Features black G10 material panels for secure holding.
- Safety Mechanism: Equipped with an ambidextrous thumb safety lever system.
Component Specs
- Sights: Outfitted with high-visibility Tru-Glo TFX Pro Day-Night fiber optic sights.
- Barrel Length: Measured precisely at a short 3.1 inches.
- Total Weight: Built lightweight to weigh under one single pound.
- Trigger Weight: Breaks at an average pull of 5 pounds, 5 ounces.
The Kimber’s Tru-Glo TFX Pro Day Night Sights popped nicely and put me on target quickly, thanks to the fiber optic inserts front and back.
The rear notch was also large enough so that I could see the whole front post with space on either side, versus the all-too-common handgun sights that don’t allow the shooter to see much beyond sights themselves.
Trigger pull on the Micro 9 Rapide averaged five pounds, five ounces. The trigger itself was just a bit balky, but with the accuracy I achieved, it was obviously not a problem.
Exceptional Every Day Carry
I carried the Micro 9 Rapide for several days using a Galco Stow-N-Go, IWB holster (Model K-STO664). The Galco clipped on to the outside of my belt and held the Rapide at a near-perfect height for drawing out the pistol. The holster and pistol were comfortable, even after hours of carry.
I also carried the Micro 9 Rapide in the small of my back using a Sticky Holster. This was ultra-comfortable when walking and standing and really wasn’t a bother when sitting as long as I sat with my trunk leaning a smidge forward.
In hand, the Micro 9 Rapide feels solid and serious despite its relatively small footprint. Concealed carriers will find much to appreciate in this pistol, and it will fit nicely on the nightstand, too.
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