Kimber R7 Mako Carbon Compact 9mm Semi-Auto Review (+Video)

Behind The Scenes Of Kimber’s New Pistol Launches

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Last year, I reviewed Kimber’s R7 Mako pistol for Hook & Barrel Magazine and was impressed with the accuracy and functionality of the mid-sized, striker-fired 9mm. It was the company’s first poly-framed pistol, too.

But when the staff at Kimber recently told me they were launching a new R7 Mako variant, I was ready for the standard shooting industry gloss-over. As in, take the existing gun, give it a slightly different paint job and proclaim it “new.”

This wasn’t the case with the new Kimber R7 Mako Carbon Compact, the latest addition to the semi-automatic offerings from Kimber.

In addition to the Carbon Compact, Kimber is launching upgraded versions of the KDS9c Rail 9mm, another fine pistol I was able to review, and two other very impressive semi-auto pistols set to drop in fall 2024.

Along with five other writers, I visited Kimber in Alabama, in mid-July 2024, to try out their newest pistols, tour Kimber’s manufacturing facility, and see for myself what longer-term changes are going on here at one of America’s top gun makers.

Spoiler Alert: Kimber is very much moving forward for 2024 and many years beyond.

Kimber R7 Mako Carbon Compact Details

The pistol grip housing of the Carbon Compact is made from a carbon fiber matrix which Kimber rates at up to 60,000 lbs. psi tensile strength or roughly twice the strength of a standard polymer-framed pistol.

The Carbon Compact felt really comfortable in my hand and the grip texturing grabbed my skin nicely. The high undercut on the grip added for this model helped me secure this pistol when shooting. Same can be said for the new forward “Gas Pedal” or thumb rest usually found only on custom shop guns. Nice touch, Kimber, and one that made the pistol that much easier to control during my rapid shooting.

The pistol also featured a fully ambidextrous slide lever and magazine release. The striker-fired trigger snapped off cleanly—none of that striker-spongy feel. This new model is built with a 3.9-inch barrel, which is 0.5-inch longer than other R7s. Slim, 7 inches long, and weighing 24.4 ounces unloaded, the pistol will carry easily.

Range Time With The R7 Mako Carbon Compact

At a local outdoor shooting range, Kimber staff piled loaded 15-round 9mm magazines for the Carbon Compact on a nearby table. I went through at least 200 rounds in my short time with the pistol. By the way, the pistol sells with two of those magazines, meaning 15+1 ammo capacity, as well as four backstraps to fine-tune fitment to a specific shooter’s hands.

During my brief test at Kimber, I pegged several 1.5-inch groups of five shots at 10 yards shooting offhand. Also noteworthy, the extended and flared magazine well made for quick and easy reloading. I had no failures to feed ammo or eject spent brass.

As noted, the textured grip, the high undercut, and the thumb rest made for controlled shooting even when I burned through a 15-round mag—which I did three times!

For those who like to shoot their pistols suppressed, a Carbon Compact TFS model featuring a threaded barrel and a Holosun 407K optic already mounted will soon be available, too.

Holster Up!

The new Kimber R7 Mako Carbon Compact is range- and carry-ready, with a selection of holsters available from Black Point Tactical, including optics- and accessory-ready models. For additional accessories, visit kimberamerica.com.

Specifications: Kimber R7 Mako Carbon Compact (Optics-Ready)

CALIBER: 9mm
ACTION: Striker-fired, semi-auto
BARREL: 3.92 inches
OA LENGTH: 7 inches
WEIGHT: 24.4 ounces (empty)
GRIPS: Four interchangeable modular backstraps included
SIGHTS: 3-Dot TruGlo Tritium Pro Night Sights with Orange front ring and White rear rings
FINISH: Stainless FNC
CAPACITY: 15+1
MSRP: $735

On With The Kimber Tour

Kimber’s plant in Troy, Alabama is the cleanest and brightest gun manufacturing facility I’ve ever toured! Machines were newly painted and the aisles between machines and workstations were wide and clean swept. I didn’t even spot a scrap of paper or other debris on the floors. Overall, the facility was well-lit and airy.

We viewed the solid steel bars that are the foundation of the Kimber handguns, neatly stacked and ready for the initial machining. No forgings. At various spots along the manufacturing process, Kimber set up tables with a selection of the parts made in this area of the facility and an explanation of what exactly was done to make the parts ready for the next step.        

CNC and other machines, including fully automated ones, turned out handgun parts large and small during our tour time. But I also saw a number of workstations where Kimber employees fitted pistols and revolvers by hand.   

Kimber’s New Directions

The Kimber staff I talked with made it clear the gun maker is truly pushing itself in newer directions. They want shooters to know, for example, that Kimber is open to new ideas and very much wants feedback from the shooters. They are also working on getting the prices down on some of their pistols.

“We are actively shifting our go-to-market strategy which will allow Kimber to produce firearms our consumers are looking for in a far more timely manner than every four years [as was done in the past],” said Everett Deger, Kimber’s Director of Marketing. “As is evidenced with the introduction of our KDS9c in 2023, the [KDS9c Rail] line extension in 2024, and new Carbon Compact in 2024. And, we have two more new introductions on the way.”

He added, “Kimber is changing to ensure that we make the most relevant and cutting-edge products we can, to deliver the performance our consumers expect.”

That desire to hear from and react to customers was evident in the creation of the  KDS9c line extension Deger referenced. The first KDS9c received very solid sales. With its 4-inch barrel and aluminum frame, the KDS9c was a fine choice for those who appreciate the 1911 platform but didn’t want to tote traditional 1911 weight. And it sported a 15-round magazine.

But customers also asked Kimber to make the same pistol but with an accessory rail and an ambidextrous manual safety.

In July 2023, Kimber management decided that, yes, they’d do exactly that. Kimber orchestrated a fast re-design and manufacturing pivot, and by December 2023 Kimber was turning out two versions of the KDS9c Rail. 

In firearms manufacturing, that’s a light-speed reaction time to customer requests.

Kimber Beyond 2024

Based on my discussions with various product managers, Kimber will push back into the hunting rifle market in a big way, too. Although the rifles themselves, like the Mountain Ascent Caza I reviewed, are certainly first-rate, the company’s lineup of bolt-action hunters stagnated, in my opinion.

Now, though, I expect to see a significant re-invigoration of Kimber hunting rifles in 2025.

As mentioned, Kimber is also rolling out newer versions of the KDS9c Rail pistols soon, including a “TFS” or Threaded for Suppressor model. Kimber also upgraded the KDS9c Rail models by adding Novack rear sights, a fiber optic front sight and more aggressive texturing to the grip panels. These will be available in various color patterns, too.

In addition, Kimber will introduce two additional pistols in the Fall 2024. The two handguns are very different in form and application. I put many rounds through both platforms, and they do possess one major similarity—they are both impressive as hell.

Be sure to stay tuned for more Kimber INSIDER on hookandbarrel.com in the coming weeks.