Kimber Micro 9 Stealth 9mm Review

Micro 9 Stealth 9mm, 3.15″ Barrel

In this review, I’ll take an in-depth look at the Kimber Micro 9 Stealth, its features, performance, and overall value, to help you determine whether it is the right firearm for your needs.

About Kimber Firearms

Kimber Firearms is an American company that manufactures high-end, 1911-style pistols and rifles. The company was founded in 1979 by Jack Warne and Greg Warne, gun enthusiasts passionate about creating high-quality firearms.

The company initially started as a small custom gun shop in Clackamas, Oregon, where the Warne brothers made custom rifles and pistols. In 1985, the company moved to Yonkers, New York, where it focused more on producing 1911-style pistols.

Kimber gained popularity in the late 1990s when it introduced its line of pistols with a lightweight aluminum frame, a first for the industry. The company continued innovating and introducing various new models, including the Custom II, which became popular among law enforcement agencies and civilian gun enthusiasts.

In 2003, Kimber moved its headquarters to Ridgefield, New Jersey, and opened a new manufacturing facility in Yonkers. The company expanded its product line to include rifles, and in 2010, it introduced the Kimber Advanced Tactical Rifle, known for its precision and accuracy.

Today, Kimber is recognized as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of premium firearms. The company continues to innovate and develop new products, including handguns, rifles, and ammunition while maintaining its commitment to producing high-quality guns that are both reliable and accurate.

History of the Kimber Micro 9 Stealth

The Kimber Micro 9 Stealth is a relatively new addition to Kimber’s lineup of pistols, having been introduced in 2017. However, the pistol has quickly gained popularity among gun enthusiasts and concealed carriers due to its compact size and reliable performance.

In 2016, Kimber introduced the Micro 9, a subcompact pistol chambered in 9mm, which is a smaller version of the popular Kimber 1911 pistol. The Micro 9 featured a 3.15-inch barrel, an aluminum frame, and a single-action trigger, making it a popular choice for concealed carry.

The following year, Kimber released the Micro 9 Stealth, an upgraded version of the original Micro 9. The Stealth featured a matte black finish, which gave the pistol a sleek and tactical look, making it more durable and resistant to wear and tear.

In addition to its unique finish, the Micro 9 Stealth also featured several other upgrades, including a 3.15-inch stainless steel barrel, night sights, and aggressive G-10 grips, which provided a more secure and comfortable grip for the shooter.

Since its introduction, the Kimber Micro 9 Stealth has become popular among gun enthusiasts and concealed carriers, who appreciate its compact size, reliability, and overall performance.

The pistol has also received positive reviews from various gun magazines and blogs, which have praised its accuracy, build quality, and overall value.

Unboxing the Micro Compact

The Micro 9 Stealth 9mm arrives in a black box, sporting the Kimber logo. Upon opening the box, you’ll see the sharp, soft Kimber branded carry case the pistol is in and an accessory compartment.

Opening the soft case, the first thing that catches my eye is, how small the Kimber Micro 9 Stealth looks. It looks like it will be too small for my hands.

Removing the pistol from the soft case, I can feel its weight and balance in my hand. Despite its compact size, the gun feels solid and well-built, with a weight that is neither too heavy nor too light.

The pistol comes with one 7-round magazine, finished in matte black, fiber optic sight replacements, a cable lock, a user manual, and a Kimber sticker.

As you would expect from Kimber, unboxing the Kimber Micro 9 Stealth is well-put together and has quality packaging.

Micro 9 Stealth Rundown

Let’s take a closer look at its features:

Barrel

Kimber’s Micro 9 Stealth’s barrel is a crucial component. The Micro 9 Stealth features a 3.15-inch barrel made from high-quality stainless steel that is durable and long-lasting. It is optimized for minimal recoil to maintain control and accuracy, even when firing rapidly or in quick succession.

Grips

The Micro 9 Stealth features G-10 grips made of a durable, high-pressure laminate material. G-10 is known for its toughness and resistance to environmental factors such as heat, moisture, and chemicals. The grip’s texture provides a secure hold on the pistol, even in adverse conditions.

As good as the grips feel, the magazine’s role for those with above-average hand size is crucial. My hands are probably a bit larger than average, and the Micro 9 Stealth would feel small with no magazine in. With the magazine in, it feels excellent. The photos above show that my pinky would fully dangle off the grip with no magazine. The magazine completes the grip, resulting in a contour and fit that is as good as much larger carry handguns.

The shape of the grip provides a natural point of aim, making it easier to acquire and maintain a sight picture. Additionally, the grip has a beavertail design, which helps the hand from sliding up and coming into contact with the slide.

There is front strap checkering on the grip, which provides additional texture and grip for the fingers. This feature is handy in wet or humid conditions, where the shooter’s hands may become sweaty or slippery.

I carried the Kahr 9 on my motorcycle for years. It was no way near my favorite gun, but it served the purpose of being a low-weight, small, and reliable handgun that, despite its size, allowed for proficiency at the range.

Looking closely at the comparison to the left, you can see Kimber’s grips make a significant difference. It is night and day how these guns feel in your hand.

To me, the grips are a game-changer!

Magazine

The Kimber Micro 9 Stealth features a sturdy and reliable 7-round magazine that works seamlessly with the pistol’s grip. An essential component of the firearm, not just because it holds the ammunition but because of the previously described benefits with the polymer base plate and grip.

The magazine release button is on the frame’s left side, just behind the trigger guard. This location makes it easy to release the magazine with the thumb while maintaining a firm grip on the pistol.

In addition to its reliability and ease of use, the magazine is also easy to disassemble for cleaning and maintenance. The magazine spring and follower remove easily for cleaning.

Safety’s

The Kimber Micro 9 is built with safety as a priority. It features several safety mechanisms to prevent accidental discharges and ensure the pistol can be carried safely.

Thumb Safety:

Located on the left side of the frame, near the rear of the slide. The safety is engaged or disengaged with the thumb; when engaged, it prevents the trigger from being pulled.

Firing Pin Safety:

The firing pin safety prevents the firing pin from striking the primer of a cartridge.

Hammer Safety:

It prevents the hammer from striking the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled. It provides an additional layer of safety if the pistol is accidentally dropped or struck.

Magazine Disconnect Safety:

The magazine disconnect prevents the trigger from being pulled if the magazine is removed. This mechanism helps to prevent accidental discharges if the shooter forgets to check if the magazine is in place.

Overall, the Kimber Micro 9 Stealth’s safety mechanisms work together to ensure the pistol can be carried safely. The thumb safety, firing pin safety, hammer safety, and magazine disconnect safety provide multiple layers of protection. This makes the pistol an excellent choice for concealed carry and personal defense.

Sights

Equipped with fiber optic sights, the Micro 9 provides an excellent sight picture. The sights upgrade from the standard front sight and provide increased visibility and accuracy in various lighting conditions.

It is made of a brightly colored, light-gathering material that collects and focuses available light, and it has an obvious dot even in low-light conditions. Additional fiber optics in both colors come in the box to configure the sights just like you want.

The fiber optic front sight is highly durable and long-lasting, ensuring it remains effective and reliable for many years. Precision machined to fit the Micro 9 Stealth perfectly, contributing to the pistol’s accuracy and effectiveness.

The fiber optic front sight is an excellent addition to the Micro 9, providing increased visibility, accuracy, and style.

Trigger

The trigger on the Kimber Micro 9 Stealth is a key feature. It features a single-action trigger that provides a crisp, clean break, minimal overtravel, and reset.

Its consistent pull makes it easy to maintain control and accuracy when firing.

Pull weight comes in consistently in the low 5 pounds, which is standard for many handguns in this class. In addition to its reliability and accuracy, the trigger is also easy to disassemble and clean.

The Kimber Micro 9 Stealth trigger is a well-designed and essential firearm component. In addition, it has a smooth and consistent pull, combined with its reliability and durability, which contributes to the gun’s overall performance and effectiveness.

Micro 9 Stealth Wrap up

If you are looking for a compact, lightweight, and reliable pistol for concealed carry or personal defense, the Kimber Micro 9 is it. With its sleek design and high-quality construction, the Micro 9 Stealth perfectly balances power and concealability. In addition, the gun’s trigger has a smooth and consistent pull. I am a big fan of the sights; they have excellent visibility and quick sight picture acquisition. As a result, it’s a perfect choice for anyone looking for a reliable, accurate firearm for everyday carry.

Kimber Micro 9 Stealth FAQs