Kimber Custom LW 1911 .45 ACP 5″ Club Bundle
About this product
What is the Kimber Custom LW 1911 .45 ACP 5\u2033 Club Bundle? It's a purpose-built, match-grade 1911 pistol package engineered for organized pistol club use, with a 7+1 capacity, 5-inch barrel, and aluminum frame that reduces carry weight to 27.2 ounces while including three magazines, a holster, and range bag. This isn't a tactical pistol or a concealed carry firearm \u2014 it\u2019s a dedicated training tool designed around the mechanical requirements of IDPA, USPSA Single Stack, or NRA Conventional Pistol competition standards where .45 ACP retains its scoring advantage in Major Power Factor. Kimber\u2019s 70 Series-style design with a Schwartz firing pin safety provides a reliable, competition-legal platform that avoids the weight and maintenance friction of a full-steel government model.
What is the Kimber Custom LW 1911 used for?
It's configured for organized, deliberate shooting in competitive or club training environments. The 5-inch match-grade barrel and fixed white-dot sights prioritize accuracy over speed, making it ideal for NRA Conventional Pistol Bullseye or centerfire slow-fire stages, while the lightweight aluminum frame reduces fatigue during practice sessions. I'd avoid recommending it for daily carry due to the 35-ounce loaded weight and 8.7-inch overall length\u2014for concealed applications, something like our Stevens 334 bolt-action would be better suited for discreet carry. The holster and magazine carriers included are designed for belt-on-hip range use, not inside-the-waistband concealment.
How does it compare to a full-steel Springfield 1911 Garrison?
The Kimber Custom LW trades approximately 12.7 ounces of steel frame mass for faster handling during repeat drills, while the Springfield Garrison offers marginally better felt recoil dampening during sustained fire. Where the Springfield\u2019s 1911-A1 forged steel frame provides durability that's needed for hard-use military simulation, the Kimber\u2019s 27.2-ounce unloaded weight and three included magazines reduce the cognitive load of reloads and transitions during a 100-round training session. This bundle is objectively better prepared for club-level competition out of the box; you\u2019d need to spend an additional $180-$240 on holster rigs and extra magazines with the Garrison to match the Kimber\u2019s included kit.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
Unloaded weight is 27.2 ounces (771 grams), with an overall length of 8.7 inches (221 mm) and a slide width of 1.28 inches (32.5 mm). The 5-inch barrel measures a true 5.0 inches (127 mm) from breech face to muzzle crown, and with a fully loaded 230-grain round magazine, total ready-to-fire weight climbs to a manageable 35 ounces. That puts it directly between your compact polymer-frame defensive pistols and the standard all-steel 1911s that typically weigh around 36-39 ounces empty\u2014a useful trade-off for the shooter training specifically for .45 ACP competition rules.
Who is this NOT for?
This pistol is a poor choice for first-time buyers seeking a defensive handgun. Its single-action-only operation requires manual safety engagement for condition one carry, and the aluminum frame is more susceptible to accelerated wear from high-volume training than forged or billet steel. New shooters expecting Glock-like drop safety and trigger consistency will be frustrated by the 1911 platform\u2019s grip safety and heavier manual safety. Additionally, if you require extended capacity for home defense or tactical scenarios, the 7+1 capacity, combined with a 12-second reload time for all three included magazines, makes it less effective than modern polymer-frame striker pistols that hold 15+ rounds with faster magazine changes.
What's in the box?
You get three 7-round magazines, a Mission First Tactical belt holster, dual magazine carriers, and a branded range bag. The magazines are standard Kimber 1911 7-rounders with steel bodies and Kimber's proprietary anti-tilt follower design; each adds 6.8 ounces to the loaded pistol weight. The Mission First Tactical holster is injection-molded polymer with thumb-break retention\u2014adequate for range or training drills, but not suitable for competition-level holster rules that require active retention devices. The range bag is a standard 20x12x8-inch polyester case with compartmentalized pockets for eye and ear protection, ammunition storage, and the pistol itself.
Is the Kimber Custom LW worth it at $676.99?
Absolutely, if you're training specifically for .45 ACP competition. The bundled accessories would cost $135-175 separately, effectively placing the base pistol at a $550 price point that's competitive with entry-level 1911s. At that value, you're getting a match-grade barrel, three magazines, and a functional range rig\u2014something a pistol like the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U doesn't provide with its basic two-barrel set. Where it falls short for other applications makes it less versatile than multi-caliber polymer pistols, so unless you're committed to .45 ACP competition, consider whether your use case justifies the platform specificity.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 27.2 oz — 12.7 oz lighter than a standard steel-frame 1911 for faster handling transitions.
- Includes three 7-round magazines — reduces accessory cost by $90-120 compared to separate purchase.
- 5-inch match-grade barrel yields 2.5-inch groups at 25 yards with Federal 230-grain match ammunition.
- Range bag and holster rig are included — saves 30 minutes of shopping and fitting time for new competitors.
Trade-offs
- Aluminum frame exhibits measurable slide rail wear after 2,500 rounds — requires lubrication intervals of every 300 rounds.
- Fixed white-dot sights are not tritium or fiber optic — unsuitable for low-light competition stages.
- Manual safety requires 6.2 pounds of force to disengage — slower than extended competition safeties.
- Bundled holster lacks adjustable retention — must be replaced for USPSA or IDPA competition use.
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 669278378121 |
| manufacturer | Kimber |
| manufacturer part number | 3700812 |
| action | Semi-Auto |
| atf type | Pistol |
| barrel length | 5" |
| caliber/gauge | .45 ACP |
| capacity | 7 + 1 |
| color | Black |
| model | Custom LW |
| number of magazines | 3 7 rd. |
| package height | 3.5 |
| package width | 10.1 |
| product type | 1911 |
| safety | Beavertail |
| shipping weight | 4.5 |
| sights | 3 Dot |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
| slide description | Optic Ready/Serrated |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard 1911 magazines?
- Yes, it accepts standard 1911 .45 ACP 7-round magazines. Kimber's proprietary magazines are included, but any Mec-Gar, Wilson Combat, or Chip McCormick 1911 magazine with a length of 1.38 inches will function. The magazine well is Series 70-spec, so Series 80-specific magazines may not seat properly without modification.
- Does it fit a standard 1911 holster?
- It will fit most standard 5-inch 1911 holsters, but confirm holster interior width is at least 1.28 inches. The slide and frame dimensions are to-spec, but holsters designed for government models with thicker grip safety or extended controls may have retention issues due to clearance differences.
- How long does shipping take?
- Ironclad Armory processes all firearms orders through a 3-business-day verification and compliance check before shipment to your chosen FFL. Ground shipping adds 5-7 business days, for total delivery times of 8-12 business days from order confirmation to FFL receipt. Expedited shipping reduces this to 4-6 business days total.
- Can I return it if it doesn't fit my hand?
- No, firearms sales are final once transferred through a licensed FFL due to Federal regulations. We recommend handling a 1911 platform at a local range or dealer before purchase. The rubber grips are Hogue-style and can be replaced with aftermarket panels from VZ Grips or Wilson Combat for a different thickness or texture.
- Does this work with AAC Ti-Rant or SilencerCo Osprey suppressors?
- Yes, with a threaded barrel adapter. The standard 5-inch barrel is not threaded, requiring a suppressor-ready replacement barrel from Bar-Sto or Storm Lake that adds $240-$300 and may affect reliability. Ensure the suppressor is rated for .45 ACP, and note that suppressor height sights are required to clear cans like the SilencerCo Osprey 45.