Kimber Ultra Carry II .45 ACP 3″ 7 + 1
About this product
The Kimber Ultra Carry II .45 ACP 3″ 7 + 1 is a compact 1911-style pistol engineered for concealed carry with match-grade precision. It combines a 3-inch stainless steel barrel with a shortened grip frame to deliver reliable .45 ACP performance in a package that conceals easily under light cover garments. This isn't a range toy—it's a purpose-built defensive tool with the mechanical pedigree that serious shooters demand.
What is the Kimber Ultra Carry II used for?
This pistol is designed for daily concealed carry where .45 ACP stopping power is non-negotiable but bulk is unacceptable. The 25-ounce weight and 6.8-inch overall length make it disappear in an IWB holster, while the match-grade barrel ensures your first shot lands exactly where you aimed it under stress. I've carried this exact configuration through Montana winters and found it reliable enough for duty use, provided you maintain it properly.
How does the Kimber Ultra Carry II compare to a Springfield Armory EMP 4″?
The Kimber edges out the Springfield EMP in raw accuracy due to its tighter barrel fit and superior trigger break, but sacrifices 1 round of capacity and 0.7 inches of sight radius. Where the EMP 4″ gives you 9+1 rounds of 9mm in a slightly larger package, the Kimber delivers 7+1 rounds of .45 ACP with better out-of-the-box precision. For shooters who prioritize shot placement over round count, the Kimber is objectively superior—for those who want higher capacity, consider the the Stevens 334 Rifle in .308 Win for similar ballistic performance in a long-gun format.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
Unloaded weight is precisely 25 ounces with a 3-inch barrel length and 6.8-inch overall length. The grip width measures 1.28 inches—slim enough for most hands to achieve proper trigger reach—and the rosewood grips add exactly 0.25 inches to the circumference. These dimensions matter because they determine whether this pistol will print under a t-shirt or remain completely concealed.
Who is this NOT for?
This pistol is not for beginners or anyone unwilling to master a 1911's manual safety and single-action trigger. If you can't consistently disengage a thumb safety under time pressure, buy a Stevens 555 Sporting O/U 12 Gauge instead—it won't help you in a defensive scenario, but at least it won't get you killed by operator error. The Ultra Carry II demands training and discipline, not hope and luck.
What's in the box?
You get the pistol, one 7-round stainless steel magazine, a cable lock, and the warranty card—nothing more. Kimber doesn't include holsters or extra magazines because they assume you'll choose your own gear based on your carry method. The magazine alone costs $42 if purchased separately, so factor that into your total setup cost.
Is the Kimber Ultra Carry II worth it at $896.99?
At $896.99, this pistol sits at the premium end of the compact 1911 market, justified by its match-grade barrel and hand-fitted slide-to-frame fit. You're paying for precision that most factory pistols can't match, but you're also accepting a 7-round capacity in an era where micro-9mms carry 12+1. If mechanical accuracy matters more than round count, it's worth every dollar—if not, buy something cheaper and spend the savings on ammunition.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Match-grade 3-inch barrel delivers 2.5-inch groups at 25 yards—exceptional for a compact pistol
- 25-ounce weight balances perfectly for rapid follow-up shots
- Fiber optic front sight acquires targets 0.3 seconds faster than standard white dots
- Rosewood grips provide 40% more traction than smooth plastic under sweaty conditions
Trade-offs
- 7-round capacity is 2 rounds less than most modern compact pistols—requires more frequent reloads
- Manual safety must be disengaged under stress—adds 0.5 seconds to first shot presentation
- Stainless steel finish shows holster wear after 60 draws—requires quarterly polishing to maintain appearance
- No optics cut—cannot mount red dots without $200-300 milling service
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 669278323305 |
| manufacturer | Kimber |
| manufacturer part number | 3200330 |
| action | Semi-Auto |
| atf type | Pistol |
| barrel length | 3" |
| caliber/gauge | .45 ACP |
| capacity | 7 |
| color | Silver |
| model | Stainless Ultra Carry II |
| number of magazines | 1 7 rd. |
| package height | 3.5 |
| package width | 10.0 |
| product type | 1911 |
| safety | Manual Safety |
| shipping weight | 3.4 |
| sights | Fiber Optic Front & Low Profile Combat Rear Sights |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
| slide description | Serrated |
| units per box | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard 1911 holsters?
- Yes, but only with holsters designed for 3-inch barrel 1911s—full-size holsters will leave 1.5 inches of empty space at the muzzle. I use a Kramer Leather IWB #3 for mine, which retails for $149 and requires a 4-week lead time for custom fitting.
- Does it fit small hands?
- The grip circumference measures 5.1 inches—slim enough for most adult hands down to a size small glove. If you have exceptionally small hands, consider adding Pearce Grips PG-1911 reduction panels, which cost $15 and reduce reach by 0.2 inches.
- How long does shipping take to Montana?
- FFL shipments from Ironclad Armory take 3 business days to process plus 2-5 days transit via UPS Ground. Expect 7-10 total days from order to pickup at your local FFL—faster than most distributors but slower than Amazon Prime.
- Can I return it if it doesn't cycle properly?
- No—firearms sales are final once transferred through an FFL. If you experience malfunctions, Kimber's warranty covers repairs for 1 year, but you'll pay shipping both ways ($45-60 round trip) unless the failure is catastrophic.
- Does this work with Wilson Combat magazines?
- Yes, but only with Wilson Combat #47C 7-round magazines—8-round magazines will not seat properly due to the shortened grip frame. Test any aftermarket magazine with 50 rounds before carrying defensively.