Kimber America is adding another highly stylized Rapide Black Ice pistol to their catalog, based on the Micro 9 series. The original Rapide Black Ice is a full-size 1911 while the Micro 9 is a small-frame design optimized for concealed-carry.
Kimber’s Micro 9 series is well-established and popular. The Rapide Black Ice maintains the basic single-stack setup but adds all the hot Black Ice improvements and tweaks.
These features are certainly eye-catching but fundamentally all of the changes are function-based. The slide has large, wide serrations front and rear, Tru-Glo TFX tritium-fiber optic day and night sights, lightning cuts and an enlarged, scalloped ejection port.
A single-action, hammer-fired pistol, the Micro 9 Rapide Black Ice has right- and left-side manual thumb safeties and an upswept beavertail frame. The frame also features Kimber’s Stiplex pattern on the front- and back- straps, and comes with machined G10 grip panels for a textured grip on every surface.
The frame also sports a subtle, but extended magwell for quick and easy reloading. This also lets shooters use longer 7-round magazines with finger extensions for a full-handed grip, even for shooters with large hands.
The frame and slide have a matte finish while the slide has polished flats. Combined with the black diamond-like coating on the barrel, the black grips and other highlights give this pistol an aggressive three-tone style that really stands out.
See Also: New Kimbers for 2020
The Micro 9 Rapide Black Ice has a 3.15-inch barrel and an overall length of just over 6 inches long. It measures a little over 4 inches tall and just 1.08 inches at the widest. The frame is alloy aluminum making the whole gun very light, less than a pound unloaded.
This pocketable Black Ice pistol is reasonably priced, by Kimber standards, with a suggested sticker of $879. Kimber says that “the new Micro 9 Rapide Black Ice is what all other micro-style guns should be,” and for some, that’s definitely going to be the case.
While these looks are certainly “love it or leave it” for most, if Kimber is expanding the Black Ice family it’s clear that these designs are plenty popular. Whether you’re interested in the new Micro 9 or like the platform but want something a little more classic-looking, visit Kimber America.
I Have purchased a 45 ultra carry, and Love it, and purchased a solo, and no longer care for the solo, is this micro bigger than the solo, and do you guys know where I can sell my solo ?
I think it would be awesome if Kimber would just fill the orders that they already have for their guns. Like the Rapide Black Ice that I ordered in April and still have no idea when it will appear.
I was told Kimber was shut down for a while because of the mover they have made to Alabama, if this is true ive got a long wait myself, really ridiculous!
I like the micro9. Feels good in the hand & a good shooter. I just wish Kimber would come out with a double stack & longer mag. I think they would sell more to people with average to larger hands. Without the extended mag I don’t care for the feel.