Known for accuracy and reliability, the model 1911 is even more renowned for the .45 ACP cartridge it fires. Chosen for its fight-stopping power, this combination began service with the US Military in 1911 and served as the standard-issue side arm until being replaced by the Berretta M9 (92F) in 1985 (although when I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1995, my command was still using the tried and true Government Model .45ACP pistol). Remaining popular for the same reasons, this combo is once again finding it’s way into the holsters of many U.S. Marines and Special Forces in Afghanistan.
The model 1911 is the most popular pistol in the world. Dozens of companies manufacture them and the old adage “you get what you pay for” doesn’t always apply in today’s market. One can pay twice the money for a new ‘custom’ pistol that won’t perform nearly like the Kimber Custom TLE/RL II from Kimber America.
With an MSRP of $1113 for the blued version, and $1262 for stainless, I got a deal at $799 NIB from GunsAmerica.com.
Back in 2002, in its search for a new 1911 pistol, the LAPD SWAT Team selected to test pistols from what it considered the top five 1911 manufacturers. As one would expect, testing was rigorous. Every aspect was tested, retested and evaluated, one against the other. One by one, the guns were eliminated until the final selection was made. Kimber not only won, but won impressively.
If you think the Kimber 1911 model tested by LAPD SWAT was a top-of-the-line Kimber Custom Shop model, think again. It was none other than Kimber’s ‘entry level’ 1911 — the Kimber Custom II.
Though Kimber’s classifies it a “basic” 1911, the Kimber Custom Tactical Law Enforcement w/Rail (TLE/RL) II still comes with plenty of special features to qualify its name. These include fixed 3-dot night sights, speed hammer, match-grade frame, slide, barrel, bushing, and chamber. A polished breach face, lowered/flared ejection port, 5- pound trigger, extended thumb safety, high-ride “beavertail” grip safety, beveled magazine well, and slightly extended mag release and slide release. And of course the Kimber Tactical Rail for accessory mounting. Until Kimber, most of these features were found only as aftermarket custom options. The TLE/RL II in my opinion, is the most .45 ACP 1911 for the money — period.
It would be crazy to call the Kimber Custom TLE/RL II pistol “just another 1911.” The TLE/RL was designed and built specifically to produce a handgun answering the needs of those personnel who perform ’special operations’ functions. In fact, the TLE is exactly the same pistol carried by LAPD SWAT, with the exception of slide markings. Though the basic design is that of John Browning’s legendary 1911, this design has been modified in such a way as to produce an amazing pistol.
Weighing in at thirty-nine (39) ounces, the substance of the pistol is noticeable and comforting in my hand. Some of the characteristics are quite standard for a full-size government model pistol: five inch barrel, seven round magazines and a trigger pull that breaks at about 5 lbs, according to our RBCS trigger pull gauge.
The Kimber came in a double locking plastic hard-case which included a 7rd blued magazine, gun lock, and disassembly tool. It did not (that I could find) include an allen wrench for adjusting the trigger’s overtravel screw. This didn’t seem to be an issue as I discovered later that the overtravel was preset from the manufacturer.The grips of the weapon are rubberized double-diamond, which provide a very secure non-slip hold. The sights on my test gun are adjustable Meprolight Tritium 3-dot night sights which have been zeroed prior to leaving the factory.
My hands are medium size and flipping the safety was very comfortable and gave an audible ‘click’. The slide has serrations both front and rear which provide an excellent gripping surface for chambering that first round, clearing malfunctions, or performing a ‘press-check’ (although not necessary with the chambered round indicator). The mainspring housing and the front strap of the frame are both checkered at thirty lines-per-inch, and the beavertail grip-safety is compressed without notice as the shooter holds the weapon.
The TLE II incorporates Kimber’s new Tactical Extractor for flawless feeding and extraction. Further safeties include the usual half-cock notch (safety stop); disconnect safety and a loaded chamber indicator. The loaded chamber indicator is a notch milled into the top rear of the chamber itself. The shooter can look down at the top of the weapon and see the rim of the cartridge case if there is a round chambered. Also featured is Kimber’s Series II safety system which they claim does not alter trigger pull or operation in any way.
Comfortable with the operation of the pistol and familiar with all of the safeties, the time came to load magazines and test shooting performance. It’s been my experience that the weapon is often better than the shooter, and this time proved no different.
Shooting at an outdoor range, using natural light, my shooting partner and I put the pistol through its paces. Off-hand firing from the ten-yard line, seven shot groups averaged less than 2.25″. The only malfunction we experienced was attributed to a crimping error in some of our handloads.
Firing through a PACT Chronograph, we established our 5.4gr Titegroup/200gr FMJ RN were running about 840fps avg. The Kimber was sending rounds down range about 20-30fps faster than my shooting partner’s 5″ Colt.
The only issue I noticed with the TLE was a little too much take-up slack (pre-travel) in the trigger for my shooting preference. Although I haven’t had the opportunity to gauge the specifics, I suspect a quality trigger-job by Tussey Custom will take care of it.
Overall I rate the TLE/RL II as a four-star special duty pistol and would be a reliable and accurate manstopper worthy of everyday carry for any LE or Military operator.
OCS Rating: 
The cool thing about these bags is that they are fully customizable! You not only choose size and color combinations, but even the material they are manufactured from. You’re given a choice of Ballistic Nylon or Cordura, and all are back-coated with polyurethane waterproofing.
