First Look: Kimber Eclipse Target II

It's been mentioned before, it will be mentioned again, I'm sure: I'm not made of money.  Many of my firearms are purchased from the "Used" rack at the local gun shop, although I do spend a lot of time perusing the "Way Out of My Price Range" rack, dreaming about those beauties under the glass that I will never be able to afford.

Until now.

After looking through the glass on the "New" rack, I noticed that a particular firearm I had been dreaming about had become MIA.  I felt a knot in my stomach, knowing that the pistol I had asked to hold no less than a half dozen times in the past would never be mine.  I then hear a familiar voice say, "Nick!   You've GOT to see this!"  I walked over to where my friend was standing, and peer through the glass on the "Used" rack. . . The Kimber was sitting there, in all her glory, peering back at me, this time with a VERY attractive price tag.  

As the title states, the Kimber in question is the Eclipse Target II model.  The one in my collection is as it was originally outfitted from Kimber, including the fully adjustable bar-and-dot Meprolight night sights.  

First impressions are very good, the pistol is of very strong construction, has a very attractive design, while still maintaining the classic 1911 look.  The "II" designation indicates that an internal firing pin block is present, which is deactivated by the grip safety.  The factory trigger pull is set at 4.5 pounds, and is very smooth.  The sight radius is 6.8", compared to 6.3" for the Beretta 92FS previously reviewed here.    Although this pistol has yet to make it to the range, a range day is in the works, and a full Range Report will be coming soon.

Final Word: This is a very nice pistol, although very pricey (Price tags upwards of $1,300 are not unheard of for a new example).  Construction is solid, the weapon is very well-equipped, and it bears the "Kimber" name, which is known for producing a quality pistol.