2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, bringing with it all the fanfare and revelry. For firearms companies, that means celebrating the Second Amendment.
You can’t deny that firearms and their history are woven into the fabric of our nation’s history. Sam Colt, John Browning, Oliver Winchester, Benjamin Tyler Henry, Eugene Stoner, and Ronnie Barrett are names synonymous with ingenuity and American grit.
Gun companies today look to honor that tradition. Kimber is one such company, doing so with the release of the 2K11 Independence and the Summer Centennial Promotion.
SPECS
The 2K11 Independence combines Kimber’s renowned 1911 performance with increased capacity and modern ergonomics, making it an ideal platform for enthusiasts and defensive shooters seeking a refined American-made pistol.
The standard specs are as follows:
- Model(s): 2K11 Independence
- Action: Single-Action Hammer-Fired
- Recoil System: Toolless guide rod
- Grip: Kevlar® Carbon Fiber Grip Module
- Frame: Stainless Steel
- Caliber: 45 ACP
- Capacity: 13+1
- Sights: Front: TAG FiberLok 2 Red, Rear: SST cover plate with built-in adjustable rear sight
- Optic Cut: Yes, C&H Precision RMR Optic Adapter plate included
- Magazines: 3-13 rds.
- Barrel Length: 5”
- Overall Length: 8.56”
- Width at Grip: 1.53”
- Height: 5.74”
- Weight: 35 oz.
- Price: $2,445.00
FEATURES
Kimber’s Summer Centennial Promotion introduces a limited-time opportunity centered around the 2K11 Independence, a modern interpretation of the company’s 1911 platform that blends heritage craftsmanship with updated performance features.
Running from April 1 through July 4, the program highlights the .45 ACP chambered 2K11 Independence, finished in a distinctive custom Cerakote coating and designed with enhanced capacity and refined ergonomics for both enthusiasts and defensive shooters. Buyers who purchase a qualifying pistol during the promotional window are eligible for a $250 cash rebate, which can be redeemed through Kimber’s official submission portal.
The 2K11 Independence itself carries Kimber’s precision manufacturing and performance tuning, paired with three 13-round magazines to support its increased capacity. It also comes optics-ready, complete with an included optics plate.
ZOOMING OUT
Positioned as a limited-edition release, the pistol reinforces Kimber’s focus on blending the traditional 1911 feel with modern upgrades, and it celebrates its broader legacy of American firearm innovation and craftsmanship through the Summer Centennial Promotion, available at authorized dealers nationwide.
I’m not usually a fan of special editions, but I like this one. The finish is striking without being flashy. And it’s in 45 ACP, as John Moses Browning intended.
For more new release news, head over to the Cadre Dispatch.
