In the last installment of the 2011 Project, we went all the way to Turkey (well, not literally) and discussed the SDS Imports MAC 9 DS Comp. This offered some compelling, unique features for a 2011-style handgun at a very attractive street price. Now we’re back on American soil to look at what might be the biggest market disruptor—the Kimber DS Warrior LW.
As a refresher, the 2011 handgun style has dominated the industry. It seems every manufacturer is producing one. And it’s a broadly inclusive market. This includes budget-friendly models made in Turkey, custom pieces from brands like Nighthawk, and intermediate options from VKTR and Watchtower Firearms. But STI, now known as Staccato, brought the 2011 to the mainstream.
To understand the history of the 2011, Staccato, and the rise of this pistol classification, check out “Party Like It’s 2011: Staccato and the 2011 Revolution,” which tells the origin story. That article lays the groundwork for what follows, and this is meant to give you honest opinions on this growing market.
Unlike other trends that come and go, this one has staying power. But unlike other trends, pistols in this class can cost thousands of dollars. The goal here is to give you an unbiased opinion on how these models stack up and help you decide which is best for your needs and budget.
Thank you to Kimber for providing a sample. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
DS Warrior LW — Key Specs
| Caliber | 9mm |
| Capacity | 17 (17-round and 20-round mags included) |
| Barrel Length | 5″ |
| Weight | 28 oz. |
| Optic Cut | Yes, with plates |
| Frame | Aluminum |
| Price | $1,135.00 |
FEATURES
The Kimber 1911 DS Warrior blends the classic 1911 design with modern features, targeting the entry-level double-stack 1911 market.
Chambered in 9mm, the pistol is built around an aluminum sub-frame and a lightweight carbon fiber grip module, striking a balance between durability and carry comfort. Its 5-inch stainless steel barrel features a deep-crowned bushing design, while the stainless steel slide is finished in KimPro Black and includes front and rear serrations, an internal extractor, and a full-length Picatinny rail.
The 1911 DS Warrior is optics-ready, shipping with a C&H RMR optic mounting plate and a TAG cover plate with a fixed rear sight, while a night sight front sight provides low-light capability (other optic plates are available for purchase).
Kimber’s GT Performance Trigger breaks at a crisp 4 lbs. (for my sample) and is complemented by an ambidextrous safety. The double-stack platform ships with 17- and 20-round magazines and is compatible with all STI-pattern magazines.
Together, its optics-ready configuration, lightweight construction, and premium components make the 1911 DS Warrior a contemporary take on a proven platform.
SETUP
Like all other 2011-style pistols in this series, this one has a simple setup. I’m running Vortex Defender CCW Enclosed. Because this is an RMSc footprint, I picked up a corresponding C&H plate from Kimber.
I’ve also added a Streamlight TLR-1 HL-X. This proven light offers good value. The best part is that it is multi-fuel compatible and delivers about 1,500 lumens and 20,000 Candelas. Depending on where you are shopping, this light hovers around $220.
And as I am throughout this series, I’m otherwise running this pistol stock. That keeps things on an even playing field. For a holster, I’m using the Safariland 6354RDSO – ALS Holster w/ QLS19 Fork and a mid-ride QLS adapter. This is my go-to setup for any kind of “tactical” shooting or training. Since I’m not in law enforcement, I’ve removed the hood for easier access. This is mounted on the Safariland BASELINE MOLLE Belt, which I’ve grown to like quite a bit.
Now, let’s head to the range.
AT THE RANGE
A note on ammo. All “range ammo” is Blazer Brass 115-gr FMJ (5200). For accuracy testing, I used Hornady American Gunner 115-gr XTP. I picked up all the ammo for testing from Ammunition Depot.
Let’s get into the drills and accuracy testing.
Bill Drills
I like to run Bill drills to warm up and get things moving, like a pre-match stretching routine to get the blood flowing. For me, the goal is six A-zone hits in 1.25 seconds or less.
My average time over six attempts with the DS Warrior was 1.43 seconds. Not my best. First shots were around .46, while follow-ups hovered around .18. Accuracy was better than with both the Prodigy and the MAC DS 9.
Since this is a non-comped model, maybe that’s why the times were slower, as I’m focusing more on controlling the gun. Overall, I found this gun easy to shoot accurately during these drills. It’s just not the fastest.
Accuracy Testing
10-yard accuracy testing with Hornady 115-gr American Gunner
For this portion, I’m shooting off a pistol rest mounted to a tripod. This keeps things as stable as possible and really showcases the pistol’s capability. At 10 yards, the pistol’s accuracy was solid, with one small cluster and two shots outside it. At 25 yards, the pistol held a pretty good group. The best in this category.
1-and-1 Drills
I did okay in this drill. The DS Warrior has typical 1911-style controls, which I’m generally fine with. But the girth of the double-stack module complicates things. Maybe if you have large hands, it’s fine. Not with hands on the smaller side. With this pistol, I needed to roll it farther than with the MAC. I then use my left support hand to hit the slide release before returning to position.
The extended slide release gives me more area to engage it (or avoid missing), which is a benefit. My average over six attempts was right at 3 seconds, which is surprising. That’s quite a bit faster than the others. My fastest time was 2.39, with a .29 first shot and a 2.10-second reload. Not too shabby.
The Humbler
This is a good finisher I picked up from James Williamson of HK. It’s a 10-second par time. Either start with the pistol holster or on a bench. 10 shots into the A-Zone, reload, 2 shots into the head A-Zone.
My time was 9.14, and I pulled the first shot in the head A-zone. section. Really, a good run for me.
Note: If you’ve heard of “The Humbler” before, it’s likely the 70-round, 700-point aggregate drill popularized by Larry Vickers and associated with Delta Force training. This is not that drill — it’s a different, shorter exercise that happens to share the same nickname.
Sizing Up the Kimber DS Warrior LW
Where the DS Warrior Delivers
I found this pistol to be very accurate out of the box. Not only was it accurate off a rest, but it was also easy to shoot accurately. I give it credit for having a conventional 1911 slide and operating system. It just shoots well.
I found the trigger to be particularly good, especially for this price range, and a touch better than the Prodigy. The grip texture was solid and did its job well on a hot, humid day.
Mixed Results Here
I’d say the controls are fine, but I’d prefer extended ones. At the very least, an extended magazine release would go a long way. I know some manufacturers use a threaded mag release so a user could add an extended one later with ease. The magwell is a bit smaller. It’s something I’d swap out if I were running it for competition.
Where It Falls Short
I didn’t particularly like the slide serrations. They are basic and typical of most entry-level 1911s. However, the worst thing about this is the optic mounting system. Kimber uses a four-hole pattern to mount the optic base, which is fine. The issue was the C&H mount. With a Real Avid Torque Wrench set to 15 lbs, three screws snapped—one for the optic base and two others while mounting the optic. I’m honestly flabbergasted. Maybe it would have cost more to license the AOS system, but I wish they had. I will be switching to a different base pronto.
Zooming Out
I do believe the Kimber DS Warrior lives up to the hype, especially when you factor in its street price. I found it for sale at many places for $979.99. That’s an impressive value for an American-made manufacturer. I don’t think it’s a gun meant to run hard and fast. But for a first-time buyer or someone who is 2011-curious, it’s a step in the right direction.
Up next in the 2011 Project, we’ll check out Bersa and the new M2XI pistol. I have high hopes for this one. On paper, it packs in a ton of features for its price tag. But will that mean it is any good? Stay tuned.
