The Ultra RCP II (TOP) and Aegis II (BOTTOM). To enlarge this photo, please click HERE

There has definitely been a recent trend towards lightweight short-barreled auto pistols for self-defense. Let's face it, when it comes to concealed carry, a handgunner needs a reliable pistol that functions 100 percent of the time, is slim in profile so as not to snag on clothing, is comfortable to carry, and is accurate at self-defense distances. No pistol meets these criteria better than an ultracompact 1911.

Two of the newest mini 1911s are from Kimber, and I got an exclusive hands-on look at them.

Those folks at Kimber continue to amaze me. For quite a number of years they have built some of the nicest 1911 pistols it has been my pleasure to shoot. The two Kimber 1911s I've been testing recently are good examples of that.

Features that make the 9mm Aegis II mini 1911 good for self-defense include its lightweight aluminum frame, thin rosewood grip panels, and 30-lpi checkering on the frontstrap.

A number of defensive handgunners rely on a 1911 pistol as their first choice for a defensive handgun. And more and more handgunners want to go to the compact version of the great old pistol for greater concealability. There are definitely many pros to choosing a mini 1911, and the two brand-new Kimbers I tested (the Aegis II and the Ultra RCP II) illustrate these pros nicely.

The Aegis II
The Aegis II is chambered for the 9mm cartridge. It has a 3-inch, cone-shaped barrel that functions without the need for the conventional barrel bushing. The barrel also has an integral feedramp that facilitates proper feeding and functioning.

As further aids in concealment, the Aegis II has an aluminum frame with a shortened grip frame, the hammer is spurless, the thumb safety has been bobbed, and the magazine release button has been smoothed, rounded, and shortened. The frontstrap is done in 30 lines-per-inch checkering, and the frame has a high relief cut under the trigger guard for more finger room.

In addition, the Aegis II has a beavertail grip safety with a memory bump on its lower edge for more positive functioning. The grips are very nice rosewood in the thin, concealment style. The slide is finished in Kimber's black matte finish while the frame has the silver hue of brushed aluminum. The top of the slide has been flattened, and the front and rear sights are dovetailed into it. The sights are the popular combat variety, which Kimber calls the Tactical Wedge, with the also popular three-dot tritium treatment. Even with its shortened grip, magazine capacity is eight rounds. Overall weight of the handgun is 25 ounces. Finally, the Aegis II has had all of its sharp edges slightly rounded and smoothed for shooter comfort and ease of concealability.

	Kimber Ultra RCP II Semiautomatic Pistol	Kimber Aegis II Semiautomatic Pistol
Manufacturer:	KIMBER
Model:	Ultra RCP II	Aegis II
Operation:	Recoil-operated single-action autoloader	Recoil-operated single-action autoloader
Caliber:	.45 ACP	9mm
Barrel Length:	3 inches	3 inches
Overall Length:	6.8 inches	6.8 inches
Length Of Pull	13.75 inches	13.75 inches
Weight, empty	25 ounces	25 ounces
Safety:	Manual thumb safety, grip safety, passive firing pin block	Manual thumb safety, grip safety, passive firing pin block
Sights:	Sight trough	Tactical Wedge (with tritium dots)
Stock:	Black micarta	Rosewood
Magazine Capacity:	7 rounds	8 rounds
Finish:	Polished frame, KimPro II black slide	Polished frame, KimPro II black slide
Price:	$1288	$1195

I found the Kimber Aegis II to be a good-looking pistol that carried very well when slipped into a pants pocket or the side pocket of a jacket. Even though the thumb safety is bobbed, I had no trouble getting it to function reliably.

For my test purposes, I ran five different 9mm loads through the pistol. The ever-popular 124-grain 9mm bullet weight was represented by the Federal Hydra-Shok and Hornady XTP hollowpoint ammunition. In the 115-grain configuration I tested the Winchester Silvertip, the Remington UMC JHP, and a full-metal-jacket load from Magtech.

The Aegis averaged between 3.25 and 4.00 inches at 25 yards with a variety of 9mm defensive loads, which is plenty accurate for personal protection.

The hottest of these loads was the 115-grain JHP from Remington UMC; it averaged 1101 fps over my PACT chronograph. The most accurate loads were the two 124-grain hollowpoints from Federal and Hornady; they averaged 1029 fps and 999 fps respectively.