Kimber, the company that several years ago fundamentally and permanently changed the M1911 pistol market, has never stopped making innovations to that classic design. This year, among several new pistols offered are two that particularly stand out in the company's extensive line. They are the SIS and the Gold Combat II. While each is a superlative item that has its own appeal, they are substantively different in several ways that merit examination. Recently, we received one example of each pistol and got the chance to compare them.

The New SIS
The SIS is the much-ballyhooed new gun developed for the LAPD Special Investigation Section. This unit, not dissimilar to New York City's Stakeout Squad, is a unique entity within the police force. Tasked with targeting violent, repeat offenders, SIS routinely engages and apprehends some of the worst felons in the City of Angels. The undercover unit also serves as test bed and proving ground for various tactics and weapons systems before they are employed by the rest of the force.

In 2002, Kimber won the prestigious contract to supply LAPD SWAT with new duty pistols. Because of the success and satisfaction experienced by SWAT with those guns, SIS met with Kimber and asked the company to develop a pistol specifically for its mission. Kimber agreed, and the result was actually a family of four guns now known as the SIS pistols.

The guns include a compact model with a 3-inch barrel and short grip frame called the SIS Ultra, a 4-inch-barreled model dubbed the SIS Pro, and a standard 5-inch version known as the SIS Custom. A 5-inch version with an integral Picatinny accessory rail is called the SIS Custom RL.

The gun I tested is the 5-inch SIS Custom RL.

When Kimber first introduced mass-produced pistols with custom features, it was news. The guns so changed the market that many of these features are market-wide now and don't bear repeating. Instead, it's more important at this juncture to look at how the SIS departs from the typical M1911 available today.

New or notable are the self-lubricating KimPro II finish, SIS-pattern cocking serrations, Kimber Service Melt dehorning, SIS night sights, SIS hammer, and logo grips.

The finish is gray, evenly applied, and both handsome and functional. Although the slide and frame are of stainless steel, the KimPro II finish adds extra protection and the tactical advantage of dark coloration and low reflectivity to the pistol.

The most distinctive feature of the SIS is the patterning of the cocking serrations to spell out "SIS." Honestly, it looks pretty slick. The problem is it also feels slick. The combination of the shallow, irregularly shaped cuts, the self-lubricating finish, and the smoothing and rounding of sharp edges resulting from the Service Melt treatment means that the serrations are quite slippery. The slide is often difficult to rack without employing the rear sight for leverage. The Service Melt makes the gun smooth on the draw and comfortable in the hand and is, like the finish, a nice touch. However, the stylized cocking serrations are an affectation that can hinder operation of the pistol.

The reason the rear sight works well for cocking the pistol is that it was designed with that purpose is mind. From a tactical standpoint, it may be the pistol's best feature. Its face is relatively square, allowing an operator with only one available hand to lodge the rear sight against a belt, steering wheel, door jamb, barricade, or what have you and rack the slide.