Description
Kimber took everything people liked about the Micro 9, the slim profile, the metal frame, the crisp hammer-fired action, and rebuilt it from the ground up with a double stack magazine. The result is the CDS9, short for Covert Double Stack 9mm, and this version wears the blacked-out KimPro II finish over a stainless steel slide and aluminum frame. It ships with two 10-round magazines for a 10+1 capacity, and since the whole CDS9 family shares the same frame, the 13 and 15-round magazines drop right in whenever you want more on board.
Carry-Sized Numbers That Make Sense
The CDS9 measures 6.2 inches long, 1.1 inches wide, and comes in around 20.8 ounces empty, so it rides in a holster about like the micro-compact polymer guns everyone compares it to. The difference is how it shoots. That aluminum frame soaks up recoil noticeably better than a featherweight polymer nine, and the palm swell grip with VZ G10 panels and frag-pattern checkering locks into the hand without chewing it up. The flat-faced trigger breaks with a clean vertical wall, the way a single action should, and the fish scale slide serrations give you real purchase for press checks and reloads.
Kimber CDS9 Features Built for Everyday Carry
This is the optics-ready, railed configuration, so the slide is cut directly for RMSc-footprint red dots with no adapter plate, and the frame rail accepts compact lights and lasers. Controls are fully ambidextrous, with a thumb safety and slide release on both sides plus a reversible magazine release, which lefties will appreciate right out of the box. Up front you get a TAG Fiber Lock front sight paired with a fixed black rear, a clean setup that also co-witnesses nicely under most micro dots. Kimber even beefed up the recoil system with a stacked spring assembly rated for up to 10,000 rounds of service life. For anyone who wants a hammer-fired metal gun instead of another striker-fired polymer pistol, the CDS9 makes a strong case.
Key Specifications
- Manufacturer: Kimber
- Model: CDS9 (OR) (RL)
- Manufacturer Part Number: 3600018
- UPC: 669278360188
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Action: Hammer-fired, single action semi-auto
- Capacity: 10+1 (accepts 13 and 15-round CDS9 magazines)
- Barrel: 3.18 in. stainless steel, match grade
- Overall Length: 6.2 in.
- Width: 1.1 in.
- Weight: 20.8 oz (empty)
- Frame: Aluminum, KimPro II finish
- Slide: Stainless steel, KimPro II black finish
- Optic Cut: Direct-mount RMSc footprint
- Sights: TAG Fiber Lock front, fixed black rear
- Grips: VZ G10 panels, frag pattern
What’s Included
- Kimber CDS9 9mm pistol
- Two 10-round magazines
- Owner's manual
- Cable lock
Frequently Asked Questions
What red dot optics fit the Kimber CDS9?
The CDS9 slide is machined for the RMSc footprint and mounts optics directly to the slide with no adapter plate. That covers popular micro dots like the Shield RMSc, Holosun 507K and EPS Carry, Sig RomeoZero, and similar footprint sights. The included iron sights work fine on their own if you prefer to run it without a dot.
Does this CDS9 accept higher capacity magazines?
Yes. This model ships with two 10-round magazines, but the CDS9 platform also runs 13 and 15-round double stack magazines that fit the same frame. That lets you carry flush and compact or extend your grip and capacity with the longer mags at the range.
Is the Kimber CDS9 a true 1911-style pistol?
It borrows heavily from the 1911 formula with a hammer-fired single action, a manual thumb safety, and an all-metal build, blended with modern updates from Kimber's KDS9c. You get a flat-faced trigger with a crisp break, fully ambidextrous safety and slide release, and a reversible magazine release. It carries and shoots like a 1911 but feeds from a double stack magazine.
How does the CDS9 compare in size to micro-compact carry pistols?
At 6.2 inches long, 1.1 inches wide, and about 20.8 ounces empty, it sits right in the same class as guns like the Sig P365 and Hellcat. The big difference is the aluminum frame and stainless slide, which add a little heft that tames recoil and makes follow-up shots feel softer than most polymer micros.




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