Alabama-based Kimber introduced the Compact Double Stack (CDS) 9mm last year. 2025 saw the rollout of the CDS9 Classic. As the name implies, it’s a line extension of the CDS. While the Classic moniker seems a little out of place in a gun that, to me, appears more modern than the original, the CDS Classic offers a boutique look and shooting experience in a concealment-friendly package.
Construction
To clear up any confusion out of gate, the CDS9 Classic is available in two versions, with and without an optics cut. The optic-ready model is logically called CDS9 Classic (OR) and is offered with a cover plate and RMSc direct mount capability. The OR’s iron sights are blacked out in the rear and have an orange fiber optic tube in the front. In comparison, the CDS9 Classic base model (the gun used in this test) has Truglo three-dot tritium iron sights with an orange ring front sight.
The CDS9 line is a single-action, double stack 9mm (so far) with an exposed hammer and ambi thumb safety, slide catch, and magazine release. Each CDS9 variant has an accessory rail. The 3.18-inch, stainless steel barrel and magazine choice of 13 or 15 rounds (one of each included) offer a fairly concealable yet range-friendly size. A prominent beavertail that is not part of any grip safety hints at the classic 1911 appearance to what is otherwise a very modern single action pistol.
The CDS9 has a nice beavertail that is a reflection of its 1911 style roots
This is an aluminum frame pistol, weighing in at a tidy 21.44 ounces with the unloaded 13-round mag. It feels surprisingly weighty in hand, and shoots flatter for me than a similar-weight polymer gun.
Speaking of handling, the grip panels appear to be G10 material in black. Those panels, plus the back and front straps are heavily stippled. There is plenty of room in terms of grip length, even with the 13-round magazine. The 15-rounder extends well past the bottom of my medium-size hand.
Two choices of slide finish result in a very different appearance within the CDS9 Classic line. Both are listed in Kimber specs as being finished in KimPro II, however the test model is matte black and has a Nitride texture. The (OR) variant has a polished stainless slide, with blued finish in the serrations. Kimber has a long track record of producing eye-catching guns, and the CDS9 series is no exception, as much for its neo-traditional profile as for any finish.
Two magazines are included with the CDS9
Firing the CDS9 Classic
Wow. It IS accurate. Those were my words after firing the CDS9 Classic for the first time. When shooting for precision, the quality of the barrel is evident. My first five rounds, fired from a standing position at seven yards, drilled a neat single hole. Doing this exercise, I do find the large orange front sight dot distracting. I focused instead on the top edge of the front sight to compensate for the more general, combat-ready focus of the big dot.
Ammunition selection is important when outfitting oneself for self-protection, and in my experience this is especially true with Kimber products of the last 15 years or so. The CDS9 Classic is no exception. I found the best results using cone-shaped, non-polymer bullets regardless of weight. When firing more dome-profile bullets, it consistently extracts but does not reliably feed about four rounds of every 10. Most of these failures showed up as an out of battery, though on several the top round never got picked up by the slide. After this problem showed up I was especially careful to execute a death grip on the gun, and it remained consistent, with some ammo types working well and others not. This is perhaps a testament to the fine machining of the gun, or indicative of a too-soft magazine spring. No worries, a wise pistol carrier always tests their ammunition before relying on the gun for personal defense.
The flat trigger on the CDS9 Classic has a fairly short takeup. Discharge happens at the vertical point. Reset is as short and palpable, crisp. Those who appreciate a quality trigger should be pleased.
I do appreciate the inclusion of tritium sights on this gun. In my opinion, that should also be included on the optic-ready one. The ambi controls are another modern touch, and a practical one at that. Those who plan to carry the CDS9 Classic for personal defense should keep in mind that the thumb safety can be unintentionally put in the “fire” position in certain holsters.
Subcompact or compact guns often frustrate users with large hands because the bottom of the magazine well forms a pinch point as the mag is inserted. The CDS9 Classic’s grip is elongated compared to most in the carry-size class. That means less pinch risk. Add to that, the mag floorplates have some length, especially of course the 15 round one, offering many large-handed users better purchase on the grip and eliminating the distraction of a dangling pinky finger.
The CDS9 is the ultimate concealable 9mm Micro
Maintaining the CDS9 Classic
When it came time to clean the CDS9 Classic, I found myself doing something I should, but in reality rarely do during a gun review—take a look at the manual. Modern striker and classic single action guns are often so routine, so similar, it’s not necessary. But this gun’s field strip process is a little different.
It wasn’t the user manual that offered help when it came to field stripping, but the Kimber website. Disassembly difficulty isn’t big, but it does require a small object to use as a punch to initialize disengagement of the takedown lever on the right side of the frame. Once that’s done, disassembly and reassembly are much like any 1911, with the refreshing absence of the need for a bushing wrench. Reassembly is tool-less and easier than disassembly.
In Summary
The Kimber CDS9 Classic, in my estimation, fills a niche for a large segment of the defensive handgun carrier population that admires a 1911 but has been frustrated with attempts at concealing the bulk of a government or commander size gun. It’s a little smaller and more concealable, but retains the classic beavertail that can prove challenging in terms of concealment or an easy draw.
This gun should become a favorite among shooters who have large hands and the need or desire to conceal a handgun. In addition to the elimination of the mag well pinch point already mentioned, there is appreciable distance between the rear of the backstrap and controls. I find it easier to resort to two-handed slide racking as my thumb doesn’t comfortably reach the slide catch, though the trigger and mage release aren’t as hard for me to reach…but they’re not so close as to make using the gun intuitive without extended range time with it.
This gun delivers an experience that’s boutique among newer handguns. It will run and it can be manipulated with speed and deftness, with practice and careful ammo selection. There are many leather holsters that will fit it well enough to carry safely. At $795 base price, it’s an investment worth considering.
Specifications: Kimber CDS9 Classic
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Capacity: 13+1 or 15+1
Height: 5.0 inches with 13-round magazine
Length: 6.2 inches
Width: 1.1 inches
Weight: 21.44 ounces with empty magazine
Slide: Stainless with Kimpro II finish. External extractor
Sights: Truglo Tritium Pro with orange front ring and white rear rings
Frame: Aluminum with Kimpro II finish and accessory rail, ambi controls, frag pattern checkering on mainspring housing and front strap
Barrel: 3.18 Stainless, match grade
Grips: Nylon grip panels with molded stippling
MSRP: $795
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Eve Flanigan is a defensive shooting and lifestyle student, practitioner, and instructor based in the American Southwest. Flanigan holds numerous NRA Instructor certifications and is licensed to instruct New Mexico’s intensive Concealed Carry course. She regularly designs, conducts, and co-teaches classes on concealed carry, introduction to pistol, defensive pistol, basic rifle, last-ditch medical, and use of force for civilian students. Flanigan enjoys competing in run-and-gun biathlons that include carbine and pistol.