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Ok, I've been gun shopping. I don't like gun shopping but only because I have to make a choice.

I'm leaning to the Kimber Ultra Carry II. It's about the same size as my H&K Compact, but it's thinner, so that's a plus and sleeker. It has a nice feel to it. So here's the question - I'll have the opportunity to shoot a Pro Carry today which is a little larger than the Ultra Carry. What is the difference in recoil between the two? Is it significant or negligible. It's more of a curious question than a deal breaker type question. I'm not a sissy when it comes to recoil or anything....just kind of want to know what to expect should I decide to go with the Ultra Carry.

T.

there will be slightly more recoil with the pro than the ultra carry due to the 1" shorter barrel and slide and the half inch shorter grip. The reduced mass will affect it slightly, but to me not that much (fair warning: I am a recoil junkie, which means I have shot a 454 casull with blisters on my hand and didn't mind it much).

TLynnHughes wrote:Ok, I've been gun shopping. I don't like gun shopping but only because I have to make a choice.

I'm leaning to the Kimber Ultra Carry II. It's about the same size as my H&K Compact, but it's thinner, so that's a plus and sleeker. It has a nice feel to it. So here's the question - I'll have the opportunity to shoot a Pro Carry today which is a little larger than the Ultra Carry. What is the difference in recoil between the two? Is it significant or negligible. It's more of a curious question than a deal breaker type question. I'm not a sissy when it comes to recoil or anything....just kind of want to know what to expect should I decide to go with the Ultra Carry.

T.

I own both of the Kimbers you're looking at. The recoil difference is recognizable if I shoot them side by side and think about it in comparison terms, but from a practical point of view I consider it negligible.

The UltraCarry gives you a more compact package and one less round in the flush fitting magazine. You can use the full size magazines in it for backup magazines as long as you're aware that you can't ram them home with force or they can go too far into the magazine well and hang up the gun.

The ProCarry gives you a longer sight radius and one more shot, although the site radius on the UltraCarry is plenty functional.

Both are very accurate and very pleasant to shoot, so pick what's important to you and choose accordingly. The good news is - you can't make a bad choice here.

Then again - you could take the shoes and handbag approach and buy both to solve the dilemma......

G.A. Heath wrote:there will be slightly more recoil with the pro than the ultra carry due to the 1" shorter barrel and slide and the half inch shorter grip. The reduced mass will affect it slightly, but to me not that much (fair warning: I am a recoil junkie, which means I have shot a 454 casull with blisters on my hand and didn't mind it much).

I think G.A. Heath meant there will be slightly less recoil with the Pro than the Ultra. I own both and like them equally.
The recoil is less of an issue for me than the shorter grip length of the Ultra. However, both carry nicely, are very accurate,
and function flawlessly. I find I carry the Ultra slightly more often than the Pro..... I shoot more rounds at the range with
the Pro..... go figure.

yep, got the names switched, thanks for the catch.

I have owned both and there is not much difference in recoil. Not enough to talk about really. I prefer the Pro carry because I like the larger grip. I have small hands, but I never really cared for the smaller grip on the Ultra.


thanks,
George

My wife has carried and shot the Ultra Carry for several years. She likes the gun and shoots it every trip to the range, however she switches to a 5" 1911 after about 50 rds.

Chas.

Dang, looks like we lost another plastic pistol shooter to the 1911 bug ....

The ultra also has 1 less in capacity if that matters. You can use full size mags but they will stick out 1/2" or so. I own both as well and the Ultra recoil really isnt much worse.

austinrealtor wrote:Dang, looks like we lost another plastic pistol shooter to the 1911 bug ....

Not entirely! I still have my plastic guns. And nothing will ever replace my beloved H&K USP. I don't know if it's possible to bond with a gun but it's close.

T.

TLynnHughes wrote: I don't know if it's possible to bond with a gun

It is.

Yea! Finally, to 1911's, Yea.

The Mrs. carries a 4" because of concealment over the 5" because she carries closer to 4:00 and the extra inch is a problem for her in her car seat. She also switches over to her full size at the range after a box or so. You might consider adding one of Wilson shook buffers, it'll take a little off the recoil too. I suspect with your experience, you won't notice the difference unless you shoot the two side by side. Of course, you only have to worry about g-forces to your back in your car.

RiverRat wrote: Of course, you only have to worry about g-forces to your back in your car.

Oh...this is VERY true!!

Well I'm going to have to change course. The Kimber is not for me I shot the Pro Carry today and was really disappointed. I'm reasonably accurate with my H&K but I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with the Kimber. I've shot my brother's .45 and I even do ok with that. I'm sure glad I rook the time to shoot before I plunked down the $$$.

Back to shopping. Any thoughts?

T.

Sorry to hear that you and the Kimber are not for each other, but glad you found out before spending the money.