[turtle93]

Hi all! This is my first post on a firearm forum, so be gentle.

I am looking to make my first Kimber purchase and I am trying to choose between the Compact CDP II and the Ultra CDP II. I had chance to fire a Pro Carry II recently and really enjoyed the experience. It felt great in my hand and the recoil was controllable. Unfortunately, none of the ranges in my area have an Ultra to rent. I am wondering if anyone could detail for me the difference in the perceived recoil between the Compact and Ultra models. I am planning on carrying the pistol...not everyday, but fairly frequently. I am used to carrying smaller pistols (Sig P238 and M&P Shield) so the Ultra would be preferred. That being said, I am somewhat recoil sensitive, so if it has much more recoil than the Pro/Compact, then I will probably stick with that. I am especially interested in any Ladies opinions, but would love to hear from the Guys as well.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Mike240]

The recoil of an Ultra in 45 will be more than both you current pistols. My experience is that most of the stoppages or malfunctions in the 3 inch guns are shooter induced if the weapon is fitted correctly. The gun is just more dependent on a firmer grip and set or locked wrist more so than the longer guns. Due to the lighter slide and shooter stroke, the gun cycles violently.

But if you are not encountering stoppages with the Shield in 9mm or 40 you should be okay with the Ultra. Or after a slight learning curve.

The timing of the short guns make extractor fitment that much more critical. The breechface to inner claw surface should be .075" (for a .45 acp) with a bit more bevel. The Kimber 45s tend to be .069". This is why they are more dependent on fresh recoil springs on a short round count replacement schedule and firm wrist as they rely on spring pressure to force the rim under the usually too tight extractor.

 

[turtle93]

The recoil of an Ultra in 45 will be more than both you current pistols. My experience is that most of the stoppages or malfunctions in the 3 inch guns are shooter induced if the weapon is fitted correctly. The gun is just more dependent on a firmer grip and set or locked wrist more so than the longer guns. Due to the lighter slide and shooter stroke, the gun cycles violently.

But if you are not encountering stoppages with the Shield in 9mm or 40 you should be okay with the Ultra. Or after a slight learning curve.

I've never experienced issues with performance due to "limp wristing" or poor grip. When I shot the Pro Carry II the firearm performed flawlessly and the recoil was controllable. I was just hoping that I could get some information about the recoil of the Ultra in comparison to the 4" models since I am unable to get my hands on an Ultra.

 

[Insta-Gator]

Can't help with the Pro/Ultra comparison, but ...

Welcome to

 

[Chuck43]

If you're recoil sensitive and comfortable shooting a pro size then I suggest you stick with it. In addition the being a lighter gun the compact and the ultra also have smaller grips.

ULTRA
3" bull barrel and a short grip.

COMPACT
4" barrel and a short grip.

PRO
4" barrel and a full length grip.

 

[v35b]

I have the Pro and love it, I had a M&P shield in .40 and found the recoil to be to much for me to enjoy the Pro is easer to control, I have tried a ultra and did not like the recoil, found it to be a lot like the shield in .40

 

[Marshall]

We have a PCII 45 and an Ultra TLE and yes the Ultra does have more recoil to it but it's manageable.The Ultra is my girlfriends and she had a Solo which also kicks quite a bit so it was not a big change for her to get use to.Welcome to the forum from StLou.

 

[Islander]

turtle93, you're getting a lot of great answers to your question so I'll just add, Welcome to the forum!!

 

[Josey Wales]

First of all welcome.

I have a SC Pro HD model, an Ultra plus model, and 3 other Ultra models.
To me between all of them the noticeable difference in recoil is not very much, I like the 3' barrel and the full size grip of the SC Ultra plus, it just gives me more control with out the weight of the HD Pro model.
By the way all of the previous posts give good info.

Good luck in your quest.

 

[bigdog10]

Welcome to the forum. good luck with your choice.

 

[azdeuce]

I have a Ultra CDP II and I have big hands
With a firm grip you can shoot all day
I also have a Shield and It's recoil is about the same
That Kimber is designed so well My small little GF has no problem shooting it
And I really like carrying it..
By the way 0 problems new out of the box

 

[turtle93]

Can't help with the Pro/Ultra comparison, but ...

Welcome to

Thanks for the welcome!

 

[turtle93]

I carry the ss ultra raptor everyday it just disappears in the right holster very comfortable to carry, as for recoil i find it not that snappy for myself it really is a very fine cc pistol,and we welcome you to the forum from North Georgia.

I have no doubt that the Ultra would conceal nicely, I'm just hoping that it's as nice to shoot as well. Thanks for the welcome!

 

[turtle93]

If you're recoil sensitive and comfortable shooting a pro size then I suggest you stick with it. In addition the being a lighter gun the compact and the ultra also have smaller grips.

ULTRA
3" bull barrel and a short grip.

COMPACT
4" barrel and a short grip.

PRO
4" barrel and a full length grip.

I actually want the shorter grip for ease of concealment. I rented the Pro Carry because a) it was the only Kimber for rent in my area and b) because I figured it would be a comparable shooting experience to the Compact. I have held a Compact and Ultra at my local gun store. I have plenty of room on the grip for all of my fingers...in fact, there's even a little extra.

 

[turtle93]

I have the Pro and love it, I had a M&P shield in .40 and found the recoil to be to much for me to enjoy the Pro is easer to control, I have tried a ultra and did not like the recoil, found it to be a lot like the shield in .40

Hmmm...this is interesting. When I bought my Shield in 9mm, the guy at the LGS mentioned that the .40 was no fun to shoot since it was super snappy. I don't mind recoil that is more of a pushing motion and, of course, some muzzle rise is to be expected. It's the sharp, snappy muzzle flip that turns me away from a firearm.

You've given me something to think about...Thanks!

 

[turtle93]

We have a PCII 45 and an Ultra TLE and yes the Ultra does have more recoil to it but it's manageable.The Ultra is my girlfriends and she had a Solo which also kicks quite a bit so it was not a big change for her to get use to.Welcome to the forum from StLou.

Thanks for the reply. I've been researching this question for the last couple weeks. Some say there is a little more recoil, some say lots more, some say there is no difference. It's a difficult subject to quantify since felt recoil is different for each shooter. I knew this when I posed the question, but had to try anyways. I would just hate to plunk down the money for the Ultra and not enjoy shooting it.

Thanks for the welcome!

 

[turtle93]

turtle93, you're getting a lot of great answers to your question so I'll just add, Welcome to the forum!!

Thanks for the welcome!

 

[turtle93]

First of all welcome.

I have a SC Pro HD model, an Ultra plus model, and 3 other Ultra models.
To me between all of them the noticeable difference in recoil is not very much, I like the 3' barrel and the full size grip of the SC Ultra plus, it just gives me more control with out the weight of the HD Pro model.
By the way all of the previous posts give good info.

Good luck in your quest.

For me, I want the shorter grip. It leaves me plenty of room for my hand and will be easer to conceal. I'm just trying to figure out how much 2 oz in weight (the difference between the Ultra & Compact CDP II models according to Kimber) and 1" in barrel length really affect the recoil. Why can't some math genius come up with an equation to figure that out? It would make things easier!

Good luck, you say?...Yeah, I think I'm going to need it!

 

[turtle93]

Welcome to the forum. good luck with your choice.

Thanks for the welcome! As for good luck...I think I'm going to need it!

 

[Insta-Gator]

The alternative to using math for gun selection is .... buy the one you think is most "purdy'

My eyes always decided where my hands will go to first. Though there have been times when my hands told my eyes, "I don't think so."