45 Talk

Kimber has started some limited editions. They are calling them Sapphire ….

The interesting thing is that the slides are finished in a PVD (DLC, Ion Bond, etc.) process that is extremely durable. In the case of the Sapphire line the the color is a bright blue that has a nice gloss to it. This finish is the same process that Smith and Wesson began using on the cylinders of the M&P revolvers several years ago. It has stood up very well.

These first two are 9MM 1911s.

Then there is the 9MM Solo Saphire

I realize that some of these photos might make you think of the rainbow titanium finish of a decade ago. This is a totally different process and much more durable.

There is a black version of this PVD finish that Kimber is calling Onyx. It is as pretty as the old Black Chrome used to be. As some of you recall black chrome was a poor choice for a firearm finish if the gun was to be used at all. At the moment the I believe the only Kimber Onyx is a distributor exclusive and I did not get a photograph of it.

With the durability of the PVD type finishes I think that we will see more firearms manufacturers going to this process. I think it is much better looking than the painted and backed on finishes that have become somewhat popular in recent years. It is certainly more durable than most of those baked finishes.

10MM Auto is a favorite cartridge of mine. It has been for decades. The last few years have seen increased activity in this cambering. Manufacturers have introduced new pistols as well as ammunition offerings.

This year things exploded with SIG announcing 4 variations of the P220 pistol and two ammunition loadings. Most everyone on the Forum who is a 10MM Auto fan has already heard this.

SIG stoped participating at Media Day last year and began running their own range event at a different location. I did not attend both events so I have not shot the current factory SIG P220s yet.

The two offerings that were on display in SIGs booth are 5″ SAO pistols offered in stainless or Nitron.

I did not see SA/DA out at SIGs booth.

The 10MM Auto of the P220 Match Elite is a reverse two tone finish. I thought that I was not going to like it, but once it was in my hand I found that I like it.

The final version announced by SIG is the Hunt Ready P220. This has a SIG mini red dot already installed on the firearm. This will be a SAO version with G10 grips.

There is also at least one short run custom configuration available. Writer and on air personality Tom Gresham, host of Gun Talk, has a GT version that is limited to 1000 pistols. It is SAO in all stainless finish with Gun Talk logoed G10 grips.

SIG is adding two 10MM Auto loading to their line of Elite ammunition. Both offering contain 180 grain projectiles moving out at a published 1250 FPS. One will be a FMJ while the other is SIGs V-Crown Hollow Point. While not at the MAX end of the power range, it is certainly well above some of the watered down 10MM Auto factory loads we have been forced to live with over recent years.