First Look: Kimber Camp Guard 10mm

by
posted on May 24, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
camp_guard_better_f.jpg

Being in the backcountry can be unpredictable. When scouting, setting up camp, carrying water from a creek or butchering an animal, it’s not always easy to have your rifle within reach. The threats posed by bears, mountain lions, wolves and even ill-intentioned humans, though remote, are serious business when you’re on the wrong side of the probability curve. The ability to have a powerful firearm within reach at all times can be crucial, and is just the niche that the Kimber Camp Guard was designed to fill. Here are five things you need to know.

It's the 10mm Auto cartridge on the 1911 platform.
Though the Camp Guard is built on the familiar 1911 design, it is chambered in the powerful 10mm Auto cartridge. The 10mm Auto offers superior penetration over the .45 ACP and has been used successfully on some of the largest and toughest game on the planet. Heavy loads from companies such as DoubleTap Ammo push 180-grain bullets at nearly 1300 feet per second. 9 rounds (8+1) of 10mm is serious business when things go bad.

It sports RMEF rosewood grips.
The Camp Guard is a collaboration between Kimber and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, a fact that is celebrated by the handgun’s rosewood grips that are engraved with RMEF’s logo. Besides looking good, these grips provide a firm purchase.

It features stainless steel construction with two-tone finish.
The slide, frame, barrel and other assorted parts used on the Camp Guard are built from stainless steel to keep corrosion at bay in nasty weather. The slide and barrel bushing are finished with a black KimPro II finish which provides an additional layer of protection and adds to the overall good looks of the handgun.

It has a round heel frame for compact carry.
Compact guns can be hard to shoot under duress, but a full-size handgun can get in the way when you’re working hard. Kimber went for a best-of-both-worlds feel by bobbing the frame on the Camp Guard to a give it a round heel. Not only does this make the pistol easier to carry and to conceal, it eliminates some sharp edges that can catch on clothing and gear.

Custom features come standard.
The Carry Guard comes with a bunch of slick features. The grip frame’s frontstrap is checkered at a fine 30 LPI and the mainspring housing is serrated, both offering a firm grip during recoil. This handguard also uses a ramped barrel, a beavertail grip safety, a skeletonized hammer and trigger, an extended thumb safety, full-length guide rod, snag-free sights and front cocking serrations. The top of the slide is milled flat between the sights, which is a very nice touch.

Latest

Leupold Binos
Leupold Binos

Review: Leupold BX-3 Alpine HD 12x50mm

Contributor Phil Massaro reviews the Leupold BX-3 Alpine HD 12x50 binocular, which offers a stellar image at an attractive price.

New for 2026: Browning Trail Cameras' Defender Vision Pro LSF

The Defender Vision Pro LSF is Browning Trail Cameras' 2026 livestream cellular trail camera, built for users seeking immediate visibility and real-time awareness from the field. It is designed for both property and game monitoring.

Texas, Hogs and Thermals

Follow along as Brian McCombie indulges in his favorite trio: Texas, hogs and thermals.

New for 2026: Real Avid AR-15/AR-10 Master Collections

Real Avid has taken its AR-15 and AR-10 tooling and maintenance products and bundled them into anew Master Collections series, providing AR-platform fans with one-stop solutions to meet their specific AR needs.

Turkey Decoys All Season Long

Opening day of turkey season was rainy and cold. However, thanks to scouting and trail cameras, Scott Haugen had a plan. Matter of fact, from the first day to the last, Scott has a way to set the decoys to bring the birds in. Curious? Read on for some great strategies.

New for 2026: Hornady .223 WSSM and .243 WSSM Superformance Varmint

Hornady has announced the availability of .223 WSSM 55-grain V-Max and .243 WSSM 75-grain V-Max loads in the Superformance Varmint line.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.