2018 Handgun of the Year: Kimber Camp Guard 10

Now in its 16th year, the NRA Golden Bullseye Awards represent the pinnacle of achievement within the shooting, hunting and outdoor trade.

In 2017, after years of record-breaking sales, many industry observers wondered what ingenious introductions might still be unveiled. After all, any product worthy of our gold standard must meet or exceed American Hunter’s expectations of innovation—and they absolutely must provide hunters with value for their money. But once again, we were surprised when we collected nominations and tallied our votes.

Pistol of the Year: Kimber Camp Guard 10
The 10mm Auto punches above its weight, and in a 1911 it does so in a relatively small package. The Kimber Camp Guard 10 with its nine-round magazine, as AH contributor Keith Wood noted, is a “1911-lover’s backcountry sidearm” (AmericanHunter.org, July 2017).

The Camp Guard is constructed almost entirely from stainless steel to resist the elements as it’s worn on a hunter’s hip; its slide is coated in black KimPro II. Cocking serrations run along either side of the slide to aid operation. Its frontstrap is checkered 30 lines-per-inch for extra grip, and its butt and mainspring housing are rounded to make carry comfortable. The hammer and trigger are skeletonized; the ejection port is lowered and flared. The gun fits firmly in your hand and stays put thanks to rosewood scales, a beavertail grip safety and an extended thumb safety. Snag-free Novak-style sights are adjustable for windage, and combine tritium inserts with white outlines for a three-dot setup that works day or night. Our test unit’s trigger broke at 4.25 pounds, and its reset was short.

Wood noted, “This handgun exhibits excellent fit and finish and more than a few custom touches. [It’s] accurate, shootable and comfortable to carry.”

For more information, go to kimberamerica.com.

Editor's Note: NRA Publications will present the annual Golden Bullseye Awards at an exclusive breakfast during the 2018 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Dallas, Tx., May 4-6.