Sig P938 vs Kimber Micro 9: Mini 1911 Comparison

October 11, 2017

Sig P938 or Kimber Micro: Which Tiny 9mm Should I Get?

Micro 1911s in .380 are one thing, but some people would rather have one in 9mm, which leads one directly to deciding between the Sig 938 and Kimber Micro 9. Both are excellent CCW pistols or bite-size backups to bigger guns, but which is better? Which should a person get?

That depends partially on what you like about a gun and also on which you like better yourself. When you try to decide between two or three pistols as far as which to get for a CCW gun, you ought to handle all of them. The one that fits best is usually the best for you.

But what are the differences that might set them apart? Let's find out. Bear in mind...they're darn few.

Kimber Micro 9 Sure Cleans Up Good

The Kimber Micro 9 is the 9mm counterpart to the Kimber Micro, itself a tiny 1911. Just so everyone knows it, Sig, Kimber and any other companies that make such a pistol or that will make one in the future (none as far as I know) got the inspiration from the Colt Mustang, a tiny 1911 in .380.

However, Colt never made a version in 9mm. The 9mm chambering seemed pretty obvious for the carry market, which is why Kimber and Sig decided to do it.

That said, what's the tale of the tape on the Kimber?

The Kimber Micro 9 has a 3.15-inch barrel, standing 4.01 inches tall, 6.1 inches long and 1.06 inches wide at the slide. Unloaded it weighs 15.6 ounces without the magazine. There are two Kimber Micro 9 magazine models available, a 6-round flush fit and 7-round Micro 9 extended magazine with a larger baseplate.

The action is a pint-size 1911, so single action albeit without a grip safety. Safeties are ambidextrous on some models, though a 7-pound trigger pull is standard on all models. Whether you carry cocked and locked or with the hammer down in a is up to you.

Kimber's hallmark is the sleek lines and classy appearance, which is certainly a hallmark of the Micro 9. A range of finishes and trim packages are available, including some models with Crimson Trace grips and others without. The Stainless and Two-Tone models are the entry level offerings, with a stainless frame and black or stainless slide, rosewood grips and night sights.

Where you go from there is up to you, with special editions such as Kimber's Sapphire finish and so on. Base MSRP is $654 for the Stainless and Two-Tone models, topping out at $1,142 for the Micro 9 CDP with rosewood polymer laser grips by Crimson Trace.

Kimber Micro 9 Specs

Overall Length: 6.1"
Height: 4.01"
Barrel Length: 3.15"
Width: 1.06"
Weight: 15.6 ounces

What's Different About The Sig P938

The Sig P938 is darn near the same size, with a 3-inch barrel and standing 5.9 inches long, 3.9 inches tall and 1.1 inches wide. It weighs in at 16 ounces unloaded, and likewise has either a 6- or 7-round magazine with extended baseplate available.

Slightly shorter, but not by so much that it makes a significant difference.

You get night sights on all models, though the safety lever stays on the left side rather than being ambidextrous.

The P938 trigger is roughly equal to the Kimber, at 7.5 pounds.

That said, the P938 also comes with a good range of finishes. The base models are the Nitron (all black) and the Combat, which is two-tone with a black slide and a (relatively light shade of) Flat Dark Earth frame with black hardware and controls.

You can get trim packages with rosewood P938 grips, stainless slide and/or frame, engraved slides and other appointments; there's even a tactical model (the P938 TB Emperor Scorpion) with a threaded barrel (the TB) for use with a suppressor.

However, you've no doubt heard that there is a Sig Sauer premium.

Sig P938 Specs

Overall Length: 5.9"
Height:: 3.9"
Barrel Length: 3"
Width: 1.1"
Weight: 16 ounces

Said premium is about $120 over the Kimber's base price, with the Nitron and Combat starting at $760 MSRP. You'll pay less in stores, of course, though the P938 range tops out earlier as the the top-of-the-line model - the P938 Rose Gold, with engraved rose gold slide - comes out at $986.

Granted, that's not too big compared to other options for ; that's still several hundred dollars cheaper than the Sig P239 or P225 (nearly twice the size, only hold 8) and half the weight of the double-stack P229.

Choosing Between Kimber Micro 9 and Sig P938

Making a choice between the Kimber Micro 9 and the Sig P938 is a bit of a doozy. It's basically the same gun. The specs, as you've gathered, are virtually identical. Operation is identical.

Both are widely held to be fairly easy to shoot despite the short barrel and small size, which has always made shooting pocket guns a tad rough.

Both are very easily concealed and carried. A holster makes the pistol positively disappear, same with the Kimber.

Part of it comes down to you. Believe it or not, the micro 1911s can be fairly comfortable and fill the hand more than you might think. Handle them both at a gun store some time, see if you can shoot both. The one that feels better and/or that you're more accurate with is the one to acquire.

That said, there is one thing that could tilt a person in favor of the Kimber, and that is the price. In terms of features for money, the Kimber has a bit of an edge.

For instance, Sig doesn't offer one with laser grips, so you'd have to order them special. Kimber, though, offers several models (like the Micro 9 Desert Tan, the Micro 9 LG and so on, for $790 MSRP. While not cheap - especially for such a tiny gun! - that's still just $30 more than the base model Sig's MSRP. What you'll get it for in stores is another matter, but you get the idea.

That said, it's up to you to figure out which pint-size Parabellum you want to pack. We recommend trying both out at the range, and when you do, use our free 8.5" x 11" Alien Gear target.

We will continuously be adding new target options to our lineup. Check out our complete page to see the full selection as they start rolling in.

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