In today’s 1911DS showdown, I put three standout double-stack 9mm pistols head-to-head: the Kimber 2K11, the Bersa M2XI Stainless, and the Stealth Arms Platypus. All three are optics-ready, feature high-capacity mags, and bring their own unique design approach to the increasingly competitive 2011-style market.

Let’s break down how each one performed across categories like build quality, ergonomics, optics compatibility, and range performance.

Build and Features
The Kimber 2K11 leads with premium materials—a stainless steel slide and frame finished in Kimber’s proprietary KimPro granite coating. It features a fluted 5-inch barrel, an external extractor, MJD Kevlar-carbon-fiber grip panels, and a ¾ dust cover with Pic rail. Two color options are available, and it comes with both 17- and 20-round magazines.

The Bersa M2XI also sports a stainless steel frame and slide but opts for an internal extractor and full-length dust cover for a more balanced feel. It ships with a bull barrel, aggressive but comfortable grip texturing, and ambi controls. Two color options are available, and you get 17- and 22-round magazines out of the box.

The Stealth Arms Platypus takes a different route entirely, offering extreme modularity and Glock magazine compatibility. It’s built on a lightweight aluminum frame, a carbon steel slide, and a 416R stainless match-grade barrel. While its factory fit and finish don’t quite match the others, the online custom builder allows near-endless aesthetic combinations and user-specific tuning.

Ergonomics and Controls
The Kimber takes the lead again here. The MJD grip modules offer excellent contouring, and the match-grade trigger breaks cleanly with minimal take-up. Controls are ambidextrous and intuitive.

The Bersa isn’t far behind, with a well-executed polymer grip and a crisp, skeletonized trigger. The full dust cover and extended beavertail offer excellent recoil control.

The Platypus, while fully functional, feels a bit slick with the aluminum grip and runs a slightly heavier trigger. However, it wins on flexibility—offering users the chance to fine-tune nearly every part of the build.

Optics and Sights
The Stealth Arms Platypus wins this round, offering a direct RMR footprint cut with Novak-style sights that allow for true co-witnessing. That’s rare in this space and adds a big value point for anyone running red dots.

The Kimber 2K11 supports RMR optics via the included plate, but you lose your rear sight in the process unless you modify the setup.

The Bersa M2XI is cut for RMSc-style optics, and while it can co-witness thanks to its low deck height, the small window size feels more cramped and slightly slower to acquire under stress. There is currently no RMR support, though options like the Gideon may eventually fill that gap.

Capacity and Reloading
All three come ready with high-capacity mags, but the Platypus reloads the fastest due to its use of Glock magazines—widely available and smooth-feeding. Kimber and Bersa mags were solid but required slightly more force to lock in during speed reloads.

Price and Value
The Bersa is the most affordable of the bunch, coming in just under $1,500. The Stealth Arms Platypus, depending on your custom build, sits around $1,700. The Kimber 2K11 is the most premium at approximately $2,000. Each one offers a strong value depending on what you're prioritizing—be it budget, customization, or refinement.

Range Results
The Kimber felt the softest under fire, with tight 2-inch groups at 25 yards. The Bersa handled recoil extremely well and offered fast, accurate follow-ups. The Platypus, being the lightest, was snappier but just as accurate once you settle into a proper grip.

Final Thoughts
If you’re after a classic high-end 1911DS with premium fit and finish, the Kimber 2K11 is hard to beat.
If you want max performance for the price, the Bersa M2XI might be the sleeper hit of this trio.
And if customization, modularity, and Glock mag compatibility matter to you, the Stealth Arms Platypus is in a league of its own.

See you on the high ground—or in the next post. RazorMP out.