Choosing the Best Kimber R7 Mako Holster

So you’ve just picked up a Kimber R7 Mako and you’re looking for the perfect holster to compliment it. You’re probably feeling both excited and a little overwhelmed. That’s okay - just breathe. We’re here to help. In this post, we’re going to help you choose the best Kimber R7 Mako holster to suit your needs - concealed carry or otherwise.

What is the Kimber R7 Mako?

Before we dive into the best holster for the Kimber R7 Mako, let’s take a look at the gun itself. Back in January of 2022, Kimber turned heads with their first foray into the world of micro-compact concealed carry pistols. This category of pistols has exploded in popularity thanks to the introduction of the super-small SIG P365 in 2018. And now, Kimber wants a slice of the action.

In some ways, Kimber designed the R7 Mako as a “P365 Killer.” For one, they crammed 11 rounds of 9mm into its smallest magazine. That’s one more than you can fit into the smallest P365 magazine. What’s more, the Kimber R7 Mako’s extended magazine holds one additional round than a P365’s magazine, too. 

The Kimber R7 Mako differs from nearly every other gun the company makes. While Kimber is usually known for its metal-framed 1911s and revolvers, the R7 Mako looks more like something out of Glock’s arsenal. For one, it’s made mostly of black plastic. While that may be a departure from the traditional Kimber, it definitely saves weight. That, coupled with the Mako’s small size, makes it an ideal concealed carry gun.

Choosing the Best Holster for a Kimber R7 Mako

Open Carry vs Concealed Carry Holsters

Given the Mako’s small stature and light weight, it’s best utilized as a concealed carry gun. And any concealed carry gun is only as good as its holster. That means that you’re going to want a concealed carry holster for your Kimber R7 Mako.

A concealed carry holster needs to achieve three goals. First, it needs to actually be concealable. You don’t want to be printing, showing off you’re carrying to everyone around you. Second, it needs to be comfortable. If you concealed carry every day, you’re going to get intimately familiar with your holster. You don’t want to go through the day feeling your gun jamming into your body.

Best Holster Material: Kydex vs Leather Holsters for the Kimber R7 Mako

In addition to the style of holster you choose for your Kimber R7 Mako, you’re going to want to consider the material. Today, holsters mainly come in one of two materials: leather or kydex. Kydex is a hard, rough plastic material and while it’s great for duty holsters, it’s not necessarily the best for concealed carry.

Kydex’s tough, course material doesn’t make it super comfortable for concealed carry. It’ll definitely dig into your skin. It can also be particularly uncomfortable when you’re sitting down, depending on where you carry. As a result, many people who concealed carry choose to do so with a leather holster.

Thinking about getting a leather concealed carry holster for your own Kimber R7 Mako? Southern Trapper can help. To find the best holster for your Kimber R7 Mako, check out our complete inventory here.