How do you increase the versatility of your trusty sidearm? That was the catalyst behind the development of the Kidon Modular Pistol Conversion Kit System by the wizards at IMI Defense, an Israeli maker of innovative, high-quality firearm accessories. Kidon, which means “spear” in Hebrew, is a polymer chassis that works with 160 handguns and counting. According to Nisim Zusman, owner of IMI Defense, the Kidon is built to offer maximum firepower in a compact package.
“I have spent many years with my engineering team developing the concept,” said Zusman. “Our goal was to provide the most versatile, feature-rich solution, enabling you to convert your favorite pistols into a fully equipped subgun. The result of this design effort was the Kidon, named after the spear to insinuate that it is the best solution for fit, function, and modularity when converting your pistol.”
The Kidon is simple to use. Up front, the chassis clamps onto the pistol’s accessory rail. At the rear, forward tension on the beavertail keeps the pistol locked in place. With practice, a user can install or remove a pistol in seconds. A nonreciprocating charging handle placed on either side of the Kidon operates the pistol’s slide. While the design may be simple, the boost in performance it provides is nothing short of extraordinary.
I first ordered the Kidon to use a Glock as a cheek pistol. This unique way of shooting utilizes both hands as well as the cheek as the third point of contact. The Kidon and a Glock 23 functioned perfectly, but I’ll concede this method of shooting isn’t for everyone. Luckily, the Kidon is a versatile platform that affords multiple styles of shooting.
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Most will add an AR buffer tube to the Kidon and install a pistol brace or stock. This makes sense; it’s what most of us know. Adding a brace adds too much length for me, so I registered my G23 as a short-barreled rifle (SBR) and added IMI’s purpose-built Kidon Folding Stock Adaptor. If you’re an FFL/SOT like me, this is the way.
With the stock folded, the Kidon as shown measures just 17.5 inches. With a quick tug, the stock deploys and latches firmly with zero play in the hinge. I don’t claim to be a world class pistol shooter, but with the Kidon-equipped Glock, my capabilities skyrocketed. For aiming, I added SIG’s excellent ROMEO4T in a LaRue mount. Based on speed and precision, I was no longer shooting a Glock; I was blazing through targets at warp speed with a pistol-caliber carbine. It was an astonishing transformation.
From IMI Defense, the Kidon ships with an angled front grip, flip-up sights, and removable rails for accessories at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions. I removed the sights and rail sections and installed the Kidon Magwell Grip (KMG) at the 6 o’clock position. Not only does this foregrip add stability and prevent your hand from inadvertently covering the muzzle, the KMG also houses an extra magazine. It’s a sleek way to keep extra ammo at the ready.
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Overall, the Kidon is a clever design that’s versatile enough to work with nearly every pistol in your collection. Just add a new adaptor for that brand, and it becomes a highly effective tool for personal-defense applications. The Kidon is designed and made in Israel from the highest quality composites, so don’t expect any issues with build quality. In fact, during testing, a Kidon withstood 15,000 rounds of 9mm and 5,000 rounds of .45 Auto without issue. The only concern is with slide-mounted optics. Most red dots won’t have the clearance to reciprocate inside the Kidon.
After testing it for the past year as a cheek pistol, braced pistol, and ultra-compact SBR, I can’t think of a single bad thing to say about IMI Defense’s Kidon chassis. In fact, I no longer consider it a pistol accessory. In my mind, the Kidon is a carbine just waiting to be unleashed.
IMI Kidon Pistol Conversion Kit
- Type: Semiauto pistol chassis
- Material: Polymer
- Compatibility: 160+ pistols
- Weight: 2 lbs., 4 oz. (Kidon with folding stock and no accessories)
- MSRP: $529 to $550 (Kidon without stock),$96 (folding stock adaptor), $64 (separate adaptors)
- Manufacturer: IMI Defense, imidefense.com
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