2015 Kimber Solo - Are you satisfied with yours?

[sirgilligan]

I am interested in a new 9mm. I prefer non-polymer firearms, it is a personal preference.

I was wondering how the new Kimber Solo 9mm's are doing. I have read many posts of older ones and I understand that they may be many people that have something to say about the Kimber Solo.

However, I am interested in the latest production models and I am trying to learn if the "bugs" have been worked out. I understand that Kimber recommends specific ammo and I feel it should work with their specified ammo.

So, if you have a 2015 model Kimber Solo, please consider taking the poll and posting comments.

 

[Olympus]

Bugs were worked out long ago. A lot had to do with the 115gr bullets that they recommend against and my personal experience in owning one is that I suspect a lot of shooters were limp wristing and refusing to accept that. Mine has been flawless, but hand it to a new shooter and they will almost always induce a malfunction. The little guns are definitely snappy.

 

[sirgilligan]

Bugs were worked out long ago. A lot had to do with the 115gr bullets that they recommend against and my personal experience in owning one is that I suspect a lot of shooters were limp wristing and refusing to accept that. Mine has been flawless, but hand it to a new shooter and they will almost always induce a malfunction. The little guns are definitely snappy.

From the lack of responses I am thinking that even if the bugs are worked out the sales are very soft for the Solo.

 

[Olympus]

I think the price is the biggest culprit there. They are very nice guns though. My only complaint is the trigger is pretty mushy feeling. But my is 100% reliable, even with reloads.

 

[WRGADog]

My Solo is not a 2015, but it works perfectly with the

Recommended 124 or 147 grain premium self defense ammunition.

 

[Olympus]

Mine eats 124gr lead reloads like candy.

 

[sirgilligan]

Mine eats 124gr lead reloads like candy.

So, I guess the Solo doesn't have polygonal rifling.

 

[Olympus]

Not that I'm aware of.

 

[george burns]

I asked a similar question about the 380 micro. It seems that for $7-800 for a small cary gun, having seen the problems with past Kimber pistols, it would seem natural that the smaller they go, the more likely they are to have problems. Personally, I have trained my eye to stay away from them.

 

[Casefull]

I have carried one for 2 years. No problems. It likes loads on the hot side more so than anemic loads. Very accurate for small pistol. Price is an issue for sure. I love the long soft trigger and I am not a fan of striker fired pins. I did stretch the slide springs a little because the lockup was a little weak.

 

[sirgilligan]

It seems like the Kimber Solo is a quality firearm that requires a "better" shooter than most.

What I mean by "better" is one that doesn't limp wrist, one that keeps their fingers away from dragging on on moving parts, etc.

Since I am an average shooter, with limited training and all of that training is self taught, and I truly hate a machine that is aggravating even if I am the weak link, I think I will pass on continued research of the Kimber Solo, and now focus on some others as I narrow the search.

I still have to consider the 9x18 (9mm Makarov) pistols, they are very flat, and similar to my current carry pistol, a Walther PPK/S S&W version that has been flawless, accurate, and so flat that you could sit on it. But I don't sit on it.

I have researched polymer firearms but just haven't warmed up to them yet.
In the polymer research I have made a list of firearms that seem interesting enough to look at further:
S&W Shield
Glock 43
Kahr PM9
Honor Guard from Honor Defense

Thank you for your comments and honesty.
In summary I think the SOLO needs a "better" shooter than most and I want a firearm that is a little more forgiving.

 

[340PD]

So, I guess the Solo doesn't have polygonal rifling.

Why would reloads have anything to do with the rifling unless they were cast lead?
My Kahr and Glock with polygonal rifling shoot plated bullets with no problems at all.

 

[sirgilligan]

Why would reloads have anything to do with the rifling unless they were cast lead?
My Kahr and Glock with polygonal rifling shoot plated bullets with no problems at all.

Because he said this:

Mine eats 124gr lead reloads like candy.

 

[CNobbe]

Has the issue of peening in the slide been fixed? I looked at an early Solo, and when we took it apart..yikes. Too bad as I really want to like the Solo, it's a perfect carry gun for me, but am not about to go through the headaches of owning one...yet.

 

[TarDevil]

I have researched polymer firearms but just haven't warmed up to them yet.

Why not? Reliability and durability are well proven and at a good price point.

 

[sirgilligan]

Why not? Reliability and durability are well proven and at a good price point.

That is a question that is hard to answer. All of my excuses are based in preference and not based on issues of function, accuracy, or reliability.

I also can't bring myself to by a Chrysler product, a Hyundai, a bail out Chevrolet, a movie with Tom Cruise in it, ....

I am a fickle, irrational, and moody consumer I guess.

But I am really close to getting a polymer framed pistol. I do have a rifle with a polymer lower and was eager to get it. So, I am slowly coming around.

 

[Snowdog]

The quality-yet-inexpensive Kahr CM9 has conventional rifling... just something to keep in mind as you warm up to polymer frame pistols.

I love mine.

 

[Delford]

We North Carolinians like the Panthers this season and Kahrs any season. They have amazingly light recoil for their size. My caliber of choice is .45 ACP but the 9mm versions are great also.

 

[vinnydee]

I considered it but bought the Sig P938 instead. It is the only gun I have not thought about trading. With the extended mag I can get a full handed grip on it and it is pretty soft shooting for a small gun. I always use 124 gr. 9mm ammo in small guns and I have a lot of small guns. Take a look at this Sig. It does not get a lot of press or even posts and yet, out of all the small 9's I have bought and tried, I think it is the best. My guess is the cocked and locked carry method scares off a lot of people. I have had 1911 pistol's since 1970 so I know that they are safe even though they look scary. They have several safeties that have to fail at the same time and I have yet to see that happen.

The Solo was seriously considered by me but I have not had good experiences with Kimber but never had a Sig fail on me.

 

[orionengnr]

I have owned a Kahr PM9 for about ten years now, and have carried it a fair chunk of that time (including the last three years or so).
I've also owned a Kahr P45 for 7-8 years and carried it for several years.

Just bought a Solo about three weeks ago. Like it so far, nice gun, nice trigger, but it is more ammo-sensitive than the PM9 is, so I have not carried it yet.

In all fairness, mine was bought used, so it is not a 2015 model.