Handled a Kimber Solo yesterday and....

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LightningMan

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from the way it felt, I liked it. Yesterday I went in to my local Scheels and surprize, there it was in the display case. Then the down side, the price tag had written down on it, "NOT For SALE" That didn't stop me from asking to handle it, and asked the sales clerk why? He said; it's the only one we got and Kimber Rep. told us not to sell it yet, as they wanted more people to see it. marketing thing I quess. Anyway, I liked the looks & feel of it, plus it had a great trigger, with good sights. I must say; I'm tempted to get one, but going to wait and see if any problems come down the pike. LM
 
My local fun store had one 2 weeks ago also marked "Not for sale" But they had one none the less. They do such i volume sales it wasn't worth my time to take a number just to hold a gun a cant buy yet.
But my question is i know the MSRP is like $725 or so but what prices are you seeing when you do find one for sale?
Im expecting most places will be asking that or even higher praying on people who just gotta have it now.
But i hope it settles into the $575 price range with in the year as i may try one.
But id prefer one in that exact size in .45acp, If Kahr can do it with the PM9 and PM45 im hoping Kimber can also.
 
It seems stores are selling them in the $620-$650 range. Of course, that is before tax. But still, a good amount below MSRP. That's good news, because I am very seriously considering this pistol. Just a bit more than the P238 I was looking at, yet in a much more "serious" caliber. My XD45 will still be my primary carry, but there are times I can't carry IWB and need something smaller. This *may* fit the bill without having to compromise too much (like with the .380).

But, I still have yet to actually handle one. So we'll see...
 
I heard of some that have had issues...too new for me...I saw one of the first to hit any dealer, and fell in love with it ...just knew it would be a seller...may yet, after they get any bugs worked out...
 
Birdmang,

I am not sure what caused you to make this statement,

"Garbage! I don't like them or the price."

but based on the comment I wonder if you have fired the Kimber 1911 .45? Because I can tell you it is a FANTASTIC pistol. It simply is one of the best I have ever fired and it is extremely accurate. If ever I was in a life or death situation and I had to choose a pistol to save my life my Kimber 45 would be it.

They are pricey but based on my experience with the one I own...had it over 10 years...it/they are well worth the money!

Oops I just realize you are talking about the Solo...I think...sorry.
 
I based that statement off of playing around with, holding, disassembling, and re assembling the Kimber Solo.

Yes I have fired a Kimber and it was great. My friend had one and it broke at about 13 months.
 
My personal experience with Kimber 1911s is limited to three; my current TLE II, a BP 10 II, and my buddies Eclipse. All have been trouble free, so I'm of the mind that the Solo will be too; enough so that I'm on the waiting list at the local shop.
Regards,
Greg
 
I'm always leery of new model pistols. It seems like every company has some minor bugs and kinks with the first batch. I believe I will play the wait and see game for a while before I will commit one way or the other.
 
I don't like Kimber, but I really like the looks of these. I'm going to wait for the price to settle a bit on them, then I will probably try one out.

Birdmang, what did you feel was garbage about the Solo? Judging only from the pictures it really looks like a nice gun to me.
 
No it was smooth, and not pot metal or would not be for sale in my state and probably not a Kimber...but it felt like cheap cast.
 
It LOOKS like it'll fit subcompact 1911 holsters, which is good if so. I kind of like it, sort of looks like a fusion of a 1911 and a glock in a way with a LDA trigger but striker like a glock. I want to shoot one.
 
I hate to keep harping on this question Birdmang, but how does one make such a complete derogatory statement on a gun without shooting it or using something a little less subjective than it felt cheap? I have felt that a gun feels cheap, then shot it and they shot stellar, way better than I though they would shoot. IE: KelTec P3AT, HiPoint C9, Khar P9 or whatever model it was, and a couple 1911s that felt a tad cheap that shot great!
 
I finally handled one yesterday and although it felt good the magazine release is a PITA. It was inconsistent on when it released when pushing either side in and the magazine did not pop out 50% of the time.

I was really excited about the Solo until I felt that mag release. Its okay but I'm going to wait until I find one that is no more than $600 to even consider buying it. Its to bad since there are not many SA single stack 9mms with thumb safeties out there.
 
I hate to keep harping on this question Birdmang, but how does one make such a complete derogatory statement on a gun without shooting it or using something a little less subjective than it felt cheap? I have felt that a gun feels cheap, then shot it and they shot stellar, way better than I though they would shoot. IE: KelTec P3AT, HiPoint C9, Khar P9 or whatever model it was, and a couple 1911s that felt a tad cheap that shot great!
Click to expand...

I don't have a problem with cheap feeling guns that shoot great, ie hi point carbines, but they also have a cheap price tag to go with them. This Kimber does not.

Cokeman feel free to add me to a block list on your user cp.
 
Don't need to. I'm not really paying you much attention anyway. Have a nice day.
 
have yet to handle one, but they look like nice pistols. add a little variety to the single stack 9mm market. i'll let them wrk out all the bugs before i think about getting one though.
 
Birdmang- If a poll was taken about how useful your comments are in adding good info into the thread it would be a 100% vote that you have nothing valid or useful to add or say here.

Im not a Kimber fan by any means, But i love the looks of this gun. Im still waiting to hold and inspect the gun myself. But from what i saw in the case i was impressed with.

Unfortunately or fortunately i just bought a Kahr MK9 i love which is a direct competitor to the Solo. So im not in such a hurry to run out and buy a Solo since its so close to what i have already.
But that will give me time to think it over and allow any bugs to be worked out. I have a feeling Kimber knows they have alot riding on this gun as the CCW market is exploding and their gun is what most of them want.
Now make me one in .45acp and the same size and ill buy it now.
 
Yesterday I had an opportunity to handle, and dry fire (at the Gun Store salesman suggestion) the Kimber. Size wise it felt very much like my PM9 with a three fingered grip only possible.

Overall I like the look and it is melted nicely with all corners rounded.

Releasing the magazine took some doing the release button is very small in diameter and difficult to push and took three attempts. This I am sure can be dealt with. Sights were three white dot, nothing special.

The trigger itself was narrow and had a distinctive center ridge, I didn't care for it at all. The action was very smooth and not as "squishy" as the PM9 with a shorter take up and very crisp break. No stacking and no feel of pending release, it is advertised a single action strikered fired and factory set at 7lbs. I liked it and it was quite impressive all in all.


The safety seems unnecessary, was difficult to operate (stiff) and had little surface area purchase to operate. The upside, the safety is so small and unobtrusive if I were to carry this handgun I would carry it with the safety off.

I have no opinion on Kimbers overall as I have not owned or operated one. Apparently it is ergoed as a 1911 which does nothing for me as I don't own one and likely will not.

The Solo At 18 ounces loaded is marginal for pocket carry IMO and If I were to IWB I would probably rather a Walther PPS or Kahr.

I already have a PM 9 wrung out so I don't see the Kimber in my lineup or future, but I am sure it will give the PM9 some competition.

Sold price $627.

solocarry.jpg

http://www.kimberamerica.com/solo
 
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