This is a short review of my new Kimber Solo Carry DC.
After quite a bit if research, including going over both the positive and negative reviews of this Kimber, I decided to purchase this pocket 9mm pistol. I have always wanted a Kimber, but other firearm decisions got in the way. Now it was time.
The DC differs from other Solo carry models in four areas. First, it is all black. Second, the front portion of the slide is "melted" like the rest of the firearm. Third, the front strap and back strap have checkering (can straight cut lines be called checkering?) to enhance the hold on the grip. Four, the Micarta (?) grip panels have agressive checkering. These last two differences I believe to be the most important, as it greatly improves your hold on the firearm under less than idea conditions. (Gee, like what are the chances you might have sweaty palms when under high stress?) My DC came with night sights, and I believe this is a standard feature.
Fit and finish are superb, with even coating on the steel slide and aluminum frame. Slide fit is tight, with just a hint of side to side play. The safety snicks on and off satisfyingly, with a medium amount of applied pressure. The magazine release is very stiff, making it unlikely to activate accidently. The trigger is VERY smooth, with a DA revolver like feel. Travel is about 1/2 inch. Disassembly and reassembly is straight forward, except the the barrel needs to be rotated when removed and reinserted. It is a very tight fit.
Racking the slide is managable except when a full 6 round magazine has been inserting into the firearm with the slide closed. The upward pressure from the cartridges against the slide was too great for me to overcome. This makes it undersirable to carry with a full magazine and an empty chamber. (Condition 3) You can, however, chamber a round from a partially filled magazine, or by releasing a locked back slide, engage the safety, eject the magazine, top off the magazine and finally reinsert the magazine. (Condition 1) As this state is the most likely way the firearm will be carried on my person, this is no great concern.
There are a surprisingly few choices for holsters available for this handgun. I ordered an OWB belt holster and a pocket holster. While waiting for them to arrive, I dug out a Galco pocket holster made for the Kahr PM9 (PH460). It fit surprisingly well. So well, in fact, that I decided to wet fit the holster to the DC. As you can see, the holster covers the trigger, magazine release and the safety. It is snug enough to securely hold the firearm, while in the pocket, yet draws without a snag.
Yesterday, I took it out to shoot for the first time. I fired 25 rounds of Hornady Critical Duty 135 gr +P, 50 rounds of WWB 124 gr NATO and 50 rounds of Blazer 115 gr FMJ (Aluminum case). I had 1 FTF and 2 FTEs. The FTF occurred with the very first round (135 gr). It failed to go into battery. I dropped the magazine, cleared the cartridge, reloaded it into the magazine, reinserted the magazine, chambered the cartridge, then fired 6 rounds without failure. Both FTEs occurred with the 115 gr Blazer. In each case, I wasn't the shooter. In each case the, the firearm locked open after the last round fired, and the spent case remained loose in the open breech. I was unable to duplicate the failure. Given that the 115s are outside the ammunition parameter given by the manufacturer, these FTEs don't bother me in the slightest. Since the FTF occurred on the very first round, and didn't repeat, I'll just chalk that up to unfamiliarity with the firearm.
Recoil is significant but manageable. Rapid, accurate follow-up shots, like you might achieve with a full sized handgun aren't really possible. I did not test for accuracy, but noted that off hand, impromptu shooting produced very acceptable results. The DC is easily as accurate as a short range self defense weapon needs to be.
I am very happy with my Kimber Solo Carry DC handgun, and it has become my EDC CCW. This is an upgrade from my Kahr P380. I was never really happy with my Kahr PM9 as the effort to rack the slide was just to much for less than optimum conditions, and it felt too bulky in the pocket. The DC feels slimmer in the pocket. It is significantly heavier that the P380, but manageable.
After quite a bit if research, including going over both the positive and negative reviews of this Kimber, I decided to purchase this pocket 9mm pistol. I have always wanted a Kimber, but other firearm decisions got in the way. Now it was time.
The DC differs from other Solo carry models in four areas. First, it is all black. Second, the front portion of the slide is "melted" like the rest of the firearm. Third, the front strap and back strap have checkering (can straight cut lines be called checkering?) to enhance the hold on the grip. Four, the Micarta (?) grip panels have agressive checkering. These last two differences I believe to be the most important, as it greatly improves your hold on the firearm under less than idea conditions. (Gee, like what are the chances you might have sweaty palms when under high stress?) My DC came with night sights, and I believe this is a standard feature.
Fit and finish are superb, with even coating on the steel slide and aluminum frame. Slide fit is tight, with just a hint of side to side play. The safety snicks on and off satisfyingly, with a medium amount of applied pressure. The magazine release is very stiff, making it unlikely to activate accidently. The trigger is VERY smooth, with a DA revolver like feel. Travel is about 1/2 inch. Disassembly and reassembly is straight forward, except the the barrel needs to be rotated when removed and reinserted. It is a very tight fit.
Racking the slide is managable except when a full 6 round magazine has been inserting into the firearm with the slide closed. The upward pressure from the cartridges against the slide was too great for me to overcome. This makes it undersirable to carry with a full magazine and an empty chamber. (Condition 3) You can, however, chamber a round from a partially filled magazine, or by releasing a locked back slide, engage the safety, eject the magazine, top off the magazine and finally reinsert the magazine. (Condition 1) As this state is the most likely way the firearm will be carried on my person, this is no great concern.
There are a surprisingly few choices for holsters available for this handgun. I ordered an OWB belt holster and a pocket holster. While waiting for them to arrive, I dug out a Galco pocket holster made for the Kahr PM9 (PH460). It fit surprisingly well. So well, in fact, that I decided to wet fit the holster to the DC. As you can see, the holster covers the trigger, magazine release and the safety. It is snug enough to securely hold the firearm, while in the pocket, yet draws without a snag.
Yesterday, I took it out to shoot for the first time. I fired 25 rounds of Hornady Critical Duty 135 gr +P, 50 rounds of WWB 124 gr NATO and 50 rounds of Blazer 115 gr FMJ (Aluminum case). I had 1 FTF and 2 FTEs. The FTF occurred with the very first round (135 gr). It failed to go into battery. I dropped the magazine, cleared the cartridge, reloaded it into the magazine, reinserted the magazine, chambered the cartridge, then fired 6 rounds without failure. Both FTEs occurred with the 115 gr Blazer. In each case, I wasn't the shooter. In each case the, the firearm locked open after the last round fired, and the spent case remained loose in the open breech. I was unable to duplicate the failure. Given that the 115s are outside the ammunition parameter given by the manufacturer, these FTEs don't bother me in the slightest. Since the FTF occurred on the very first round, and didn't repeat, I'll just chalk that up to unfamiliarity with the firearm.
Recoil is significant but manageable. Rapid, accurate follow-up shots, like you might achieve with a full sized handgun aren't really possible. I did not test for accuracy, but noted that off hand, impromptu shooting produced very acceptable results. The DC is easily as accurate as a short range self defense weapon needs to be.
I am very happy with my Kimber Solo Carry DC handgun, and it has become my EDC CCW. This is an upgrade from my Kahr P380. I was never really happy with my Kahr PM9 as the effort to rack the slide was just to much for less than optimum conditions, and it felt too bulky in the pocket. The DC feels slimmer in the pocket. It is significantly heavier that the P380, but manageable.
