Kimber Solo / I hope this one is OK

[Beanie-Bean]

New Kimber Solo Carry 9mm...they've been as hard to find as a Ruger SR1911 around here. Anyway, got mine today, and I hope that everything goes well on its first outing to the range.

Dry-fired the thing a lot, and field stripped/cleaned it for first-use. I really hope that this one is OK. It fits in the same Remora holster I use for my P238, so I'm really liking the size of it, and the trigger on it is very nice.

I'll try feeding it a bunch of 124 and 147 gr. ammo, per the instructions. However, the recommended break-in from Kimber was 24 rounds. I almost fell out of my chair when I read that. I'll likely put a few hundred through it before adding to the CCW lineup.

 

[Olympus]

Congrats on the new gun! Let us know how it runs. I've been keeping my eye on the Solo threads on various boards. I'd be interested in getting one possibly, but none of the shops in my area have gotten any in. They all have waiting lists.

 

[littlebluevette]

How long did it take you to get it? I've been waiting since May for the stainless model.

 

[armoredman]

Intriguing pistol.

 

[The M]

I really liked the quality and fit and finish. But the trigger had stacking that I didn't care for and became the dealbreaker for me. I ended up with a Kahr PM9. The nonstacking trigger is amazingly smooth.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

I'm interested in your Range Report as well. The Solo has received a lot of positive gun-mag propaganda, but I've been around long enough to take all that with a grain of salt. I'm a bit more comfortable with the opinion of a Texan/HighRoader. Thanks!

 

[Beanie-Bean]

How long did it take you to get it? I've been waiting since May for the stainless model.

I kept getting laughed at when asking about them. I've had a pre-order in for months, only to find out that I wouldn't be getting one until sometime in 2012.

I just started calling around again in the past month, trying to score a Ruger SR1911, or one of the Kimbers. So, I guess about a month...

I haven't seen a stainless version in-person yet, and that was the one I had on pre-order at #80 on the list.

 

[Beanie-Bean]

I'm interested in your Range Report as well. The Solo has received a lot of positive gun-mag propaganda, but I've been around long enough to take all that with a grain of salt. I'm a bit more comfortable with the opinion of a Texan/HighRoader. Thanks!

I'll be sure to follow-up with a range report. I got some Speer Gold Dot LE, Federal HST, Speer Lawman, and other 124/147 gr. ammo to help with the break-in on this one.

I favor Glocks, since they all seem to eat whatever ammo I feed them, including the Gen4 9X19 pistols I've got. Really, I'm just looking for a different CCW pistol, and read that Mas Ayoob likes this one, so I wanted to see first-hand what all the fuss was about concerning this one. I like to shoot what I carry, and the Solo will not be an exception, either. I'll shoot the snot out of it before adding it to the rotation.

I've read a lot of good/bad report, reviews, and opinions about the Solo, but I'll really just have to find out for myself, and I'll post some objective feedback regarding my experiences.

 

[littlebluevette]

Thanks for the info. I have two Solos on order. A stainless and a CDP. I ordered them from different dealers and it will be interesting to see which one comes in first. I am planning to give one of them to my wife. Looking forward to your update.

 

[Dr_2_B]

It's certainly one of the nicest looking pistols I've ever seen.

 

[Jbabbler]

Looks oldschool. I like it. Once they get the 1st gen bugs worked out, I may take the plunge.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

It won't be long before Kimber (or some aftermarket outfit) is gonna' have a higher cap mag or extension. Yeah, I know, makes it harder to conceal. But with a 9mm that compact, it might make it more +P "friendly". I really LIKE the look of that pistol!

 

[kokapelli]

It won't be long before Kimber (or some aftermarket outfit) is gonna' have a higher cap mag or extension. Yeah, I know, makes it harder to conceal. But with a 9mm that compact, it might make it more +P "friendly". I really LIKE the look of that pistol!

That's what I thought would happen to some of the Kahr pistols and I'm still waiting!

 

[Aiko492]

The Solo is one of the best feeling pistols in my hand. I was very close to putting one on order earlier this year when many of the issues were discussed. If Kimber addresses those, I would love to have one. It feels great and looks sharp.

 

[littlebluevette]

Beanie-Bean
Any range reports yet? I am all ears.

 

[BamAlmighty]

it's really lame they only offer the grip checkering on the CDP.

That should be standard on all the Solos.

 

[denster]

I've had mine for a few months now. No problems. It runs Speer 124 and 147GR Lawman ball and American Eagle 124 and 147 flawlessly so I'm set for cheap shooting ammo. It will even run 30 to 50 rounds of WW white box 115 when clean before I start getting some FTEs. The only problem with the gun is it is so accurate and so much fun to shoot it is hard to stop.

 

[Beanie-Bean]

Beanie-Bean
Any range reports yet? I am all ears.

Hehe...still haven't made it out to the range yet. I have lots of ammo ready to go. Perhaps tomorrow I can get a little time in to see what's up. I've been wanting to chrono some of the loads/other calibers, too. Thankfully, I'm officially on vacation, so I'll do my best to get some shots downrange in the morning some time, and I'll let you know the results.

I'm really interested in seeing how it likes the 115 gr. ammo. From what denster said, it's good for 30-50 rounds before it starts choking.

If all goes well, I'll start searching for a nice leather/kydex holster. As it stands, I've got an excellent Remora I use with my SIG P238, and the Solo fits just fine in there. It's small enough to go as a pocket carry, but I prefer IWB.

 

[guyfromohio]

Call me "crazy", but any failures at any time cause enough mistrust to eliminate from my safe.

 

[denster]

GuyfromOhio

I wouldn't say your are crazy just unrealistic. The SOLO is totaly reliable with 124 and 147grain ammo. The standard velocity 115 is marginal. It just goes with the territory in designing a gun this small for the 9mm. If you can't live with it don't buy one.

 

[Partigras]

Bought a Solo in October. Shot fine first trip, but FTE's afterward. Sent it back and Kimber replaced the spring, slide and barrel. Has worked perfectly since even with 115 grain that are not supposed to work well. Buy it you'll love it and it's extremely accurate.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I really like the looks of those, but I'd like to see the growing pains get worked out before paying the $$ to get one.

 

[Beanie-Bean]

Range Report

Initial setup:




Ammo tested:


Speer Lawman 124 and 147 gr TMJ
Speer Gold Dot LE 124 gr
Federal HST 124 gr
Federal Hydra-Shok 124 gr +P+ (that's what the box states, anyway…)

Final results:


- Everything fed fine, but not everything ejected. Two of those can be attributed to the pistol not being put together correctly. There is a small spring for the slide lock that has to be be picked up by the lock, otherwise the gun just locks back after the slide cycles rearward. I missed it when I put it together, and only noticed it out at the range after trying the first two shots. Took it apart, inspected everything, and off to the races she went!

- There were a total of four FTEs, and I can't remember the exact count, but both the Lawman TMJ 124 and 147 rounds choked the Solo.

- Here's the surprise ending: no feed errors, ejection errors, or slide lock errors using the prescribed factory hollow point ammo. None. Not one. Zero. It took a really long time to get through the 100 TMJ rounds, because I only had the one factory mag. I wasn't about to order any extras until I was sure that this Kimber would be a keeper. Turns out that it is just fine. I'll still continue to shoot the snot out of this one whenever I hit the range, but the ammo gets expensive, you know?

 

[denster]

Beanie

Since this was the first time out with the gun I wouldn't be too concerned over 4 FTEs in the first hundred rounds. I'll bet the next time out you have zero. I've got nearly 800 rnds through mine now and haven't had a FTE in close to 600 mostly Lawman Ball 147 and about 150rnds of premium ammo both Hornady and Speer. The only FTE's have been from playing with WW white box 115gr after 30 to 50 rnds. I just stocked up on Lawman and Federal 147 to shoot on the cheap.

 

[Beanie-Bean]

Beanie

Since this was the first time out with the gun I wouldn't be too concerned over 4 FTEs in the first hundred rounds. I'll bet the next time out you have zero. I've got nearly 800 rnds through mine now and haven't had a FTE in close to 600 mostly Lawman Ball 147 and about 150rnds of premium ammo both Hornady and Speer. The only FTE's have been from playing with WW white box 115gr after 30 to 50 rnds. I just stocked up on Lawman and Federal 147 to shoot on the cheap.

Thanks for the support around the forums I'll try another box of Lawman 147 through it next session. I'm going to order some new mags, too. Mine was starting to feel very gritty at the end of the tests yesterday.

Overall, it is a nice pistol, and will be there along with my Glocks and my SIG P238 for carry.