Kimber solo light strikes and warranty questions

[solo79]

Picked up a used Kimber Solo a couple weeks ago and took it out for the first time today and it didn't go well at all. First few of mags I had 2-3 light primer strikes per mag, then it eventually go to where it wouldn't fire at all. Very light indention in the primers. I saw a couple of lead shavings in the mouth of the primer channel but removing them did nothing. Tried several different brands, all 124 or 147 grains. Also the right side thumb safety just fell off. I pushed it back in and it clicked. Seems to be held in place good, but obviously that alarmed me. Got a few questions

1) is the light strikes and/or thumb safety coming out a common problem. I had read up before I got it and was aware of feeding issues but not this

2) I would like to remove the firing pin and clean it really good, but for the life of me I can't figure it out. I am not new to guns, but I am to striker fire (also rarely do complete disassembly of any gun). Does anyone have a video or detailed pictures for a dummy like me to get the firing pin out?

3) what should I expect from kimber's warranty since I am not the original owner, would they possible pay for shipping?

4) would it be worth it to try to put in a new firing pin and spring myself? How much do they run?

5) Why would the thumb safety just fall out? With the slide off there seems to be two holes on the bar from the right safety to the left. Can someone take a pic of theirs so I can see if maybe a pin is missing.

Thanks!!

 

[MICHAEL T]

I give Kimber a call and see what they say.

 

[Valkman]

I give Kimber a call and see what they say.

Ditto. Kimber replaced sights on my CDP and I wasn't the original owner so see what they say.

 

[solo79]

Thanks everyone. Called Kimber they are paying shipping and I will send it back. Average turnaround is 3-4 weeks, but he said he may be sooner.

Impressed with customer service so far!

 

[RH45]

I just got my Solo back from Kimber. It was almost 4 weeks. I didn't have any issues the first 1,000 rounds, then, was getting light strikes too. I disassembled the upper, figuring the striker channel was full of nasty stuff, but, it wasn't too bad. I took it to the range, had another light strike and called Kimber. Light strikes in a self-defense pistol is NOT acceptable!!
Kimber replaced every spring in the gun, the extractor, and for some reason, the sear, and safety pins. I have no idea as to why they would have had to replace anything on the safety, or the sear, but, so far it has been running 100% again, and the fired brass looks like decent strikes.

 

[solo79]

well I got it back today. Very pleased with the turnaround time (I didn't get it to UPS until the 8th or 9th can't remember which), considering Monday was a holiday they had this shipped out last week. I haven't shot it yet and will update after I do, but along with the speed I am pleasantly surprised to get a new slide and barrel for lite primer strikes.

The invoice says:

Slide, barrel, recoil spring, sear, spring replaced

It was test fired with the following ammo after the repair:
3 mags of American eagle 124gr FMJ
2 mags of federal hydrashock 147gr jhp

The following complimentary services were performed:
Complete gun check
round cycling check
safety function check
inspected by QC

 

[solo79]

Just now getting a chance to shoot the solo since getting it back from kimber.

No light strikes but i am getting a failure to feed on 90% of my shots. 3 mags all the same problem. The empties are ejecting fine, but the slide is locking all the way back and not feeding the next round. I can press the slide lock with my thumb and it feeds smoothly

Pull trigger, bang
Slide locks back
Press slide lock with thumb, round feeds
Pull trigger, bang
Slide locks back
Press slide lock with thumb, round feeds
Repeat
All i have is 124gr DoubleTap JHP rounds. I have 3 mags same issue with all 3. Shot 50 rds

So some.of you with more experience what is going on? Why is the slide locking with a round in the mag? Is it going back too far? Could it be a spring issue? Ammo issue ( i will try a heavier grain next time).

They replaced everything but the frame. Does it need breaking in? Sent back to the factory? Or is it time to give up on it

 

[RH45]

It sounds like whoever had it apart last didn't capture the spring, when they installed the slide stop. Simple fix.

 

[solo79]

How would i go about fixing that

 

[RH45]

I believe there are instructions in your manual. Otherwise, there are several U tube videos that show reassembly proceedures.

 

[solo79]

I believe there are instructions in your manual. Otherwise, there are several U tube videos that show reassembly proceedures.

Thanks so much. I think that worked. Had.18 rounds left and they shot without issue

 

[RH45]

Cool!

 

[Orion8472]

Interesting thread. Looks like Kimber does take care of customers pretty well.

I've been considering the new Solo DC, but the price scares me off, considering the issues I've heard about, plus the requirement for higher cost ammo to run in it. But, glad to see some are doing well with theirs.

 

[george burns]

That is also what scared me off, as I like to pocket carry. But I have read far too many posts with similar complaints arising from relatively new firearms for me to stake my life on it.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Kimbers, The Yankee Marshal.....

The Youtube gun show channel host; The Yankee Marshal hates the Kimber Solo pistol. He goes on to say its one of the worst pistol designs ever.

I don't own any Kimbers at this time. I've seen a few 1911s over the years that Id consider but the company's problems & owner complaints keep me away.
The SIS mess with the LAPD really soured me on the guns.
The Solo sub-compacts had many unhappy owners & I heard a few FFL holders/shops only stocked them because Kimber mandated it.

It's sad too because in the early 2000s, Kimber America reportedly sold more single action 1911a1s than any other US firm(including Colt). It seems the prices went up & the QC went down.

 

[SigFTW]

The Kimber Solo is a great pocket pistol, it's my daily carry.

A lot of the "common" problems come from not using the right ammo. The Solo is designed to use +p ammo and 124 gr, unlike most pocket pistols. After braking in the pistol I can shoot all types of ammo, reloads, cheap, 115 gr without any problems. However it took about 100+ rounds to break in because of how taut the spring was on a new Solo.

Forgetting to capture the spring after reassembly is another problem. There is a very small spring that lays on top of the slide stop. Without capturing the spring, the kick will engage the lock about 90% of the time after each shot.

I know of several Kimber Solo owner, like me, that have not had any problems. With all the negative hype on the net I was not deterred from buying one for a daily carry.

 

[Orion8472]

I may end up with one.

I hear, . . . however, . . . that the kick/recoil on these is pretty harsh. More than even similar sized [and lighter] Kahr 9mm pistols. Sure wish I could find someone in my area that would let me test theirs. I have a gunsmith buddy that may help me out with that.

 

[RustyShackelford]

My input....

I'd avoid the hassles & blips/boo-boos alltogether.
Look at a new "no thumb safety" M&P Shield. It comes in .40S&W & 9x19mm.
The new 4.0" barrel XDs 9mm & .40 is worth a look too.

www.Slickguns.com www.gunsamerica.com www.gunsinternational.com

 

[Orion8472]

Rusty, I currently have an XDs 9mm 4.0 and really like it. The only thing that is an issue is my strong hand thumb sometimes [during shooting] will slightly ride on the slide release and [therefore] the pistol will not hold open on the last round. If I keep my thumb away from the frame, it works fine.

Gun is nicely accurate and has a nice felt recoil management. So, yeah, I have a good carry gun. Just a bit big and heavy compared to the tiny Solo, but I'm able to conceal the XDs 4.0 well enough.