Kimber Solo

[longslide10]

I am looking at a new addition to my carry arsenal and have been eying up Kimber's Solo 9mm. I wanna know if anyone has one and what they think about it especially reliability, wear and how they handle + P loads if used at all. I hear both good and bad, mostly good about it but want as much input as possible before I plunk down 700 for a pocket pistol.

 

[Keykutter]

Wiley Clapp does a rundown on the Solo in the Oct 2011 issue of American Rifleman if you can find a copy of that. I'm pretty sure another recent gunrag also had a Mas Ayoob rundown of the Solo. Maybe it wasn't Ayoob but another guy who lives in Illinios who was also bitching about has lack of carry privledges.

I just bought a Raptor Ultra II in stainless. I was thinking about the Solo but it seemed a bit too small.

To each his own.

KK

 

[longslide10]

Copy that. Thanks

 

[Lowjiber]

My shooting buddy loves Kimbers. He ordered the Solo when they first hit the market...waiting several weeks for delivery.

He has sent it back to Kimber three times for FTF's. He has never gotten the gun to successfully empty a magazine without failure.

I wouldn't touch one with a ten-foot pole.

 

[fourmula766]

My shooting buddy loves Kimbers. He ordered the Solo when they first hit the market...waiting several weeks for delivery.

He has sent it back to Kimber three times for FTF's. He has never gotten the gun to successfully empty a magazine without failure.


I wouldn't touch one with a ten-foot pole.

I have a friend whos has been the same way... hes had one round go off since hes bought it 3 months ago... been back to Kimber three times and still waiting for it back and its been three weeks.. He wishes he never bought it .... My .02 doesn't seem to be a gun Id bet my life on...

 

[NCIC105]

I am looking at a new addition to my carry arsenal and have been eying up Kimber's Solo 9mm. I wanna know if anyone has one and what they think about it especially reliability, wear and how they handle + P loads if used at all. I hear both good and bad, mostly good about it but want as much input as possible before I plunk down 700 for a pocket pistol.

According to American Rifleman the weapon can handle the +P rounds with no problem. The gun comes close to the same weight as the sub-compact 45cal. So my question would be 45 or 9mm....I'd rather have the stopping power of the 45..

 

[wizard]

The gun write ups I have read all seemed positive, but all mention the fact that it tends to twist in your hand and you seem to have to adjust your grip for each shot. The previously mentioned FTF would tell me to go with something else, like a Springfield Armory EMP in 9mm. That is a nice Handgun, rented one to check it out, was comfortable and accurate. It was dirty as hell but never skipped a beat. last note, my brother has been waiting 6 mo for a solo he ordered. Said he will sell it when and IF he gets it.

 

[ironmike86]

Yeah I like Glock better but Kimbers look so nice.

 

[longslide10]

Appreciate all the info but I may throw caution to the wind and buy one anyway. I don't want or like plastic guns that much and I carry a SA XD 4" 45 at times which is a bit bulky and heavy for some methods of carry so I want a non-plastic pocket pistol that still has enough stopping power. Another one I am considering is the Kahr MK9 Elite but it's a bit heavier than the Kimber, it'll be a toss up between the two. If I come across more negative feedback through research on the Kimber I may just go with Kahr.

 

[Cotillion]

Get what you want. Those solos are beautiful guns and like every new model will have its growing pains. I'd go with it if I had that kind of money for sure. At least its not the diamondback 9mm haha that gun comes with pre postage for its trip back to the manufacturer

 

[ironmike86]

Yeah I want a Solo also. My Cousin had 2 Kimbers. He got rid of 1 because it always needed repair. The one he kept work sweet.All you can do is try. But Kimbers have that kind of reliability. Work great or not so great. Not like some guns that always work most of the time.

 

[wizard]

I wouldnt carry a gun that was not 100% reliable ALL the time! I have never owned a Kimber, but for that kind of money it had better be utterly reliable, the few reports here are NOT all that convincing. Wether or not it looks good is irrelavant. Reliability should be the key factor in a personal defense handgun. Just my opinion!

 

[ironmike86]

Yup seems like alot of the pretty guns are questionable in relibility?? But sometimes it's just the first model then they fix them. I'm getting a Sig P238 seems like all the bugs are worked out and I want a purty gun.
My Carry is a Glock 27 full time. Or my 1911. But neither are purty

 

[RCF81]

Picked up my new Solo Stainless, cleaned, oiled and took it to the range. Below are the types of ammo used and results.

-Federal 124gr Hydra Shok JHP: 80 rounds with no problems at all.
-Federal 135gr Low Recoil Hydra Shok: 40 rounds with no problems at all.
-Rem. 124gr Golden Saber JHP: 75 rounds with no problems at all.
-Federal American Eagle 124gr FMJ (range ammo): 50 rounds with no problem.
-Remington UMC 115gr (which Kimber says not to use) FMJ: 49 rounds with no problem, purposely limp wristed one round and the case did not eject.

The trigger is by far the crispest one of its class. If you want to feel how different a trigger can be, try the LC9.

The gun store I bought it from said that they have sold 15 Solos and one had to be sent back to Kimber. The other 14 didn't. It didn't twist in my hand as someone else mentioned. It's small, but it's supposed to be. Ive read many reviews about Solos that don't work. This one worked perfect. Great gun for what it's meant for - a pocket 9 for carry. Drop it in a Cross Breed Super Tuck Deluxe and you'll forget you're carrying.

 

[longslide10]

Picked up my new Solo Stainless, cleaned, oiled and took it to the range. Below are the types of ammo used and results.

-Federal 124gr Hydra Shok JHP: 80 rounds with no problems at all.
-Federal 135gr Low Recoil Hydra Shok: 40 rounds with no problems at all.
-Rem. 124gr Golden Saber JHP: 75 rounds with no problems at all.
-Federal American Eagle 124gr FMJ (range ammo): 50 rounds with no problem.
-Remington UMC 115gr (which Kimber says not to use) FMJ: 49 rounds with no problem, purposely limp wristed one round and the case did not eject.

The trigger is by far the crispest one of its class. If you want to feel how different a trigger can be, try the LC9.

The gun store I bought it from said that they have sold 15 Solos and one had to be sent back to Kimber. The other 14 didn't. It didn't twist in my hand as someone else mentioned. It's small, but it's supposed to be. Ive read many reviews about Solos that don't work. This one worked perfect. Great gun for what it's meant for - a pocket 9 for carry. Drop it in a Cross Breed Super Tuck Deluxe and you'll forget you're carrying.

Thanks for the great input. I see they now have a Solo CDP for about 500 more. When does it stop?