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This isn’t really a full episode so that’s why it’s called Episode 106b. But today I had the opportunity to shoot the new Kimber Solo Carry 9mm pocket pistol. I rate this gun a 7. You’ll hear my thoughts on why I didn’t give it a 9 or 10. In my opinion it has some strange features that I believe are weaknesses but also has some very nice features, especially the trigger. Episode 107 will be posted by next Monday.
Bob Mayne
HandgunWorld Show
I heard your comments on the solo and your complaint on the ambi safety. The Kahr pm9 has a trigger pull of 6.5 lbs and the Solo has a trigger pull of 7 lbs. These are the actual pounds tested on customer models, although some Solo’s measured closer to 8 lbs. Why do you have to use the safeties on the solo? The pm9’s don’t even have them. I think the pull on the Solo is so smooth you were deceived on the poundage. Knowing this now would you rate the solo higher? I want to finally buy one these. I almost purchased the pm9 but the magazine pinches my finger. Why do you think Kahr can’t make a flush fitting magazine? Thanks for all the good work, I really respect your opinions and up until now have always agreed with what you say.
The Kimber Solo is a single action striker fired gun. It seemed a lot lighter than 8 lbs to me. The trigger travel is also much shorter than the Kahr. I think you could get away without using the safety but I personally wouldnt because of the apparent short trigger travel and single action. There are DAO Kahr’s out there now with safeties which I think are ridiculous. As I mentioned in the podcast I think the thumb safety lever is way too small. Kimber would have a real winner here if they would have made the gun with a safety like a true 1911 and used an internal extractor. Thanks for your feedback.
I picked up a solo last friday. I put 150 rounds of winchester 147grain jhp. I didn’t have a single issue. I also ran a box of 115 fmj which kimber doesn’t recommend and it functioned perfect. Kimber recommends 124-147 JHP, Especially for a 24 round break in. I like the gun. It was accurate and fit me well. I’ll be waiting to fire a few hundred 124g gold dot to ensure it performs before I think about carrying her.
Glad it worked for you. My primary vantage point was comparing it to my Kahr PM9. I just couldn’t find enough benefit in the Solo Carry to cause me to want to switch. Good luck and safe Shooting!
I have purchased one but haven’t been to the range yet. I will post as soon as I get some rounds through it.
Please post a range report after you shoot it!
I just purchase a solo 9mm. The gun looks and feel good in the hand. I did have a chance to shoot at the range the other day and it perform flawless. Accuracy is somewhat look for its length. The only thing I didn’t like about the gun is the sight. Kimber put some cheap soft white rubber and glue into the sights. I end up removing the white rubber and repaint with special paint. Now it looks much better. Over the gun looks and design is about other competitor.
I just purchase a solo 9mm. The gun looks and feel good in the hand. I did have a chance to shoot at the range the other day and it perform flawless. Accuracy is somewhat gook for its length. The only thing I didn’t like about the gun is the sight. Kimber put some cheap soft white rubber and glue into the sights. I end up removing the white rubber and repaint with special paint. Now it looks much better. Over the gun looks and design is about other competitor.
good grief! Another gun with an 8lb trigger pull?? Even if it is “light” 8 pds.
I bought one of those Ruger LC9s and it had a terrible trigger pull like this. Why someone would pay double the price of a Ruger for another 9mm with a lousy trigger pull is beyond me. Only the Sig .380 is available with a nice trigger and its a copy of a Colt Mustang from how many years ago?? Come on, why can’t someone make a new small 9mm with a nice trigger?
There is a small 9mm with a nice trigger pull. The Kahr PM9. Its a very smooth, clean DA trigger. Very very easy to shoot well. I have 4,000 rounds through mine and it’s very nice.
I purchased a Kimber Solo for cary. My first time at the range I shot 100 rounds of Hornady Self Defence 147 grain without problems. The next day I returned to the range and had problems straight off. After my first two rounds the clip kicked loose and dropped about a half inch. After reincerting the clip I continued to fire droping the clip again and again. At tihi point I noticed a small indentation at the forward upper edge of the clip. It seems like the barrel was kicking the clip out. I returned the gun to Kimber an am awaiting a report from Kimber. Since then I have heard of sever others that have had the same problem.
I noticed Richard made a comment about the Sig 380 having a nice trigger and I disagree. I bought one for me and the Lady for my wife and the triggers are 7 1/2 t0 8 1/2 lbs. I have had one company try to lighten the trigger with no results at his point. I called the factory today about the Solo 9mm and asked them if the factory would lighten the trigger to which I was told “no”. I know why the triggers are set so heavy but for experienced people I think the factory should be willing to at least set them to around 5 lbs. I have a Springfield XDM (full size) 40 and the factory lightened the trigger with no problem. I agree, it is sad to pay that much for a pistol with such a horrible trigger pull.
Kimber Solo Problem (May 1, 2011) I returned my new Solo to Kimber for repair. They replaced a defective mag catch, test fired the gun and returned it to me. I have gone through 200 rounds since I got it back with no new issues. Problem cured.
I like the Kimber Solo. It’s design appears to match it’s target use case very well. Positive safety, SA, smoothed edges, hammerless, small, adequate cal and cap. For example, should one face a drug induced knife attack there is a high probability you can get this out of your pocket without shooting your own knee cap off and throw lead at the assailant. Not much more one could ask for unless its a police escort. Plus with the next several rounds of deliveries they should have most manuf issues worked out.
Why does a modern gun have a safety built in? Answer: Because some states are now making a safety a requirement to sell the gun there (CA, for example). This is why Kahr has now added a safety to a couple of its newest models.
I like the safety for this reason: If someone gets my gun away from me, they will have to figure the safety our before they can shoot me, as opposed to a design that does not have a manual safety where all they need do is pull the trigger to shoot me with my own gun. During those few seconds it might take to figure out how to disengage my safety, I might be able to beat the bad guy to death with my shoe, or at the very least increase the distance from him to me!
Just bought the Solo here in Fl. Put 300 various rounds through her. Only hiccups on range fmj. I am 100% on this concealed with reccomended ammo. These are self defense pocket pistols. They were never intended to be paper cutters at the range. Although more accurate than my old eyes, think of this, if you fire your concealed weapon at the BG who is 25 yards are more away from you. Chances are it is you who is going to jail. Only things I will add are laser or night sights and 8 round mag. Other than that we are good to go. semper fi.
Girls…..Too much whining about trigger pull !!!
Man up !!
I can’t wait to get the Kimber Solo.
http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?p=3485912#post3485912
AS AN OLD MARINE WHO SERVED IN VIETNAM IN 1968 & 1969 I WANTED TO CUSTOMIZE THE GRIPS ON MY NEW SOLO. THE SITE ABOVE SHOWS THE FINISHED WORK BY SGM GRIPS. CHECK THEM OUT, I COULDN’T BE HAPPIER. I AM NOW AT OVER 400 ROUNDS AND IT IS MY DAILEY POCKET CARRY. I AM VERY HAPPY WITH THIS WEAPON IN THE POCKET, IN THE WAIST BAND OR ON THE BELT. IF YOU CAN FIND ONE BUY IT.
I ordered this gun way back in march and just now got it(11-17-2011)Let me tell you….this gun was well worth the wait! not only is it the coolest looking gun ever made but it performs the same way it looks! I took this gun out to the range today and i feel in love…Put 150 rounds thew it in 25 mins. Shot 50 rounds of 124 Gr and then wanted to put it threw the true test! I then put another 100 rounds threw it with 115 GR. All I can say is not only did this gun not have any problems but it is as accurate as a gun can be! its is a small gun! but wait… It’s a 9mm??? WOW! so let me get this straight.. it is easy to conceal, it’s a 9mm,its the coolest looking gun ever and it’s accurate?? in my opinion if you carry this is the only gun to have!! My hat Is off to Kimber on this one!!all you need to do is add a Cross Bread holster and you have the perfect set up
Love this gun. I believe the negative reports on here are done by competitors as is always the case in any review.
You’re wrong in my case. My review of this gun was based strictly on my experience shooting it. I’m an independent podcast and I do not have any sponsors. So I’m not sure what you’re speaking of when you say this review was done by a competitor?
Absolutely love my solo. No problems at all. Was at my favorite gun shop a couple weeks ago with a barreta nano in one hand and a kahr in the other trying to decide which one to choose for a pocket carry 9, when I looked up on the display wall and saw the solo. Needless to say we put away the plastic guns and I walked out with an all metal pistol that exceded all my expectations. It cost me about $250 more than its rivals but it’s definately easy to see why, once you handle and shoot it. Good job Kimber.
My Dealer just got mine today and I had to work late….Havent even gotten to hold it yet….have read some reviews of magazines falling out while shooting and slide peening between the slide and barrel (where the barrel locks up) Not so sure I won’t to spend 700 or so with these problems…Has anyone else that has a SOLO had or seen these problems? Most reviews I have read are good but seems kimber is having a few problems so far…They are a good company and stand behind there stuff but I don’t really won’t to have to send one back in for repair…
I’ve read a ton of reviews after I purchased my Solo Carry. Some of the problems reported were FTE,FTF,magazines dropping out after firing, slide staying locked back after each shot, grip screws coming loose, and excessive wear of the Kimpro black finish. IMHO most of these problems were caused by operator error or unfamiliarity with this particular pistol. A short barreled 9mm must have a pretty stiff recoil spring or the gun would tear it self apart, firing “premium” defense loads, in a very short time. Kimber designed the Solo to operate specifically on these rounds for optimum efficiency in stopping power. The Solo is not a plinking tool. That said, I think the FTE issuses are mostly caused by using cheap ammo, reloads and or limp wristing. The FTF problem most folks are reporting have to do with chambering the first round after installing the magazing. The Magazine also has a stout spring which is again nessesary to feed the next round after such a fast and short recoil cycle. Thus loading a full mag with slide forward requires a firm push to engage the catch. If one does not hear and feel the click it is not locked into the pistol, thus compaints of magazines falling out. Pulling back the slide, with a fully loaded and seated mag, to chamber the first round can be a little difficult for some and mabey even impossible for others. It’s eaier to rack my full size 45 than my solo. If the slide is not pulled completely to its stopping point before releasing, we get a FTF. I lock the slide back, insert a full mag and drop the slide lock to charge the weapon. Releasing the slide lock is a little difficult also as it is holding the resistance of that recoil spring, but it works easier for me. When reassembling the pistol you must capture the little return spring with the slide stop. there are a couple of warnings in the manuel about this. Failure to comply will cause the slide to lock after each shot. I saw a video where a guy brought his new in the box solo to the range to test it out. With out even cleaning and lubing as Kimber recommends and the instruction manual still in the box, he loaded up and commenced to blasting away. After first shot his mag came loose and was having other issues.I even saw him squeeze a bunch of oil into the striker/spring area of the slide which Kimber says “do not oil” DUH!. To sum up, once you understand what the solo is and isnt and follow the instructions its a safe bet youre going to be a happy camper.
B.Ellenburg, Are you still trying to decide whether to pick up your new solo? I can understand your anxiety about making the final commitment. You were obviously attracted to her at first sight when you ordered her. But now you have some doubts due to reading a few bad reviews. I didn’t have your dillema, as it was love at first sight when I saw mine on the wall at my local gun shop. I took her home right away and though I was itching to run to range I knew she deserved the respect of getting to know her first. I read through the owners manual, which is really unusual for me, ( real men don’t need instructions), and learned a few things that proved to be critical to our lasting relationship. Once at the range she ran perfectly. I fed her only the reccomended diet of premium ammo and she did what she was supposed to. Now we’re inseperable, we go every where together. She is everything I wanted and more. Try not to be too discouraged by “Solo”phobes, Kimber-haters, or pin heads who dont read the manuals . They will always be out there spewwing either paranoia, hate speech or bad reviews etc etc.