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  #1  
Old 01-01-2017, 06:10 PM
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I saw on another blog that Kimber is discontinuing the Solo. Apparently too finicky.
I have had several students ask my opinion on this pistol, and I have told them that I have no experience with the Solo. I do have extensive experience with the Kel-Tek PF-9 and Ruger LC9 micro 9 platforms and could recommend them.
3 of my former students bought Solos, 2 women and 1 man. All have been very displeased with them. All of them sold theirs and went with Rugers.
The Solo struck me as a niche type pistol to begin with. I guess now it will be a collector's item.

By the way, anyone know the status of Remington's R51?
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Last edited by Tex1001; 01-01-2017 at 06:13 PM.
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Old 01-01-2017, 09:38 PM
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I love the looks of the Solo, and if it were a DA then I would already have one. But their weird half-SA half-DA design kinda puts me off. Seems like the worst of both (as opposed to the best of both). I too have read that they are pretty finicky, and they're pretty pricey for what they are. I've looked at them several times and have never quite convinced myself to plunk down the cash for one...
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Old 01-01-2017, 09:41 PM
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As overpriced as their 1911's.
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Old 01-02-2017, 11:42 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tex1001 View Post
By the way, anyone know the status of Remington's R51?
I believe their newest update was in 2016 and it's now called R51 Enhanced or something.

Part# 96430 is readily available.
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  #5  
Old 01-02-2017, 11:56 AM
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My solo went back to Kimber twice. Since it came back the second time, it has been flawless. The first trip back was for mag retention issue, solved. Second time was for making metal at the lugs in the slide, when it came back, that area had been relieved and a letter stamped in the slide indicating an update had been performed. I've carried it and shot it for years since with no issues. Yes, it's too expensive for what it is. I like the size of it for ankle carry. I think they're 9mm micro line has replaced it, they don't need two of the same gun.
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  #6  
Old 01-02-2017, 11:58 AM
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I have carried a Solo for five years now and after trying just about every small 9mm out there it suits me the best.

I am on my second Solo right now. I liked the first one so much that I bought one of the CDP's to get night sights and front strap checkering. I have never had a failure of any kind with my Solo's.

I am sorry to see them go. I just can't pocket carry a SA pistol cocked and locked.
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Old 01-02-2017, 11:59 AM
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A friend had/has the Solo in 9 and he said it worked great, as long as you didnt load more than 3 rounds in the mag. I told him to pack the mags full and let them sit, perhaps it's a spring tension issue.

Nice looking pistol tho.
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Old 01-02-2017, 12:10 PM
gregintenn gregintenn is offline
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Although I've never owned, or even fired a Kimber of any make or model, I get the impression that pretty is their claim to fame.
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Old 01-02-2017, 12:58 PM
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I don't have any experience with the Kimber Solo; however the LGS I frequent seems to be constantly selling them. I can't recall many visits where one wasn't being sold. He's said before that he can't keep them in stock.
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  #10  
Old 01-02-2017, 01:17 PM
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At least one LGS doesn't carry Kimber in general. Too many returns for the price point. And several others don't carry the Solo

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  #11  
Old 01-02-2017, 03:09 PM
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I was a Solo owner, note the past tense. The machining and smoothness were top notch. I actually liked the SA striker trigger a lot. The main problem with the gun was that it required perfect conditions to work well. Perfect hold, perfect ammo, perfect lubrication, perfect temperature. Mess up any variable and it would stop feeding well, particularly the last couple rounds in the mag where the spring pressure was reduced.

Now I carry a G26 which, while larger, has none of those issues with variables. I suppose you could limp wrist it to the point it wouldn't feed, but I've never had a malfunction with it.
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Old 01-03-2017, 09:10 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hkcavalier View Post
I was a Solo owner, note the past tense. The machining and smoothness were top notch. I actually liked the SA striker trigger a lot. The main problem with the gun was that it required perfect conditions to work well. Perfect hold, perfect ammo, perfect lubrication, perfect temperature. Mess up any variable and it would stop feeding well, particularly the last couple rounds in the mag where the spring pressure was reduced.

Now I carry a G26 which, while larger, has none of those issues with variables. I suppose you could limp wrist it to the point it wouldn't feed, but I've never had a malfunction with it.
My experience is just the opposite. I have pocket carried two of them without a single failure.

I have carried the pistol loaded with Rem 124 gr Bonded GS +P for 3 months at a time and the Solo never fails to fire , feed, or eject when I finally get to the range for practice. I have complete confidence in mine

I am sorry to see them go.
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  #13  
Old 01-03-2017, 11:40 AM
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The Solo may be rounded a bit better than my choice, however my Sig P938 has been 100% reliable with hollow point defensive ammo from day one and is very easy to shoot considering its small size and grip area. Accuracy is very good too.
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Old 01-03-2017, 06:48 PM
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For those of you with absolutely reliable Kimber Solos, consider yourselves fortunate and I'm certainly glad for you. I certainly hear a good share of tales claiming the opposite--at the range, at the gun counter, etc. I've never owned one so I'm not entitled to a vote.

But.....for those looking for a pocket 9mm you can carry ready for business but not cocked and locked, I have found the striker fired Kahr CM9 to fill the bill wonderfully. It's well worthy of a look if you are looking. Well made but much less spendy than the Solo.
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Old 01-03-2017, 09:00 PM
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My Solo has been perfect. Sorry to hear if demise is fact, but the gun serves me as a viable pocket nine in the DC format. I am using the new Federal 150 Micro and there is NO recoil with this round. Cheap at Walmart.
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  #16  
Old 03-18-2017, 06:48 PM
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I've read a lot bad about the Solo.

But... the other day I ran across a used STS. Never fired or carried by the original owner. $400. I figured what the heck.. if it don't work I can sell or trade it and not lose too much $. I put a 50rd box of Fed 124gr HST through it without any hiccups. Maybe I'll keep it...


Last edited by ChattanoogaPhil; 03-18-2017 at 06:56 PM.
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Old 03-18-2017, 10:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChattanoogaPhil View Post
I've read a lot bad about the Solo.

But... the other day I ran across a used STS. Never fired or carried by the original owner. $400. I figured what the heck.. if it don't work I can sell or trade it and not lose too much $. I put a 50rd box of Fed 124gr HST through it without any hiccups. Maybe I'll keep it...

SCORE! I love the look and feel of the Solo and would love to have one - but I haven't run across one that could be had for less than about 6 bills - so I'm still looking....
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Old 03-18-2017, 11:45 PM
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One of my 1911 fanatic friends has a number of Kimbers to feed his1911 addiction. I never saw the point. I am looking for the S&W Billboard 1911 or Remington R-1 with the nickel finish.
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  #19  
Old 03-19-2017, 09:19 AM
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Quote:
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SCORE! I love the look and feel of the Solo and would love to have one - but I haven't run across one that could be had for less than about 6 bills - so I'm still looking....
The one I purchased has a ser# dated for Nov 2012 production. I bet there are ton of these guns in drawers having never been fired. I'm told that back in 2012 they were selling for a heck of a premium north of $1,000. Obviously the bloom is off the Solo rose.
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Old 03-19-2017, 09:21 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChattanoogaPhil View Post
I've read a lot bad about the Solo.

But... the other day I ran across a used STS. Never fired or carried by the original owner. $400. I figured what the heck.. if it don't work I can sell or trade it and not lose too much $. I put a 50rd box of Fed 124gr HST through it without any hiccups. Maybe I'll keep it...

Think you made a good buy,I would shoot it a little more and go from there. I like the looks for sure.
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Old 03-19-2017, 09:31 AM
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Thanks Chattanoogaphil for posting a pic of your Solo. As I was reading this thread I began to despair that there wouldn't be a pic of one, and then you came through. Obviously I have no experience or knowledge of this gun, but I will say that I really like the looks.
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Old 03-19-2017, 12:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChattanoogaPhil View Post
The one I purchased has a ser# dated for Nov 2012 production. I bet there are ton of these guns in drawers having never been fired. I'm told that back in 2012 they were selling for a heck of a premium north of $1,000. Obviously the bloom is off the Solo rose.
Well, if you decide it ain't bloomin' for you, just let me know. I'll take it off your hands and even help you make a few bucks on it
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Old 03-19-2017, 01:03 PM
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I looked at them when I was in the market for a pocket 9 a couple years ago.....and bought a p938. I thought the trigger on the Kimberly was kinda funky....
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Old 03-19-2017, 03:12 PM
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Was in Avon Ohio Cabelas yesterday and there is Solo for $609.99 in gun library. I thought about it for a bit then remembered a lot of the problems so passed.
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Old 03-19-2017, 04:20 PM
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"Although I've never owned, or even fired a Kimber of any make or model, I get the impression that pretty is their claim to fame."
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I've never owned a Kimber handgun, but they changed the 1911 game for the better with their first generation 1911's. They came with all the updates like a beavertail grip safety and other features you used to have to pay someone to do to the stock pistol you bought, at a fair price. They had a very good reputation; I believe they used to purchase the rough forgings for the frame and slides from S&W.

I do have a Kimber of New York .22 rifle, I'd definitely buy another one. The Kimber of Oregon ones are prettier (not that the KoNY ones are ugly), but the quality overall of the KoO ones weren't as good since The Warnes were busier spending money than worrying about the functioning of their guns.
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Old 03-19-2017, 07:50 PM
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I've gone the route of the Lc9 followed by the Sig938.
The Sig is winning.
I thought the Solo was a good idea and am surprised that it's been plagued with problems.
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