No more Kimber Solo

Tex1001

Tex1001

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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?
_______________________
I don't have Alzheimer's- My wife had me tested.
 
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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...
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
 
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.
 
hkcavalier said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
20170102_115216_zpsnh7ukeio.jpg
 
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.
 
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.
 
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...

 
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ChattanoogaPhil said:
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...

Click to expand...

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....
 
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.
 
BC38 said:
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....
Click to expand...

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. :D
 
ChattanoogaPhil said:
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...

Click to expand...

Think you made a good buy,I would shoot it a little more and go from there. I like the looks for sure.:cool:
 
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