Kimber Solo - Pocketgun hacks, your comments please.

[M29since14]

So what do you all know about the Kimber Solo - particularly recent production examples? I searched around here and didn't see a lot of specific info.

I know the gun (1) is expensive, (2) comes with ONE magazine , (3) weighs 17 ounces empty, and, yes, (4) has a thumb safety.

Otherwise, what is known? No "general Kimber bashing" is needed here - just comments about the Solo. Good shooter (accurate)? Reliable? Ammunition persnickety? Longevity? Any reports of major disasters like a cracked frame of something serious? What do you know - or what have you heard from folks you consider knowledgeable/reliable sources who own and use one? I don't know anyone who owns one... yet.

 

[Moonman]

I have a fellow instructor with one, Expensive, He Loves It, myself I didn't get overly excited with it.

I haven't seen him a bit, if I do I'll inquire of him after owning it for some time.

 

[Smitty357]

I have several of the Kimber 1911's. I also have a Kimber UC (ultra carry) that i enjoy carrying on the weekends. I honestly cant say anything bad about them, as i havent found anything bad to say. If anything remotely bad, id say mu Ultra Carry just doesnt carry nearly as easy as my Shield. But what do u expect of a 1911 style pistol. When the shooting begins my Smiths dont stand a chance against my Kimbers. Especially if its one of my plastics smiths lol.

If the price is right, i wouldnt hesitate to buy it.

 

[carvertim]

Kimber Solo

I have had a Kimber Solo for several months. It is a great gun to carry. That being said, it is picky on ammunition. Mine likes the 147gr stuff, which has been hard to find. But it is small, light, and accurate.

 

[sophie]

I don't own a Kimber Solo but have a friend that has had one for about a year. I helped him work up some hand loads for it and he has tried several and had success with 2 loads. I don't remember the load specs without having the sheet in front of me. The Solo is persnickety when it comes to ammo and I think Kimber only recommends a couple of factory loads to be shot in the gun. My friend just wanted to see if he could work up some loads for it. Shhhhhh don't tell Kimber. I don't remember what powder he used on the 9mm because we were loading .45's also and I do remember we used WST on the .45's but can't recall what was used on the 9mm. He finally got bullet depth and ejection and grouping like he wanted it. Actually he didn't pursue it much after that and really didn't follow through on his handloads. He looses interest pretty quick. He is now deep into shotguns again and shooting sporting clays.

 

[S&W45Colt]

Over priced, undependable, it a status symbol, not a true self defense weapon IMO.

It does nothing the Shield and the Nano don't do, except fail to cycle with anything other than a select few types of ammo.

Reading my comments, I should clarify I do not dislike all Kimbers, just the Solo.

 

[Tom Beavert]

I have had a Kimber Solo for several months. It is a great gun to carry. That being said, it is picky on ammunition. Mine likes the 147gr stuff, which has been hard to find. But it is small, light, and accurate.

I like all my Kimbers.
I have had I think all of the "pocket 9's" looking for the perfect one.
My solo was so ammo picky I traded it off, just didn't trust it.
It did shoot/handle/feel/carry, great though. It preferred 147 gn. hot ammo.
good luck
tb

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Hickok45 has a good vid review of the Solo.

 

[madmikeb]

I bought a recent production Solo last summer, and I've only got about a hundred rounds through it so I haven't carried it yet. The only ammo I have shot is 125, 135 and 147 grain Hydra Shoks and it has been great. The slide is at Kimber right now having night sights installed.
I bought it to take with me on my AZ vacations. Small, light and and easy to conceal under light clothes in a Kramer IWB #2. I've been taking a 60-14 but frankly after awhile IWB it leaves bruises and gets pretty uncomfortable after a couple weeks against bare skin.
If I get the slide back before the Maine weather turns sour I'll run few more boxes through it. If not it will be spring before I do as vacation isn't until the end of April so I have time!

 

[5Wire]

My Solo's slide wouldn't lock back easily and I practically had to stand on the magazine release to eject the magazine. It was very tight and a bit difficult to field strip. All of this "at first". I have since shot the 20-30 rounds out of it at each range session and after about 100 rounds it started to loosen up to the point where it is my "tucked-in-shirt' EDC in a pocket holster. Very accurate little pistol. Light enough so it's not a lot of fun to shoot extensively.

Mine didn't like the 147 grain ammo I had but is just fine with the 124 grain. That's the range of weight recommended by Kimber by the gun.

 

[WardenRoss]

The Solo is my BUG. Love it. Very accurate and a great trigger. Steel sights too.

My shooting mate and I bought them about a year ago. I only use the recommended ammo. We have had zero issues with them.



My only complaint is the finish on the frame shows a little wear. But, I'm very rough on my BUG's.

The Solo is not a beginner's pistol. The spring is very tight. Field stripping is a challenge because of that spring. The slide takes a lot of grip and pressure to rack. It's best to charge the weapon with the slide locked back. These are really non-issues if you have much autoloader experience.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Have no experience with the Solo and don't want any. I think I would buy a Sig P938.