August 26, 2011, 09:35 AM | #1 |
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New Solo - impressions
Well, yesterday my Kimber Solo came in. Bottom line - I like it quite a bit. I'm going to focus on reliability and operation; there are plenty of places to go to if you are looking for fit and feel.
When I picked it up at my LGS over lunch, I brought along 2 boxes of American Eagle 147gr 9mm, as well as two boxes of Fiocchi 147gr (my normal practice ammo). I ran it through 75 rounds or so - a full box of the AE since that particular round is specifically on the recommended ammo list, then some of the Fiocchi. I was expecting some minor issues in this initial session - after all, best practices say to clean and lubricate the gun first, and I was taking it straight out of the box - not because it was a Solo, but because I would with any gun straight off. I saw two things:
For me, precision was outstanding - at 3 yards, one big ragged hole. At 7 yards, a slightly more elongated ragged hold, a bit low and right. At 15 yards, I suck - but consistently sucked a bit more low and right. Other shooters tended not be quite as consistent - probably because of recoil anticipation. After work, I field stripped the gun - relatively smooth operation - and cleaned it with Militech-1; afterwards, I used a hair dryer to help bond the lubricant with the metal (something unique to Militech). I reassembled the gun, worked the slide about 30 times, and took it back to the LGS range for a second round. This time I took not only the remainder of the AE and Fiocchi ammo, but also a box of 50 Remington Golden Saber. Right away I ran into an operator induced error - the gun's slide would lock open after every shot. This is covered in the owner's manual - it means that during reassembly, I did not put the slide stop under the retention spring. I cleared the gun, removed and replaced the slide stop, this time making sure the spring was in the proper place. You can tell by eye whether the spring is properly oriented - you just have to actually check it . I ran the Solo through about 50 rounds; a mix of AE, Fiocchi, and Golden Saber. I ran into the slide locking issue from lunchtime only once; on a hunch, I loaded the 6 shot magazines with only 5 shots, and I could not replicate the problem that way. I did let a few other people shoot the Solo while I was at the range. None of the gun staff had any issue other than the first session, with the slide locking. One friend had a failure to feed (again, full mag), and after clearing the gun it shot fine. I consider the initial set of shooting sessions with any gun "getting to know you" time; though I am happy with completely trouble free operations, I don't expect perfection immediately - particularly with a gun that specifies right in the manual any sort of "break in period". Overall, I"m pleased:
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August 26, 2011, 09:58 AM | #2 |
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jelousy overwhelms me, i wanted one of those bad. dealers around here said it was at least a year wait after order. hope you love it.
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August 26, 2011, 10:07 AM | #3 |
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That is a very nice detailed post. Thank you!
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August 26, 2011, 08:52 PM | #4 |
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Any failure in a carry gun disturbs me and shakes my confidence in the weapon.
For me - I would have cleaned and lubed it per the manual before taking it shooting. I'm not able to experience a failure and then just chalk it up to me not cleaning the weapon or whatever. It makes me lose confidence in it and and I have no peace of mind over it. If my confidence is shaken in a pistol - it might come with me to the range but it's not going to be my HD/SD weapon. |
August 27, 2011, 06:10 PM | #5 |
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Now this is just me: whenever I get a firearm, whether it's used or new, I cleaned the hell out of it.
Why? 1. I get to clean all the crap from it deposited by the other person(s)- individual or manufacturer. 2. I get to see if there are any issues with it that would cause a malfunction. 3. I get to know the gun's function prior to shooting. |
August 28, 2011, 12:20 AM | #6 |
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It does look like a very smooth/rounded gun for CC.
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August 28, 2011, 12:20 AM | #7 | ||
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I've put a Hogue HandAll Jr. on the pistol to make it more comfortable for extended shooting sessions. It fits well, but you don't want to push it up too high on the grip or there won't be enough room between the finger hump of the HandAll and the bottom of the trigger guard for your middle finger. A bit of trimming on the bottom, and it is good to go. So far, 6 magazines (42 rounds this session, total of 170 or so) and counting; the magazines are fully loaded, and working fine. Tomorrow I'll run another set, then run a box or so per session until it malfunctions. I'll keep everyone posted what I find.
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August 28, 2011, 09:00 AM | #8 |
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August 29, 2011, 10:46 AM | #9 |
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The proof in the pudding is going to be how long can the gun run between cleanings without malfunction?
I don't understand this. I always clean my firearms after firing them, I build up confidence in a firearm when it functions without issue under the normal conditions that I expect it to function under. I guess my confidence would go up in a pistol if I shot it for months and months without cleaning it, and it didn't experience problems. The reasoning would be - if it functioned well without cleaning then it should function if I keep it clean and properly lubricated. But on the other hand if I experience a malfuction during that time - I'm back to wondering if it was due to the pistol not being maintained properly or if there is something inherent with the pistol that is causing it to malfuction. |
August 29, 2011, 11:41 AM | #10 |
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C0untZer0: Its because people think even a pocket gun should run like an AK in a dusty,dirty war-like environment after 10,000rds. I clean my guns after every range session as well which is around 100 - 2,000rds which all of my guns can easily do but some people like to shoot a gun until it breaks......then its good enough.....
To the OP: Congrats on the Solo. Mine is a little handful, however Kimber is going to have some 8rd mags available on their website soon enough that includes a grip extension. In my experience, the Solo wants to slip in my hand at round 5 or 6 even with grip tape front to back and slightly thicker wood panels. Watch the slide lock issues and don't let Kimber tell you your doing something wrong if you end up sending it back. I had slide lock issues and they told me it was improper assembly. Well what I did is take off both grip panels and see what was really going on when the mag was inserted. What I found out was the mag follower was ending up on the side of the slide stop when inserted. This happened at random times and could only be prevented be pushing the mag towards the stop while inserting the mag. This means the mag had to much play in the grip well. I wrote this all down in a note when I sent my Solo back to Kimber. After about 4 weeks they sent it back with a new slide and barrel. So far the slide has only failed to lock back once but it seems the Solo slide has something to do with how the mag sits in the frame. BTW, loading from a full 6rd magazine is best done with the slide already locked open. Because of the characteristics of the Solo, its the best way to load from empty or when loading to carry and is a common occurrence with other Solo owners as well. I really like the Solo but I'm really looking forward to the extended mags for the added grip. ETA: I wanted to mention that 147gr. ammo seems to be the most accurate out of my particular Solo. Its currently loaded with 147gr. HST. Last edited by Nakanokalronin; August 29, 2011 at 11:49 AM. |
August 29, 2011, 11:45 AM | #11 |
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Kimber Solo Video ... first impressions
Let me help you out with a video I did of the Kimber Solo at the NRA Convention! I shot videos of most of the new handguns coming out at the time to send to my gun shooting buddies!
I was impressed by the Solo, it felt really good, high quality, and very compact! It was on my short list until the test reviews started to appear in various rags. Most of those reports showed the Solo had ammo preferences, and some issues to function that put the Solo on my "wait and see" list, after the bugs are worked out! I hope they get it working, as this is one very nice CCW, compact 9mm!!! Here is the video, just a first impressions thing that shows those who have not laid eyes on one yet, what it looks like in the hand, etc... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dma5u5yZtng PS: the first part of the video I am pointing it up to test the trigger, with my finger on the trigger then dry-firing, after throughly checking it for safety, and acquiring permission to try the trigger!
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August 29, 2011, 11:53 AM | #12 | |||
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August 29, 2011, 12:13 PM | #13 |
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I'll also mention that that finish on the frame will wear off quite easily. You can see it already happening in the picture but I'll probably hold off on getting it refinished until its really bad.
I think its terrible that I'm hearing about Kimber coming out with a model that has checkering on the front and back grip straps. For the size of the pistol, this should of been standard right from the start. Last edited by Nakanokalronin; August 29, 2011 at 04:56 PM. |
August 29, 2011, 04:36 PM | #14 |
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Save a boat load of $$$ get the same result out of an LC9 or PF9 with NO finish issues ...
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August 29, 2011, 05:01 PM | #15 | |
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I like this gun and want so badly to get it to work....it's back to Kimber for the second time....first time exactly what you report.
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August 29, 2011, 07:05 PM | #16 | |
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Last edited by paddling_man; August 29, 2011 at 08:12 PM. |
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August 29, 2011, 07:31 PM | #17 | |
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August 29, 2011, 08:51 PM | #18 | |
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i think I'll pass on this one for now, and probably look at the Ruger LCP or other .380ACP pocket guns instead for my deep cover needs.
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August 29, 2011, 11:28 PM | #19 |
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We got a couple in last week, very tempting... $639.99...
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September 3, 2011, 06:17 PM | #20 |
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Quick update: I've fired 40 rounds of Fiocchi 147 grain ammo; the last few had feeding issues. It was as though the next bullet in the magazine is hitting the ejecting brass before it has cleared the gun.
After that, I've fired 75 rounds of American Eagle 147 grain ammo, with no problems. It is looking like the Solo likes either:
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September 3, 2011, 06:25 PM | #21 | |
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looks like kimber has another winner on their hands. |
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September 3, 2011, 07:18 PM | #22 |
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Kahr CM9 400 rounds, no hiccups and the finish on the frame is intact.
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September 6, 2011, 07:06 PM | #23 |
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I just got mine back from Kimber CS the second trip today. They replaced the barrel this time. We shall see if it goes bang bang bang...or just bang...grrrrr.
Going to keep sending it back on their dime till they replace the whole gun or get it right. Will post my range report when the rain here lets up.
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September 7, 2011, 04:36 AM | #24 | |
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September 8, 2011, 01:06 PM | #25 |
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Here is the update on my Kimber Solo that I got back from Kimber after the 2nd time. The last time they replaced the barrel.
Took her to the range fired 60 rds of Golden Saber 124 gr. Fired about 2 mags of double taps, 2 mags rapid fire as fast as I could pull the trigger. 2 mags of triple taps, the remainder slow fire. GOOD NEWS Not a single anything except bang, bang and more bang. I love this gun! The feel in your hand is so natural and the trigger is super nice...as compared to my Rohrbaugh....I like the SA trigger on the Solo better. Two things for certain...this gun will not fire ball ammo nor 115gr. It is only a 124gr or a 147gr gun. I will run some more ammo through it...right now....I am a Happy Camper
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9mm , kimber , review , solo |
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