In Search of Kimber Solo STS

roadrat · October 26, 2012, 09:27 AM

why is this gun still so difficult to find

Erikbal · October 28, 2012, 01:42 AM

I was at a gun show today and got excited cuz I thought I saw one but it ended up being an Ultra Carry. I asked the lady about it and she said that Kimber won't even take any orders on the Solos right now cuz they are so behind. I really wanted to put my hands on one and at a quick glance thought I had gotten lucky, but of course not!

Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 2

JazzDoc · October 29, 2012, 12:56 PM

Not surprising - they are a dream of a carry gun.

roadrat · October 30, 2012, 04:17 PM

Yeah!! Just bought a Solo STS. It will be here on Thursday.

My quest is almost over.

dlancello · November 9, 2012, 11:23 AM

I have one of the first Solosand I love it. Keep in mind that STS (stainless steel) doesn't mean all stainless. The frame is still alloy and Kimcoated (painted) silver. The STS won't show scratches like the black frame does but they are almost impossible to find.

JazzDoc · November 9, 2012, 05:37 PM

Question for you Solo folks -
had my Solo out on the range today. Every few rounds the slide would lock back as if the slide lock was being pushed up, but my finger was nowhere near the slide lock. Standard 115gr 9mm Winchester jacketed rounds.
Any ideas?

roadrat · November 10, 2012, 08:51 AM

RTFM

You probably didn't pick up the spring when you installed the take down pin. Check the assembly videos on Kim er's website or on you tube

JazzDoc · November 10, 2012, 09:37 AM

Thanks, roadrat. I'll have to retry on the range now that I think I caught that spring in reassembly.

dlancello · November 12, 2012, 12:34 PM

Kimber tech line told me it worked best with 124-147 grn Bullits. I've found that to be true. I have put around 2000 rounds through mine so far and it has less problems with the beaver ammo. The slide locking is classic result of the take down pin spring not on top of the tab on the take down pin lever.

JazzDoc · November 12, 2012, 01:13 PM

You guys are the greatest. I'm going to try that out today at the range.

cast iron · November 28, 2012, 08:48 PM

Walked in my local gun shop looking for a Walther PPS and he said not any... but I may be interested in a pistol he had NIB not on display yet. He showed my a SOLO STS. I put my name on it and went and cleared it with the boss at home and bought it today. Couldn't believe i found one and wasn't even looking. Traded my CM9 and mucho cash on the SOLO.

pso 072 · November 28, 2012, 09:05 PM

Hey Guys who own KIMBER SOLO, had one bought it for wife, she couldnt pull slide back, bought her a SIG P290 w/Lazer, also fine weapon. had same spring problem, tech support great. Ammo had to use heavier bullets, cant wait to buy it back to carry it after retirement.

kcub · November 29, 2012, 05:29 AM

Here is a useful link to the Kimber factory videos page which includes assembly, disassembly, lubrication and cleaning of the Solo. The assembly video covers that takedown pin/spring aspect perfectly.

http://www.kimberamerica.com/videos

October 26, 2012, 09:27 AM	#1
roadrat Member Join Date: November 11, 2011 Posts: 68	In Search of Kimber Solo STS why is this gun still so difficult to find

October 29, 2012, 12:56 PM	#3
JazzDoc Member Join Date: August 25, 2010 Location: central PA, USA Posts: 23	Not surprising - they are a dream of a carry gun. __________________ - Perfecting my gear - the skill's next.

November 9, 2012, 11:23 AM	#5
dlancello Junior Member Join Date: November 8, 2012 Posts: 4	Solo STS I have one of the first Solosand I love it. Keep in mind that STS (stainless steel) doesn't mean all stainless. The frame is still alloy and Kimcoated (painted) silver. The STS won't show scratches like the black frame does but they are almost impossible to find.

November 9, 2012, 05:37 PM	#6
JazzDoc Member Join Date: August 25, 2010 Location: central PA, USA Posts: 23	Question for you Solo folks - had my Solo out on the range today. Every few rounds the slide would lock back as if the slide lock was being pushed up, but my finger was nowhere near the slide lock. Standard 115gr 9mm Winchester jacketed rounds. Any ideas? __________________ - Perfecting my gear - the skill's next.

November 10, 2012, 09:37 AM	#8
JazzDoc Member Join Date: August 25, 2010 Location: central PA, USA Posts: 23	Thanks, roadrat. I'll have to retry on the range now that I think I caught that spring in reassembly. __________________ - Perfecting my gear - the skill's next.

October 28, 2012, 01:42 AM	#2
Erikbal Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2012 Location: Olean, NY Posts: 375	I was at a gun show today and got excited cuz I thought I saw one but it ended up being an Ultra Carry. I asked the lady about it and she said that Kimber won't even take any orders on the Solos right now cuz they are so behind. I really wanted to put my hands on one and at a quick glance thought I had gotten lucky, but of course not! Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 2

October 30, 2012, 04:17 PM	#4
roadrat Member Join Date: November 11, 2011 Posts: 68	Yeah!! Just bought a Solo STS. It will be here on Thursday. My quest is almost over.

November 10, 2012, 08:51 AM	#7
roadrat Member Join Date: November 11, 2011 Posts: 68	RTFM You probably didn't pick up the spring when you installed the take down pin. Check the assembly videos on Kim er's website or on you tube

November 12, 2012, 12:34 PM	#9
dlancello Junior Member Join Date: November 8, 2012 Posts: 4	Kimber tech line told me it worked best with 124-147 grn Bullits. I've found that to be true. I have put around 2000 rounds through mine so far and it has less problems with the beaver ammo. The slide locking is classic result of the take down pin spring not on top of the tab on the take down pin lever.

November 12, 2012, 01:13 PM	#10
JazzDoc Member Join Date: August 25, 2010 Location: central PA, USA Posts: 23	You guys are the greatest. I'm going to try that out today at the range. __________________ - Perfecting my gear - the skill's next.

November 28, 2012, 08:48 PM	#11
cast iron Junior Member Join Date: December 20, 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 12	Walked in and lucked out Walked in my local gun shop looking for a Walther PPS and he said not any... but I may be interested in a pistol he had NIB not on display yet. He showed my a SOLO STS. I put my name on it and went and cleared it with the boss at home and bought it today. Couldn't believe i found one and wasn't even looking. Traded my CM9 and mucho cash on the SOLO.

November 28, 2012, 09:05 PM	#12
pso 072 Junior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Posts: 3	KIMBER SOLO Hey Guys who own KIMBER SOLO, had one bought it for wife, she couldnt pull slide back, bought her a SIG P290 w/Lazer, also fine weapon. had same spring problem, tech support great. Ammo had to use heavier bullets, cant wait to buy it back to carry it after retirement.

November 29, 2012, 05:29 AM	#13
kcub Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 3,318	Here is a useful link to the Kimber factory videos page which includes assembly, disassembly, lubrication and cleaning of the Solo. The assembly video covers that takedown pin/spring aspect perfectly. http://www.kimberamerica.com/videos