Posted: 8/9/2011 4:52:59 PM EDT
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Took the Solo to the range and put 40 rounds of WWB 147 gr JHP, and 20 rounds each of Hornady TAP in 147 and 124 gr.
Flawless function. Incredible accuracy. Stout recoil. The only negative is the 6 round magazine functions better with 5 rounds. The 6th round is tough to get into the magazine. It also exerts a lot of pressure on the slide. Chambering a round with a 6 round magazine is tough. I fired most of my rounds today from 5 round magazines. Now it is loaded with a round in the chamber and 5 in the magazine. The only minor problem in a fantastic pistol. I've ordered two more mags from Kimber and once they come I'll get them to the range and see what happens. If you can get your hands on one of these little pistols I recommend that you do. |
 Nice report. What do yo mean by 'stout' ? As compared to? a 3" 45 1911?, a Glock? 2" S&W subnose? Ruger LCP?
I have a Colt Pocket Nine and think it's actually milder shooting than my Ruger LCP and Cobra 38 in +P. Like to hear what your comparing to in your experience for a reference point. I handled one of the Solo's recently at the local fun store and thought it might be decent. Thanks TDK 
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I have a Solo as well which has wood checkered grips that are slightly thicker than factory, grip tape front and back and I still need to adjust my grip every shot or two. I can't wait for Kimber to come out with the extended mags just so I can get more of a grip on it.
The recoil is stout to be sure. I've owned many small guns in .380, 9mm and 45acp and the Solo is indeed harsher than any other gun I've shot. I can shoot my 3" 1911s with +P all day if I had to but the little Solo just doesn't have enough grip for fast follow up shots. If I try and go through an entire mag, its usually shifted about an inch out of my hand by the end. This is due to a very short grip with no stippling or mag extensions available. Some might say its not a problem but I'd like to know how slowly/quickly one is used to shooting a defensive sidearm. I personally don't like to readjust my grip until the mag is empty which I've never had to do except on one other handgun before that I got rid of long ago. When it comes to the mags, you can load them to capacity but, insert the mag with the slide locked open. Its a common thing and is the nature of the beast with the amount of pressure in the mag that is needed to reliably feed the rounds into a 9mm platform crammed into such a small package. Your new mags will do the same thing as will the extended versions I'm sure. Also, when you rack that slide, it needs to be brought all the way back before releasing it. BTW, you need to post a picture. 
Oh BTW #2, don't be shocked how easily the frame's finish gets scratched. |
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I added a Pachmayr Slip On and am very happy with it. The recoil is there to be sure but manageable. I'll shoot it side by side with my Kahr PM9 and let you know what I think.
I've carried a Ruger SP101 stoked with .357 Magnum 125s so recoil is nothing new. I need to work on my pic posting skills for AR15. For now here is a link to some of my pics. Pictures of my Kimber Solo and the Kydex/Horsehide Rig I made for it. |
| My daughter is looking at one of these for a carry gun. Given that the recoil is "stout" as you put it, do you think it would be a good carry gun for her? She's not a terribly strong girl and has weak wrists. I'm trying to help her find one that she can handle easily and one that won't take a toll on her when she shoots. |
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Quoted:
My daughter is looking at one of these for a carry gun. Given that the recoil is "stout" as you put it, do you think it would be a good carry gun for her? She's not a terribly strong girl and has weak wrists. I'm trying to help her find one that she can handle easily and one that won't take a toll on her when she shoots. The slide is not as easy to rack as many other guns. Recoil is there for sure and although it would be easy for her to carry, you might want to look at something a bit tamer. I've carried a Ruger SP101 stoked with .357 Magnum 125s so recoil is nothing new.
I had a SP101 in .357 magnum and it was no problem at all with full power loads. Recoil of a big round in a small gun isn't bad as long as the gun is set-up correctly. Kimber should of had stippling on the front and back strap on every Solo they made instead of introducing it later down the line. I can manage the recoil just fine but the fact I need to re-grip between shots is something I prefer not to do. |
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I'd recommend starting your daughter on a Ruger LC9 with 115 grain JHP. That is what my wife is using and it does the trick for her.
Let's see if I figured this pic posting thing out!
http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa467/TopsBlades/Kimber%20Solo/DSC01396-1.jpg |
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My Solo was eaten everything that I have feed through it. I broke it in with nothing but quality 124g and 147g HP ammo. Then after a good cleaning I went back to the range and it took 115g Winchester and Federal without any issues. I have 200 to 300 rounds through it without one issue.
I can tell you that it really likes Remington Golden Saber 124g HP. These were the most accurate to date. The range officer stopped by to look and I gave him 5 rounds of the Remington and at 12 yards you could have covered the 5 shots with your thumb, and that was the first time he shot one. My wife did not like the recoil of the little gun. She is OK with my Bodyguard 380 or the full size Kimber Team Match II that I have. She also carries and loves the Black Widow in 22 mag. |
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Every now and then, I wear cargo shorts or khakis that have big pockets. You think the Solo would do well in this role? Not really an EDC, more like weekends when I'm not working in jeans. Just thrown in the pocket. Yes it would, but I'd still use a pocket holster. I use mine IWB with a Bianchi 100 made for a P11 which is a perfect fit so I can't suggest what pocket holster will work. I do pocket carry the P238 with a D.M. Bullard or Desantis. 
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Quoted:
My daughter is looking at one of these for a carry gun. Given that the recoil is "stout" as you put it, do you think it would be a good carry gun for her? She's not a terribly strong girl and has weak wrists. I'm trying to help her find one that she can handle easily and one that won't take a toll on her when she shoots. While there are many options I highly recommend the Kahr MK9. |
| Well I'm jealous you're is working so perfectly I picked up a kimber solo in late December, I was hoping the problems I've heard about were worked out by now. Out of the first 200 rounds I only got two full mags to shoot without a malfunction. With a full mag it didn't want to load a round when I released the slide, failing to eject leaving the brass in the chamber, failing to eject and causing a double feed, light strikes, not locking back on an empty mag, locking back with rounds still in the mag. All this with high dollar, heavy bullets, as recommended by Kimber. It's back at their shop now, I think the wait quoted was 10 weeks on turnaround. I wish I'd gotten a Kahr MK9 but I thought the Kimber would have a better chance of long term factory service. I've got $60 invested in custom grips and $100 in a holster so I can't easily get out of it either. |
