Kimber Solo

[Scradoozy]

I recently read an article, I think in Guns and Ammo, about the 8 best compact 9mm on the market today. There was a picture of all,the guns together and one of them stuck out to me as mabe the best looking compact I had ever laid eyes on. The Kimber Solo.

I realize a lot of people say Kimbers are just expensive guns with good triggers, and they are pretty proud of their weapons, but my experience with them has been outstanding. Expensive, but in my experience not overpriced.

Did some searching and read many articles on the Solo (would it be weird if I called it Han?).
The early run pieces,seem to have had some trouble with FTF/FTE when using the import ball ammo, but the prime stuff did great. Read several articles from 2013 describing the gun, Han, as very tight and never having any problems with any ammunition, including the cheap import ball stuff. Seemingly having corrected some of the early run problems.

All this said I think I would really like to get my hands on one and put it through its paces for myself. This is a very compact all aluminum and steel weapon, which I like. No matter how long and proven reliable the polymers have been around somewhere in my mind is screaming "do you realize you're shooting a plastic gun?" And I know they have been around and proven themselves reliable and even fantastic weapons with the Glocks and other copycats, but my mind still tells me it's a plastic gun. I just like all metal framed pistols and this fits that bill perfectly and looks beautiful to boot.

Any other takers out there sold on the look and feel of metal in a plastic world?
Just asking. I actually own a Ruger P90 I have had for at least 20 years and thousands of rounds. But it still feels like plastic in my hand. Edited July 13, 2013 by Scradoozy

[dlmeadows]

I like the Solo's. Ive never had the chance to put my hands on one yet, but I would love too. As far as Kimber is concerned I do not think they are overpriced by any means. I shoot a lot of IDPA matches and my Kimber has never let me down, I can't say the same for my STI. I don't have the top of the line STI but the one I do have is no where near as accurate as the Kimber is as well. My carry gun is a full size 1911, to me it doesnt get any better than a metal gun with wood grips lol............except for maybe stag grips.......

[Caster]

I managed to pry one from the hands of another member here.  It's my wife's carry pistol now.  She loves it.  Some say they can be picky about ammo but this one eats just about anything.  I put 250 rounds of wolf crap through it when I got it just to be sure it would be reliable.  It worked 100%.  

 

 

I will say this, it's attractive, compact and in such a small package, the 9x19 really packs a punch, but it is NOT a fun gun to shoot.  In fact, judging it by the standards of a range toy, it downright sucks. 250 rounds in one range session will leave you not wanting to shoot anything for a few days.  

[hipower]

Is it as bad as a Nano? I simply hated mine because of the harshness of shooting it.

[RobertNashville]

I'd certainly recommend trying one, if possible, before buying.  I've had good and bad experiences with Kimbers in general and (personal bias here), I'm just not that into smaller caliber pistols or smaller pistols in general; they just always seem to be more prone to problems/malfunctions.

[jcoosi]

My wife has one but she has trouble racking slide so I'm in process of trying to get her to carry the xds 9. Like Caster said its not a range shooter.

[Mykltn]

I've owned my kimber solo for over two years now and it's been great. Best compact I've ever owned with the exception of my Colt new agent 45.

[StPatrick]

I've only heard good things of them once broken-in, but haven't really pursued one, as my PM9 fits the same bill.