[Nellybelle]

I am considering buying my wife a solo.
She has the following available S&W model 38, a Walther PPKS 380 and a Beretta Bobcat 25 cal. She likes the Beretta because of the light recoil, but I think she needs something a little stronger for personal protection.

Can anyone tell me about the recoil on a solo?

 

[Solo]

recoil

ok i have a ppk 380 and a kimber solo and the solo is twice as snapy as the ppk. pluss using a solo with 124 or 147 grain it snaps ...hope this helps

 

[rcraw45425]

I'm female and picked up a Solo Carry CDP last week. Previous carry was a Kimber Super Carry Pro in a 45caliber but I also have a S&W model 66 357, a Custom Stainless Kimber and a S&W M&P 9c. I'd say the recoil is a little startling considering the size of the pistol but manageable if she hangs on to it properly. It'll probably kick more that the 380 (I don't know, I've never fired one) but if she's prepared it's not bad. It doesn't kick as much as my 45's do but it is noticeable. So far the only ammo that mine balked at was some type of Federal off brand that my range had in 115 grain. No problems with Hydro Shok, Hornady Critical Duty, Federal 115 grain range ammo or even the Independence 115 grains. Will try some copper jacketed 124 grain reloads in the next few days to see how that works out. I'm pleased so far with the Solo. It's not my Super Carry Pro but it's a lot smaller, weighs less and fits in my handbag better.

 

[Barenjager]

...............

 

[rcraw45425]

Whenever you house a 9mm in a light, compact handgun with a grip frame that only allows a two fingered grip, the recoil will be noticeable. I found the recoil of the Solo less than I expected, but I have been shooting heavy recoiling pistols and revolvers for years. The rear of the grip frame on the Solo is nicely shaped and contoured so it doesn't batter the web of the hand, and slide clearance is enough to prevent injury to the web that the PPK is renown for.

How she handles the recoil will be determined in large part by proper technique, but her hand strength will have a bearing as well. A much as the Solo has impressed me so far, I'm not sure I'd recommend it for many women. A fair amount of hand strength is necessary to load the magazines and rack the slide, as well as controlling the gun during recoil,

Although my wife has not tried the Solo, I know from past experience she would struggle with this diminutive 9mm. Her preference in a small concealable handgun leans heavily toward revolvers, the S&W hammerless .38 Special J-frames like the 442/642 a good example.

Roe

This is very true. The slide on my Solo is a lot harder to rack than on my Super Carry Pro, which surprised me. I was actually lucky that the LGS had two of the Stainless along with two of the CDPs in stock. My husband had me try racking the slide on the stainless first and I actually aggravated the knuckle on my left index finger doing so. This was a big part of my choosing the CDP and this one in particular. The magazine is also pretty stiff as well. I found an extra one on eBay and it arrived yesterday and it is just as stiff. Impossible to load six rounds into it. Definitely have her handle one and practice racking and loading if possible. My hand actually hurt for a couple of days after I tried those out.

 

[jimi]

I read on line and found it to be true if you load all six rounds and let them sit it becomes easier to load. I think kimber recommends letting them sit loaded for 2 weeks. Mine loosened up after about a week

 

[Nellybelle]

Thank you for your input. I purchased a Solo Stainless yesterday afternoon for my wife. We will see how she gets along with it.

 

[farruggio]

I will definitely be interested in what kind of ammo seems to work best for you. I understand that 115gr is a no-go, but would love to hear more about your break-in experience with other loads.

 

[Nellybelle]

Ok, here the deal. I just went out in the back yard and fired about 40 rounds from the new solo I bought for my wife.

1. I used the Winchester 124 gr. hollow points PDX1 Defender. +P. The gun worked flawlessly almost. There was a slight feeding problem initially, due to the mag having six shells in them and the first one was not seated properly in the magazine causing it not to be moved into the chamber. I made sure the next ones were seated correctly and everything worked fine. ( Side note mag springs are really stiff and it is hard to load six in them. I have now cleaned the weapon and will leave the mags loaded with six rounds for a couple of weeks as suggested by others.)

2. I then tried to run about about twelve of the 40 total using Winchester white box 115 gr. Immediately the gun jammed after the first shot. The expired case could not leave the chamber before the next shell started up and into the chamber causing the jam. I am done with the 115 gr. at this point. Kimber is right in saying the gun is designed to use the 124 gr rounds in order to have enough momentem to operate the slide as needed.

3. The weapon is pretty snappy on the recoil. However this is a personal protectin weapon. If my wife truly needs to defend herself, she will just have to put up with the recoil and be thankful the gun functions as intended.

 

[rcraw45425]

Ok, here the deal. I just went out in the back yard and fired about 40 rounds from the new solo I bought for my wife.

1. I used the Winchester 124 gr. hollow points PDX1 Defender. +P. The gun worked flawlessly almost. There was a slight feeding problem initially, due to the mag having six shells in them and the first one was not seated properly in the magazine causing it not to be moved into the chamber. I made sure the next ones were seated correctly and everything worked fine. ( Side note mag springs are really stiff and it is hard to load six in them. I have now cleaned the weapon and will leave the mags loaded with six rounds for a couple of weeks as suggested by others.)

2. I then tried to run about about twelve of the 40 total using Winchester white box 115 gr. Immediately the gun jammed after the first shot. The expired case could not leave the chamber before the next shell started up and into the chamber causing the jam. I am done with the 115 gr. at this point. Kimber is right in saying the gun is designed to use the 124 gr rounds in order to have enough momentem to operate the slide as needed.

3. The weapon is pretty snappy on the recoil. However this is a personal protectin weapon. If my wife truly needs to defend herself, she will just have to put up with the recoil and be thankful the gun functions as intended.

Wow, I guess it must be something with the non CDP version and 115 grain ammo. My CDP has only failed on 115 with the PMC Korean ammo that was all my range had one time. It's handling 124 grain reloads along with Hydra Shoks, Critical Duty and the 115 Independence and Federals.

 

[Nellybelle]

How do the CDP and Solo Stainless vary that would cause the difference?
I thought the only difference was cosmetic? I am just not going to take a chance with the ammo.

 

[rcraw45425]

How do the CDP and Solo Stainless vary that would cause the difference?
I thought the only difference was cosmetic? I am just not going to take a chance with the ammo.

I held and worked both Stainless and CDP in the shop, the CDP felt smoother to me. The slide worked easier, magazine release was a little smoother. I feel like The Custom Shop logo means that it may have been tweaked a little more. For accuracy, it's decent, not as good as my Super Carry Pro but I could definitely put it in the center at 10 yards.

 

[Nellybelle]

I thought all solo's went through the Custom Shop, but I could be wrong.
According to the specifications the recoil spring is the same at 21 pounds.

I am also surprised to see the new "Micro" only have a recoil spring with 8 pounds. I suspect the reson for that is the 380 shell is shorter so there is less cycle distance needed.

I also have a Super Carry Ultra + and the recoil is 18 pounds so maybe my logic is all wet. Anyway I love the Super Carry Ultra + and the Solo is for my wife.

My Custom Crimson Carry II is now in the safe.
Thank you for your reply.

 

[Barenjager]

...............

 

[Nellybelle]

Cartridge overall length has little bearing on the strength of the recoil spring needed. The power (and subsequent recoil) of the cartridge and the size and weight of the slide have the greatest effect.

Simplified...a heavier recoiling cartridge will require a heavier recoil spring, if slide weight and size remain constant. For any cartridge, as you diminish the size of the firearm, resulting in a shorter, lighter slide, the strength of the recoil spring must be increased to compensate.

Recoil springs are not what determines the "cycle length" of the slide. Changing from a 16 lb spring in a standard 5" 1911 to an 18.5 or 20 lb spring does not change the distance the slide moves during the recoil cycle.

Roe

Thank you for clarifying that for me.

 

[dustyjacket]

The manual says 124gr or heqvier, only.

Had no issues with: (none are +P)

124gr Gold Dots (not +P)
124gr NATO FMJ (kinda hot)
147gr Silvertips
147gr JHP subsonic Federal/SEAL
147gr FMJ subsonic American Eagle

Recoil is snappy, but a .380 LCP is worse

 

[Rangemeister]

My first Solo, plain jane, after the first 24 rounds of 124, absorbed all types of 9mm ammo. I then "upgraded" to a CDP and the gun would not cycle any 115. It also had a couple of other problems, so I sold it. I must say, I do miss the little gun and want to see the new version due out this year???