[boxy]

Can anyone comment if the Kimber Solo is safe to carry in with a round chambered (6+1)? Primarily, if the Solo is accidentally dropped, will it discharge?

Reason I am asking is that I am having occasional problems chambering the first round in a fully load magazine using hollow points. This essentially makes the Solo unsuitable as an EDC if it cannot be trusted 100% to chamber a round reliably. The only way I see one using the Solo as a EDC is to carry it with a round chambered, thus guaranteeing the Solo will go bang when the trigger pulled.

Per Kimber Solo Safety & Instruction Manual:
Safe Carrying Condition: Never carry this firearm loaded and ready to fire as this practice could result in an unintentional discharge. Do not carry a loaded firearm with a live round in the chamber while walking, running or crossing any obstacle, where there is any possibility of slipping or falling as this could lead to a possible unintentional discharge.

Not sure if this is a design limitation of the Solo or just lawyers talking.

 

[Mike240]

Common lawyer speak. That is in the manual of every firearm I have ever seen. I do not own a Solo but would not worry about chambered carry if I did.

 

[Nellybelle]

I carry mine with one chambered and safety on.
I read my owners manual and I believe they are referring to carrying it with safety off regarding their cautions.
I always rack one in the chamber, put safety on, then drop magazine count ammo in mag, re-insert mag and check port hole in barrel.
I know that is over kill but I want to insure one is in the chamber .

 

[sbubrick]

My worry is getting the second and third in the chamber, not the first!

 

[Warthogge]

I don't hesitate to carry one in chamber, safety on. But, I'm used to carrying condition one with both Browning Hi Powers and 1911s. Having that hammer cocked and a safety on is sometimes unnerving to casual observers in those situations where I can open carry, like private land.

 

[Warthogge]

Sbubrick - I agree!
That's why I've run over 150 rounds through it and have never had a FTE issue. Althought the number of rounds through it are small, it's gained my confidence to enter my carry rotation. Hope yours has provided similar reliability.

 

[boxy]

thanks for the confirmation. I did a little more research and also closer inspection of how the Solo works; it looks like the Solo has a firing pin block mechanism (the black button next to the firing pin) that only disengages if the trigger is depressed - this fire pin block stops the firing pin from completing its travel forward and striking the primer should the firing pin accidentally disengages from the sear from a drop.

From rom Real Guns - Kimber's 9mm Solo Carry STS
"It has a combination of safeties; the ambidextrous thumb safety, a 10 to 12 percent remaining load on the striker as you pull the trigger, and a drop safety/firing pin block."

Now I feel much better about the Solo as a EDC option. The only problem I had with the Solo was with chambering the first round which could be fatal if it fails, having a round pre-chambered essentially solve that issue.

I am much more confident with the Solo (Sep. 13 manuf.) going bang since it had no problems even with cheap Tula 9mm ammo. However, I will need to shoot another additional couple of hundred rounds to see if it continues to feed. If it does, the Solo could be a good companion.

 

[REDLEG28]

Kimber as defensive carry weapon

Can anyone comment if the Kimber Solo is safe to carry in with a round chambered (6+1)? Primarily, if the Solo is accidentally dropped, will it discharge?

Reason I am asking is that I am having occasional problems chambering the first round in a fully load magazine using hollow points. This essentially makes the Solo unsuitable as an EDC if it cannot be trusted 100% to chamber a round reliably. The only way I see one using the Solo as a EDC is to carry it with a round chambered, thus guaranteeing the Solo will go bang when the trigger pulled.

Per Kimber Solo Safety & Instruction Manual:
Safe Carrying Condition: Never carry this firearm loaded and ready to fire as this practice could result in an unintentional discharge. Do not carry a loaded firearm with a live round in the chamber while walking, running or crossing any obstacle, where there is any possibility of slipping or falling as this could lead to a possible unintentional discharge.

Not sure if this is a design limitation of the Solo or just lawyers talking.

When I went my gun store to purchase a carry firearm I went in looking for a S&W Shield. The salesman introduced me to the Solo and I was sold. It fit perfectly in my hand and the trigger seemed smooth. Then I tried to use it. The magazines are picky and you have to look around to find one that actually holds what it is advertised. Also loading the last round was causing feed problems. Try loading a fully loaded magazine into the weapon without the slide locked to the rear. Not fun. Once I got some decent magazines I was able to shoot it without it trying to double feed or fail to extract. I broke the weapon in with over 350 rounds of nothing but Kimber recommended loads. Then everything went south . The gun would not feed properly or eject rounds. The gun was cleaned after every 100 rounds and reassembled properly. In short it could not be trusted and was sent back to Kimber for repairs....still waiting.

Had I known that even Kimber does not want you to carry a round in the chamber (How can they advertise 6+1) I would not have purchased the gun. In other words Kimber doesn't trust it's own weapon. After shooting it I understand.

By the way my new S&W Shield works great, shoots any 9mm and you can carry one in the chamber. Why would anyone buy a Kimber Solo if you can't trust it? I could have purchased 2 reliable weapons for what I have paid for the one Kimber Solo.

 

[bigdog10]

When I went my gun store to purchase a carry firearm I went in looking for a S&W Shield. The salesman introduced me to the Solo and I was sold. It fit perfectly in my hand and the trigger seemed smooth. Then I tried to use it. The magazines are picky and you have to look around to find one that actually holds what it is advertised. Also loading the last round was causing feed problems. Try loading a fully loaded magazine into the weapon without the slide locked to the rear. Not fun. Once I got some decent magazines I was able to shoot it without it trying to double feed or fail to extract. I broke the weapon in with over 350 rounds of nothing but Kimber recommended loads. Then everything went south . The gun would not feed properly or eject rounds. The gun was cleaned after every 100 rounds and reassembled properly. In short it could not be trusted and was sent back to Kimber for repairs....still waiting.

Had I known that even Kimber does not want you to carry a round in the chamber (How can they advertise 6+1) I would not have purchased the gun. In other words Kimber doesn't trust it's own weapon. After shooting it I understand.

By the way my new S&W Shield works great, shoots any 9mm and you can carry one in the chamber. Why would anyone buy a Kimber Solo if you can't trust it? I could have purchased 2 reliable weapons for what I have paid for the one Kimber Solo.

Sorry to here about your Solo. hopefully Kimber will get it repaired for you. good luck with your new shield a good friend of mine just purchased one last night and can't wait to shoot it

 

[Insta-Gator]

Hickok45 does a pretty good review of a Solo.

Obviously, I like Kimber products, at least the one I own. But that doesn't necessarily translate into Kimber being the best at everything. You may love a certain pickup truck, but prefer to buy your car from a different manufacturer. Styling, function, price point, all play significant roles in an acquisition.

My wife is probably going to be buying a 9mm or .380 as a carry gun. I've never seen a Solo in person, but at $1,200 MSRP, it would not be on my list to evaluate. It's reputation, as described by actual owners, is another reason it would not be on my list. Sorry you're having these troubles. Hopefully Kimber can make it right.

 

[OU_Solo]

I hate to hear people having trouble with the Solo. I've had 3 and still own two of them; a carry and a cdp. All of them have shot anything and everything. I primarily practice with 115gr because that's the easiest to find. I do shoot 124gr when I can find it. I shoot half a box two or three times per week and really like the Solo. It looks and feels so much better than the polymer pistols. They really are a quality pistol but are so small, any issue might cause a problem. Kimber will make it right.

 

[Josey Wales]

Can anyone comment if the Kimber Solo is safe to carry in with a round chambered (6+1)? Primarily, if the Solo is accidentally dropped, will it discharge?

Reason I am asking is that I am having occasional problems chambering the first round in a fully load magazine using hollow points. This essentially makes the Solo unsuitable as an EDC if it cannot be trusted 100% to chamber a round reliably. The only way I see one using the Solo as a EDC is to carry it with a round chambered, thus guaranteeing the Solo will go bang when the trigger pulled.

Per Kimber Solo Safety & Instruction Manual:
Safe Carrying Condition: Never carry this firearm loaded and ready to fire as this practice could result in an unintentional discharge. Do not carry a loaded firearm with a live round in the chamber while walking, running or crossing any obstacle, where there is any possibility of slipping or falling as this could lead to a possible unintentional discharge.

Not sure if this is a design limitation of the Solo or just lawyers talking.

Welcome fellow Solo owner... as others have said Just lawyers talking,
Antarius was kind enough to post some info about a similar safety subject that he did some digging for.
http://www.kimbertalk.com/forums/kimber-solo-forum/1168-do-you-carry-safety-off.html

I have two Solos that are running well, I load six plus one chambered and locked, load up your mags and let them set a spell (week or so) and don't forget to capture the spring on reassemble, good luck to you and yours.