Got the Kimber SOLO NIB today cash + trade on my compact Beretta PX4 storm in 9 mm. It's a much better size for EDC, in my opinion, though you do sacrifice plenty of rounds to get the small size.
I put 90 rounds through the Kimber today: 50 140 grain Blazer FMH, 10 Hornaday 124 hollow points, and 30 115 grain Federal (i think. range "junk.")
Did not experience a single failure to fire, failure to feed or any other time of issue.
The slide IS tight/hard to pull back by hand. I had an issue chambering a round on two occasions. This was my lack of hand strength (arthritis and broken bones). I will update on the issue.
At 5 yards out to about 17 feet, this pistol is amazing accurate. Nice tight groups. With the 3-inch barrel, it suffered at 7 yards, for me at least, but was still acceptable. Solid torso and head shots, if not exactly all through the same hole.
Smooth, crisp trigger. I don't find it particularly long as some have said. But I shoot H&K LEM triggers on a regular basis.
Excellent fit and finish. Good feel and balance. Fits well in my hand, which is on the small side for a guy. Overall, it looks WAY more expensive than it was (under $700 not including my trade).
I like it.
That said, it has RECOIL. I don't mind it, frankly, and I didn't have an issue re-aquiring the target. But it feels more like my Sig Sauer Ultra Nitron .45 than any 9 mm or 40 cal I've shot, particularly with the heavier stuff. With 115 grain, it is a perfect pussy cat. But word is that will make it misbehave.
Starting tomorrow, it will be my EDC. It resolves some of the issues I was having on this front. My other 9 mm pistols, the P226, Colt Defender, HK P2000SK and my (now gone) Beretta were simply too large for my environment. Twitchy office folks.
My Glock 26 was going to be my EDC when my new Fobus rotating holster arrives (any day now). But even that is a bit hard to hide in Office World.
Frequently, my Colt .380 Mustang II Pocketlite is my go-to gun because it's just so easy. But I give up round count, ballistics and, of course, I will not carry it locked and loaded. Which begs the question, why carry it at all?
So the Kimber, for now, seems to be it. I feel more confident with its striker & safety. The round is a bit hardier and the Solo isn't that much bigger than the Colt.
That's it. Hope it was informative.
