[jklovell]

I'm having an issue with seating the last round in the Solo six round magazine. Both of mine won't easily allow the base of the bullet to rest against the back wall of the magazine. If you look closely at the picture, you will see where the curvature hinders seating the base of the bullet against the back wall. If anyone knows a good reason for this curvature, please let me know. Otherwise, I think I'll file it straight. I think it might even help with some of the feeding problems others have mentioned.

The areas I'm referring to are encircled in yellow in the picture.

Thank you

 

[Insta-Gator]

Sorry I can't help with the Solo question, don't own one. I'm sure one of the other members will respond in the morning.

But I would like to welcome you to the forum.

Welcome to

 

[bigdog10]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Oreste]

First welcome to the forum. Secondly, I have been looking at the magazine issue you are discussing for the longest time. I can't tell you how much I have read and researched. My conclusion is that for what ever reason it is the design of the magazine. Some of the research says that this is somewhat common in a single stack magazine and also common in 1911 designs do to the angles. I will attempt to attach something I found and hope it works. It really explains this well. I really have to manipulate the rounds and tap to get them to seat well. Even then if you push with your thumb you will notice that the rounds still tend to nose dive. You are 100% correct. I also feel that many of the issues are not the result of the Solo but the design of the magazine. If you research nose diving, you will see The Solo is not the only gun having the same issues. Almost all the small 9 mms have similar issues regardless of the make (just google nose diving issues and you will get to every forum of every gun and everyone says the same thing...it ain't a Kimber issue!!!.) it is a design and physics issue. Also, in my research found that the heavier the grain the more the shape lends to give support to the upper round. Hence, Kimbers recommendation for heavier round.

That is why it is recommended to lock the slide open, and use the slide release lever to load the first round in the chamber. For what ever reason, (the force of the spring) it chambers well and viola no problems. At least in my experience. As awkward as it appears it works. There are many videos on you tube showing how unstable the rounds become after the loading of the 5th and 6th rounds or 7th and 8th in extended in single stack magazines. Again, research magazine nose diving. As for myself my Solo works well. Attached are the photos of how the rounds sit in the magazine. This is the exact design as the Solo mags. With time I find that the rounds do seem to seat better. Maybe it is some relaxing in the spring in the mag.
Hope this helps. By the way, my lips on my mags don't seem to be that extreme.

 

[Chuck43]

Welcome to the forum from northern Illinois jklovell, I'm also not a Solo owner so I can't offer any first hand advise. I'm going to assume this is a new magazine. My two basic questions for anyone having magazine problems are one, did you break the magazine down and clean it before trying to use it for the first time? It's not common but I have found small bits of metal inside new magazines that stopped the spring from fully compressing. Two, is the magazine spring broken in yet, have you tried fully loading the magazine and letting it sit for about a week to help set the spring? I would not recommend modifying your magazines, I'd suggest you give Kimbers customer service a call before doing that.

 

[Islander]

Welcome to the forum from Ohio!!

 

[Oreste]

Just to echo Chuck 43's comment. I wouldn't adjust the springs just yet. As I mentioned I have noticed with time they do sit better (not perfect) but much better. There are a few threads and videos in different forums which do recommend taking a loop or two out of the mag spring and release some of the tension. They have claimed this resolved the instability problem of the last few rounds. Haven't tried it but I have been thinking about it as I have 9 Magazines and just curious to see what happens. If I get around to it I will post and let you know.

 

[jklovell]

Thanks, I think I'll enjoy it.

 

[jklovell]

I cleaned and lightly oiled them before use. I've only put about 50 rounds through the gun and it really shot fine. I just thought the magazines had a design flaw. I'll shoot a little more before I try anything.

 

[Insta-Gator]

We do like to tinker with things, don't we?

 

[Oreste]

I cleaned and lightly oiled them before use. I've only put about 50 rounds through the gun and it really shot fine. I just thought the magazines had a design flaw. I'll shoot a little more before I try anything.

I know what you mean. Drove me crazy not seating right. But the gun shot fine.

 

[jklovell]

First welcome to the forum. Secondly, I have been looking at the magazine issue you are discussing for the longest time. I can't tell you how much I have read and researched. My conclusion is that for what ever reason it is the design of the magazine. Some of the research says that this is somewhat common in a single stack magazine and also common in 1911 designs do to the angles. I will attempt to attach something I found and hope it works. It really explains this well. I really have to manipulate the rounds and tap to get them to seat well. Even then if you push with your thumb you will notice that the rounds still tend to nose dive. You are 100% correct. I also feel that many of the issues are not the result of the Solo but the design of the magazine. If you research nose diving, you will see The Solo is not the only gun having the same issues. Almost all the small 9 mms have similar issues regardless of the make (just google nose diving issues and you will get to every forum of every gun and everyone says the same thing...it ain't a Kimber issue!!!.) it is a design and physics issue. Also, in my research found that the heavier the grain the more the shape lends to give support to the upper round. Hence, Kimbers recommendation for heavier round.

That is why it is recommended to lock the slide open, and use the slide release lever to load the first round in the chamber. For what ever reason, (the force of the spring) it chambers well and viola no problems. At least in my experience. As awkward as it appears it works. There are many videos on you tube showing how unstable the rounds become after the loading of the 5th and 6th rounds or 7th and 8th in extended in single stack magazines. Again, research magazine nose diving. As for myself my Solo works well. Attached are the photos of how the rounds sit in the magazine. This is the exact design as the Solo mags. With time I find that the rounds do seem to seat better. Maybe it is some relaxing in the spring in the mag.
Hope this helps. By the way, my lips on my mags don't seem to be that extreme.
View attachment 375

Thanks
I sure do like the gun, though. Just want it to be right. I'll wait and see what a little time with the spring under pressure will do.

 

[Josey Wales]

We do like to tinker with things, don't we?

Brother I reckon you got that right!
I am always tinkering.....

 

[Josey Wales]

Thanks
I sure do like the gun, though. Just want it to be right. I'll wait and see what a little time with the spring under pressure will do.

jklovell welcome!

There are some knowledgeable fellers here, I have an early Solo, I have six mags. I let mine set fully loaded all the time, I do not have a problem getting all the rounds in and I do use the slide lock to release and chamber that first round.

Good luck and enjoy!

 

[theomann]

I'm having an issue with seating the last round in the Solo six round magazine. Both of mine won't easily allow the base of the bullet to rest against the back wall of the magazine. If you look closely at the picture, you will see where the curvature hinders seating the base of the bullet against the back wall. If anyone knows a good reason for this curvature, please let me know. Otherwise, I think I'll file it straight. I think it might even help with some of the feeding problems others have mentioned.

The areas I'm referring to are encircled in yellow in the picture.

Thank you

I would be very interested to hear about your "filing" project. If it works, I might try the same thing, especially on the 8 round mag.

 

[Dude22]

Not a Solo owner but welcome from Ohio

 

[Rowdyroady]

Any updates to this? Has anyone yet tried cutting a coil out of the spring in a stock magazine?

 

[Marshall]

I personally wouldn't alter the springs. I had 4 mags and I just left them loaded in the safe between range sessions. After a few times of loading/reloading they will break in just fine imo..