[Ratmando73]

Picked up a new Solo stainless. First trip to the range and I am very pleased.

Started with Federal 124gr Hydra Shock JHP. Loaded two 8 rounders to 7 and one six rounder to 6. Functioned flawlessly!

Then loaded Gold Dot 124 gr GDHP. Loaded two 6 rounders to 6 and one 8 rounder to 8. Flawless.

Then loaded seven 6 rounders to 6 and 2 eight rounders to 8 with bulk 115 gr JRN. I had 3 FTE out of the entire group. Repeated the exercise and had 2 more FTE. Repeated a third time and it was flawless. The FTE could have been me limp wristing.

VERY ACCURATE. Only shot at 7 yards but wow, I am impressed. Head shots and double and triple taps were no problem. It does appear that Kimber has fixed whatever problems they were having. I don't care for the trigger. Too curved for me. I came home and ordered a RTK trigger. The mag release is very stiff as everyone has previously noted.

One more trip to the range like the above and I be ready to strap it on.

Rat

 

[Islander]

It's great to hear a positive Solo report. Welcome to the forum from Ohio!!

 

[Nellybelle]

I also have a SOLO sts. Mine runs fine on recommended ammunition. Welcome.

 

[Josey Wales]

Congrats and welcome, I too have a good shooting Solo!

 

[Oreste]

Welcome and good results. If you push up on the magazine and then release it will release mag. easily. It does release will at range when the last shot is fired and slide locked back. The nature of the design.

 

[Warthogge]

Curved Trigger

+1 on not caring for the curved trigger. Not sure why Kimber did this. Even Hickock 45 complained when he did his review. I replaced the trigger with the RTK. Good luck on the install. It's tricky getting the leaf spring back in.

 

[Ratmando73]

+1 on not caring for the curved trigger. Not sure why Kimber did this. Even Hickock 45 complained when he did his review. I replaced the trigger with the RTK. Good luck on the install. It's tricky getting the leaf spring back in.

I have been looking at that. I replaced the spring on my HK P2000sk. Took a lot of work. Is there a good set of instructions with the trigger as I see nothing on their site for the solo? Hopefully next week I'll get to it.

 

[Warthogge]

Trigger Replacement

I have been looking at that. I replaced the spring on my HK P2000sk. Took a lot of work. Is there a good set of instructions with the trigger as I see nothing on there sight for the solo? Hopefully next week I'll get to it.

Ratmando,

No instructions come with the RTK trigger. It's not hard to do, just tricky. Ross at RTK provided me some tips via email, some of which are provided below. If you decide to do it, you proceed at your own risk and my suggestions are those of a fellow hobbyist.

You'll need the correct size roll pin punch, a 3/16" nut driver or quality deep socket (a regular socket won't work - too thick), soldering iron to heat up the hex head screw since it may have been installed with loc-tite, small needle nose pliers or hemostats to help re-install the leaf spring, and a hobby vise with pads to hold the receiver and enable use of two hands.

The tricky part is replacing the leaf spring. It needs to come in from the top half way back and then slide forward until the screw hole lines up. Do not force the spring or bend it. You must have patience with this. It took me multiple tries.

Lastly, be warned that should you replace the trigger and subsequently have to send the receiver to Kimber for any warranty work, they will remove the trigger and replace with a stock trigger at your cost.

Hope this helps.

 

[Ratmando73]

Ratmando,

No instructions come with the RTK trigger. It's not hard to do, just tricky. Ross at RTK provided me some tips via email, some of which are provided below. If you decide to do it, you proceed at your own risk and my suggestions are those of a fellow hobbyist.

You'll need the correct size roll pin punch, a 3/16" nut driver or quality deep socket (a regular socket won't work - too thick), soldering iron to heat up the hex head screw since it may have been installed with loc-tite, small needle nose pliers or hemostats to help re-install the leaf spring, and a hobby vise with pads to hold the receiver and enable use of two hands.

The tricky part is replacing the leaf spring. It needs to come in from the top half way back and then slide forward until the screw hole lines up. Do not force the spring or bend it. You must have patience with this. It took me multiple tries.

Lastly, be warned that should you replace the trigger and subsequently have to send the receiver to Kimber for any warranty work, they will remove the trigger and replace with a stock trigger at your cost.

Hope this helps.

Warthogge,
Thanks. That helps a lot. One question. What hex screw are you talking about? Looking over the trigger I don't see one.
thanks,
Ratmando73

Disregard. Found it. What order do you disassemble the trigger?

 

[Ratmando73]

132 round of 147 gr

So I take the Solo back to the range to shoot a few of the 8400 rounds of 147gr I bought a few years ago when we switched to the .40.

I AM NOT BAD MOUTHING THE SOLO, just stating facts.

Was not a good experience. 73 FTE out of 132 rounds. The only other ammo I had was the 115 gr I shot last week. 34 rounds and 12 FTE. I have been shooting over 50 years so I don't think I was limp wristing, however that is hard for a shooter to say. You need a qualified observer to tell you that. I am wondering if the ejector needs adjusting????

Came home and gave the Solo a cleaning that would make Ssgt CC Conner USMC proud. I felt him over my shoulder the entire time I was cleaning, telling me the only way I got thru a year of college was to do (unspeakable here) things to the dean. Back to the range next week with some 124gr and see what happens.

I'm down but not out. The accuracy of the weapon is as good as any.

Rat

 

[Islander]

So I take the Solo back to the range to shoot a few of the 8400 rounds of 147gr I bought a few years ago when we switched to the .40.

I AM NOT BAD MOUTHING THE SOLO, just stating facts.

Was not a good experience. 73 FTE out of 132 rounds. The only other ammo I had was the 115 gr I shot last week. 34 rounds and 12 FTE. I have been shooting over 50 years so I don't think I was limp wristing, however that is hard for a shooter to say. You need a qualified observer to tell you that. I am wondering if the ejector needs adjusting????

Came home and gave the Solo a cleaning that would make Ssgt CC Conner USMC proud. I felt him over my shoulder the entire time I was cleaning, telling me the only way I got thru a year of college was to do (unspeakable here) things to the dean. Back to the range next week with some 124gr and see what happens.

I'm down but not out. The accuracy of the weapon is as good as any.

Rat

Wow! Hang in there. I'm going to tell you that Kimber will make it right. At least I hope so!

 

[Scout10]

I wonder if the Stainless Solo's have less issues than the
Alloy bottom ones on mag release. Does the button stick
or become harder with the alloy and paint model. Hmmmmm?

 

[Wrsjorel]

Just wanted to point out that the solo stainless has a aluminum frame as all solo's do see below from kimber web site
SOLO CARRY STAINLESS

Solo Carry Stainless

The Solo Carry Stainless 9mm brings Kimber quality and unequaled ergonomics to micro-compact pistols

Videos
Specifications
Caliber: 9mm
Height (inches) 90° to barrel: 3.9
Weight (ounces) with empty magazine: 17
Length (inches): 5.5
Magazine capacity: 6 rounds
Frame
Material: Aluminum
Finish: KimPro II
Width (inches): .995 not including safety
Slide
Material: Stainless steel
Finish: Satin silver
Barrel
Length (inches): 2.7
Material: Stainless steel
Twist rate (left hand): 10
Sights
Fixed low profile
Radius (inches): 4.4
Grips
Black synthetic
Checkered / smooth
Trigger
Single action striker- fired
Factory setting (approximate pounds): 7
MSRP:$815.00
Locate Dealers

 

[Chuck43]

I wonder if the Stainless Solo's have less issues than the
Alloy bottom ones on mag release. Does the button stick
or become harder with the alloy and paint model. Hmmmmm?

Why don't you pop the mag release out and see if anything is binding.

 

[Islander]

Just wanted to point out that the solo stainless has a aluminum frame as all solo's do see below from kimber web site
SOLO CARRY STAINLESS

Solo Carry Stainless

The Solo Carry Stainless 9mm brings Kimber quality and unequaled ergonomics to micro-compact pistols

Videos
Specifications
Caliber: 9mm
Height (inches) 90° to barrel: 3.9
Weight (ounces) with empty magazine: 17
Length (inches): 5.5
Magazine capacity: 6 rounds
Frame
Material: Aluminum
Finish: KimPro II
Width (inches): .995 not including safety
Slide
Material: Stainless steel
Finish: Satin silver
Barrel
Length (inches): 2.7
Material: Stainless steel
Twist rate (left hand): 10
Sights
Fixed low profile
Radius (inches): 4.4
Grips
Black synthetic
Checkered / smooth
Trigger
Single action striker- fired
Factory setting (approximate pounds): 7
MSRP:$815.00
Locate Dealers

Welcome to the forum from Ohio!! Why not take the time to go to new members and introduce yourself!

 

[Ratmando73]

Why don't you pop the mag release out and see if anything is binding.

Chuck,

I pulled the mag release early on. Saw nothing unusal. Works fine when the slide is locked back. With the new RTK trigger i love everything about the Solo.

 

[Rowdyroady]

I went out last weekend for the second time with the Solo and had at least one FTE with every magazine. I am still breaking it in (about one hundred rounds so far) so I will continue to use it and try to get it right, but disappointed. My .45 XDS, P11, and Taurus TCP .380 all perform flawlessly and have since new. Expected more for the price.

 

[Insta-Gator]

I went out last weekend for the second time with the Solo and had at least one FTE with every magazine. I am still breaking it in (about one hundred rounds so far) so I will continue to use it and try to get it right, but disappointed. My .45 XDS, P11, and Taurus TCP .380 all perform flawlessly and have since new. Expected more for the price.

Actually, the price paid for the close tolerances of a well built, fine shooting gun. I'm not saying other guns are just lead slingers, because I own quite a few others, but none are built to the specs of my Kimber. After my first 100, it has been flawless. I'm now up to 800 rounds and counting.

 

[Rowdyroady]

After my first 100, it has been flawless. I'm now up to 800 rounds and counting.

Like I said, I am going to keep shooting it and hope for similar results.

How "dry" should I leave it after cleaning? I think I read somewhere that this gun is designed to shoot dry or with little lubrication. Can someone elaborate? I grease the slides, and normal lubrication points for a semi auto pistol...

 

[Marshall]

. Use a premium firearm lubricant such as
Shooters
Choice FP-10 or similar quality oil
(grease is not recommended). If oil contains
Teflon, be sure to shake
well before using as
Teflon settles when left overnight.

41
REMEMBER: As a premium personal defense
firearm, SOLO is designed to operate on
minimal lubrication. This prevents fouling from
lint and other contaminants and assures most
reliable function.The key to lubrication is
moderation
. Not enough oil and a firearm may
not function properly and have undue wear. Too
much oil and there is a risk of attracting dirt and
debris to the bearing surfaces causing
premature wear and potential functioning
problems. All metal parts even stainless steel
should be lightly lubricated because
RUST IS
NEGLECT!
For quick protection, wipe down
your firearm with an oil or silicone cloth after
handling..