First post - Thoughts on Kimber Solo CDP?

[Kelor]

A 9mm that can't reliably function with basic 115 grain FMJ's? Not my cup of tea.

With respect, I was thinking the same thing until I then realized that was a ridiculous statement. The Kimber USES higher grain ammo. Putting in 115 grain is somewhat equivalent to saying you don't want to buy a .45 that won't reliably use .357.

Further more, the only time I would use 115 grain is when plinking targets. Otherwise, the ammo I will keep in my gun is 124 grain. I have noted that I have had perfect results with all three weights that I have so far put into the gun (115, 124, 147). The fact that 115 may not be reliable is unimportant as it is not the ammo that you would use while carrying.

One could argue that 115 is cheaper. Frankly, this is a damn expensive gun and (like most compacts) not exactly one that you are going to shoot often at the range. An extra .20/round isn't an issue here.

All of that being said, I was looking for thoughts on a skeleton holster.

[rukwikenuf]

One could argue that 115 is cheaper. Frankly, this is a damn expensive gun and (like most compacts) not exactly one that you are going to shoot often at the range. An extra .20/round isn't an issue here.

All of that being said, I was looking for thoughts on a skeleton holster.

seriously? in your original post, you stated a major reason for going to 9mm was for cost! now you're saying an extra .20/round isn't an issue?! i wanna work where you work. any job openings?

the Kimber SOLO, IMHO, is a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. it doesn't function well on 115gr FMJ (my experiences, not the internet's), it feels odd in the hand (like sawgrass said, the balance is off), parts are going to be impossible to find once Kimber realizes this gun is a POS and drops it from their mass-production line, and Kimber has pretty garbage customer service.

i wish i had seen this thread back in January, i'd have pointed you toward a Kahr PM9. same size, easy operation, lighter, and (IMHO) a nicer gun. YMMV

[Kelor]

You're right that much of my original search was due to ammo cost when shooting my .45.

I have since determined that my daily carry gun isn't the gun that I will do much of my shooting with. I think I even mentioned previously that I have a 22 conversion kit for one of my guns and shoot that OFTEN.

So far I am very happy with the Solo CDP. It isn't my only 9mm. I'm really interested in your experience with the 115 grain in the CDP as literally all comments I have found regarding 115 have to do with a very rare stove pipe. So far that hasn't happened to me.Since you have experience, you must have found the gun interesting enough to either own or borrow.

I didn't realize I was starting WWIII with this topic.

[grousemaster]

A 9mm that can't reliably function with basic 115 grain FMJ's? Not my cup of tea.

With respect, I was thinking the same thing until I then realized that was a ridiculous statement. The Kimber USES higher grain ammo. Putting in 115 grain is somewhat equivalent to saying you don't want to buy a .45 that won't reliably use .357.

No. 115 is one of the standard grain weights for a 9mm...with 124 and 147 bring the other two.

My statement is not tantamount to suggesting it should fire another caliber. If any statement is ridiculous it's yours. It's more like saying that my .45 pistol will not function with 230 grain ammo, or my .40 cal won't operate with 180 grain ammo. It's not that hard to create a compact 9mm pistol that operates reliably with quality 115 grain ammunition.

I think it's a sexy pistol, and would't mind owning one myself. Its cool you got one, they are sought after for sure. Just a bit of a turn off to me when I hear the mfg say not to use the most popular and commonly available ammunition variety.

[XDM45]

I have since determined that my daily carry gun isn't the gun that I will do much of my shooting with.

I don't mean to continue WWIII with my comment, but I think that's a major mistake to not shoot your main carry weapon often. That's the gun you need to shoot more than any other, and yes, today that can be expensive..... even with 9mm, let alone if you're like me and shoot .45ACP for your SD caliber. I shoot my .22LR for general practice, aiming, plinking, warming up, etc, but it's the .45 I'll be carrying and betting my life on, so that's the one I really focus on for practice.

To each their own, and I'm not trying to start carp or continue it, but not shooting your carry weapon consistently is akin to getting your PTC with a .22 and then carrying a larger caliber, or not carrying at all times (where and when you legally can). It's only going to get you killed when it comes time to rely on on a gun you should know better than the back of your hand, but this is all just my opinion.

[Kelor]

Those are all good points.

What would the harm be then if 115 grain occasionally (if ever) stove pipes with your practice rounds, knowing that your carry rounds work perfectly? I just don't get that it's a big issue. I really am serious regarding the question. I can only assume there is some big time knowledge in this group.

[XDM45]

Those are all good points.

What would the harm be then if 115 grain occasionally (if ever) stove pipes with your practice rounds, knowing that your carry rounds work perfectly? I just don't get that it's a big issue. I really am serious regarding the question. I can only assume there is some big time knowledge in this group.

Use new quality ammo ideally, but that's expensive, so if you reload, know what you're doing and use quality parts.
Properly clean your firearm right away after each range use.
Properly lubricate your firearm and give it a good dust/lint cleaning and lubing when not in use but still carried.
Don't use closed bottom and/or cheap holsters. Ideally, go for OWB or IWB and avoid pocket holsters, but that's just a personal preference of mine. Some use them without issue.
Don't use reloads from people you don't trust.

Do that and you shouldn't have any stove pipes or other real issues. You can still get a squib load even on new ammo, but it's rarer on new than it is on reloads.

I'm sure others have even more advice.

[Thunder71]

A stovepipe during practice would actually help you become better at clearing the problem should it happen under pressure.

[XDM45]

A stovepipe during practice would actually help you become better at clearing the problem should it happen under pressure.

True that. Some good info here: http://forums.officer.com/t31195/

[grousemaster]

Those are all good points.

What would the harm be then if 115 grain occasionally (if ever) stove pipes with your practice rounds, knowing that your carry rounds work perfectly? I just don't get that it's a big issue. I really am serious regarding the question. I can only assume there is some big time knowledge in this group.

Nothing, but if the stove pipes are that rare I'm not sure why they just didn't tweak it to the point that they didn't need to issue a disclaimer about 115 grain ammo.

[DanMN]

My first post on this forum. I had to register so I could say this. To say you won't shoot you carry gun much is wrong and I hope someone didn't tell you this was a good idea. It should be you most shot gun. Most people won't carry a gun until they have shot AT LEAST 300 rounds or more with no issues with it. It take 100s of rounds to get some handguns to run right. Your life is counting on this weapon! To say you not going to shoot it much is being irresponsible to yourself and others. I could go on and on, but I think you get my point.

[Kelor]

As a follow up. I ran another 50 rounds of 115 grain through the Kimber this weekend with no issues. I have yet to experience the bad cycle issue.

Humbling part now. One thing I am having a bit of trouble with is comfortably getting back to shooting position after a shot. The gun is terribly accurate, but has a kick exponentially bigger than my Glock 30sf. Granted, I have a very weak left arm due to a broken neck, but considering I was once paralyzed, I seem to gain a bit of strength occasionally. When I originally got my carry permit, I could only get one round off without rest.

What type of practice would get me back to the ready position quicker? Maybe there is a smarter grip I haven't considered?

DanMN. There just never will be a scenario where I shoot this more than we shoot the 22s.

[j21black]

I purchased my Kimber Solo carry on 2/2/2013. It has a build date from the factory of 1/28/2013. I was looking for the CDP model but couldn't find one and happened to walk into a store that had a Carry and Stainless model in the counter.

I purchased the Carry and ordered the Rosewood Laser Grips yesterday. Night sites will be coming in the future.

First off, I think it is a great gun for Carry. I have put around 100 rounds of various ammo brands down the pipe, all were 147 JHP mind you, and all were without failure. So far it likes Remington Golden Sabre 147 the best. I have purchased approx. 750 rounds of factory JHP Ranging from 124 + P to 147 JHP since the purchase. Last week i picked up 1000 rounds of 117 grain JHP Agulia that I intend to try to feed some of through the weapon sometime this summer. It if fails, no big deal, I will feed it through my 9mm AR.

I was well aware of the Solo's reputation on being unable to process the lighter loads without failure prior to making the purchase, but from what I have read recently, it seems the guns with newer build dates have been much more reliable than the first ones to come off the line. Time will tell, but so far I am very happy to own this firearm.

As far a a holster goes, I have been carrying mine in an N82 tactical holster size CS. Very comfortable and I recommend getting one of these if you haven't gotten a holster already and replacing the one you have if already purchased a different holster. You will thank me later. I am purchasing one for my wife to carry her p238 Desert with and will be buying one for my G23 and G27 shortly. Hands down the most comfortable IWB holster I have ever owned....

[45Badger]

I picked up a stainless Solo last week. It's a great little gun, but not for me. Cycled everything fine, but too much bark and bite for me. If I need a gun I can carry discretely in a holster, I'm sticking with the Glock 26. If I need a pocket gun, I love my new (used) LCR.

Solo soon to be seen in the classifieds .