Musings on the new Kimber Solo

[Willieboy]

I was just checking this little beauty out on the net and have learned, yet again, I'm not as smart as I thought I was. Here's what vexes me.

The gun is a single action, striker fired (no external hammer) and has ambidexterous safties. It can be carried cocked and locked and, it would appear, must be carried that way or with no round in the chamber. With a 1911, you can lower the hammer on a chambered round. I wonder what one does with the Solo. Maybe it is not intended to be carried with a chambered round in an uncocked position and, if it were somehow in that position, it seems you'd have to rack the slide again to get it cocked. I'm confused.

An unusual pistol at first sight.

[jocko]

one best have the safety on at all times if that is the case.. Never having seen one, I would like to know more from owners..

[mr surveyor]

I was just checking this little beauty out on the net and have learned, yet again, I'm not as smart as I thought I was. Here's what vexes me.

The gun is a single action, striker fired (no external hammer) and has ambidexterous safties. It can be carried cocked and locked and, it would appear, must be carried that way or with no round in the chamber. With a 1911, you can lower the hammer on a chambered round. I wonder what one does with the Solo. Maybe it is not intended to be carried with a chambered round in an uncocked position and, if it were somehow in that position, it seems you'd have to rack the slide again to get it cocked. I'm confused.

An unusual pistol at first sight.


why would anyone want to lower the hammer on a chambered round in a 1911? It is one of the most inherently safe handguns ever designed to be carried "cocked and locked". Thumbing the hammer on a charged 1911 injects more unsafe practice than you might imagine.

surv

[Willieboy]

No dispute here Surv. I don't know why one would want to carry with hammer down on a chambered round, but LEOs who carried cocked and locked were often criticized for "appearing too aggressive." God forbid they should appear ready to protect themselves.

[mr surveyor]

it's my understanding that the Solo is a fully cocked striker, or at least cocked enough that a slight amount more releases the sear...which is, I'm guessing the description of "single action". Since it lacks a grip safety, the only other safety, in the absence of the thumb safety, is the trigger itself, and I believe a striker block. I would probably carry it the same as I carry my 1911, with the thumb safety engaged. Haven't seen or handled a Solo yet, but would sure like to.

surv:)

[jocko]

have to agree surv. it would seem very hairy to not have the safety on the solo ON. If that solo is basically cocked and in SA mode, then they designed it to be carried with the safety on, almost like cocked and locked only no hammer. I would have no issues carrying it that way but I sure would like to know more of when the safety is on, just whatis the safey "blocking" We know in the 1911 in cocked and locked we know what that safety is doing . I certainly don't want to knock the solo without giving it due diligence either. I guess for me my thoughts are with the safety towards the back of the slide and there fore more than likely in no protuective pocket holster , can one easily/or not so easily bump that safety off and not know it and there for now we are in a SA mode and still sitting in ones pocket.. and now drawint it out of ones pocket presents a whole new ball game..

[mr surveyor]

jocko

yeah, I'm not sure exactly what the mechanics are in the Solo, but the functionality of single action striker fired handgun shouldn't be a whole lot different from a SA 1911....without the grip safety.....more like a Colt Mustang or the newer Sig P238. On the Mustang and P238 there nothing holding the hammer back but the manual thumb safety and the trigger. How many of those (particularly the Mustangs and their predecessors) were made over the last 100 years or so, and carried cocked and locked?

I'd doubt I will be in the market for a Solo right away since the CM9 is at the top of my current list, followed closely by a Redhawk .44 mag. When I show mrs surv how expensive factory ammo is for the .44 mag, and how much money I could save by reloading for it, I'm sure just the idea of saving all that ammunition purchase money will give me the green light on the Redhawk;)


surv

[Willieboy]

Had a Redhawk once. Great shooter. Very accurate, even with iron sights.