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Rohrbaugh Products and Accessories => Rohrbaugh Range Reports => Topic started by: AmmoToad on August 28, 2011, 06:50:38 PM

Title: R9S vs.  SOLO
Post by: AmmoToad on August 28, 2011, 06:50:38 PM
(http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab221/ammotoad/DSCN0088.jpg)

Brothers & Friends….Hope all has been well for each of you.  I know I have owed a follow up range report on my SOLO from some time ago….but I think I’ll skip it and just tell ya’ll about today.  It’s been a while since I last fired on a civilian range…so needless to say I’ve not been able to play with my pocket friends (ha ha, I know what some of you are thinking  ::)).  Anyway, took the Stealth and the SOLO out for some me time this morning.  As some may recall, I’ve been shooting a two tone R9S for quite some time and never been disappointed, not even a little bit.  I earlier this year acquired a Stealth model and left the CONUS before getting a chance to shoot it.  As for the SOLO, I had previously written several reports on it and believe I’ve probably put more rounds through mine then most anyone else has at that time.  I previously had good and perhaps great experiences with it when using the recommended premium (expensive) ammo.  It did not like, nor desire to feed upon anything less.  I then carried the SOLO (up till today) and used both a Galco OWB Stinger and a IWB Summer Comfort.  Both holsters wore and carried very well by the way.  

So today I pack up some ammo:  some Gerogia Arms 124gr FMJ & JHP, some Remington Golden Saber & Home Defense in 124gr, some Winchester PDX in 147gr and finally some very cheap American Eagle 124gr.  There was a couple other odds and ends, but that’s the main stuff.  I had been carrying the PDX 147gr in the SOLO, so right off, I shot the magazine that had been in the gun. Now, before I get to the good parts, I had just completely disassembled, cleaned and lubed the SOLO a day or two ago….it was clean and lubed…..  Third round, FTE..dang I thought.  Perhaps an AMMO anomaly?  Nope, tried some others rounds through it and got some more.  I won’t make it sound worse than it was, but it was enough to disappoint me no matter what AMMO I tried, and correcting this particular malfunction takes a bit of time.  In between magazines I allowed a cooling period for the SOLO.  During that time, I took the Stealth out of the factory box, checked barrel for obstructions, loaded two mags with 5rd ea of Remington Golden Sabers….just as expected…flawless….no pre lubing, no disassembly prior to firing, just right of the box.  

Much longer story short, I had at least 8 FTE with the SOLO over about 150 rounds of premium (Kimber recommended) AMMO.   The R9 devoured everything I fed it, everything!  I did have two occasions of failure to fire on some 115gr Georgia Arms Canned Heat cheap stuff.  But, each time it fired on second attempt by simply pulling the trigger again (another thing ya can’t do with the SOLO).  Oh, and can’t forget this part, the SOLO’s upper grip screws on both sides came completely out, fell on the range table and all…never had that happen with the R9….  My R9 did require the normal grip screw tightening after the range, but not even close to losing the screws.  I have the upgrade screws from Yankee, but haven’t installed them yet.  

When I went to the range, the R9 was in the factory box and the SOLO was on my hip.  When I left the range, the SOLO  was in its box and the R9 was on my hip.  Bottom line…the SOLO was a good attempt by Kimber.  It’s a decent gun, but it nor anything else (to include several Khar’s I’ve owned) has even been in the same league as the R9.  For those reading this and trying to decide between the two….trust me when I say, spend the extra $$$.  Not that much more to pay for a gun that will work every time, with danged near anything ya feed it (from personal experience).  And if ya just got to have a SOLO, I have one in two tone with three mags and two nice Galco holsters I’ll make ya a deal on.   Not sure what changed in my SOLO except that it’s had more rounds though it now and perhaps the springs are weak….can’t just swap them out like a R9 spring….

A friend also went to the range and fired about 100 rounds of various stuff through her R9S and it worked great….  I also fired my S&W 1911 Pro Series…it was a hoot and not a single issue on 165gr JHP Georgia Arms ammo.

So there ya have it, Life Is Good in Toadville, and there is nothing like being in the free world….
Title: Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
Post by: kjtrains on August 28, 2011, 08:04:17 PM
Toad.  Glad to know you're back in Toadville.  Welcome back.  Thanks for the report on the Stealth and Solo.  Also good to know everything is good in Toadville.    :)

Enjoy being home!
Title: Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
Post by: xaman on August 28, 2011, 11:37:35 PM

A Solo is on my list to try, but maybe I should save myself some money and just trust your assessment :). Seriously, thanks for your thoughts and that well written report.
Title: Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
Post by: Richard S on August 29, 2011, 10:55:46 AM
Welcome back, AT, and thanks for that great report.

Now . . . this comes from a man who rarely sees a handgun he doesn't like, but just looking at the R9 and the Solo "staring each other in the face" (so to speak), I would rate the R9 a "10" and the Solo a "7" based on appearances alone. (Reasonable minds may differ.)

Thanks again for the report.
Title: Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
Post by: Robar233 on August 29, 2011, 09:53:08 PM
A/T,

 You have peaked my curiosity with your side by side test. I will have to take my pup and Seecamp both uncleaned, and run some ammo through them. I want to see if I get any hiccups.

 Robar233
Title: Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
Post by: tracker on August 29, 2011, 09:57:18 PM

Trust the Toad. He knows of what he speaks.
Title: Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
Post by: yankee2500 on September 03, 2011, 08:52:57 PM
Toad, as usual an amusing and informative write up, sorry to hear the Solo let you down. I was thinking about getting one of the one tone models but no one has seen one yet.
Title: Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
Post by: Chigger on July 29, 2012, 02:05:08 AM
When I first bought my Solo, I took it apart, looked it over real good and put it back together ... incorrectly. I was unaware of my mistake.

I took it out to the range and had nothing but problems. FTE/FTF one after another. 

In the back of the owners manual in BOLD RED letters it states:
Be certain that the slide stop has picked up the retention spring located on the frame (Figure 21/3d).
Failure to install the slide stop below the spring will cause the slide to lock open while firing.


Disassembled gun, Reassembled gun, and it has been flawless ever since.
My .02
Title: Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
Post by: MRC on July 29, 2012, 08:09:12 AM
When I first bought my Solo, I took it apart, looked it over real good and put it back together ... incorrectly. I was unaware of my mistake.

I took it out to the range and had nothing but problems. FTE/FTF one after another. 

In the back of the owners manual in BOLD RED letters it states:
Be certain that the slide stop has picked up the retention spring located on the frame (Figure 21/3d).
Failure to install the slide stop below the spring will cause the slide to lock open while firing.



Disassembled gun, Reassembled gun, and it has been flawless ever since.
My .02


I made the same mistake with my Solo on the second cleaning Chigger, I guess I just lucked out on the first.  The Solo has been 100% reliable with all ammo that I have tried including 115 gr Gold Dots which are not recommended.

It has become my favorite carry pistol and I have a new CDP model on the way to my Dealer right now.
Title: Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
Post by: yankee2500 on July 29, 2012, 10:46:15 PM
I wanted the Solo but after getting the Sig 938 I forgot all about the Kimber. My 938 has been 100% since day one and is a great carry piece.
  Glad your happy with the Solo.
Title: Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
Post by: MRC on July 30, 2012, 08:38:37 AM
I wanted the Solo but after getting the Sig 938 I forgot all about the Kimber. My 938 has been 100% since day one and is a great carry piece.
  Glad your happy with the Solo.

I too wanted a 938 but I just can't see how I would carry a small SA and feel good about it.  I read Dick Metcalf's good review of the 938 amd he said he had no problem with carrying it in his pocket cocked and locked.

How do you carry the Sig and in what condition?
Title: Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
Post by: yankee2500 on July 30, 2012, 09:03:29 PM
I carry it OWB, condition 1 as I do with any 1911 style pistol.
   This summer has been so hot I've switched to the lightweight synthetic hiking type shorts and they don't lend themselves to pocket carry, I've been carrying the pup OWB also.
Title: Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
Post by: MRC on August 02, 2012, 08:56:28 AM
Sounds like good protection to me, thanks.
Title: Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
Post by: T-Man on October 22, 2012, 12:38:58 PM
Nice write-up, Toad! 

If you're still interested in selling the Solo, send me a PM, as I might be interested.
Title: Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
Post by: yankee2500 on October 22, 2012, 01:16:50 PM
Ted, Welcome to the group. I believe Toad got rid of the Solo quite a while ago also the last time he logged into this site was January 16, 2012, @ 07:23 PM.
Title: Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
Post by: T-Man on October 22, 2012, 05:55:53 PM
Oops!  Saw the most recent post date in the thread only and didn't notice Toad's last post date.

Thanks for the welcome Yankee!
Title: Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
Post by: backupr9 on October 22, 2012, 08:22:46 PM
One of my cousins is a shooter with many rifles, pistols...an excellent shot and knowledgeable afficionado of weapons.  He bought a solo with laser....loves it.  Has never had a FFF.  He thinks it is beautiful and told me that it is the only pistol he has owned that he actually puts out to look at.  We shot at his range in Northern VA last month...I had my Covert R9 and he fired both at metal plates at 17 yards.  He hit 6 of 7 with the Solo and 7 of 7 with the R9.  I must admit his Solo is a beautiful little pistol, but for carry (not show) my little black R9 is the way to go.  I do wish I could shoot as well as he...minute of bad guy works for me at 7-10 yards, but sighted range shooting with tiny pistols is not my bag.  Now the Ed Brown full size .45 is a different story and also the Kimber CDPII that I carry when possible...it has also never failed to shoot when asked to do so (I must admit that Yankee has piqued my interest in the STI line...).
Regards to all...traveling and not always on line.
John