Author Topic: R9S vs.  SOLO  (Read 10855 times)

Offline AmmoToad

  • Master
  • ****
  • Posts: 368
  • The Toad
R9S vs.  SOLO
« on: August 28, 2011, 06:50:38 PM »


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….
American Warrior
NRA Life
Ammo Troop

Offline kjtrains

  • Grand Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 8107
Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
« Reply #1 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!
Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.  Abraham Lincoln

Offline xaman

  • Sharpshooter
  • **
  • Posts: 63
Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
« Reply #2 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.

Offline Richard S

  • Grand Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 5772
  • Nemo me impune lacessit.
Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
« Reply #3 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.
« Last Edit: August 29, 2011, 10:56:42 AM by Richard_S »
(1963-1967) "GO ARMY!"

Offline Robar233

  • Master
  • ****
  • Posts: 280
Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
« Reply #4 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

Offline tracker

  • Grand Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 5391
Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
« Reply #5 on: August 29, 2011, 09:57:18 PM »

Trust the Toad. He knows of what he speaks.

Offline yankee2500

  • Grand Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 4650
Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
« Reply #6 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.
"THE KING OF BATTLE"


"Cha togar m' fhearg gun dìoladh"

"The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it."
Thomas Jefferson

Offline Chigger

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 23
Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
« Reply #7 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
« Last Edit: July 29, 2012, 02:07:15 AM by Chigger »

Offline MRC

  • Grand Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1597
Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
« Reply #8 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.

Offline yankee2500

  • Grand Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 4650
Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
« Reply #9 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.
"THE KING OF BATTLE"


"Cha togar m' fhearg gun dìoladh"

"The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it."
Thomas Jefferson

Offline MRC

  • Grand Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1597
Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
« Reply #10 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?

Offline yankee2500

  • Grand Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 4650
Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
« Reply #11 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.
"THE KING OF BATTLE"


"Cha togar m' fhearg gun dìoladh"

"The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it."
Thomas Jefferson

Offline MRC

  • Grand Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1597
Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
« Reply #12 on: August 02, 2012, 08:56:28 AM »
Sounds like good protection to me, thanks.

Offline T-Man

  • Sharpshooter
  • **
  • Posts: 59
Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
« Reply #13 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.
Ted

Offline yankee2500

  • Grand Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 4650
Re: R9S vs.  SOLO
« Reply #14 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.
"THE KING OF BATTLE"


"Cha togar m' fhearg gun dìoladh"

"The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it."
Thomas Jefferson