Kimber Solo Self Destructing Slowly...

MacEntyre

MacEntyre

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Look at the locking lugs in the slide... thar's a "P" between 'em. Each one is showing some serious wear after about 600 rounds. Barrel lugs showin' wear, too.

wiL7v6l.jpg
 
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:eek:
 
That looks like peening on the barrel lugs. Are you running +p in it?
 
I can't see the front faces of the barrel lugs, but if they have a stepped shape, there's insufficient vertical engagement of the lugs, and they're engaging horizontally near the corners when the gun fires.

If the corners of the lugs are radiused, the barrel isn't clearing the slide before it stops on the impact surface in the frame. That could be due to the lower lug being located too far rearward, the impact surface too far forward, or late/delayed barrel drop timing. Could also be caused by the frame barrel bed not allowing the barrel to drop low enough to get out of the way of the slide.

Either way, it's Kimber's problem.
 
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John Travis said:
I can't see the front faces of the barrel lugs, but if they have a stepped shape, there's insufficient vertical engagement of the lugs, and they're engaging horizontally near the corners when the gun fires.

If the corners of the lugs are radiused, the barrel isn't clearing the slide before it stops on the impact surface in the frame. That could be due to the lower lug being located too far rearward, the impact surface too far forward, or late/delayed barrel drop timing. Could also be caused by the frame barrel bed not allowing the barrel to drop low enough to get out of the way of the slide.

Either way, it's Kimber's problem.
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I, for one, am glad to see that the Purveyor of 1911 Wit and Wisdom is back.
 
This post was bait fer John Travis... thanks, my friend! I hope all is well with you.

I'm one of the weirdos who likes the Kimber Solo a lot. Thinkin' I'll speak to Kimber about it an' see what they offer. The original owner (my father) sent it back to Kimber when it was new, and I got it right after it was returned.

I haven't shot +P in it, but I did make up a batch of 500 that were 147 grain bullets with just about the maximum charge in the book. That's how I broke it in. Now it will choot any weight 9mm without jamming. (The manual says to use only 125 and up.)
 
Just hammer the slide in a bit from the sides, that will fix it right up.
 
MacEntyre said:
I haven't shot +P in it, but I did make up a batch of 500 that were 147 grain bullets with just about the maximum charge in the book.
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That wouldn't make any difference if all was well with the issues that I outlined.


o2l said:
I, for one, am glad to see that the Purveyor of 1911 Wit and Wisdom is back.
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I never left, John. I just wait until I'm specifically invited into a discussion.
 
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Several years ago I had a new RIA Super .38 1911 that started self destructing in a similar but much quicker manner.

John Travis diagnosed the problems with that one in detail.

RIA replaced it no questions asked and hassle free.

Wonder what the Kimber folks will do. o_O
 
BTW, I am immune to glock.
While the Solo is in the shop, I will carry my Beretta 70S .380...
or my Colt Pony .380...
or mebbe my FM Detective Hi Power 9mm...
or my HK P7 9mm...
or one o' the Colt Commander 45s...
heck, I'd carry a single action 32 revolver before I'd touch a glock!
 
I wanted a Kimber Solo really bad once. Loved the curves that eliminated any way to catch on clothing. Shot one, talked to owners, read the internet reviews. I had a Kimber Crimson Carry 2 1911. Gun shot well, at least until I bought two new original mags screwed my gun up. Sent it back to Kimber and they changed out four parts and sent new mags but it still had the same problem. Gun was gone for 2 months and at the time it was my only handgun.

Kimber said the Solo would need the spring replaced after 1000 rounds or else it would fail. Kimber said the break in was 500 rounds. Haha bunch of bull. They also said only high end ammo should be used or the gun wouldnā€™t cycle. All this told me not to buy that turd. I have seen three people trading Kimber Solo guns for other brands. All had problems with cycling. The avatar is my first Kimber and my last. Pretty yes. In my opinion Kimber is an over priced pretty gun. Buy a Hi Point.
 
My Kimber Solo was a gift from my father. It cost me 500 hand loaded rounds, which I used to break it in. It shoots so well that I like to try it next to me fancy target chooters, like a Dan Wesson 1911 or a Hi Power. So, I don't have all that emotional baggage tied up in it. When Kimber fixes it, I'll put it back in me left front pants pocket, where it fits like no other gun I own. It's the only Kimber I have.
 
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Mightyox04 said:
I dont know what models these are cause I have zero interest in glock. I tried one then I threw up and went back to a 1911 style grip angle.
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Totally understand. I bought my first Gee-Lock because only it, Ruger MKII and a CZ75 had a natural point of aim for me. The CZ was larger and heavier so I chose the Glock. It a tool that fits me, works every time for 17+ years, is ugly yet concealed. I gave my son my Colt Commander because it was the only handgun we had found that he hits with, and it fits him.
For pretty I hunt with an Anaconda.
 
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MacEntyre said:
Pink, do I interpret your icons properly as sayin' that you got a Colt in 44 magnum? SAA or sumpin else?
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I gave the 45 Commander to my son.
The 44 is my woods hunting rifle,
Anaconda.JPG

I'm just pokin' with the Glock stuff, it's always good for a response. That Kimber is a fine looking pocket rocket.
 
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Pink_Vapor said:
I'm just pokin' with the Glock stuff, it's always good for a response. That Kimber is a fine looking pocket rocket.
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Yeah, ya gotta be tough around here. I won't let anyone know that you an' me are fakin' it!

I wish I'da picked up an Anaconda back when I could afford one.
I have no Colt revolvers, and nothin' in 44 Magnum or 357.
Best I have now are two Smiths, a Model 57 and a Model 610.
 
MacEntyre said:
Yeah, ya gotta be tough around here. I won't let anyone know that you an' me are fakin' it!
I wish I'da picked up an Anaconda back when I could afford one.
I have no Colt revolvers, and nothin' in 44 Magnum or 357.
Best I have now are two Smiths, a Model 57 and a Model 610.
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Smith revolvers are great. Around 10 yrs ago I set up plates behind the house at 25, 50, 100 & 300 yards. I quickly was able to hit the 10" plate at 75 yrds with a 22 pistol standing 9/10 times. I reached out to shooting friends looking for a quality 8" barreled 44mag for hunting. This one showed up for $800. I dry fired it once, couldn't wipe the grin and handed over the $.
 
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