Anybody got any real rounds through a Kimber K6s?

[Greg Bell]

Asking for a friend...

Just kidding. If this gun was a Smith or even a Ruger I would buy it. Being a Kimber I am hesitant. Anyone have any real experience or knowledge?

[SeriousStudent]

I think Chris at Luckygunner had one at a class a while back. I got to fondle it, but not shoot it.

[Holmes375]

I can't help ya there but I am trying very hard not to buy one ;)

My LGS rang me up when they got their first one and I went over to give it a fondle. Very nice trigger.

My biggest obstacle to the acquisition is the lack of support products, particularly holsters I'd want.

[Totem Polar]

The title of this thread is a really good question. Chris Baker may indeed be the best guy around here to answer it. I mean, we absolutely know they are out there, because pics, and the ones on the LGS shelves get sold... but I've never seen anyone shooting one. And I've already seen a fresh Gen5 G26 at the range, as well as a Colt Cobra.

[jandbj]

Asking for a friend...

Just kidding. If this gun was a Smith or even a Ruger I would buy it. Being a Kimber I am hesitant. Anyone have any real experience or knowledge?
This looks like a wonderful lead in to another installment of Greg Bell's famous "Break my..."

At least I really hope this is!


I too have fondled them in store and think they might just be the bees knees, but the 1 year warranty and lack of support gear is troublesome to me.


Alas, I ordered a pair of 442's this week... and an LCR 22 last week....
"No, really, I can stop anytime I want to!"

[Greg Bell]

You read my mind!

[jandbj]

We had some great PM conversations at M4C during your break my J frame saga.

You certainly influenced my recently rekindled interest in J frames.

I suspect this latest idea of yours could also end up with me owning a K6.

Looking forward to this!

[Greg Bell]

I may look around for a night sight model when I get back. I was considering getting my 686 plus an apex kit and a night sight but I don’t know anyone that can turn around a pinned on front sight in a reasonable amount of time.

[Sal Picante]

BTW - I was looking pretty hard at these...

Wondering why the K6 for you?

Personally, it was just too big as a pocket gun. Ended up with an LCR.

[Greg Bell]

I just enjoy shooting and learning about guns. My daily carry is a J frame. But the idea of a relatively lightweight 6 shot .357 mag with night sights and laser grips for weekend belt carry is intriguing to me.

[SAWBONES]

I too have been intrigued by the K6, the moreso after dry firing it quite a bit at the LGS.

It definitely has the shortest, lightest and smoothest out-of-the-box trigger I've ever experienced for a DA revolver of this similar-to-SP101 size category.

Still, it's a 6-shot steel revolver (not to mention that MSRP is just under $1000), and my age and circumstances would favor .38 Special rather than .357 Magnum loads, as well as lighter rather than heavier weight, in a CCW revolver, so on those relatively rare occasions that I do carry a small revolver instead of a G26 or Colt CCO (e.g., hot weather with shorts and T shirt), it's a J-frame S&W 340PD for me.

And so...until I learn of a sufficiently compelling reason to buy one, I'll continue to admire them from afar. :)

[Totem Polar]

Not much in the way of new info, but, I saw the 3" in person at a Cabellas today. It is... not much to look at. Something about the proportions are just very wrong. And I LOVE 3" wheelies, typically. Hoo boy... no 3" sp101 for sure, let alone a 3" K-frame.

Anyways...

[zeleny]

I too have been intrigued by the K6, the moreso after dry firing it quite a bit at the LGS.

It definitely has the shortest, lightest and smoothest out-of-the-box trigger I've ever experienced for a DA revolver of this similar-to-SP101 size category.Fired the 2" model at SHOT 2017; the 3" one this year. Anything it can do, a 3" MR73 can do better.

[Sayoc01]

Ugly is in the eyes of the beholder! Bought my K6 3" put 38 & 357 downrange....love it! As for age.....I'm 74. K6 3" Apex carry in a Stickie holster for 8 hrs. straighten problem.Wt.feels a little strange at first, all edges are melted maybe a little top heavy but not unpleasant.Loaned it to a good friend going to a private range, he was hitting steel targets at distance with no problem....he is buying a K6! I also have a S&W model 65 3" which is now a safe queen.
Jim

[Holmes375]

Ugly is in the eyes of the beholder! Bought my K6 3" put 38 & 357 downrange....love it! As for age.....I'm 74. K6 3" Apex carry in a Stickie holster for 8 hrs. straighten problem.Wt.feels a little strange at first, all edges are melted maybe a little top heavy but not unpleasant.Loaned it to a good friend going to a private range, he was hitting steel targets at distance with no problem....he is buying a K6! I also have a S&W model 65 3" which is now a safe queen.
Jim

My 3" SP101 does not want to hear this kind of talk :)

I refrain from calling firearms ugly... kind of a pot 'n kettle thing for me ;)

[Zeke38]

https://i.imgur.com/WWIWn64.jpg
Have the Kimber and the WC SP and the Kimber wins hands down on fit, finish, smothness of action and carryability. SP is a good snubby but the Kimber is better. And it is a six shooter. Kinda like a Colt DS dressed up for the dance, in the 21st century. All I've shot through the K6s is magnums and it hasn't stuttered. Can't say that about the SP. It just got back from NH for locking up when shooting 357s.

[Rex G]

I am waiting for someone to put multiple tens of thousands of rounds through these, before I even start looking at them. This must include some intense firing sessions, getting everything really hot.

My 1997-1998-era Kimber 1911 pistols did not inspire confidence. Unlike those 1911 Kimbers, one cannot shop elsewhere for parts.

Maybe Kimber has learned something, since then, but perhaps not.

[11B10]

I am waiting for someone to put multiple tens of thousands of rounds through these, before I even start looking at them. This must include some intense firing sessions, getting everything really hot.

My 1997-1998-era Kimber 1911 pistols did not inspire confidence. Unlike those 1911 Kimbers, one cannot shop elsewhere for parts.

Maybe Kimber has learned something, since then, but perhaps not.



Once again, posts like this one ^^^ are why I love pf. When a "rookie" such as myself gets all excited about a new firearm, the voices of experience arrive to calm me down a bit. I'm still anxious, but can certainly wait. Thanks, Rex.

[L-2]

So far, the Kimber K6S buyers are more "carriers" and not so much "shooters".
I'm also looking to see reviews where the round counts are in the thousands to see the K6S' reliability.

I already got the understanding the K6S' looks good and feels good, but what breaks and how well is Kimber handling any repair/replacement issues if ever needed.

[Stephanie B]

I am waiting for someone to put multiple tens of thousands of rounds through these, before I even start looking at them. This must include some intense firing sessions, getting everything really hot.

My 1997-1998-era Kimber 1911 pistols did not inspire confidence. Unlike those 1911 Kimbers, one cannot shop elsewhere for parts.

Maybe Kimber has learned something, since then, but perhaps not.

Gun folk have long memories.

[LittleLebowski]

Gun folk have long memories.

Kimber gave folks plenty of reasons to avoid their products after as well ;)

[Willard]

When these were first released, I read there was NO mim in these revolvers. Since Kimber is a long time & extensive user of MIM, found this hard to believe. Anyone know?

[zephyr]

Having dealt with Denis at Kimber customer service awhile back, let's just say I am not a fan. I would tell your "friend" to stick to S&W.

[Zeke38]

I have traded my Kimber K6s straight across for a new Ruger Match Champion. Bought the Kimber for $683.00 so price wise it was a wash. My WC model SP 101 has returned from NH for correction of headspace. I installed a Novak Night Sight on the WC and I shoot it better than the Kimber, mostly because of the sights. Didn't like the 3 dot system on the Kimber. Friend had a new GP Match Champion and he was looking for a Kimber K6s. We swapped. I carry the Wiley SP with confidence now that Ruger has fixed it and I can make better shots at distance (beyond 15 yds) with the Wiley SP. Love 4" Revolvers and my favorite 357 4" is the GP/MC.
https://i.imgur.com/blKIWqA.jpg

[HeavyDuty]

Nooooo!

[orionz06]

My biggest obstacle to the acquisition is the lack of support products, particularly holsters I'd want.

We're weeks from having ours ready.

[HeavyDuty]

We're weeks from having ours ready.

I assume this will be similar to your J frame holster? Will you support the 3”?

[orionz06]

I assume this will be similar to your J frame holster? Will you support the 3”?

Yup. Clip, soft loop, RCS Eidolon clip, TuckStrut and soft loop as well as set up for future attachments. It'll most likely be a 3" holster for all, that's been doing rather well for all thus far, or rather no one has voiced opposition to it to us.

[Zeke38]

Sorry Heavy Duty but my eyesight wasn't allowing me to shoot with any precision with the sights that were on the Kimber. I have had a 4" 38/357 since 1965 when Uncle Sam issued to me a Model 15 S&W, that is until recently. I wanted a 4" barreled 357 DA that I didn't have to treat like a starter kit. And the Match Champion has filled the bill. The Wiley SP is very accurate and the front night sight is what I need. The Kimber was cool but I shot the Wiley SP better due to the sights and an element of balance. I have a Novak front night sight coming for the Match Champion.

I've come to depend on night sights and have them on many of my defensive handguns, all the Ruger DAs will have front night sights by the end of the week.

[APS-PF]

Zeke, with your SP-101, does the insert in the front sight center in the notch when you have the top of the blade/notch lined up? How is the POI/POA?
Thanks, Adam

[Zeke38]

On the Wiley SP the front sight and insert are level and fire POI/POA with my carry load which is Hornady 140 357 FTX Critical Duty. On the 3" the front sight is a Trijicon night sight and to make POI?POI square up I hold the middle of the tritium vial level with the top of the trough of the rear sight. My practice load for both duplicates the Speer GDHP short barrel load. Hope this answers your question.

[APS-PF]

Yes it does, thank you.

[OlongJohnson]

The SP 101 is slightly larger than an S&W J-Snub, and just large enough for me to shoot reasonably well, so that I am OK if the largest gun I am carrying is an SP101. There is not much clearance for a speed-loader, but I would rather not remove grip material, because I want every bit of that rubber to stay there, for better control of the weapon, and recoil mitigation. The best speed-load for an SP101 is another gun, at least for me. I really did carry multiple SP101 revolvers, for several years.

The GP100, with the original, pre-Hogue, square-butt OEM grip, fits me better than any handgun I have ever tried. I have read some accounts of the occasional QC issue, but a carefully-selected and vetted GP100 is my idea of the perfect defensive revolving pistol.

These are quite different handguns. The size gap actually IS substantial. Try to handle and test-shoot before making a buying decision.

I was passing by the general part of town where Collector's Firearms is this afternoon, and stopped in, as is my habit when the opportunity arises. They have several K6s, and I handled one. The trigger was OK, but not remarkable. Nothing like my slicked up GP MC, certainly. The grip shape doesn't come close to working for me, and there aren't many options at this point. The overall style of the design leaves me cold compared to an SP or J, regardless of variations in fit and finish. It's like going back to the 1980s and early days of CNC machining when programming was primitive and everything looked like it was drawn with a ruler for a few years. On the sample I handled, the grinding/sanding of the finish had included the muzzle, to the point where it got down into the crown surface and obliterated the machined surface of the crown on one side. There were also runs of what appeared to be thread locking compound that had solidified between the frame and the plastic bag it was shipped in. Didn't impress as being reliably better made than a Ruger or Smith.

I quoted Rex above just to point out that for the price of one K6, you can have a pair or even three SPs or aluminum J-frames, so the one extra round seems a bit less of an advantage.

[oregon45]

I was passing by the general part of town where Collector's Firearms is this afternoon, and stopped in, as is my habit when the opportunity arises. They have several K6s, and I handled one. The trigger was OK, but not remarkable. Nothing like my slicked up GP MC, certainly. The grip shape doesn't come close to working for me, and there aren't many options at this point. The overall style of the design leaves me cold compared to an SP or J, regardless of variations in fit and finish. It's like going back to the 1980s and early days of CNC machining when programming was primitive and everything looked like it was drawn with a ruler for a few years. On the sample I handled, the grinding/sanding of the finish had included the muzzle, to the point where it got down into the crown surface and obliterated the machined surface of the crown on one side. There were also runs of what appeared to be thread locking compound that had solidified between the frame and the plastic bag it was shipped in. Didn't impress as being reliably better made than a Ruger or Smith.

I quoted Rex above just to point out that for the price of one K6, you can have a pair or even three SPs or aluminum J-frames, so the one extra round seems a bit less of an advantage.

Agree 100%. I was fired up about the K6s but every sample I have handled has not impressed me with fit and finish and obvious quality-control lapses. For a revolver retailing for north of $800 in its base model that's just unacceptable. I likely will end up with a K6s eventually, but it'll likely be a clean, used, gun that already has had its bugs worked out or smoothed over.

[Totem Polar]

Another way to look at it is; for the price of one new K6, one could have a clean, used SP101 with a great duty tune/carry package (including all chamfering, recuts, etc. and a bead blast finish) and front sight of choice on it.

Now that I’m typing, I think I see my next gun coming up by the side of the road. :D

[Tom Fineis]

Another way to look at it is; for the price of one new K6, one could have a clean, used SP101 with a great duty tune/carry package (including all chamfering, recuts, etc. and a bead blast finish) and front sight of choice on it.

Now that I’m typing, I think I see my next gun coming up by the side of the road. :D

I am pretty well set on a K6s or a Night Cobra as my next wheelgun, but your post has me curious. Who is currently doing Ruger work worth paying for?

[Holmes375]

I am pretty well set on a K6s or a Night Cobra as my next wheelgun, but your post has me curious. Who is currently doing Ruger work worth paying for?

https://www.geminicustoms.com/ruger-revolvers/

[Totem Polar]

I am pretty well set on a K6s or a Night Cobra as my next wheelgun, but your post has me curious. Who is currently doing Ruger work worth paying for?

Also, http://www.clementscustomguns.com/sp101.html

[Holmes375]

Also, http://www.clementscustomguns.com/sp101.html

I just saw a gun that came back from them a few months ago. Didn't get to shoot it - just handled it a bit at the shop. Damned impressive work they did.

[Jeep]

Fired the 2" model at SHOT 2017; the 3" one this year. Anything it can do, a 3" MR73 can do better.

Yes, but that is kind of like saying "anything a horse can do a unicorn can do better." Where (in the US) can you get a decent MR73 of any barrel length?

[kilo sierra]

Yes, but that is kind of like saying "anything a horse can do a unicorn can do better." Where (in the US) can you get a decent MR73 of any barrel length?

Not a MR73...

https://www.allans-armory.com/aaresult.php?PageId=58

[skipper49]

I bought a K6 a few weeks ago. Got the model with the DLC coating, night sights, and G10’s. My dealer had 6 (various models) in the case and I went through them all, but wanted the black one. All were beautifully fitted and finished and had superb triggers. They were all 2”, or I’d have probably gotten a 3”, my favorite revolver barrel length that’s not going in a pocket. One of the nicest guns in my safe.

Skip

[Stephanie B]

Not a MR73...

https://www.allans-armory.com/aaresult.php?PageId=58

Looks like a Smuger....

[zeleny]

Yes, but that is kind of like saying "anything a horse can do a unicorn can do better." Where (in the US) can you get a decent MR73 of any barrel length?I usually have a few to spare, listed on GunBroker.com under user name larvatus.