The original questions is "Kimber's reputation blinding us to an excellent choice?"
My answer based on my experience with my sample of one I purchase on August 7th is "Most likely, yes, as long as you don't dry fire a lot on empty chambers. It is an all around high quality revolver."
Last Wednesday I completed my 1k round "good to go" evaluation with 370 rounds fired bringing my total to 1050 rounds fired from my K6 DCR. I posted a picture below rather than list out the ammo types from my last range session. Of the 370 rounds fired there were 150 round of 357 magnums. The Remington 125gr JHPs were absolutely horrendous and I had to power my way through the box after my first cylinder full. It wasn't from the recoil impulse but it felt like a flash bang was going off right in front of my face with every trigger pull from the flash and concussion.
In fatdog's post above he mentions that he is disappointed with the all of grips he has tried because they chew up his hands. I have not experienced that with my evaluation. Maybe it is because the DCR wooden grips with my revolver fit me really well, are abrasive enough for the revolver not to slide in my hand on recoil but not enough to chew my flesh. It might also be that I always use a shooting glove every time I have an extended range session with pretty much anything not rim fired. I wouldn't want to have an extended range session with any of my magnum revolvers shooting full house loads without wearing a glove. My shooting glove is part of my range gear just like eye and ear protection.
The only failure I experienced was a broken firing pin. Did I mention that I dry fire a lot as part of my training? The Kimber Service response to my failure was excellent. I previously posted a pic of the replacement firing pin from Kimber. I'm hoping other members can post pics of their firing pins. I'm curious to see if Kimber changed the design to address broken firing pins. The replacement firing pin has a considerable radius where the pin meets the body. They quickly turned around my revolver changing the firing pin, spring, retaining pin and the grip screw that had started to rust a little. Living in Central Texas with the humidity I should have paid more attention to the blued grip screw. I also would be pleased if they offered a stainless grip screw.
Overall my rating for this revolver is a solid A. It would be an A+ if the firing pin had not failed and I wouldn't need snap caps for dry firing. The trigger pull out of the box is excellent and mine is now "most excellent" since it's S&W trigger rebound tune treatment. I polished up the trigger rebound, frame contact areas, reduced the rebound spring by ~.030" diameter and polished it also. It is shaped, corners rounded and intentionally designed for all day CCW "comfiness." The sights my DCR came with are my preferred sight of choice with a bright orange front with a matte black rear. If I decide to change out the sights for some reason they are designed to be easily replaceable. Recoil with 38 Specs, (including +P), are mild and manageable with 357 Magnums. I find this revolver easily "shootable." The over all intended design is size efficiency where it is a 6 round revolver in a near 5 round frame which fits in my J Frame holsters. The weight is ideal for me as it is easy to forget about when carrying but not too light making recoil not so much fun at all.
My K6 will now rotate into my CCW regime with my PX4 CC replacing my J Frame S&W. I'm getting a revolver with better sights, smoother action, 20% more capacity, easy to carry and easier for me to shoot well. It is also a top notch reliable revolver based on my evaluation. As long as you don't dry fire a lot on empty chambers without using snap caps.