Has anybody purchase / shot the new Kimber K6s revolver? I like my J frames, have a 36 and a 60, but this guy has 6 holes instead of 5 and the few reviews I can find rave about the DA trigger. I would like to hear what somebody familiar with S&W revolvers things of this new guy if possible. Thanks.

Pequod

If required five rounds won't get it done don't expect to accomplish the job with one additional....
Stick with what you got and learn good shot placement...

I have yet to see a K6 in my area. There are plenty of reviews on YouTube that should give you some insight. Hickok45 did a good review on his channel and he appreciates his S&W revolvers.

I saw one in a LGS and the owner let me handle it and pull the trigger. I have to say that the trigger is as good as the Ruger LCR (which I believe is better than those that come in the S&W J-frames). A bit pricey.

Wait until Gun Test magazine does a review. There are no advertisements in this publication, so I go by their reviews. You can google for their reviews and see if it has been done yet. But I don't remember seeing one.

From what I gather on the Kimber forum, there seems to be some teething problems with the K6s particularly with regards to sticking cylinders (won't close), faulty cylinder release mechanisms, and "sticking" (binding?) triggers.

Maybe a small sample, but the folks over there are griping and (deep breath) comparing with S&W QC issues particularly with new revolvers.

I am always leary when companies jump into new products outside of their
normal area of expertise. I think branching into automatics if you already
make good revolvers is easier than the other way around. Willyboy

Guy walking around at a local Gun Show had two of them for sale. $1100.00 each. Next show still walking around with them at a new price. $1200.00 each.

Every time I save up enough for one, I end up buying a couple (or three) of something else

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USS Brewton FF1086
SWCA#3597

If you look in the "Other Guns" sections, you'll find a few threads on them, including my review here: Kimber K6S

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

Would love to see one!
Not sure that I will buy one.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

What if 4 doesn't do it? Do you really need 5? If you can't accomplish it with a Derringer don't expect to accomplish the job with one additional....

Who said that "5 rounds is required"? Is there a maximum requirement?

Not everyone drops like a rock with perfect shot placement

Ive never heard someone say after a gunfight they wish they had less ammo

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A shop near me had four of them, different sight setups. Amazingly light for a .357 six shooter about the size and weight of a S&W 640 J-Frame. Nice trigger.

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Bob

How much were they?

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

I don't believe Hickok45 gets paid by any gun companies. He gets most of his review guns from Buds or private donors. He's never too hard on anyone's guns...just honest and one hell of a good shot!

I appreciate all of the replies, especially Tom S. comments. I read his review and the followups, that was helpful and interesting. I really wanted to hear how S&W fans liked the Kimber. It is a new deal for Kimber, and it would be prudent to wait a bit I think. I was not running out to buy one at that price, just curious. I did watch Hickock45's youtube review, and while he did mention his affinity for Smiths, he found nothing bad to say about the Kimber in any way. If I was looking to go off the S&W reservation for a 2" barrel 6 shot snubbie I would wait for the new Colt Cobra and see how that compares. Colt knows a little about making wheel guns, though they have faltered in recent decades. Both my J frames have 3" barrels and are all steel, making them enjoyable shooting pieces when not carrying. I am probably more prone to taking the devil I know (and love), the S&W and tweak or improve it as opposed to the new and shiny $$ wheelgun just out. But it is nice to see that the carry revolver market is strong enough to get Kimber and Colt jumping in with premium priced versions.

Upwards of $800 IIRC depending on sights. Call and ask. They may have sold since my visit.

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Bob

I liked the feel and look of the Kimber, but I have a 2" 6 shot Rossi 462 that's just a couple ounces heavier (and about the same as the new Colt). It has great fit and finish (Rossi quality and Taurus revolvers are much better than they used to be). It cost $339 last year. It's a great carry gun (uses the same holster as a Ruger LCR).

It's trigger is not as good as the Kimber, but it is good.

I feel there are WAY too many great guns already available that are already a proven design, less money and might have a better resale value. I recently bought a 66 and a 60 (both no dash and both with trigger jobs) for about the price of one new Kimber.

I shot one this year at SHOT. Fit and finish are good, but the grips and upper backstrap could use more radius - it bites pretty good with magnums. Unique looking and 6 shots are nice, but not worth the extra girth, or price. According to our local Cabelas, they've only received one and it sold quickly.

Found a like new one at a gun shop for $169. Any ideas one has about Rossi of past was quickly changed upon ownership of this one. An excellant carry piece and well made. Handles .357 very well with 6 shots. Same size class as the Kimber. Could buy 3 new ones for the price of the Kimber. If I want an internal hammer I'll get a S&W 640. At least there are hundreds of aftermarket grips available for it. How many for the Kimber?

Finally had a chance to "fondle" one at local Scheels store. Pretty nice, but in that price range the S&W 640 would be my choice for sure.

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John

I seen one at local shop for around 800. I am not overly impressed and would get another S&W in a heart beat!

I've seen Kimbers at gun shows, I'm not impressed, and at $1000 and up, even less impressed.

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Sure you did

Yea the 'K' word don't reach that high!

They're between $750 and $800 around here

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One just came up at the top of the list on GunBroker for $799.99. Add to that shipping and FFL fees and you're probably looking at $850-860 by the time you get it in your hand. That's a lot better than the gun show guy asking $1100-1200.

With minimal looking last year I got a pristine used 640 pre-lock for $459 plus $18 shipping and $35-40 in FFL fees which probably came to around $515-520 total.

Full MSRP on a new 640 is around $729. While I might consider a Kimber 1911, rightly or wrongly, Kimber is not a name I've always associated with quality, so in this case I'd stay loyal to the S&W.

For the prices of those Kimber revolvers I'd rather shop out another K or L frame snubbie. The older S&W revolvers have much more appeal and value to me than that Kimber.

Of course, all revolvers are now pretty much range toys or collectibles for me as I rarely conceal carry a revolver anymore. I do carry daily but for my CCW I use a small (either Kahr CW9 or a Shield) 9mm pistol.

First of all... let me state that S&W is my favorite brand of revolver and the M&Ps are my favorite polymer pistols and ARs. I purchased a 329PD and 28-2 (nickel) in the past month alone.

I had been looking for a snubbie .357 for CCW and as a fishing/hiking gun (when not in griz country). I finally narrowed my choices down to an LCR, 2" SP101, and 3" 640. I liked the trigger and thinness of the 640 and the stoutness of the SP101. And then I remembered that dealer (Scheel's in Billings, MT) had two K6s' in another display case. I asked to dry fire both and the K6s was the clear winner for me. I took home the one with black grips and 3-dot sights. It was $799. The other one had black sights and blue grips. Dunno why it was more, at $849. The DA trigger is the best stock DA trigger on a revolver that I've ever tried. I took it out to the range this morning and ran a bunch of ammo through it. I used FMJ .38 spcl, and 158 grain .357... and finally tried some 180 grain HSM hardcast "bear load". The latter was snappy... but not as brutal as the 305 grain HSM bear load that I ran through my 329PD afterwards. I love my new K6s and plan to carry it a LOT from now on. I will always have a soft spot for S&W, but I don't see any S&Ws dislodging this Kimber in the forseeable future. I shot the K6s better than my "new" nickel 28-2 even... whether SA or DA on that one. VERY happy with it (as well as my Kimber Micro .380 and Solo 9 that have been my main CCW guns for a while now and replaced my Shield 9).

Btw... let me add that I had ONLY been considering snubbie .357s with SA capabilities... but the Kimber was so impressive that it was able to overcome the DAO limitation. As mentioned above, the K6s also overcame the semi-auto-only policy that have had for daily CCW for many years. I really intend to carry the gun most of the time. My Micro 380 and Kahr CW380 may get chosen occasionally for smallness/lightness.

I posted some photos in this thread http://smith-wessonforum.com/firearm...m-snubbie.html

See post 10

I have to admit, that I was unaware that Kimber had made it's way into the revolver world until I walked into my LGS. I was so taken by it and it's trigger that I purchased it without hesitation. I was fortunate that it also has a low SN for future collectability. that is just one of the ways I justified the purchase. shoots very well. I have had no problems with function at all. I must admit, the trigger does not compare to my M65, as I am sure that it has had some work done to it The rounded edges are smoothed to perfection and I really like the flat cylinder sides. I too would prefer more stock selections. I may have to send it out to have some made for it. $785. My wife has actually taken this little gem over. She loves it. I am carrying my FDE Honor Defense SS9 again.

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Matthew Conrad

The Stats have always stayed the same nantion wide.A civilian using their firearm in a deffensive serino is one to two rounds fired max. Shot Placment is still the right way always.

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Spin The Wheel

Agreed. But how do you know when you fall within the stats? Shot placement doesn't always do it. Usually but not always. Nothing can count for the human factor. With every stat there is an example where it didn't work. How about the lady in her home (can't say she was in the wrong place) shot an intruder in the face 5 times with a 38. He didn't stop but she was out of ammo. That's all she had, a 5 shot 38. Would one more have helped.....dont know......But it wouldn't have hurt. Lucky for her he changed his mind. Or the off duty cop in La who was shot in the heart and didn't die. Instead killed her attacker. You'd think the heart is a pretty good shot placement but not in this case.

I'm not saying you should walk around with a belt fed, I don't but I don't subscribe to X is enough, especially when in the heat of the moment a shot can miss its intended placement. Most people aren't steely eyed killers able to keep calm and cool under stressful situations. Adrenaline pumps, heart races, hands shake, your mind just wants this to be over. Shot placement only works 100% on paper.

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All very true... but how much is "enough"? By your own words, you never know. That's why it's all a very personal decision regarding one's risk assessment and hassle vs. convenience. I've been carrying semi-autos concealed for many years. I've never even had to pull mine out... despite carrying every single day. I always have my CCW within arm's reach, even while locked in my home with a rather capable defense dog (akita). But I'm getting older, my kids are all nearly grown, and frankly I am willing to risk carrying a six-shooter and a couple of speed-loaders and/or strips.

I also recreate in grizzly bear country and have been comfortable carrying one of my .44 mags for many years -- even though I've always wanted an X-frame. But there's just NO way I'm willing to pack the weight of an X-frame or Ruger Alaskan considering that in 49 years of living and recreating in griz territory of MT and WY... I've never even seen a grizzly in person (outside of Yellowstone or the zoo). So factoring in my risk vs. comfort calculations... I choose the comprimise of 300+ grain .44 mag hardcast. Everyone's obviously got to choose their own level of comfort versus preparedness. Most of the people walking this planet don't even carry so much as a pocket knife to defend themselves with. I've always got one of those in addition to a firearm or two. I'm too old to take my chances with my fists.

Whatever is enough. But you'll never hear me say "If required five rounds won't get it done don't expect to accomplish the job with one additional...."

And, if I can get one more round or 20 more rounds into the same package is do that

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So be it. It's your choice. But it still always comes down to the skills/mindset/training of the shooter AND the would-be murderer... and most of all, the luck (good or bad). More firepower increases the defensive shooter's odds. I get it. But I'm comfortable with my odds with a six-shooter right now. When/if the **** hits the fan... then I'll be carrying my full-size M&P9 with extra mags to even the odds, considering the higher threat level. For my quiet life currently... six sounds of .357 is plenty for my peace of mind. Which is what concealed carry is really about for most people.

Which is fine. Again I never told anyone what or how much they should carry. In fact it's what I'm arguing against

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I remember reading that the best use of a handgun is to get you to where you have a hicap rifle and as its so much better to use that.

I read that a long time ago and if I had to guess who said it I would think Mr Cooper.

My local carry gun of choice now is a Ruger LCR (5 shot) and I feel quite comfortable with it!

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

I bought a K6 today. It fits in one of my Galco J-frame holsters, which says something about it's size. When shooting it I found that the cylinder locks into place quickly about half through the trigger pull, which makes it incredible easy to stage to simulate single action.

I compared it to my Rossi 462. The sight gutter on the Kimber is better and the trigger, since it can be staged, is a big plus. The Kimber is also lighter and can fit into some J-frame holsters.

Yup... I've shot and dry-fired the K6s a lot in both staged, and full-pull modes (to simulate a panic'd defensive shooting)... and both feel great and the gun is so well balanced that the muzzle barely moves with the long (but smooth) DA pull.

I love the "to simulate a panic'd defensive shooting." Just between us, I carry revolvers precisely because the new striker fired semi-autos all have 4 to 6 pound triggers. In a panic I'd be shooting everything that moved -- and I have been an instructor for many years (a man has to know his limitations).

Agreed. I'd be the last to pretend that I'd be some cool Josey Wales character in a gunfight. I've been in fight or flight panic situations and know what happens to my fine motor skills when those survival
chemicals hit my system. I also know what it feels like to go into shock when you're in a situation that's deeper and more horrific than you imagined. So I don't have any movie star grand illusions about handling something so ***** as a self-defense shooting in a calm and detached manner. I've been shooting auto pistols for most of my life. I can clear malfs quickly. I don't limp-wrist or do other things to undermine the reliability of the firearm. But still... having a DA wheel gun takes some of the weak links out of the chain. No mags or feeding issues. If there's a dud... just keep pulling the trigger. I even get to practice that in dry fire every day. Can't dry fire more than one shot at a time on a semi. DA wheel guns still have a LOT going for them.

I just popped on GunBroker again to follow up on an auction my son and I won last week, and I noticed that the new Kimber K6S auction cycle was ending without as much as a single bid being made on it.

A guy faced three intruders with knives and brass knuckles by using his ar15. Would 5 rounds have been enough for three adversaries?

UI have three ARs, M1A, M1 Garand, and HK91 for home defense (not to mention shotguns). If I can get to them, I'll be using them in the case of a home invader. But I don't keep them at arm's length 24/7 and I surely don't pack them when I'm in public. Basically... If you're going to advocate always having hicap firearms within immediate reach, then VERY few people are going to be willing to do that. My full size M&P9 is my nightstand gun. It's got a light/laser combo and two loaded spare mags with it. Lot of firepower there. But I'm not willing to try to CCW that setup. I don't even want to pack around my Sig Ultra Carry .45 and two spre mags very often. Some guys pack around full size autos around every day. But most people do not want to pack around handguns that large and heavy on a daily basis. Which is why so many compact .380 and 9mm handguns get sold as CCWs. And the fact is, most are single stack and don't have much more capacity than revolvers. At least my Kimber K6s revolver is loaded with 6 rounds of .38 spcl or .357 mag defensive ammo and has a better chance of going bang when I pull the trigger (considering the feeding, ejection, etc issues that ofren plague small semi-autos). I really don't think much of a valid case can be made for the increased deadliness/effectiveness/reliability of the average small CCW semi-auto pistol over a good CCW revolver. And this comes from someone who's been CCW'ing semi-autos for many years.