I've done a fair bit of selling and horse trading in the last couple weeks. Part what has come my way is a Kimber K6XS .38 Special revolver. Another addition is a Chiappa Rhino 50DS 5" barrled revolver.

The Kimber K6XS is the same old Kimber that's been out for a good while now. Kinda a bloated J frame, anorexic K frame size with a six shot cylinder. The difference in this one is that it's a very light aluminum frame, and consequently chambered for .38 Special only. It came with a very smooth, nice action. Honestly, not quite as nice as the 638 that it replaced, but I think it will break in nicely. It is bulkier than a J frame also. Thicker in the cylinder, of course, thicker in the barrel, larger in the frame, etc. But when actually carrying it in a pancake or pocket holster, I just can't tell the difference. If it prints any worse, I can't tell.

On the range, the extra shot was really nice. The gun shot accurately out to 15 yards. Control was better with the slightly enlarged frame. For a quasi gutter sight, it was pretty decent. I hold no ill will against the 638 J frame it replaced, but I do consider the Kimber a step up. Funnily enough, I still call it a "J" frame in common day to day speech. You know S&W has left their mark when "J frame" starts becoming synonymous with other small frame revolvers.

Yesterday, I picked up the Chiappa Rhino. I was figuring it as a curiosity/ range toy kinda thing.
It is certainly quirky, but has exceeded all of my expectations! It allowed me...a fair weather shooter who has been holed up all Winter to shoot some impressively small groups, with no issues in the reliability department. The trigger is wide, with a short stroke, and a more straight rearward motion. It was much lighter than reputed, and right up with some of my good S&W revolvers, though not my best.

The not-a-hammer/ cocking tab not moving while cycling the gun and the red cocking indicator bobbing up and down is a bit... different, but not a detriment so far. The talked up muzzle flip due to low bore axis is a real thing, but it's a bit overstated, and not magic. Though it is more comfortable, and allows quicker shooting, the recoil is still there, just...less bad. After a hundred rounds or so of .357 the jolt to my freezing fingers was becoming a tad uncomfortable. I don't think it'll be a big issue in the upcoming Summer months.

The aluminum frame makes it much nicer handling than it's bulky appearance would lead one to expect. The grip could easily be considered a tad short for many. For my hands that are short fingered with ridiculously thick wide palms, it was like they took a custom measurement to give me all the grip I needed, but not one iota more.

I was thrilled to learn it takes moonclips!
I was chagrined to learn that the three included Chiappa moonclips suck. Very loose, and couldn't hardly retain cartridges. I have half a dozen moonclips enroute that I hope will be an improvement. In the meantime, speed strips and a couple of old HKS K frame speedloaders are just fine.

I can't wait to shoot an ASI match with this one! I might even shoot a Steel Challenge with it, but I've learned the hard way that a six shot revolver makes for a tough row to hoe in that endeavor.

I have a love/hate feeling with S&W revolvers these days. I grew up with them, and couldn't lose my sense of history and nostalgia with them.

I appreciate many of their advances too. 1913 rails, scandium, 8 shot 357s, K frame big bores, etc. But...I just feel like the latest several years, they just are not tuned into the customer base, and they are content to sit on their laurels and just smugly expect to compete on just the name. They don't seem to be doing a whole lot for the modern revolver shooter or the more traditional minded. These are the first non-Smith revolvers I've had in a very long time, and I'm happy to have tried some interesting new concepts. I honestly don't think I'll ever give up on my S&W revolvers, but I'm very glad I stepped out!

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Got a three inch all steel Kimber. It's a bit of an odd duck in some ways but I like it. Solid, reliable piece. The Rhino is just a bit too weird for me. I have an affinity for strange guns but that one just doesn't do anything for me.

I feel like the K6xs should have been what the new Lipsey S&W Ultra Carry are. I don't really see it offering anything over the Taurus 856 UL.

I wish they would have went the S&W 340 route. Unlike the S&W 340, the K6xs should have front and rear sights, but they should have offered it with an aluminum frame and stainless barrel and cylinder and with a scandium frame and titanium cylinder.

Cool write up Shrek. Thanks

Ive gone Colt. The new 2020 Pythons and Anacondas are great. The single action trigger, not so much, but my Gunsmith has a reasonably priced cure for that. They're beautiful. They’re tough. They’re extremely accurate. What the new Colts don't have is a silly safety/lock, nor a barrel shroud.

I did so with a Charter Arms 44 special (son of Sam version). It was inexpensive so I gave it a shot. Shoots well but, not an EDC. I will never forsake S&W for a Chiappa. I have hefted them and just don't like them. Not sure why I would buy a Kimber when S&W gives me everything I need and then some.

Other then S&W's the only other revolvers I have are Colt's. I had a Taurus Judge for awhile but could never warm up to it. I guess for me, when it comes to revolvers it has to be either a Smith or a Colt. Of the two of these I prefer a Smith but the new Colt's are pretty nice, I just can't get used to the DA pull on the Colt's especially after pretty much shooting nothing but Smiths for about 45 years.

Semis are a different story though, my collection runs all over the place brand wise with them!

I have S&Ws and Colts.
For me, it's a purely cosmetic issue.
Chiappas and Kimbers are probably
good revolvers, but they are truly
ugly.
If I was gifted either I'd sell it and never look back.

I bought the same Kimber right when they were first shipping (serial number in the 300’s) and had a custom holster from R. Grizzle leather made for it.

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Get off my lawn!

I believe the K6XS was designed to keep cost down for a 6 shot pocket revolver for more people to be able to afford since the earlier models are $1000+. These do have excellent triggers.

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Get off my lawn!

Yes, but Kimber isn't a budget gun manufacturer. That's not their lane, and S&W, Ruger, and Taurus will beat them at that game. People defer to Kimber for build quality and looks. That's why I purchased a K6s with its all forged internals, no MIM parts, smooth dehorning edges, chamfered cylinder, great trigger, etc...

If S&W and Lipsey can offer an aluminum frame revolver with a pinned front night sight, driftable rear sights, a good trigger, and great aftermarket grips for a MSRP of $759, then why couldn't Kimber do something simular? Even the $300-Taurus 856 can be had with a pinned front sight. The Ruger LCR also has a pinned front sight and
great trigger, and I believe Lipsey's will be releasing an LCR with upgrades soon. It just seems like the K6xs are missing features that most modern revolvers have. Other than the extra round, I'm not sure the K6xs is much better than a standard S&W 642 or if the extra round is worth the extra $200 +/- price hike.

I'm not saying or implying that the K6xs is a bad revolver that won't serve someone well, but I guess I'm just disappointed based on what I come to expect from Kimber. I'm more excited about the Lipsey S&W UC's and the upcoming LCR even if they have one less round.

In my part of the world, a S&W 638 like the one I replaced is averaging about $525.
That includes a ""meh" grip, one piece front sight, Hillary hole, and a very heavy, not particularly smooth trigger. By the time I replaced the Hillary lock, installed new springs, polished the action, installed an extra length firing pin I was up around $650.

The Kimber had a very nice action from the beginning. No break in or parts replacement required. I'm betting it will only improve with time. No Hillary lock, the grip was nice, for being run of the mill, and the sights are well regulated, and very easy to pick up. Typical gutter sights, but the best I've seen of that genre.

I sold the well used 638, added $50 and came home with a brand new Kimber. This makes me happy. Most everyone I've shown it to has asked "$600? Really?! Only $600? It seems like it.should be more expensive!" Taurus had their chance with me long ago. I actually think very well of the Rugers, though I don't consider them a budget gun...Not even the LCR that averages $620 new for .38 Special in my neck of the woods.

S&W, Ruger, Kimber, Colt, Charter Arms, Taurus, etc. At the end of the day I reckon it's sure nice that we all get so many good choices to suit ourselves with.

Although I don't own any Colts, yet, I believe they and S&W are the nicest looking. That being said, I did have a girl way back when pretty as all get out but smart as a blank piece of paper. So I bought a couple/few Rugers and they are just plain simple tools that work. S&W rules the roost, but I'm not afraid to step outside either. I even bought a new Charter Arms revolver, and it works every time, too, although nothing to write home about in the looks dept. I figure I can sell or trade off what I don't like/want. Peace!

First, I have to say, I have dozens of S&W and Colt revolvers and have been a member of both forums for years.

Are we sure S&W still leads in revolver sales?
Colt has sold over 200,000 Python variants since 2017, and that's not counting sales of the new Cobras and King Cobras, or counting their semi auto sales.

I bought a new 2.5" bbl Python and I'm here to tell you it is durable, well made, accurate, AND a beautiful revolver. The DA trigger pull is actually better than my S&W Mod 13-2.

Sometimes strange is good. I remember the first time I stepped out on S&W with my first Colt, it was exhilarating. She was more refined and shapelier. I am now living happily as a polygunmist.

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213th FBINA

I too, have swerved out of the old S&W lane. Have shot this thing and it seems to do all things well. If nothing else, it'll make a useful doorstop. A leftover from 1979.

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

I bought a Kimber K6s Target. Really like the weight, trigger feel and sights. The only other non Smith revolver I own is a Ruger Blackhawk 45 Convertible. Bob

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I'm playing with the idea of a K6S. It'd be nice to have interchangeable holsters, speed loaders, etc. Carry the K6XS on the daily and carry the K6 when I'm more dedicated...say on the hiking trail, etc.

One big issue with that plan though is that when I move past a .38 Special in my pocket, I prefer to jump to one of my 8 shot N frame .357s. And...I would like a Kimber with a 3"-4" bbl. Just seems like it would be a really nice shooting gun

Nice range report and photos. Keep them coming!

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Dave Brown
SWCA #3279

It's S&W along with Colts for me
I do have an older Ruger Blackhawk that I like.

I suppose it's all about choices, which is a good thing for everyone. My most recent handgun purchase is a Ruger Security Six (thanks, Toyman!) I have a thread here somewhere about it, showing where someone ground off the heel for reasons unknown. I put that small project on hold for a while. But that gun feels so darned good in hand and shoots as good if I do my part. It was born in 1972 and is still solid inside & out. I would be hard-pressed to pass on one in newer-looking condition after handling & shooting this one. I suppose 1972 Colts & S&Ws, new, may have been prettier; I don't know.
That Chiappa Rhino in the OP is a little strange-looking but I'd take it to the prom any time. That's what I like: the .38 Specials out of a .357 Magnum are a joy to shoot out of a revolver for part timers like me! I don't think I'd have any problems with trying out that revolver.
So many choices and not enough time (or money.)

Thanks for the Kimber review. I am looking at one.