Kimber K6xs - Alloy Frame - It is Finally Here

[malph]

I picked up a Kimber K6xs. I've shot it a couple times now, 200 rounds in total.

It shoots a lot like a Smith J-frame 642.

Sights are better on the Kimber which is a nice plus.

No sharp edges or obvious manufacturering defects that I've noticed.

The supplied grips are comfortable but squishy; not ideal for concealment. This is an area where the J-frame shines. It's been around for so long there are literally one billion different grip options to accommodate the shooter's preference.

Trigger pull is smooth but heavy.

I wish the trigger were a pound or two lighter but it's adequate as it sits.

I didn't try to shoot it past thirty feet but hits were not hard out to that distance.

Overall I like it. It has potential.

 

[NCBeagle]

Love the Kimbers but every time I pick one up, I am reminded tat I have a perfectly good Ruger SP101, a S&W 337 and a S&W 638-2 and I really can't justify the purchase.

That didn't stop you from buying the 337 or 638-2. Is that where you draw the line? At the 638-2. C'mon man, this isn't about economics or common sense. We're talking about guns. Geez.

 

[ladder13]

That didn't stop you from buying the 337 or 638-2. Is that where you draw the line? At the 638-2. C'mon man, this isn't about economics or common sense. We're talking about guns. Geez.

You have a point. How many is not too many?

 

[NCBeagle]

You have a point. How many is not too many?

I'll let you know when I hit "too many."

 

[ladder13]

I'll let you know when I hit "too many."

Don’t look like that pipeline is getting clogged anytime soon.

 

[VictorLouis]

It looked and felt, to me, to be a bit larger than a J frame? Fit and finish was excellent. .

Yes, but surprisingly close in size, in any case.

I .. would never give that Rhino revolver a second glance - just too ugly.

But, superb in function, LOL. I burned myself TWICE at the barrel-cylinder gap, so 'nuff for me to re-home it.

I picked up a Kimber K6xs.
Trigger pull is smooth but heavy.
I wish the trigger were a pound or two lighter but it's adequate as it sits.

I think one of the shorts on YouBoob mentioned a current spring kit that made a good deal of difference. I am anxiously awaiting one to show-up at my LUGS.

 

[malph]

Yes, but surprisingly close in size, in any case.



But, superb in function, LOL. I burned myself TWICE at the barrel-cylinder gap, so 'nuff for me to re-home it.


I think one of the shorts on YouBoob mentioned a current spring kit that made a good deal of difference. I am anxiously awaiting one to show-up at my LUGS.

TkCustom has a spring kit for the K6 series.

I am tempted.

 

[BC38]

I chuckle a little when people mention the "looks" of the Kimbers - intimating it's a deal breaker for owning one. Why would that matter? Will the bad guys laugh at you when you pull it to defend yourself?

I admit to being just as guilty though - would never give that Rhino revolver a second glance - just too ugly.

Absolutely! I'll take function over form any day. When it comes time to defend me and mine, I couldn't care less how "pretty" the tool is - I just want it to work and be the right tool for the job.
I love the classic lines of S&W revolvers as much as anyone, but for an SD gun, how it works trumps how it looks every time.
Everything I have seen and read about the K6 leads me to believe it is a serious piece of SD hardware first and foremost.
I just wish they were a little more affordable, so I could justify adding one to my own stable.

 

[cometpx4]

Kimber K6xs

Hit the 500 round mark with mine. So far so good. Trigger is very manageable with a little practice.. As i said in an earlier post, if you stage the trigger its really a smooth pull with a very distinct, crisp let off once you hit the release point. The revolver is very accurate, and at a couple more ounces than the air weight, (of which i have had many and loved all of them), its way easier to shoot in terms of recoil. I have carried it out several times in a soft Uncle Mike's #4 pocket holster in my front shorts pocket. Its light, although in shorts you do know its there. Where its really going to shine is October thru March in a jacket pocket.
I just love the idea of 6 shots over 5, +P .38 over .380 (which mainly for convenience sake was my go to in the Glock 42), in a package i know will work when the trigger is pulled.
The die hard semi auto concealed carry folks don't get much out of this package but i have always had a pocket revolver of some type for carry and this one really works well in that role.

 

[balin]

You have a point. How many is not too many?

I bought a second gun safe when the first wax over full. The second isn't full yet so I think I am not there yet.

 

[.357magger]

I played with one of these in my LGS earlier this week. I'm about to do one of my periodic safe purges with discarding those who no longer hold strong interest for those who do.

I liked the weight and didn't find the trigger objectionable in dry fire. Different from S&W, but so is a Colt. Like the Colt-like 6 shots to my 638 No Dash's 5. Plus the 638 has some sentimental value to me and I'm going to be carrying it less.

Didn't care for the non changeable front. With Colt and Rugers (and some S&Ws) offering this very nice option (and the steel K6 too) I think they missed the boat a little by omitting it from this K6. Maybe not a deal breaker, but it probably would have gotten me to buy it on the spot. So now I'm back to mulling options, instead of testing this one directly.

Hmmmmm? Options, options, options.

 

[bronco45]

I love my K6xs, 300+ rounds through it and very accurate and the trigger rivals my old K6s 2" steel model, now.

Great revolver execution, love this K6xs. Paid 556.00 OTD at a local gun store. Smith needs to wake up, but it's too late for this platform,

 

[Lucnic]

When I run across one it’s bought. Have a 3” K6s that I like a lot. I put 100 rounds through it first range session. No issues.

 

[malph]

I played with one of these in my LGS earlier this week. I'm about to do one of my periodic safe purges with discarding those who no longer hold strong interest for those who do.

I liked the weight and didn't find the trigger objectionable in dry fire. Different from S&W, but so is a Colt. Like the Colt-like 6 shots to my 638 No Dash's 5. Plus the 638 has some sentimental value to me and I'm going to be carrying it less.

Didn't care for the non changeable front. With Colt and Rugers (and some S&Ws) offering this very nice option (and the steel K6 too) I think they missed the boat a little by omitting it from this K6. Maybe not a deal breaker, but it probably would have gotten me to buy it on the spot. So now I'm back to mulling options, instead of testing this one directly.

Hmmmmm? Options, options, options.

I agree with you regarding the sights.

I dovetailed front sure would be nice.

That bring said, the fixed sights on these are decent for what they are. They are, in my opinion, better than the sights on the 642s.

Maybe we'll see a dovetailed sight version down the road.

 

[Dutch87]

I love my K6xs, 300+ rounds through it and very accurate and the trigger rivals my old K6s 2" steel model, now.

Great revolver execution, love this K6xs. Paid 556.00 OTD at a local gun store. Smith needs to wake up, but it's too late for this platform,

I just added a K6xs recently. I have to say, compared to a very smooth (dryfired many many times) K6, it's gritty at first, at least mine was. Cylinder release button was stiff too.

But one of the bits of advice I took to heart from an earlier thread I had about J-frames, "if you dry fire ~2,000 times it will smooth up." That advice, in my experience anyway, was right!


So I went to work on the K6XS dry-firing it, lubrication, more dryfire. After some work on it, it's not quite the K6 (and honestly the K6 is special), but it's great. I'm very happy thusfar.


Comparing it to a J-frame sizewise is interesting. The J-frame IS a smidge smaller, it just is. But just a smidge. The big stock hogue rubber grips make people think the gun is bigger than it actually is.

Will the slight difference matter for everyone? I think it depends on the person. I would tend to think 51% "No".
If you're a pocket-carry guy that likes the sub ~14oz J-frames, I think the K6XS would be a noticeable step up.
In absolute terms, the J frame is lighter, and lighter loaded (5 vs 6 rounds). Honestly I think both are worth owning.
Having 6 wadcutters ready to go in a revolver with a smooth trigger, visible sights, and weighs ~18.5oz loaded is pretty practical.


Here's a group shot of the snubbies I have - those are hogue DASA grips on the Kimbers. I removed the finger grooves and profiled them to my liking. It did remove some weight too, about ~.20oz if I remember right

 

[Well Armed]

Haha S&W just one upped Kimber with a better aluminum frame revolver. I'm glad I waited. The sights alone on the S&W 642/442 will kill most of Kimber's K6sx sales. They dropped the ball by using gutter sights IMHO, and S&W knocked it out the park for once.

 

[Dutch87]

Haha S&W just one upped Kimber with a better aluminum frame revolver. I'm glad I waited. The sights alone on the S&W 642/442 will kill most of Kimber's K6sx sales.

I'm not so sure about that part.
The lipsey's exclusive ultimate j frame is honestly one of the coolest carry revolvers released in recent history no doubt!

Down the road, if they make enough of them and I can get my hands on one, I can see getting one. There is a lot to like!

BUT.
The K6XS isn't just an incrementally better set of sights, it's got a very good trigger AND 6 rounds of .38 special.
I personally prefer .38 special to .32 ( and I think .32 is a fine caliber), and the limited edition Jframe here holds 5, unless I read wrong.

That alone will keep the Kimber in the game

They dropped the ball by using gutter sights IMHO, and S&W knocked it out the park for once.

I think for the K6XS they were trying to stay price competitive - If they went for the removable sights, the price would likely go up the way the special edition Jframe's did

(I still think they should offer it though)


If I could own two and only 2 lightweight (sub 16oz) carry revolvers, and I HAD to choose guns being made factory new today:
1) Kimber K6XS
2) ultimate J frame, .32

 

[smitholdtimer]

Thanks "NCBeagle"

Good report on an interesting handgun, you covered it all I believe. I think I'll wait for the Lipsy's Special in both .32 H&R Mag. and .38 Special, reengineered J frame revolver, no lock and several more upgrades from Smith & Wesson

 

[lawandorder]

The flutes are an improvement over the flats.

 

[CQB60]

Just picked up a second K6xs after carrying one for the last few months. Kimber has a winner with the K6xs!