Educate me if you would please....

[fatbaldguy]

I'm considering a BUG. A pocket carry BUG. I'm leaning toward a pre-lock 640.



But then I picked up Mrs. fbg's Kimber K6, and I have doubts. I never was a fan of Kimber, but I do have to say, they hit a solid triple with the early K6's. Would have been a home run, but they were overpriced by about 20% as is the Kimber way.


Casual web searches show that I could get one or the other for about the same price. My FFL of choice is also rather resourceful when it comes to locating a quality used gun for me.


I am able to do the average kitchen table stuff to help things work more betterer as well. I've even taken a SA Mil-Spec from Brazil and fixed everything wrong with it from spare parts and an order of a bushing from EGW.



So, here I am, asking for an education.



Thanks for taking the time and trouble to read and respond.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

If you are going to carry a concealed weapon, as a retired lawman I would recommend Professional Training.

Actually I carry a Kimber K6xs OWB. I have great success with Kimber Products.

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

K6s is way heavy for a pocket carry. A Smith 442 is lighter and a 340 lighter still, but
Recoil way be a problem.

I agree too with Sgt. Rock on the training. And the NRA is inadequate, quite frankly a joke. Look for serious training.

 

[fatbaldguy]

Why does everyone assume I have had no training? I was asking for an education about the differences between a 640 and the K6.



Perhaps I don't belong here after all.



Thanks for......

 

[45Smashemflat]

I’m not familiar with the K6, is it a steel framed gun? I alternate between a S&W 337 and an older Colt Agent. The 337 is alloy and titanium 5 shot. The Agent is alloy framed, steel cylinder 6 shot. Both carry well in Kramer or Null pocket holsters. The Colt is heavy enough to not work well in sweats. A steel frame would certainly make that worse.

I like the idea of one more shot, but sometimes the J frame just conceals better.

I do not find the recoil bad in either of these 38 SPLs.

 

[Autonomous]

Why does everyone assume I have had no training? I was asking for an education about the differences between a 640 and the K6.



Perhaps I don't belong here after all.



Thanks for......

Relax. You are new and we do not know you. There are enough unqualified people that show up here to justify concern.
Had you taken the time to share your CV maybe your feelings would have been spared.

 

[ken158]

I believe we understand you wanted to ask a question but were unsure of what your question is… Go to both Kimber and S&W websites and study specifications of each gun to decide which would suit your needs. Apparently you already have the Kimber? Maybe take it with you to a local shop where you can compare it against the 640, 642, etc. They are designed to come ready to go - no kitchen table work should be required.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Perhaps I don't belong here after all.

Yes, you most certainly belong here.

 

[1911haulic]

Look at the S&W 642 hammerless airweght.

And welcome to the board.

 

[326MOD10]

One is made by Kimber and one is made by Smith & Wesson.

One carries 6 rounds and one carries 5.

That is about all I can give you from a concrete perspective because I don't own a K6.

I have handled one and I would check how comfortable it carries in the pocket. I can assure you the 640 sits nicely in the pocket with a quality pocket holster and draws smoothly.

The sights on the K6 seem better than the 640 but not better than the 640PRO. I love the night sights on the 640PRO.

That's about all I got. Good luck on your picking.

 

[Frailer]

Since you specifically mentioned pocket carry…

Size and weight matter. A lot. The Kimber is both too big and too heavy for my pockets. The “no dash” 640 might be my favorite S&W revolver, but even it can be a bit heavy in anything other than jeans.

I used to carry a 642, but a few years ago I made the switch to a Ruger LCR (with a Hogue Bantam grip) to save an ounce or two. If I’m wearing light slacks I’ll carry a S&W 342.

 

[pasound]

The Kimber is a sweet shooter. A Smith shoots well, too, and carries better.

 

[Greyman50]

For close to home carry its my 640, heading to “ a big city” its one of my LW Colt Commanders. 640 recoil with Magnums is a bit but when things get serious one just needs to deal with it. Not like shooting it all day at the range.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Why does everyone assume I have had no training? I was asking for an education about the differences between a 640 and the K6.



Perhaps I don't belong here after all.



Thanks for......

So you went to Thunder Ranch?

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

The Kimber K6 is equal to a S&W Model 10 size wise.

The Kimber K6xs is very similar to the Colt Detective Special and uses the same speedloader.

 

[gdogs]

I have a 640-1 and I would not want to have it in my pocket all day long. But then again, I don't want any revolver in my pocket all day long. I like pocket carry, but in my opinion this is a place better suited for a small semi auto. I have a Mod 38 that isn't bad in a coat pocket, but I'd much rather tuck it into my waistband using a clip grip - which is certainly where and how I carry the 640-1. Just something about the flat thinness of the Seecamp or my RM380 lends itself to a pocket so much better than the width and shape of a cylinder. Just my two cents.
-welcome to the forum, stick around, lots of good people here.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

At least look at the S&W 340 PD Airlite.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

The Kimber K6 is equal to a S&W Model 10 size wise.

Shipmate! Now that I know the foregoing I have to recommend a J-frame over the K6.

This is my oldest (in terms of my ownership) S&W revolver - M10 2" - similar to the K6:

It's way too large and heavy for pocket carry. Although I love it dearly, I carry it only in a belt holster.

This is my EDC pocket carry - M642:

It is all steel, and it carries in a pocket just as easily as a lightweight M640 or 442. I got rid of all of my lightweight J-frames because the all-steel gun handles much better with respect to recoil and definitely much better with respect to follow-up shots. I think we're talking about just a couple of ounces difference but it is a big difference. The shrouded hammer suffices to keep the gun from snagging just as well as a concealed hammer.

fbg wrote:
I'm considering a BUG. A pocket carry BUG. I'm leaning toward a pre-lock 640.

Since nobody asked - a BUG implies that you are already carrying a larger belt gun. Is that correct or did you use "BUG" to simply mean a small gun?

And I differ markedly from my friends above who don't like to pocket carry revolvers. I've been doing it for decades.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Welcome to the Forum! We have to assume that you want a revolver as a BUG, or at least as an every day carry gun. I'm a big fan of the Model 642-2. It's one of my EDCs in a pocket holster, and an 8-rd Tuff Strip goes into the other pocket. It would also work well in an ankle holster. But I also like my Performance Center M&P Shield Plus 9mm pistol. It's also an EDC and carried in either a pocket holster or AIWB holster. Lots more rounds than a 5-shot revolver and about the same size and weight. I don't own one of the Kimbers, but they are supposedly outstanding revolvers...just a little heavy. Lots of choices out there for you! Good luck!

 

[forindooruseonly]

A BUG implies you have primary carry piece, either concealed or not. Is this the case?

If so, something small and lightweight, of which the S&W is better option. However, since this would be a last ditch resort, only needed if your primary carry gun malfunctions or you lose control of it, then something smaller would be my suggestion - a small .380 autoloader by Ruger or Kahr would be flatter, lighter and better for pocket carry.

However, if this is going to be your only carry gun, then either would do just fine.