Shrek Of The Arctic
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- Joined
- May 22, 2019
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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!
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!
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.
