The "HATED" Kimber

[JustEd]

Well, that got your attention. 

Was interested in the Kimber K6 series.  When I saw the K6XS it seemed to address some of my desires for a carry 38 which is lighter than my current stainless Taurus 856. 

A YouTube reviewer, actually a couple of them, seemed flummoxed by Kimber's decision to offer an aluminum framed K6.  And reviled that it was not  a .357.

Here are some pics and my impressions after first shots: 50-60 factory +P and about the same of my XTP 38 reloads...HOT!

First some pics:

So my verdict is that it is a workable tool and I like it.  It is very nice, though not perfect.  Not cheap, but not overpriced.  It is tolerable to shoot more than a few rounds with.  It functions smoothly as expected.  It can put lead down range quickly and accurately at short to moderate distances.

POI is right under the front sight dot.  Accuracy is pretty impressive at 5-10 yards (likely defensive ranges.)   Rear sight could definitely benefit from some anti glare treatment. 

One of the naysayers said you could not get the carbon off the frame after shooting because it is aluminum and too soft for a brass brush.  The carbon from today's shoot removed easily with a little CLP and a nylon brush...easily.  There is no noticeable cylinder trace yet.

Trigger pull is nice for an out of the box wheel gun.  It is overall light and pulls straight through after the initial resistance, I don't try to stage it.  For me, the front sight does not wiggle left or right at let off...YEAH!  When I tried it at the dealer, that is what sold me on it.

  -In comparison my Taurus 856 has a MUCH heavier trigger pull.  Takes quite a bit more control to avoid front sight movement.  It does have single action which can aid accuracy.

  -My old SW Bodyguard 38 in the background has the lightest trigger, though it has many hundreds of rounds through it.  It takes more control than the Kimber to keep the front sight from wiggling at let off, though not as much as the Taurus.  The Kimber and the Taurus both have 6 shots...wake up S&W.

Compared to a micro nine....  Your choice, you either spin a cylinder or tap and rack a slide, they both work.  Micro nines hold more rounds, but those rounds add to the carry weight.

Compared to a titanium or other light weight 2" but in .357.  Yeah, have shot those, this recoils enough with +P rounds for my poor little trigger finger.  I understand the argument that you have the extra power with a .357, if needed, its a choice one makes.  For me I choose to use my carry arm regularly at the range with my carry round.  A light weight .357 is not pleasurable to practice with, at least not with full power carry ammo.

If you like wheel guns, don't count the K6xs out.  It is more costly than a Taurus. Not much more expensive than some of the Smitty's I have seen lately.  It will do the job.  No, it's not a .357 nor does it hold 12+ rounds.  None of those seem as important to me as functionality, portability and reliability.   This is my personal experience,  a revolver like this just naturally points where I want it when drawing concealed.  I am usually faster with the first shot and more often right on target with a lightweight revolver than a micro nine.  I have practiced this a lot.  My old Belgian born instruct would roll over in his grave if he heard that!

This is the upgrade I have been looking for.  No regrets so far. 

That about sums it up for now.

 

 

 

[Wheelgunner]

JustEd, thanks for this review.  Sounds like this is one for me to keep in mind.

Is the cylinder release on the Kimber a push button like a Ruger?  Also, have you found a holster and speedloaders that you like to use with it?

[JustEd]

2 hours ago, Wheelgunner said:

JustEd, thanks for this review.  Sounds like this is one for me to keep in mind.

Is the cylinder release on the Kimber a push button like a Ruger?  Also, have you found a holster and speedloaders that you like to use with it?

Yes similar to a Ruger

Prefer owb leather holsters.  Have two made for j frames, they work ok. The trigger guard profile on the Kimber is bigger so it does not seat as far in the holster on one of them, the other is fine.  Kimber carries a couple for it, same as for K6s.   btw, my old Bodyguard 38 has a really nice semi-custom Winthrop holster, wish he was  still around. Would love to have him make one for it. 

 

Edited July 23, 2023 by JustEd

[JustEd]

Forgot to mention about speed loaders:

 

That is an old HKS speedloader which is made for S&W 10,15, 66 etc.  This also fits the Taurus 856

The Kimber also comes with its own Bianchi style speed strip, not shown.

Edited July 23, 2023 by JustEd

[krunchnik]

It looks like a nice revolver-I almost picked up some of their .357 in I think a 4-inch barrel-

S&W 686 won only because I actually was able to find one locally-

[JustEd]

That is a great wheel gun, enjoy. The focus of this is light weight. 

[JustEd]

Hope the forum does not more pics.  Have kept resolution down to keep file-size down:

The grip width o the stock Kimber k6xs grips are quite a bit fatter than on the Taurus 857.  Have to adjust holster position to account for that

Unlike most revolvers it is not possible to see the base of the cartridge when looking from the side

However, it is easy to see that there are cartridges in the cylinder by looking from the back.

 

Edited July 24, 2023 by JustEd
deleted dup pic

[JustEd]

A couple more showing how it rides in existing leather holsters

First is a cheap Targus cut for J-Frame S&W (I don't like this particular holster)

Second shows how it fits the Winthrop holster specifically cut for my S&W Bodyguard 38 with laser (hence the undercut)

Point is holster fit is very similar to Taurus and J-frames.

 

Hope this is informative.