For a company so small, Kimber Manufacturing has made a big impact on the shooting community. The American-based company has been operating since the late-70’s – a mere newcomer compared to the perennial favorites like Colt (1836), and Remington (1816). Nevertheless, Kimber has already established itself as a premier company in the defense industry.
Since Barack Obama first took office, the number of concealed handgun permits has soared over 200%, with now over 15 million Americans carrying. People are buying guns at an increasing rate, and the gun companies have been capitalizing on this by delivering better products each year. As a result, once-small companies, like Kimber Mfg., have begun to expand their enterprises. Because of their high demand, gun makers around the world have been striving to design the best CCW (concealed carry weapon), and there are a lot of great ones out there. Kimber’s K6s is a prime example of what a business can accomplish when supply and demand increase.
Specs:
- Caliber: .357 Magnum (also chambers .38 Special)
- Weight (w/o mag): 23 Oz.
- Overall length: 6.6”
- Width: 1.4”
- Capacity: 6
- Action: DAO
- Frame material: Stainless steel
- Frame finish: Smooth satin, serrated backstrap
- Barrel length: 2”
- Barrel material: Stainless steel
- Sights: Black serrated, 4.1” radius
- Grip material: Rubber
- Trigger: Non-stacking
- Pull: Approximately 9.5-10.5 lbs.
- MSRP: $889 (standard model)
Build
The K6s isn’t just small – it’s tiny! In fact, according to Kimber, the K6s is not only the lightest six-shot .357 Magnum on the market, it also has the smallest diameter cylinder of any six-shot revolver. The compact snub nose is constructed with the highest-grade stainless steel, which contributes to its remarkable strength and durability. The K6s looks nothing like your standard, run of the mill revolver; its design is as unique as it is effective. Its rounded edges and internal hammer creates a seamless shooting experience that all shooters will appreciate. Another distinctive feature of the K6s is its removable sights. Thank God for these, because they are not the best sights in the world. The only saving grace is the fact that the rear, dovetailed sight is adjustable – otherwise, these are subpar sights.
It’s important to note that within the K6s series there are several variants. Although the differences may be minute, the prices are NOT. For example, the K6s stainless (NS) has tritium night sights and the K6s stainless (LG) goes for a whopping $1700. And if you’re looking for a true masterpiece, check out the First Edition model. Although the only difference between this model and the standard is its gorgeous high-grade mirror-polished finish and impeccable Pao Ferro wood grips, the First Edition will put you back over $2,000.
Shooting
One of the major concerns of buying a CCW is its accuracy and handling. You can rest assured that the K6s was masterfully crafted to provide each owner with a user-friendly and ergonomic firearm. Kimber’s enhanced grip design and match-grade trigger combine to produce a first-rate shooting experience. In fact, this may be the best trigger I’ve ever seen on a small-frame revolver. Although the grip is generally pretty comfortable, its small size might be a turn-off to big-handed shooters. There are a few other features that distinguish the K6s from its competition.
Most other small-framed revolvers only hold 5 rounds, while the Kimber model chambers 6. The combination of an internal hammer and double-action may be tough for beginners to adjust to, but you can’t overlook the added bonus of a flawlessly smooth draw. With such a small steel-frame, you should expect significant recoil; yet the K6s shoots a little easier than other similar revolvers. Because the recoil is still troublesome, I highly recommend shooting with .38 Special to mitigate the tough handling. Such high recoil diminishes accuracy and makes follow-up shots difficult – something that you can’t afford during an emergency. All things considered, the K6s shoots well, but I suggest testing it out yourself before buying one.
Accessories
There are a few things that I think every K6s owner must have. First, every concealed carry weapon needs a good holster. The Kimber catalog offers a variety of high-end options, but the Flex-Tuck (Blk, LH) is arguably their best. Its versatile design enables several options for comfortable carrying, be it appendix or cross draw. The Flex-Tuck also facilitates effortless re-holstering and easy adjustment. In addition to these excellent features, Kimber throws in their highly concealable J clip and hex key with every purchase. All things considered, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to have a reliable and adaptable holster, and the Kimber Flex-Tuck is just that.
The second accessory that I recommend is the Kimber Second-Six Speed Loader Pouch. The K6s is the ideal concealed carry weapon, but sometimes six bullets aren’t enough. Kimber ingeniously designed a pouch and speed-loader combination which disperses the bulk evenly over a belt, offering maximum concealment. One of the more unusual specs of the K6s is its replaceable low-profile sights. These are definitely not the best sights I’ve seen on a revolver, but I’ve heard that Kimber may soon offer new options such as fiber optic front sights, 3-dot sights, and Crimson Trace LaserGrips. As of now, the aftermarket options are scant, but as the year progress I hope to see more K6s’s and accessories available.
Conclusion
One of the things I love most about Kimber is the pride in their company and products. Their firearms are among the most trusted in the World. The USA shooting team, the LAPD SWAT team and certain American Special Forces depend on Kimber, and so should you. The K6s is a great gun if you’re looking for the perfect balance of power and class. When I first heard that Kimber, a company known for their 1911 semi-auto pistols, was planning on debuting a revolver, I was skeptical, to say the least. Yet, at the end of the day, it matches up well against its compact, steel-framed competitors, such as the Smith and Wesson Model 36 Chief’s Special and the German-made EAA Windicator. Kimber may not have developed the CCW, but they have definitely perfected it. Buyers beware: these are not your typical concealable revolvers; the K6s’s are top-shelf, American-made, and formidable. They may look small, but their impact is far from it. Pick one up today online or at your local supplier – you won’t regret it.
