New Kimber K6S revolver

[Zaydok Allen]

Glad to here you have a few examples you are acquainted with that are all operating as intended. Sounds like if there is a problem, it's limited. Time to save some pennies.

I would like to see it chambered in 327 Fed magnum too. And future full size guns would be a nice thing to see. Based on the fit and finish of the one I handled, I'd be willing to pay more than I am for a current production S&W.

 

[Wedgie]

(First post here)

I recently purchased a K6s. If you carefully listen to the reset of the K6s you can hear 3 distinct clicks as the trigger goes through the reset stroke.

If you try to re-engage the trigger after the first click the trigger locks and will not move forward and cylinder does not begin to rotate.

If you start the trigger stroke after the second click you will get a full stroke and cylinder rotation but no hammer strike.

Once the trigger passes through the third click the trigger is completely reset and normal trigger function is achieved.

I discovered this issue during my first box of 357 loads.

I have 30 years experience shooting revolvers and have experienced many short stroke issues with Smiths etc. But none like this. The problem to me and another experienced shooter is that the feel of the fist click of the reset is the most noticeable and the one that causes you to want to begin the next shot.

Also of note is that the last click of the reset is almost exactly at the end of the full forward stroke of the trigger.

Sure it can be remedied with training / learning but in a stressful fire situation I would not field this revolver until this was resolved.

It is a shame too. This is the most accurate snub nose revolver I have ever owned. Everything else about this gun is excellent. The DA trigger pull itself is outstanding once the reset is complete. The feel of the gun is excellent. It does not beat you up with 357 loads and it shoots point of aim out of the box. My opinion is that this is a very nice gun with one problem.

Hoping Kimber has a resolution for this issue as I really like the gun. But for now it is just a range toy.

Groups below are 7 yd six round groups.

 

[Boarhunter]

Wedgie,

With performance like you describe and depict in the pictures shared, I would personally be inspired to learn the nuances of the gun and make it my EDC. Sounds like you got a nice one, and it ought not take too many rounds to get accustomed to the trigger.

BOARHUNTER

 

[ROD KLOMP]

I carry my K6S daily, in fact I have two because I like this gun so well, I guess I shoot my guns differently, and so far no problems, once I start the pull on the trigger, I always follow through, when shooting a single action, too many will not pull the hammer completly back and then release the trigger, you never want to half cock a single action revolver , and then pull the trigger to let it go back down, always pull it completely back, and then pull the trigger and let it down, this helps keep the action in good shape, I say this, because you can mess up a double action too , by not following through, this is whether the gun is loaded or not, and it screws the gun up, leaving a ring on the cylinder on most revolvers, the great thing about the K6S, is that it stages so well, I have complete confidence in my guns, but I have taken the time to get to know them also, which is something I always do before considering them in my EDC rotation..

 

[340PD]

I agree with Rod. The Kimber's trigger is easy to stage if one wants to shoot it in that manner but in a real world SD situation using "standard practice" trigger control, this gun will perform like a champ. If any DA revolver is your cup of tea, every shooter that carry's one better learn how to cycle the trigger properly. A co-worker of mine and one of the best shots I have ever seen once told me, "learn how to master a DA revolver and you will be able to shoot any gun accurately."

 

[Ks5shooter]

Picked up my K6S and off to the range. Great accuracy and I agree with previous posts no staging needed with the great DA trigger of the K6.

 

[ROD KLOMP]

I agree with Rod. The Kimber's trigger is easy to stage if one wants to shoot it in that manner but in a real world SD situation using "standard practice" trigger control, this gun will perform like a champ. If any DA revolver is your cup of tea, every shooter that carry's one better learn how to cycle the trigger properly. A co-worker of mine and one of the best shots I have ever seen once told me, "learn how to master a DA revolver and you will be able to shoot any gun accurately."

Well spoken 340PD, and I agree, my first guns were revolvers, got my first Colt Frontier at age 13, I started shooting with my Dad at age 5, he gave me my first rifle when I turned 7, and that was in 1952, still have it, a Remington 511 bolt action, and I have been a total gun guy all my life, experience is some times the best teacher and over the years I have gathered a little, IMHO, the single most important thing a new gun buyer or old can and needs to do before depending on any gun to protect him or loved ones , is to get to know the gun before you start carrying it, inside and out, what ammo gives you the best results and is the most reliable, you won't find this out right away, and you shouldn't put that new gun in your EDC rotation until you thoroughly feel at one with that gun, gunman of the old west , including my Grandfather would tell you today if they were still with us, that your side arm needs to feel like an extension of your pointing finger, this is where becoming one with your gun comes into play, when this happens, and when your gun is pulled, you only have to look at where you want the bullet to go, and it will, practice practice practice will give you this gift of the Shootest,...one more thing 340PD, as you pointed out, staging a trigger is something you won't be doing in a gun fight, but it's nice on the range when you are wanting to dial in a special shot, but in a gun fight there is no time for that, and this Kimber K6S will deliver on command, when I pull a trigger I never stop half way, it's always a smooth pull whether it's fast or slow, and the K6S has one of the best triggers out there today, without having a gunsmith working it over, which I would never do, hopped up none stock guns can get you in big trouble with the law if you were to have to shoot some one...

 

[Wedgie]

I put another 150 rounds through the K6s Sunday. 100 rds of 38 special and 50 rds of 357. Not once did I have a single problem with the trigger reset running 38 special. However, when firing 357 that was a different story. I was very careful to fully remove my finger from the trigger after each shot and then start a new trigger pull. At least once per six rounds the trigger would lock. Once I released the trigger again it would fire as normal. It seems that this is not a user issue. In this particular revolver there is a reset anomaly when firing 357 magnum loads. I will take it back out with another shooter and see if we can duplicate the test.

Again, this is an excellent revolver. Superb accuracy, feel, ergonomics etc. Kimber really got this thing right. Just a glitch with this particular trigger I suppose.

I prefer to find that I am doing something wrong instead of sending the revolver back to Kimber.

I will update as the testing continues.

ETA: I currently carry a 340pd in a Mika pocket holster and have been doing so for years. I run 60 rds every week or two through it with 50 38's and 10 357. I am on my second 340pd. I have had no failures/problems with either and it will probably remain my primary pocket carry as a backup to my IWB pistol.

 

[Wedgie]

Went out and shot the K6s again and had two other shooters experience the same issue.
Then one more shooter tried it and had no problems. I then shot it and it was no longer freezing up as before.

One of the original shooters that noticed the problem also was able to get through several cylinders without a trigger problem.

Not sure what to think now.

I do have an RMA# to send it back for Kimber to look at and they were very helpful and eager to work with my LGS to resolve the issue.

Updates as soon as I know more.

To be very clear. This is an excellent shooting revolver in terms of fit, finish, feel, accuracy, and trigger... when it does not have a hiccup.

 

[340PD]

Wedgie, I will run a few .357's out of my K6S on Saturday. To date, I have not shot many as I will likely never carry that gun loaded with heavy loads. Please follow up with us when you get your gun back from Kimber. If this is a potential problem I would like to know the fix. It could be the heavy recoil of the .357 round is keeping your finger reward not allowing the trigger to fully reset correctly. Sometimes these things are a learned reflex. That should not be the case.
As for your EDC "stuff". I love your pics as they show a man who truly talks the talk and walks the walk. Good on you and BTW, I will never part with my 340PD.

 

[ROD KLOMP]

Hi Wedgi, I would like to hear what Kimber has to say also, I have two k6S's, but haven't had any problems, I'm not sure if it's because I'm a long time revolver shooter or not, the biggest problem I've ever had with any revolver is the projectile skipping forward and jamming the cylinder, and always caused by noy having a tight enough crimp , 340 PD has a good point here, the trigger on the K6S does have a bit of a learning curve as do all revolvers or autos for that matter, but if there is a problem, we would all like to know what Kimber has to say, and sorry you are having this happen, the K6S is a fine quality firearm, that you want to be reliable, after all you spent good money for it, and it is a Kimber...