I am neither a Kimber hater nor a fanboy, but I have been around long enough to recognize a great product when I see one. Kimber’s 1911 pistols are very well-known, as are some of their other handguns like the one we are looking at today: the Kimber K6S .357 Magnum Target.

The K6S Target is the latest in the wheel gun line and uses both double and single-action trigger mechanisms, resulting in a fantastic trigger performance and an enhanced shooting experience. The K6S brings several options for those looking for a slick-shooting defensive handgun. There are a couple of different grip and barrel length options – and any caliber you choose, as long as it’s .357 Magnum.

Let’s get this Kimber out of the box and onto the range.
 

Table of Contents

Unboxing 
Sights & Trigger
Specs
Range Time
On Target
Pros & Cons
Conclusion

Unboxing

The K6S came in a double-sided soft case in the factory box – simple and useful at the same time. I opened it up to see a beautiful satin stainless finish and a handsome laminate wood grip. The unique facets of the cylinder immediately caught my eye and got me wondering what else this revolver had in store.

I picked up the gun to feel the checkered grip. It looked like it might be a little small to fit my hand, but it turned out to be just right. The trigger was a touch close to the grip, which made it feel like my hands were still slightly big for the gun, but certainly close enough to work with.
 

The cylinder is released with a push-button on the frame. I like this style over the sliding-forward button style. It seemed a touch sticky, enough that the cylinder wouldn’t fall open without some pressure pushing it out.

The hammer spur has a nice curl that keeps it pretty low-profile when it is cocked and makes it feel natural to reach and pull with your thumb. The texturing on the spur is aggressive enough to feel and get a good purchase, but not so much as to be abrasive.

Sights & Trigger
 

On top of the revolver, I found the hinged rear sight. It is fully adjustable, and the spring tension keeps it up where it belongs. The rear sight is serrated to avoid reflecting light, and the front sight is pinned to the muzzle and features a bright green fiber optic. Together they make a great tool for aiming the little wheel gun.
 

It was time to feel the DA/SA trigger that I’d read about, so I pulled the hammer back for that satisfying double click. The single-action pull of this trigger feels great, with very little movement when it breaks. The double action felt much like I am used to feeling: a longer pull followed by a clean snap.

I rarely use the double action with handguns, as I prefer the cleaner single-action pull for most shots. The double action would be useful in a situation where you need to shoot a bunch quickly, but I prefer the more accurate and stable shooting of a single shot at a time.

Specs

• Height: 5.25 inches
• Weight: 1.81 pounds
• Width: 1.39 inches
• Length: 8.62 inches
• Capacity: Six rounds
• Caliber: .357 Magnum/.38 Special
• Action: DA/SA
   

Range Time

A few boxes of American Eagle ammunition in hand, I headed to my shooting spot to give the little Kimber a workout. The easy loading of cartridges is like soothing therapy to a gun nut like me. The long, slender .357 cartridges made a tapping sound as the rim hit the cylinder. With a snap, the loaded cylinder locked into place, and it was time to start making noise.

The .357 is not a huge cartridge, but it does pack a punch for its size. The K6S does a fine job of handling the modest recoil and making it pleasant to shoot. I shot through several cylinders of cartridges before realizing that I was sporting a smug little smile.

The K6S seemed to be just the right size for my taste. Smaller .357s are harder to control with such small grips, and their lighter weight doesn’t hold back as much recoil, either. The Kimber felt just right – big enough to be fun and easy to shoot, but small enough to still be usefully carried for various tasks.
 

On Target

I found the sights very easy to pick up, and they made it simple to hit my targets. I shot much better shooting single action than double action, but that came as a surprise to no one. As it was, shooting from 10 yards I was able to keep the shots under 2 inches. Since I’m not a pistol match shooter, I’m not sure if that’s good or not. But I felt like it was certainly good enough for my purposes.

Shooting this little Kimber made me feel like I was shooting better. That might seem like an important endorsement if you hadn’t seen me shoot before, but it certainly made me enjoy shooting it even more.
 

The cylinder also has a shoulder around the breach of the chambers, which seems like an additional safety feature. On top of that, it gives a clean look to the cylinder by covering the rims of the cartridges.
 

Pros & Cons

If you like revolvers, there is a lot to like about the Kimber K6S. The handsome grips are both comfortable and useful for a good grip. The sights are very nice and allow for positive aiming and accurate shooting. The trigger is fantastic either way you pull it, and the hammer is equally user-friendly and easy to manipulate. The handsome brushed stainless finish gives the handgun a refined look and keeps it from shining in the sun or other bright lights.

The only complaint I can find with this thing is the slightly sticky cylinder. On opening, it feels like it hangs up on something. I am not sure if it is that way on purpose, or if there is something slightly out of adjustment. Either way, it isn’t a big deal, but just something that bugged me slightly and prevented me from loving everything about it.
 

Pros:

• Comfortable, good-looking grips
• Sights are easy to pick up 
• Accurate and reliable
• Fantastic trigger and hammer
• Attractive brushed stainless finish reduces glare 

Cons: 

• Cylinder slightly sticky and doesn't fall open easily
   

Conclusion

Kimber has brought a very clean and good-looking firearm to market in the K6S Target, and its performance matches its dashing good looks. I could absolutely see myself carrying this handgun in a holster during a hunt through the dark woods where cougars might lurk.

The accuracy and smooth reliability of the K6S make it an easy choice for situations where you need the power of a .357 Magnum and the ability to make every hit count. I prefer carrying automatic pistols for concealed carry options, but this revolver certainly could be used in that capacity. It’s small enough to conceal easily on the waist, and six rounds of .357 is certainly suitable for two-legged assailants.

My overall impression of the K6S is of a professional-grade revolver you can rely on, shoot excessively, and someday pass down to your kids – the mark of a good firearm.