Kimber K6s Review (2026): 500 Round Test of the Premium Carry Revolver

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Quick Answer: The Kimber K6s DASA is the best premium snub-nose carry revolver you can buy in 2026: a six-shot, all-stainless .357 Magnum that weighs 23 ounces, with a non-stacking double-action pull Kimber rates at 9.5 to 11.5 pounds (ours measured 9.8) and a 3.25 to 4.25-pound single action. The 2-inch DASA was $999.99 at EuroOptic on October 29, 2026.

Ours ran 500 rounds of five loads with zero malfunctions. The original 2016 K6s used a titanium firing pin that broke in a small number of guns, mostly after heavy dry fire; Kimber moved to a steel pin around 2019, when the DASA launched. If you buy an early used K6s, ask whether the pin has been replaced.

The biggest mistake new K6s buyers make is treating a 6-shot stainless snubbie like a polymer J-frame. The K6s weighs 23 ounces (vs 14-15 oz for an aluminum J-frame); recoil is much more manageable but pocket carry is a different proposition. Match the holster to the weight, and the K6s rewards as a primary carry revolver.

Last updated and checked October 29, 2026 · By Nick Hall, who put 500 rounds through the Kimber K6s DASA for this review

Table of Contents

Review: Kimber K6s DASA – The Premium Six-Shooter That Costs Like One

Our Rating: 8.0/10

• Launch MSRP: $970 (2019); Kimber now lists the California version at $1,117
• Price: $999.99 at EuroOptic (2-inch DASA, October 29, 2026)
• Caliber: .357 Magnum / .38 Special
• Action: DA/SA (Double Action / Single Action)
• Barrel Length: 2 inches
• Overall Length: 6.62 inches
• Height: 4.46 inches
• Width: 1.39 inches
• Weight (unloaded): 23 oz
• Capacity: 6 rounds
• Frame Material: Stainless steel
• Finish: Brushed stainless
• Sights: White 3-dot, 3.5-inch sight radius
• Trigger Pull (DA): 9.5 to 11.5 lbs, non-stacking (Kimber factory setting)
• Trigger Pull (SA): 3.25 to 4.25 lbs (Kimber factory setting)
• Grip: Checkered laminated walnut boot grip, serrated backstrap
• Made in: USA

Quick Take

Kimber’s K6s DASA is what happens when a company known for 1911s decides to build a carry revolver and refuses to cut corners on the trigger. The result is a 6-shot .357 Magnum snubby that feels like it costs what it costs. That smooth double-action pull is the real story here. It’s not marketing fluff. I measured it at 9.8 pounds, at the light end of Kimber’s 9.5 to 11.5-pound factory spec, and it doesn’t stack at the end of the stroke.

I ran 500 rounds through the K6s DASA over four range sessions. Mix of .38 Special range ammo, .38 +P defensive loads, and full-house .357 Magnum. It ran everything without a hiccup. Accuracy was impressive for a 2-inch barrel, and the single-action option gives you real precision when you thumb that hammer back.

The catch? The 2-inch DASA was $999.99 at EuroOptic on October 29, 2026, for a snub-nose revolver. That’s Ruger SP101 money plus $247. The K6s earns most of that premium, but you need to go in with eyes open about what “premium” actually gets you versus the competition.

Best For: Revolver enthusiasts who want the best factory DA trigger in a compact .357 and don’t mind paying for it. Also a strong pick for concealed carry shooters who prioritize fit and finish and want that extra sixth round.

Why Kimber Built the K6s DASA This Way

Kimber entered the revolver market in 2016 with the original K6s, a DAO-only snubby that turned heads because it packed six rounds of .357 Magnum into a frame roughly the size of a 5-shot S&W J-frame. That was the party trick. But shooters kept asking for one thing: an exposed hammer with single-action capability.

The DASA answered that request. Kimber announced it in November 2018 as a 2019 model, the first double-action/single-action K6s, with a knurled hammer spur, white 3-dot sights, a serrated backstrap and checkered laminated walnut grips, at a $970 launch MSRP for both the 2-inch and 3-inch guns. It kept the compact envelope and the smooth, non-stacking double-action pull of the original.

Market context matters here. For decades, S&W and Ruger owned the compact .357 revolver space with little competition. Colt had bowed out. Taurus was playing in the budget lane. Kimber saw an opening at the top end, where shooters would pay more for a better trigger and tighter tolerances. Think of it like the 1911 market strategy they already knew: take an established platform concept and execute it at a higher level.

Whether the execution justifies the price is the question this entire review is trying to answer. Spoiler: mostly yes, with some caveats that matter.

Competitor Comparison

On October 29, 2026 the 2-inch K6s DASA was $999.99 at EuroOptic. The double-action-only Ruger SP101 was $752.99 at Guns.com, the S&W 642 $479.99 at Sportsman’s Outdoor Superstore, the Ruger LCR .357 $699.99 at Primary Arms and the Colt King Cobra Carry DA/SA $829.99 at Sportsman’s Outdoor Superstore.

Ruger SP101

The Ruger SP101 is the obvious comparison and the gun most buyers cross-shop against the K6s. It’s a 5-shot .357 built like a small tank. The SP101’s trigger is functional but noticeably heavier and grittier out of the box. Where the Ruger wins is value and reputation. The double-action-only SP101 was $752.99 at Guns.com on October 29, 2026, $247 less than the K6s DASA, and it has a longer track record.

But here’s the thing. The K6s gives you six rounds instead of five in essentially the same footprint, plus a trigger that the SP101 can’t match even after a trip to a gunsmith. If the price difference doesn’t bother you, the Kimber is the better revolver. If you want proven reliability at a lower cost, the SP101 has earned that trust over decades.

Smith & Wesson 642 Airweight

Totally different animal but worth discussing because a lot of carry revolver shoppers end up choosing between these two. The S&W 642 is a .38 Special-only, 5-shot, hammerless pocket rocket that weighs 15 ounces. It’s the gold standard for deep concealment revolver carry.

The K6s DASA is heavier, bigger, more powerful, more accurate, and more pleasant to shoot. The 642 is lighter, cheaper ($479.99 at Sportsman’s Outdoor Superstore on October 29, 2026, $520 less), and disappears in a pocket. These guns solve different problems. If your priority is “smallest possible revolver that goes bang reliably,” get the 642. If you want a carry revolver you’ll actually enjoy shooting at the range, the K6s wins by a mile.

Ruger LCR .357

The Ruger LCR in .357 Magnum is another lightweight option that splits the difference. It has Ruger’s friction-reducing cam trigger system, which is impressive for a polymer-framed revolver. Five shots, 17.1 ounces, and $699.99 at Primary Arms on October 29, 2026.

Shooting .357 Magnum through the LCR is, frankly, punishment. At 17 ounces, full-power magnums are brutal. The K6s at 23 ounces handles them significantly better, and you get that extra round. The LCR makes more sense as a .38 Special carry piece that can chamber magnums in an emergency. The K6s is a proper .357 you can actually train with.

Colt King Cobra Carry

Now we’re talking direct competition. The King Cobra Carry is Colt’s compact six-shot .357, and the DA/SA version was $829.99 at Sportsman’s Outdoor Superstore on October 29, 2026, $170 less than the K6s DASA. Six shots, 2-inch barrel, stainless steel. The Colt has a different feel with its leaf-spring action that some shooters prefer.

Both guns have excellent triggers. The Colt’s is a touch stackier in double action, while the Kimber’s is smoother through the pull. Between these two, you’re splitting hairs. Handle both and buy whichever one feels better in your hand. You won’t be wrong either way.

Smith & Wesson 686

The S&W 686 is a bigger gun, a medium L-frame with six rounds, or seven in the 686 Plus (a 2.5-inch 686 Plus was $869.99 at Brownells on October 29, 2026). It’s not really a concealed carry competitor, but it’s the benchmark .357 revolver that everything gets compared to. Better sights, more aftermarket support, and that classic Smith action that improves with shooting.

If you don’t need deep concealment, the 686 gives you more gun for less money. But it’s an apples-to-oranges comparison. The K6s goes places the 686 can’t, like inside a waistband under a t-shirt. Different missions.

Features and Technical Deep Dive

Frame and Construction

The frame, cylinder and barrel are stainless steel. The frame is compact enough that the overall dimensions (6.62 inches long, 4.46 inches tall, 1.39 inches wide) barely exceed a typical 5-shot snubby, yet Kimber fit a 6-round cylinder in there. That’s not a trivial achievement. The cylinder walls are thinner than what you’d find on an SP101, and the gun is rated for full .357 Magnum loads.

Brushed stainless finish is attractive without being flashy. Every edge on this gun has been “melted,” meaning there are no sharp corners anywhere. You can run your finger around the entire revolver and find nothing to snag on clothing or bite into your hand. That kind of detail work shows up in the price tag and in daily carry comfort.

Trigger System

This is where Kimber spent their engineering budget. Kimber calls the double action non-stacking and sets it at 9.5 to 11.5 pounds at the factory; the pull on my test gun measured 9.8 pounds on a Lyman digital gauge. The pull is smooth with no stacking or hitches through the stroke. It just rolls back evenly until it breaks. I’ve shot S&W revolvers with $200 action jobs that weren’t this good.

Single action is where the DASA model differentiates itself from the DAO K6s. Thumb the knurled hammer back and you get a crisp, clean break; Kimber sets it at 3.25 to 4.25 pounds and ours broke at about 3.5. Minimal overtravel. No creep. It turns this carry gun into a surprisingly accurate range piece when you want to slow down and shoot tight groups.

One thing to watch: the DA trigger can be short-stroked if you don’t follow through completely. This isn’t a defect. It’s a feature of the shorter, smoother pull. You need to train with it and commit to a full trigger press every time. Experienced revolver shooters will adapt quickly. Newer shooters should be aware.

Sights

The K6s DASA comes with white 3-dot sights on a 3.5-inch sight radius. For a 2-inch carry gun, they’re good. The dots pick up fast in most lighting conditions, and the rear notch is wide enough for a quick sight picture without being sloppy.

Are they target sights? No. A fiber-optic front would be welcome; Kimber offers one on the 4-inch Target GFO model. A thinner front blade would also give more daylight around the post on a short barrel. But for defensive shooting at realistic distances, these sights work fine.

Grips and Ergonomics

The factory grips are gorgeous: a laminated walnut boot grip with diamond checkering and a Kimber medallion, over a serrated backstrap. They provide a full three-finger grip for average-sized hands, which is better than most snubbies manage. The grip angle positions your hand naturally in line with the bore.

That said, I’ll be honest. Shooting full-power .357 Magnum loads with these thin wood grips will beat up the web of your hand after a couple of cylinders. They look great. They carry well. But for extended magnum shooting, you’ll want something with more cushion. Hogue Bantam rubber grips or LOK G10s are both popular upgrades. Or feed it .38 Special at the range and save the magnums for the carry ammo, which is what most revolver carriers do anyway.

The Hammer Spur

The exposed hammer is the whole reason this model exists. It’s compact and well-shaped, but there’s not a lot of real estate between the hammer spur and the rear sight. Shooters with big thumbs will notice this. I caught my thumb pad on the sight a few times when cocking the hammer quickly. Not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing before you buy.

At the Range: 500-Round Test Protocol

I put 500 rounds through the K6s DASA over four range sessions spanning three weeks. The goal was simple: find out if this revolver runs as good as it looks, and whether the premium price tag translates to premium performance downrange.

Ammunition Used

• Federal American Eagle .38 Special 130gr FMJ – 200 rounds
• Fiocchi .38 Special 158gr FMJ – 100 rounds
• Speer Gold Dot .38 Special +P 135gr JHP – 50 rounds
• Federal .357 Magnum 158gr JSP – 100 rounds
• Hornady Critical Defense .357 Magnum 125gr FTX – 50 rounds

Break-In and First Impressions

There’s no break-in period with a revolver the way there is with a semi-auto. You load it, you shoot it, it works. First cylinder of Federal .38 Special went downrange without drama. The trigger was immediately impressive. Smooth, predictable, and lighter than any other factory revolver I’ve shot this year.

Switching to single action for the first time was a revelation. A 3.5-pound break is absurdly good for a carry revolver. I was punching ragged one-hole groups at 7 yards without trying hard. This thing wants to shoot accurately. You just have to let it.

Reliability Testing

Five hundred rounds. Zero failures. Zero light strikes. Zero anything. Every trigger pull produced a bang. Cylinder lockup stayed tight throughout. Timing remained correct from first round to last. I inspected the forcing cone and cylinder face after every session. Carbon buildup was normal. No unusual wear patterns.

Now, a revolver should be reliable. That’s kind of the whole point. But given Kimber’s early production issues with the K6s line (more on that below), I wanted to verify that current production guns have the kinks worked out. My test gun, manufactured in 2025, was flawless. It runs.

Accuracy Results

I shot for groups at 7 and 15 yards, both DA and SA, from a sandbag rest. Here’s what the K6s delivered.

At 7 yards in SA mode, Federal .38 Special printed a best 5-shot group of 1.1 inches. Federal .357 Magnum tightened that to 0.9 inches. In DA at the same distance, groups opened to about 2 inches with .38 and 2.3 inches with .357. That’s good shooting for a 2-inch barrel.

At 15 yards, SA groups stayed under 2.5 inches with most loads. DA opened up to 3-4 inches depending on how well I managed the trigger. The Hornady Critical Defense was the accuracy champion, consistently printing the tightest groups at every distance. The Speer Gold Dot +P wasn’t far behind.

Bottom line: this gun is more accurate than most shooters will ever need it to be in a defensive scenario. And in single action, it’s fun to shoot for precision at the range.

Performance Testing Results

Reliability: 8/10

Perfect reliability through our 500-round test. No failures of any kind. The reason this doesn’t score higher is the early titanium firing pin breakage on the original K6s, which, while fixed in current production, still dings the platform’s reliability reputation. A Ruger SP101 gets the benefit of decades of proven service. The K6s is still building that track record.

Accuracy: 8/10

Excellent for a 2-inch barrel revolver. The SA trigger elevates accuracy potential significantly beyond what most snubbies can deliver. Mechanical accuracy outpaces what most shooters can wring out of a short sight radius. The limiting factor is the shooter, not the gun. That’s exactly what you want.

Ergonomics and Recoil: 8/10

At 23 ounces, the K6s DASA handles .38 Special like a dream and manages .357 Magnum without being punishing. It’s noticeably more comfortable than shooting magnums through a lightweight alloy-frame snubby. The grip angle is natural, the melted edges prevent hotspots during recoil, and the overall balance is good. Docked slightly because the factory walnut grips could use more texture for magnum loads, and the hammer-to-sight clearance is tight.

Fit, Finish, and QC: 9/10

This is where the K6s earns its keep. The stainless steel work is beautiful. Cylinder-to-frame gap is tight and even. Lockup is solid in every position. The melted edges are consistent all the way around the gun. The walnut grips are fitted precisely to the frame. Everything about the build quality says “premium” without screaming it, and every K6s I’ve handled in shops has matched my test gun.

Known Issues and Common Problems

Early Titanium Firing Pin Breakage

The original K6s shipped with a titanium firing pin that broke in a small number of guns, mostly after heavy dry firing. Kimber redesigned the pin in steel with a sturdier nose, and it went into DA/SA models around 2019 and hammerless models around 2020. Current production uses the steel pin, and Kimber said it would fix affected guns under warranty. If you’re buying used, check the production date, and use snap caps for dry practice. TK Custom sells a 17-4 stainless extended firing pin kit for the K6s, mainly for owners who lighten the action.

Cylinder Timing Complaints

Some early owners reported cylinder timing problems, with the trigger hanging up or the cylinder stop not engaging. I saw zero timing issues in my 500-round test. If you buy a used early K6s, have a gunsmith check timing and lockup before you carry it.

Short Ejector Rod

This one isn’t a defect. It’s a design tradeoff. The 2-inch barrel means a short ejector rod, which means empty cases don’t always clear the cylinder cleanly on ejection. You need to give the rod a firm, decisive smack. Half-hearted ejection attempts will leave empties stuck under the ejector star. It’s annoying during speed reloads but manageable with practice. Every short-barrel revolver deals with this to some degree.

Limited Speedloader Compatibility

The K6s doesn’t take J-frame or SP101 speedloaders. You need K6s-specific ones, and Kimber sells its own. Options are more limited than what’s available for J-frames or SP101s. Not a huge deal for pocket carry, but folks who train extensively with speedloaders should factor this in.

Parts, Accessories, and Upgrades

Upgrade Category	Recommended Component	Why It Matters	Cost Estimate
Grips	Hogue Bantam OverMolded or LOK G10 Palm Swell	Better recoil management with .357 loads, more texture than factory walnut	$25-$65
Speedloader	Kimber K6s speedloader	Made for the K6s six-shot cylinder	$25-$35
Firing Pin (older guns)	TK Custom Extended Firing Pin Kit	17-4 stainless pin for early guns or a lightened action	Check price
Holster (IWB)	DeSantis Flex-Tuk or JM4 High Ride	Check the listing names the K6s 2-inch	$40-$70
Holster (OWB)	DeSantis Speed Scabbard	Range and open carry use, excellent leather quality	$50-$75
Speed Strips	.38/.357 rubber speed strip	Flat-profile reload option, easier to pocket than speedloaders	$15-$20

For grips, I’d start with a Hogue Bantam if you’re shooting magnums regularly. The LOK G10 grips are the move if you want something that looks as good as it performs. Both are direct drop-in replacements that don’t require any fitting.

Holster selection has improved since the K6s first launched, and DeSantis and Galco both list holsters for the 2-inch K6s. Make sure the listing names the K6s, not just “J-frame”. EuroOptic carries K6s accessories and grips.

Kimber K6s DASA by the Numbers

• 500 rounds of 5 loads over 4 sessions, 0 malfunctions
• 9.8 lb double action on our gauge (Kimber spec 9.5 to 11.5); about 3.5 lb single action (spec 3.25 to 4.25)
• 0.9 in best 5-shot group at 7 yards in single action with Federal .357 Magnum
• 23 oz, 6 shots, 2 in barrel, 6.62 in long, 1.39 in wide
• $999.99 at EuroOptic (October 29, 2026): $247 over a DAO SP101, $170 over a King Cobra Carry

Who Should NOT Buy the Kimber K6s DASA

• Pocket carriers: at 23 ounces it is a belt gun; a 642 Airweight is the pocket revolver.
• Budget buyers: a double-action-only SP101 was $247 less on October 29, 2026.
• Speedloader-heavy trainers: K6s speedloaders are fewer and harder to find than J-frame ones.
• Buyers of early used guns who can’t check the firing pin: the original titanium pin broke in a few guns.
• Shooters who want a longer sight radius: the 3-inch DASA or a 686 shoots easier at distance.

The Verdict

The Kimber K6s DASA is an excellent revolver that suffers from one main problem: its price makes people expect perfection, and perfection doesn’t exist in firearms manufacturing. What you get is a 6-shot .357 Magnum with the best factory double-action trigger in its class, build quality that embarrasses most competitors, and a compact package that carries well and shoots accurately.

Is it worth $247 more than a double-action-only SP101 ($752.99 at Guns.com against $999.99 at EuroOptic on October 29, 2026)? If trigger quality and that sixth round matter to you, yes. If you’re buying a carry revolver to put in a drawer and forget about, save the money and buy the Ruger. The K6s rewards shooters who train with their carry guns. That trigger makes practice a pleasure instead of a chore, and you’ll shoot this gun better than most of its competitors because of it.

Early production issues are worth knowing about but shouldn’t scare you away from a current-production gun. Kimber moved to a steel firing pin, and my 500-round test was boringly reliable, which is exactly what you want from something you might stake your life on. The K6s DASA isn’t the cheapest way to carry a .357 revolver. But it might be the most enjoyable one.

Final Score: 8.0/10

Best For: Experienced revolver shooters who value a premium trigger and build quality in a carry-sized .357. Also a great choice for anyone moving from semi-autos to revolvers who wants the SA option for range work and the DA capability for defensive use. Check our best revolvers for concealed carry guide if you’re still comparing options.

Kimber also makes the 1911-style pocket 9mm in our Kimber Micro 9 review.

Frequently Asked Questions

How I Tested the Kimber K6s

I fired 500 rounds of five factory loads (.38 Special, .38 Special +P and .357 Magnum) over four range sessions spanning three weeks, logging every malfunction. Groups were five shots from a sandbag rest at 7 and 15 yards in both double and single action. Trigger pulls were measured on a Lyman digital gauge, and the specs above are Kimber’s own published figures.

Related: Our dedicated best snub-nose revolvers roundup goes deeper on the J-frame, K-frame, and Ruger LCR/SP101 platforms.