K6s 3? or Model 19 K-comp?

[bearitone]

Trying to decide between these two revolvers for carry.

I?m looking at the DA only K6s 3? because it?s small frame but carries 6 rounds. The enclosed hammer also seems nice but, I feel like a bobbed hammer on the 19 should be fine. I plan to use adjustable sights regardless which one I pick so I won?t really be taking advantage of the de-horned/smooth back end of the K6s.

The only other revolvers similar in size but still 6 rounds of .357 are the smith K-frames. The model 19 with compensated barrel is tempting because I do plan to shoot full-house .357 loads.

I would be willing to step up to the slightly bigger/heavier K-frame smith if it?s reliable and I don?t have to worry about the lock inside accidentally turning on.

I guess it all comes down to which one is likely to be more reliable; The Smith or the Kimber? Is the lock on smith revolvers still a concern today? Or have problems with those basically been remedied on newer revolvers?

EDIT: Just noticed something else, the barrel on the K-comp is really only 2.5” before reaching the compensator. How badly am I neutering .357 loads by going from 3” to 2.5” of barrel? I read everywhere that .357 out of a 2” barrel is no better ballistically than 9mm. If I’m going to have the recoil of .357, I want the performance too

[deadcoyote]

So I’m ambivalent on this because they’re both great guns. The smith is heavier than the kimber so if you’re going to carry it daily that’s something to take into account. Conversely, if you’re going to shoot a lot of .357 the heavier might be better.

As far as the lock goes, just my experience but I’ve carried a j frame SW as a back up gun at work and as my off work gun for about 12 years or more and the lock has never been an issue. I’ve never turned it on or off, but it’s never turned on in a couple thousand rounds and riding around the world getting knocked into stuff in my pocket for that long.

[ABR]

Hard to beat the K6 trigger.

[acaligunner]

I like the K6 kimber, the smith and Wesson I looked at had a problem with the cocking mechanism so I?d be looking over a modern smith before buying.

If your going to carry a 357 - again I?d go with the kimber k6, and I have also heard that even the K framed revolvers can be stressed by 357 magnum loads - so No real advantage over the j / k frame revolvers.

Also, look into what speedloaders reliably fit into the K6 cylinder-

If I?m looking into what sd rounds I would use it?s going to be the 125gr sjhp load with 2 speedloaders, which is going to be a handful and a bit of muzzleflash to go along with it.

If you go kimber - try to look into the front sight nightlight since stuff can happen at night.

For a smith - ah maybe a model 60 pro - which is a 5 shot stainless 357 magnum.

No problem with the Hillary lock in any of my s&w’s that I’ve owned since the 2000’s.

Good luck

[TTT]

If you haven?t tried carried a 35+ ounce pistol regularly, the K frame may be an issue.
If you haven?t fired full power .357 Magnum rounds out of a 25- ounce pistol, the K6S may be an issue.
If neither is a concern, I think you?d do fine with either one.

[nadodave]

I would try to rent/borrow both and then go from there.

I have the ported 586+ which is the same
barrel length as the 19 you're looking at, but it's 7 rounds on the L frame.

I find it very reliable. No experience woth the Kimber, but I've heard very good things and often consider buying one.

I like having an exposed hammer, myself.

[acaligunner]

Ruger LCR 357 might also be an option.

I?ve shot 357 loads thru my scandium j frame and while it did get some attention from other gunners - it wasn?t that bad on the hands.

But again, I grew up shooting steel and wood revolvers all through my life.

[deadcoyote]

In regards to the strength issue regarding K frame, when they reintroduced the K frame they’d allegedly did a redesign that fixed it. anecdotally, I saw a crap ton of rounds go through a lot of old model K frames and never saw the top strap issue manifest itself. It was caused by shooting a lot of 125 grain .357 ammo specifically, and the agency I worked for didn’t use 125 grain ammo and it was never a problem.

[hambam105]

The ccw revolvers in .357, with compensator, is a 1980s dream fiasco that I'm surprised to see that it has resurfaced.
Combine that with S&Ws' questionable, and I'm being very generous with that word, quality control issues, no way.

The K6 is a expensive non standard revolver great for barbeques.

L frames and GPs can handle the exposer to .357 pressures longer than your expendable shooting dollar and trigger finger can
reach. No Fun Real Fast.

The many commonalities of these dudes still packing a ccw revolver after 25 years of regular shooting practice, is that 99% of
them spent their money on something other than a pre 1978 K frame first, before joining the K38_158_Club.

[smittty]

Instead of 357 mag, have you considered an ultralight 38 sp?

Taurus 856 ultralight 2" is a sweet carry gun, and their 856 executive is a seriously nice quality. They have same size frames as the king cobra but have wide triggers unlike the skinny colt triggers.

[pinger]

I had a current issue S&W 66 4.25" K frame that had an issue with soot fouling around the ejector rod which caused the cylinder to drag after several loads of factory 38 special. It is a known issue that other owners have found. 38 special range ammo (Winchester, Remington) make a huge smoke cloud that 357 magnum doesn't make.

The problem is the ejector rod does not have as robust of a gas seal as L frames or even previous K frames because they had to simplify the ejector to minimize the size of the center of the cylinder to get more clearance for the forcing cone.

After shooting a half box of 38 special the cylinder would drag even with the crane swung out. After whole box the cylinder would feel locked. Only disassembly and cleaning of the rod and cylinder would get it back to function. The ejector rod is black with soot that does not get clean without disassembly.

Shooting 357 magnum loads does not cause this issue. The powder burns clean and doesn't make soot.

I really like the size of the K frame but refuse to get another new 66 or a new 19. It's mainly because I shoot a lot of 38 special. I have had no problems with my L frame 686s and 986s.

[TheFlashG]

If you're looking at the Model 19, why not the 66 with the 2 1/2" bbl?

[Tank 57]

I have a pre-lock 640 on my CCW. On the rare times I carry it, it is loaded with .38 special. Short barrel and .357 are incredibly loud. Not likely to have hearing pro on when you need/use your CCW. Something to consider.

[Tim padilla]

Buy a Prelock k frame and never look back