SP 101 or Kimber K6

[JackBull]

Which would you pick and why?

 

[contender]

Well, to start,, I generally prefer Rugers.

But as for personal experience,, I've used several SP-101's in our teaching clinics, and carried them. 100% trust in them. They have a very long & proven track record.
The Kimber K6. I've handled a few,, studied them a bit at SHOT & such. Never shot one. In MY hands,, they just didn't feel "right" and weren't as comfortable. I preach getting a gun to fit YOUR hands,, and as such,, I personally didn't fit them very well. Their track record is still to be determined,, as they are too new to having built any reputation.

So,, if I were looking to get one,, my first thing would be the purpose I had in mind for it. If self defense is the purpose,, I'd pick the Ruger over the Kimber. If just a range gun, or any other more causal purpose,, I might consider the Kimber. But that's when pricing would come into play.

 

[rammerjammer]

I'd have to fondle the Kimber first before making a final decision but I'd be leaning toward the Kimber over the SP101.

I've owned 4 SP101 revolvers and only kept one, the 22lr model. Decent guns but not so great triggers, too heavy and old school 5 shot only capacity.

The Kimber has 6 shot capacity around the same size. I'd also opt for the aluminum framed model that is 38 Special only for the sake of weight and I don't want to carry 357 Mag.

 

[WanderLust]

I handled both and have to give a nod to the Kimber as far as refinement, capacity, smoothness, etc. The fit and finish on newer Kimber models surpassed the newest Rugers by a bit, and I'm a Ruger fan speaking here. Having said that, I have read of some rare Kimber owners having mechanical issues that resulted in the guns being scrapped by the factory after inspection. We have read of that ccurring with Ruger as well, but the relative newness of the Kimber means there may be some teething trouble. My compromise? I found a nice older Ruger 3" .357 with laser grips and am working over the innards to match the outerward appearance. Should be on par with the slick action that I noticed on most every Kimber. Never found a newer Ruger that felt as smooth as it should have, compared to older versions. But that's me, your luck may be different. I would say this: I would stick with the steel frame over aluminum. It's heavier to carry, but much easier on the recoil if you need to fire it. I know, you'll carry 99% of the time and shoot maybe 1% of the time, but you'll want that 1% to really matter. As far as capacity, the .32 and .327 shows as being 6 shots, matching the Kimbers. hard to find them though.

 

[Wvfarrier]

Having owned both....the Kimber by far! It has an amazing trigger and is just smooth.

 

[WendyZXZ]

I would pick the SP simply because I already have one and find it to be a great little Ruger revolver!

 

[BULL'S-EYE]

I own a K6xs and it's a pure joy to carry and shoot. If I'm going to pack any Ruger snub, it'll be an LCR.

 

[sharpblade7777]

I own both but prefer the sp101.

 

[Fox Mike]

I changed the hammer spring and the trigger return spring in my SP101 and it now has a much lighter and better trigger feel.

 

[mjh]

I've handled the Kimber. I own 3 SP's. I think it boils down to what fits you, what do you like, what do you want.

I couldn't get rid of my LCR 357 fast enough.

 

[dchmule]

I changed the hammer spring and the trigger return spring in my SP101 and it now has a much lighter and better trigger feel.

I did the same with mine and had the same results. Money well spent on Wolffe springs

 

[GVTC09]

've shot both.
The SP101 isn't even in the same arena. The k6s is a far superior gun, but with a price tag that goes along with it.
My vote goes K6S.

 

[wproct]

I no longer own a revolver of this size, but when I did it was a Ruger sp101 wearing Hogue smooth wood stocks and it was extremely comfortable to carry and shoot. Yes, the trigger pull was stout and I'm sure spring replacement would make a heck of a difference, but I didn't do that. At the same time I owned a Smith & Wesson model 60 that was a pre-lock version and that became my preferred choice in that size of revolver. To be honest I have never even picked up the Kimber K6S, owning the Ruger and Smith & Wesson I just didn't see the need. I am actually a big Kimber fan in 1911 pistols but I just haven't been turned on by their revolvers.

 

[sharpblade7777]

I've owned the kimber k6 for quite a while and it has been flawless. A few months ago I bought the kimber k6xs, much cheaper, 38 special only, aluminum frame. I brought it home, put 6 rounds in it and went out on the porch and shot it and after 6 rounds it broke. I sent it back to kimber and got it back very promptly. They said the firing pin broke. Took it out again and shot 6 rounds and it broke again. This time I sent it back to kimber in the box it came in with everything that came with it along with the receipt for 575 dollars and said I don't want it back, just refund my money. I would never be able to trust it. A few days later customer service called and said the sear had broke but they could not refund my money. They said they would send me a brand new one and I agreed. Of course it had to go to my lgs instead of straight to me. They sent me a tracking number. The day it was delivered to my lgs I went there and told my friend that runs it that I did not want it back but would like to trade it on another gun. He agreed and gave my exactly what I paid for it on a new ruger gp100. So I was happy. I never had that problem with my rugers and I have many.

 

[JackBull]

I own both but prefer the sp101.

Why?

 

[sharpblade7777]

The sp101 has been out since 1989, thats 35 years. It has proven to be a very durable, very well built revolver. I guess it kinda boils down to personal preference, it just feels better in my hand and I shoot it better. I'm not knocking the K6 but I am the K6xs that I owned . Maybe the same reason some people like Fords and some like Chevys. Plus I love Rugers.

 

[GypsmJim]

With the fantastic experiences I've had with the SP101, I guess I would not have even contemplated looking at a Kimber.

Before I would look at a Kimber I would look at a S&W.

 

[Mobuck]

"The k6s is a far superior gun, but with a price tag that goes along with it."
^^^There's your answer.

 

[gramps]

All new guns are totally out of my budget. I have an SP-101, it works well, I have holsters that make carrying it very comfortable. I am satisfied, why look elsewhere?
gramps

 

[ex13F]

I own both and wouldn't part with either. I would have to say that for my own reasons I carry the K6s a little bit more often. The main reason for me is that it being "hammerless" it is less likely to snag from coat pocket draw (alien gear IWB for summer) and can be fired from inside the pocket without any interference of material and hammer. Since I'm an older man that walks with a cane I'm naturally more of a target to goblins than others may be so I believe that any probability of engagement will be at what I call "Jack Ruby distance" so even if the goblin were to grab my revolver they can't stop me from firing because once again there isn't a hammer to grip. All that being said, I still carry the SP-101 some but more in the summer as opposed to the winter for the reasons previously mentioned. My recommendation, get both!

And for when I'm invited to a BBQ (you Texans understand) I still have this one.