From the time I was a little kid my dad and uncles carried a hand gun into the field.No matter what season,they carried a side arm.I can always remember being more fascinated with the hand guns they carried than the 22's,shotguns or rifles which they used to hunt.

When I was old enough,I bought my own Kit Guns and to this day I carry one of these during my forays into the field.

What models are those?

S&W Kit Guns from top to bottom.

Model 63 no dash.

Model 651 no dash.

Model 60-4.


https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/galleries/14895507/s-w-kit

This one goes with me everywhere I go in the field



High Standard Model R-101. It was my grandfather's back in the day. He bought it new in 1953 or so. Not the fanciest pistol nor the highest quality but I can hit what I shoot at with it and there is a certain sentimental value due to family history.

That's really cool,especially since it belonged to your granddad.

Always wondered why these were called "kit guns"? Were they sold one time as a bunch of components that had to be assembled?

The name derived from outdoorsmen carrying these handguns in their kit.

Whether it be their fishing kit,hunting kit or trekking kit.

Jack O'Connor often carried one on long trips for potting small game.

Thank you. I've wondered about that for over 30 years off and on when I ran across them mentioned. Never enough curiosity to follow up on it but I appreciate that.

You're welcome.

I'm not sure when Smith & Wesson started to use the term Kit Gun but it was probably before I was born.

This has always been my favorite...........


I loan it out to the ones I don't like very well.

I love the old ones and the new ones.

I think Ruger has really stolen the market for this niche. Tough to beat.

They're nice but I don't believe they make a 101 in 22 Winchester magnum rimfire.

They'll also probably never achieve the collector status of the Smiths.

gun in a leather shave kit....

My old Model 63 is a constant companion when afield. It has accounted for a number of birds, squirrels, rabbits and snakes

I guess by "kit" you mean hunting kit. I don't carry a handgun when hunting because I'm already carrying a rifle.

I've had several through the years but these 3 stay. Top is a pre model 34, model 1953 22/32 kit gun chambered in 22lr. All original, dumbass kid traded it to me for 500rnds of 5.56 during the first Obama administration. Had $89 in the ammo.

Second is a newer production 60-15, 3" Jframe in 357 mag.

Bottom is a model 63, 22lr, 3" Jframe.

Top is the most carried/shot. S&W 317, 22lr, 3" air weight Jframe. Untold number of rounds fired.

Bottom is a Ruger SR22. Not the most accurate but loads of fun.

Yeah, Ruger is cleaning up with their LCR lineup. Waiting for the 3" in 327. Clements does a workup on the 22lr Sp101, your choice of barrel length from 3" to 6" converted to 22WMR. They're pricey but who gives a damn. Not like it's a depreciating asset.

What happens when during your ride back to camp you spot a grouse just 20' off the trail?

Do you pull your 7MM Mashburn magnum from your scabbard and blast the grouse? LOL

A friend who owned ranch in Colorado always carried his S&W Model 17 just in case of such an event.I can't tell you how many times this provided us with some succulent grouse for dinner.

I’ve carried a few over the years. A model 60 3” in 38 special, various snubby J K and L frames. Tried a Bearcat for a while, 2 different guns actually, but they weren’t very accurate. A NAA Black Widow with a .22 mag cylinder was carried in the slide rule pocket for a few years. I even carried a 3” 1911 in .45 auto. These days it’s a 4 5/8” Single Six when I’m carrying a centerfire rifle. When I carry a shotgun or I’m fishing usually a compact 9mm.
Any way you look at it, carrying a sidearm while out and about is a plus for many reasons.
Great thread, brings up many memories.

The second revolver I owned was a first year M63, my dear Mother signed the papers. I also own a M34-2 snubby I bought on clearance a couple of years ago at a place that went out of business. My most recent is this somewhat hard to find M631 32 H&R.

I am of the opinion that Elmer Keith had it right......he stated that a Handgun was always easy to carry, and always handy whenever a target of opportunity presented itself. If he wanted more power, or to shoot longer distances, why he used a rifle.

I always wear a handgun.....whether in a city environment, or camping at altitude of 8,500' for Elk. My rifle may be resting on a log over by the trailer, but my sidearm is always on me.....

G29sf for me and 637 with bird shot for the wife.

My old S&W M63, a Ruger 22/45 LITE or SR22. Over the years I have made use of various small to midsize .38 Specials as a kit gun. Generally the .38's use either 148 gr. wadcutters or 158 gr. SWC at low velocity.

What gun is in the holster?

I see a heel magazine release like the Colt Woodsman models.

All nice kit guns. Congrats.

Very cool piece Ed.Congrats.

I inherited from my Dad his blued S&W 22/32, 3 1/2"barrel Lightweight kit gun when he passed.

Of all of his .22s, and my own, it was and is my favorite.

Lightweight for sure on an aluminum frame.

I'd rather have my Dad back, but this kit gun is a constant reminder of my 'training days' with him as he taught me gun handling and safety as a boy. Thanks Dad, for the gun, the lessons, and the love...

I have two: An S&W Model 60-something in .38 Special and a Ruger SP101 4-inch in .32 H&R. One or the other is a constant companion when I'm in the woods.

You're lucky guy surefire 7 to still own your dad's kit gun.

I'm a fan also. Mine's a plinker-matic.

Nice David! Love those old S&W’s !!!

I still think, though, that the Ultimate Kit Gun will be when Ruger finally builds the LCR in 327 Fed Mag with a 3” barrel and adjustable sights.

I’ve suggested it several times on their web sight’s “Tell the CEO” feature.
And those in the know there claim it will happen.... someday.

I await patiently! Ruger should send me at least one free version for such a brilliant idea. 🤠

Couple more...

Those little SR-22’s are fun!

I’ll throw in my new little Ruger LCP II .22 Lr as an alternative. It drops nicely in the pocket and is pretty accurate for what it is. .

It's fun to load for also, since ammo isn't normally at the local Academy Sports & Outdoors.

Small frame Colts ain't too bad either.

I carry the High Standard Sentenial Mk IV in 22 magnum with me in my tool bag. You never know.

kwg

A size, weight? Usually a 22?

I have a S&W 4" 63 that's filled the role. A 3" 317 might do the same with a lot less weight but it harder to shoot.

I remember Skeeter writing that he really liked the J frame 22, but shot his K22 a lot better. A set of bigger grips helped my J a lot , a whole lot. Wish I'd gone here years ago.


Now, the 22 might fit the concept, but S&W has a J frame in 357 they call the pro. 3" adj. sight, tritium front, robust grips. If ya reload, a kit/trail gun extraordinaire. I don't have one, but a person looking for the pinnacle, this is likely to be it.

My Kit Guns are a 2" Model 60 in .357, a Sig P-365 9mm, or a stainless Shopkeepers Model Ruger Single Seven in .327. I also have a Shopkeepers Bearcat, but it doesn't get much use since I acquired the .327.

The .327 has become my favorite!

Ed

Nope, but they DO make an LCRx in WMR!

My oldie.



And another fairly recent find,a 22 Magnum.

Ed,your "oldie" is exceptionally cool.

Perhaps you could provide a brief description.

I talked to Ruger over a year and a half ago, and they told me they didn't have any intentions of bringing it out in 327. They said the demand just wasn't there.
How ever they do the LCRx 3" in 22 mag which is still a descent gun for the job.

Talked to a guy at Ruger that’s “in the know”.
He has assured me a couple of times that they are in the works.

Never heard the term " kit gun" but i always carried either a 6 inch Single Six or a Bearcat.
Still do...

For years a 3” S&W Mod 60 was my travel/woods/home defense do everything handgun.

Now it’s a Glock 19.

Bought a new original Bearcat for $37.50 back in the late 60's and couldn't hit a thing with it. Sold it to a kid in the dorm for $37.00 and thought it was a good deal. Never much liked the cowboy style guns after that. We were shooting lots of barn pigeons back in those days and while that improved cylinder 12 gauge hit everything, lots of the time stuff needed more shooting once we caught up with it. I packed around a K22 for a while, but a K frame weighed more than I thought it should for just a .22. A M34 4" J-frame was and is perfect with those adjustable sights and bigger Herrett grips. That 34 was smoother than any 63 that I tried, so I Armaloy plated that 34 and it looks just like a 63 only smoother.

I hope he's right, I'd like to grab one.