I wanted to start a thread on what most people preferred for small caliber woods guns.
Covering plinking, hunting(squirrels, rabbits), etc.
Interested in .22 through 32. caliber.

I've attached a photo (hopefully this works) of 2 of my favorite woods/camp guns.
A 17-4, 6 inch and a newer model 18, 4 inch.
Both are very accurate guns.

They both wear Ahrends stocks and the 18 has a Hamilton Bowen "rough country" rear site. I like the bold white outline and the greater durability of this site.
The 18 holster is an antique H. H. Heiser from Colorado.

Please post pics if possible.
Thanks.

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My 1970 Model 34 4" bbl Kitgun has been my woods walking gun for 40 yrs. Never failed me. I did recently obtain a Model 60-4 38 Spl "Kitgun" for a companion. Great guns>

Nice guns and holsters. I often carry either a Model 18 or pre 18 for the same use with factory grips in a Hunter holster.

Those two or an old 3 screw Ruger in 22 mag in similar holster.

You have a beautiful pair with very nice leather. Years ago I used a K 22 until a collector tricked me into selling it. All I did to get him off my back was price it double of a new one. I bought a new 17 and it was not the same gun and I sold it. I have been using the old 3 screw Ruger I inherited from my Dad. A couple of years ago one uncle gave me his High Standard Sport King. It works very well too.
I never got over my low digit post war K 22. This spring I found and bought 2 K 22's, a 5 screw and a 4 screw. Both shoot like my first one. They will rotate as the woods packing camp gun now. During the K 22 searches I became hooked on S&W's. I'm up to 8 total and growing. Happiness is definately an S&W.

Model 48-4, 6" barrel 22 mag. Was grandpa's "utility" gun. Took a few squirrels and rabbits in it's day. Even witnessed him take a groundhog or two with it. I've got it now, good tin can plinking gun for me.

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Get off my lawn.

My 4" Model 63 and a Ruger Bearcat fill the camp gun duties well.

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195th Session FBINA

This ruger in .32 H&R mag is starting to get my attendition in that class gun. Accurate, light, powerfull and flat shooting.

the 632 power port with 3inch barrel is just what you ordered. Shoots all .32 caliber bullets so you use the .32 H&R for your small game hunting, then load it with six shots of Federal .327 jacketed soft points for a potent six shot self defense package. This is exactly why they designed this cartridge and package.

I use a Ruger New Model Super Single Six in both .22LR and Mag most of the time. Few times I'll swap on my Colt .22LR conversion unto my M1911 and us that. Used to have a Smith 651 4" in .22Mag.

I've always been interested in the .32 H&R Mag and now the .327 Federal. Have taken one of my several CZ50s or other .32 ACP pocket pistols out at various times in the past.

CD

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De Oppresso Liber

My Woods walking pistol is a Colt MatchTarget 3rd Model 41/2" barrel in a Lawerce shoulder holster.
I bought tis rig in 1968 and it has never let me down.

I think it's been mentioned by another poster but a Mod 34 4 inch is a great little 22 for a trail companion.



GF

I've used .22 Ruger Single Sixes, Taurus small frame revolvers, and one Smith K22. I've tried a .22 mag Taurus with a 3" barrel.

The best small bore I've had was a Single Six .32 H&R which was exceedingly fun and accurate with a 94 gr cast bullet over Unique. Alas, only a .22 is allowed for rifle or pistola for small game hunting around here, so I sold it.

I abandoned the .22 handguns awhile back in favor of the .38 special for camp/woods loafing use. Specifically, I like the 3" model 60 with .38 special type handloads. It will do what a .22 or .32 will do (small game where legal or sneakable ) and more if'n I want it to. I mean, the .38 special is a small bore, too, isn't it?

I have a model 18 and agree is is a great woods "camp" gun. But, lately I have been using a 4" 15-2 with 148 gr. full wadcutters. It is more accurate than I can hold it and I can always slip in some hotter loads should the need arise and it carries just like the 18 (and fits the same holster!).

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Tony

I use a two inch model 34 as a camp gun.Of course I always have a 41 magnum handy also.

The OP has some nice gear. My idea, for .22 rimfire, is the new yet-to-be-made/released 3" 63 with a HiViz sight. It should be as nice as my 5" 63, just shorter - same 8-shots - and with the HiViz front sight. S&W said June production - we'll see.

Meantime, I have retired my holstered 4" 625MG in .45 Colt as a 'woods walker' - just too big. Latest woods trips - admittedly here in the SE USA and 'day hikes' - have included my old CCW - a 296 in a R. Mika's pocket holster. The 2.5" enclosed hammer .44 S&W Special 5-shot AirLite Ti, in an L-frame, fits many of my jeans and most of my cargo pants front pockets. Loaded with a 240gr LSWC first, followed by 200gr Gold Dots, it is ready for woods threats. All Gold Dots for urban protection. Use what you have.

Still, I want that new 3" 63...

Stainz

I just picked up a .22/32 as a woods gun. I took it out yesterday and got it sighted in and ready to roll on my next trip into the brush.

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Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II

Great posts so far. Thanks.

GF and smith357, what year are your guns?
I like the look of the older cylinder release latch. Classic.

I have 3 guns that get the call as a camp gun - with a 4th just added.

Number one is my model 63 .22 LR...


Number two is it's cousin, model 651 .22 Mag...


Number three I don't have a picture available - it's a Ruger Single Six with two cylinders.

And number four is a Ruger MK-II Government model I picked up...


All in all - you can't beat a good rimfire.

Take care,
Bob S.

I have several that fit the bill.Two model 34s,2 and 4",a model 18 and a "Bearcat".About 3 years ago I found an old Colt 1st series 4" Woodsman.I think Old John had it right!! Even the name.

It would be one of these three - probably. That's a 34, an 18 and a 60. I'm wearing the 60 more these days.

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I forgot about this one. It's a Beretta Cheetah. It's a lot of fun to carry, also.

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In the past, I have carried a Model 63 four inch barrel or a 5.5 inch Ruger Single-Six .22 mag for woods/farm duty. More recently, I have been carrying a Model 36-1 three inch Chiefs Special in a Lobogunleather flap holster. I load the first chamber with CCI Snake shot, and the remaining four with 148 grain DEWCs over 4.5 grains of Unique. A little more "oomph" than a .22, but in the same compact package.

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Georgia On My Mind

Had the opportunity last week to shoot the new .22 Mag Centennial Airweight. Believe is Mod 351C. Was an outstanding shooter, and very accurate. Weight was nothing, but there was no recoil. Even with a 2" barrel it would take down steel plates that .38 "Cowboy" loads wouldn't take down reliably.

This one may just have to join my stable of J Frames. Check out S&W website for picture.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Another gun worthy of consideration is the S&W 650, a 3" fixed sight J-frame in 22 Magnum. They were produced in the 80s and are not seen real often, but you do still occasionally see them at not-too-astronomical prices, and the 22 Mag. gives a little extra oomph over the standard 22 rimfire.

I chose an old 31-1 3", blued, flat latch. I traded my 12-3 snub for it to a guy on the forum some time back. I put a pair of Pachs on it so that it fit my hand better. The old .32 S&W Long might be the quintessential centerfire handgun squirrel round. Tends to be very accurate, mild report and recoil, and doesn't mangle your meat if you're fixin' on squirrel for supper.

I'll give it to the boys to learn to shoot with before too many more years are past.

Ruger mk1 .22 auto

Ruger SP101, 3" 327 Federal Mag. Nice gun, terrible double action trigger. Have to shot it single action. Also difficult to find ammo for. Federal is either rationing 327 FM, or they quit making it.

I've always preferred a 32 caliber because most of my roaming is done in cold weather. When I was a kid I ran trap lines and learned it can be a challenge to reload a 22 revolver with frozen or gloved fingers.

My favorite backwoods roaming handgun is probably my Ruger NR4 blued Single Six with adj. sights. I carry it in my Ruger holster made for that model. Using the WMR cyl. loaded with CCI 40 grain JHP's. Accurate and it has pretty good punch with the magnums. Not much need for "pest control" shot shells here in SE MA. No venomous snakes native to this region though further inland in the higher regions there are timber rattle snakes and copper heads. Did see a black racer recently about 5 ft. long that got my attention!! In warm weather when its not easy to conceal the Ruger I slip my S&W 317 22lr Kit Gun in my pocket. So light you forget its there.

Mine is a .22/32 Model of 1953 on the improved I frame and was born in April 1954.

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Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II

My choice is a 317 kit gun or a 617 with a 4 inch barrel .

On horseback or out in the brush a prefer a
Colt SA 5 1/2 .32-20. Works good on just about
anything up to and including small hogs, javelina,
varmints, and troublesome dogs.

Not a Smith but, I like my little Ruger single six in .32 H&R mag or I have a mark III Hunter SS with fluted barrel and lite pipe front site for woods walking or as a back up when small game or varmint hunting.

Around camp my Mark ll Gov't and my 617 10 round are fun for plinking. (The Diamondback is so nice I hesitate to take it along)

My Dad and I used to take his Marlin 39A and shoot in the desert whenever we went.

Out on a walk, it's the Model 60, 3", 357 or the SP101 in 357. There have been a few lion and bear sightings in the Pine nut Mountains where we explore. But if we go up just to shoot, the 696 and Flattop 44s come out to play.

well it would probably be one of my 1911's in .45 ACP, mostly because that is what is left after the great 'unemployment sale' of 2010. However I am not too depressed, they will sure as heck do the job!

Very nice gun, and a Very nice picture of it.

I have several different "Trail Guns", but I hold two in high regard:

631 S&W .32 H&R Magnum with a home cast 100 gr Keith or a wadcutter bullet ahead of a load of Bullseye or Win 231:



My other favorite is the S&W Model 60-4 in .38 Special. My preference is to load home cast H&G #251 dbl ended wadcutters:



Of course, if it is just a day plinking, then it is hard to beat the ol' .22/.32 Kit Gun:



I am very partial to center fires for small game use. I have had better results (terminal ballistics) on live game with center fires. Does the job without tearing up meat too badly. I have had some failures with the .22 rimfire out of rifles, much less, a handgun when head shots are not offered.

Dale53

For me its go to be my Model 63, with its four inch barrel. Fun Gun

I have a nice Mod 48, .22 Mag, that is a good woods gun. But, I think the gun I go for most often is my 686. I have found a 150 gr. RCBS semi-wad cast bullet that shoots very well with this gun and various different powders. I like them both, but don't like the cost of .22 Mag shells. I'm a reloader at heart.
Dick

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Man, I envy you dudes those .22 J frames. I've always wanted a 63. Great pics! Sigh!

PC

I like my 617 4" and my Browning camper to go with my Marlin 60.

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One day at a time

My walk-about favorite is a mod. 638-3. travels well in a pocket holster. Recently picked up a nice Mod. 36 no dash, I dont have a holster yet for this, but may become my woods walker. I to like to make the first round out the front to be a shotshell. I have a Taurus 94 22LR, but the trigger pull in DA is terrible.

Ruger Mark II, 5 1/2 inch bull barrel with HiVis sights usually carried in an Uncle Mike's shoulder holster. When the three inch Model 63's are finally available, I'm going to take a "real good look" at one. When I want a little more oomph, I carry a Ruger 2 3/4 inch .357 mag Speed Six or my Model 36. First two chambers with snake shot, remaining .38 semi-wadcutters.

I do a great deal of hiking. I carry a 637 airweight, first two chambers loaded with snake shot and have found this to be a winning combination

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"Non sibi, sed patriae"

For me, it's a model 650, 22 WMR J-frame with 3" heavy barrel.

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*** Made in Texas ***

my choice is my 31-1 with 3" barrel (32 s&w long), i also enjoy my iver johnson sidewinder in .22lr, it's my oldie but goodie that just seems to fit just right.

I usually pack this one -
Model 63ND 4" w/ S&W holster


Mama usually packs this one -
MKII Target 512 w/ Idaho Leather holster