Well, in my case, I adopted a neglected orphan cousin of the Kit Gun, a .32 Hand Ejector Third Model. Broken when I bought it, with a very poor finish. Got it fairly cheap and spent some money on parts. A little Mother's and some ammo and a holster. Wear it on your hip, throw it in a bag or tackle box, and it's just as handy. A little more expensive to shoot, if you don't reload, but a bigger slug. Plus, I ain't worried about beating this one up. Maybe one day I'll actually bust a bunny with it.
What's your Kit Gun substitue?

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The best I can with what I got

I have a couple of .32 HEs also that fit the bill.

For a rimfire, I have a Ruger New Model Bearcat in .22 LR & I added a second cylinder that I rechambered to .22 Magnum.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

It would probably be this one; a H&R Model 733 in .32 S&W Long.
I only paid $125 for it so if it gets beat up, broken or stolen, I'm really not out much. I had a nice S&W model 34 kit gun in .22lr back in the 80's, but like a fool I sold it.

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There is nothing better than a little revolver you can throw under the ATV seat, the tractor tool box, or the tackle box!

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Possum—The other white meat!

I've often said that there aren't many more pleasurable ways to spend an afternoon than with a .22 revolver and a couple pockets full of ammo.

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The best I can with what I got

Having handy little gun short of a kit gun would be nice, especially if it provides practical accuracy. That is the main point. There is all kinds of revolvers that will detonate a cartridge with results similar to a starter pistol.

If I don't feel like carrying the Ruger Bearcat then a 31-1 4" will fill the bill.

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Only a cold warrior

I have a Model 63 no dash. They have gotten expensive and somewhat hard to find. If you want a semi-auto that is reasonable priced, reliable, 10 round magazine and not picky about ammo the Ruger SR22 is a good kit pistol. I carry mine in the chest pocket of my waders when hiking in the country for fly fishing. Can handle CCI velocitors.

While I love my Bearcat, my Model 63, and my little .32 HE, my favorite “kit gun” is my 60-4.

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Mark Lathem

For rimfire autos, I do have a M&P Compact and a Browning Black Label, but the SR22 would do well also. But I have about half as much in the little .32. Makes it a little easier to take when the canoe rolls over.

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The best I can with what I got

I have never and will never throw a handgun on mine in any of those places you mention.......Mine are "transported" in a holster/pants pocket or coat pocket.....I wouldn't even treat a RG/taurus like that.

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S&W Accumulator

I shoot carpenter bees with my 60-4 loaded with #9 shot in 38 spl cases.

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S&W Accumulator

A .38 Special revolver is a better all-arounder than any .22.
I have an official “.22 Kit Gun”, but I rarely shoot or carry it.
I see it as more of a cheap ammo target practice gun.
I guess I am of the same mind of a previous respondent to the OP’s question.
Whatever I happen to be carrying in my pocket.

What do you do if you don't have a kit gun? Well, you get one! Here is mine.

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David Reynolds

I am kinda fond of this little gem.

Easy to carry and fully capable.

enjoy,
bdGreen

Or, for the summer in shorts.

Just saying.

bdGreen

Back before I had actual Kit Guns, I had small 22s like Ruger Single Sixes.
Now a days I seem to prefer small Autos like the Ruger LCP 22.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

After taking a header in the creek while toting a 34, I picked up 422 target
Didn’t have to sacrifice accuracy or take on more weight and bulk. If you do end up in the creek 422 lot easier to clean.

I do a lot of kayaking / boating. I usually carry my Walther p-22 with me. Accurate enough, compact, and not so very $$ if I unexpectedly go swimming. It is also a favorite, along with a Bearcat, for throwing in a pocket for woods walks when I don't feel like strapping up with a holster.

Years ago I owned a real S&W .22 kit gun, but I just couldn't shoot it well enough to be much more than a noise maker. Mostly on me, as I have huge hands, and have never shot J frames well.

Larry

I never gave it much thought but the first revolvers I bought my daughters were a S&W M63 and a Ruger New Bearcat. I have a S&W M17, a S&W M34, a S&W M317, a Ruger (New) Single Six Convertible (w/ fixed sights), a Ruger SP101, and a Ruger New Bearcat (like the one I bought my youngest daughter over 20 years ago). These things have a habit of multiplying.

I've had a bunch of them over the years. Ruger Bearcat, Single-Six, Colt "Peacemaker 22's, Harrington and Richardson, Hi-Standard, Smith and Wesson 18's, and others I'm sure. They all served as "kit guns" back in the day when I still bummed around in the woods.

I looked at a Model 63 yesterday, and was sorely tempted, but the price held me back. Nice little gun though.

I do have a little I frame, 32 Hand Ejector, third Model that I suppose would fit the bill sort of like the OP's.

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John 3:16 .

IMG_0032.jpg
This one, have about $350 in it. Had it Cerakoted, Was in bad shape cosmetically but bore and insides were good.

Gota' have a kit gun, or five, but the little 22 that gets the most use is a 317. 8 shots...and talk about light!!

What do you do if you don't have a Kit Gun?

Go find one to purchase!!!

Between Deb and me, we have several, from prewar units to models 34-1, to a Model 63. After I acquired my first one (a 2" I frame from 1958), Deb shot it and decided to pretend it was hers. So, the following Christmas, I gave her one of her own. We love shooting them together.

Here's a pic of two of the Kit Guns that live in my safe.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

The key for me in a kit gun is accuracy. Regardless of caliber it must be accurate. More often than not that me that translates to a Ruger MKII in a holster.

Nothing beats a S&W model 63 for introducing handgun shooting to kids and ladies...nothing.

I used to carry this one around the place a lot. Guess I need to get it back out. Small, light, accurate...what's not to like? Add a set of J frame targets and it is much easier to shoot. Model of 1953 .22/32 Kit Gun.

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SWCA 3297 SWHF 583

What do you do if you don't have a Kit Gun?

if the long rifle 34 is unavailable, we'll simple step up to a .38

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I grab My kit N frame 3 inch 44 mag and put it in My 'go' kit.

I love my Kit Guns but couldn't help myself when I had a chance to buy one of 196 4" .32 Regulation Police Target Post War Transitionals with Pre War target sights; essentially a .32 Kit Gun.

But I had to have one with Micro sights so I added .22 Kit Gun sights, Model 36 target hammer and target trigger, and S&W target grips to my Model 30-1 to make a J frame .32 Kit Gun. I also reamed the longer J frame cylinder chambers for .32 H&R Mag.

Unfortunately all my photos are in Fototime and no longer postable on the forum. But I can email them to anyone.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Possibly the best "kit gun" ever.......

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About 30 to 35 years ago I picked up a 3.5" RG model 10 (22RF). Pot metal frame, plastic gris and zero finish. It shoots surprisingly well. I've taken raccoons and ground hogs on the run with it. When I bought it, it was $35 OTD!

Now I own a 4" 34-1 that's so beautiful I'd hate to take it in the woods.

Ivan

4" HE in 32 Long just like yours including the nickel finish. I did relegate the Franzite grips to a far corner of the shop.

Also rans are Ruger single six mag in 32 H&R, High Standard Sentinal 4" and 5", both in 22 lr.

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Front sight and squeeze

My first Kit Gun was a High Standard Sentinel Deluxe Snub, with its fixed sights and 9 shot cylinder. Slightly larger than a Model 34 but it’s been around for over 50 years, so it must work. Other than that, and more recently, a Model 60-4 and a Model 631 are my Classy Kit Guns (or is that a contradiction of terms?) actually any gun small enough to stash and carry easily yet shoot accurately can be your kit gun, and although the 22rf is prototypical in the minds of some cf revolvers can also fill the bill.

Froggie

I picked up a used Ruger Maverick with the Button on the ejector broken for $100. They only sell for $209 new. Lots of Mim and cast parts but they are reasonably priced.
SWCA 892

Not really considered a kit gun, but one I always carried in my fishing kit is a 2 1/2" 66-1. I've killed 2 very aggressive moccasins that tried to get in my boat on Lake Eufala. Always loaded the first two chambers with CCI snake shot and the others with 357 JHP. I know you can do similar with a model 34 but the 38/357 has a whole lot more shot.

We grow them rascals big in Alabama!

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Yep, and mean too. Whacking them with a rod usually scared them away. Popping them with my "kit" gun was the last resort.

I have a few J frames to choose from for woods carry but a Glock 43 isn’t a bad choice either.

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The various kit guns are great, I have half a dozen or more of the different variations but the "kit gun" that goes with me most of the time these days is this one which has a lot bigger hole in the end of the barrel. I Know, sacrilege but it sure works for me.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Early kit gun (ser# 4771)

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I actually have a few kitguns but sometimes, when working around the homestead, I will carry this 120 year old 3 1/4" .32 Hand Ejector (rough equivalent to OP's substitute) with the handy Geo. Lawrence holster stamped SW HE 3 1/4. It shoots real good.

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Lee Erickson

For many years, but I didn't shoot it much. It was a Bangor Punta era revolver, not necessarily a bad thing, but it had the most atrocious double action trigger! It must have been over 10 lbs. It also had terribly done chamfering on the frame....just uneven and chatters. I could never warm up to it and finally sold it. Now I have a Charter Arms Pathfinder and it looks and fires great. It's an all stainless Stratford made gun.

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Have/had several over the years, but my current favorite is my 7-shot Charter Arms Professional in 32 H&R Mag.