bonesfixed
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I am new to this site. What is a kit gun?
+Kit Gun?
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Welcome to the forum.
The name "Kit Gun" is actually a model name dreamed up by S&W during the Great Depression. They applied it to the short-barrel version of their .22/32 Heavy Frame Target (whose frame was not that heavy when you get right down to it.)
The basic features are small frame, .22 caliber, four-inch barrel, adjustable sights, and small round-butt grips, though larger square butt grips (and even extension target grips) could be added to the gun for those with bigger hands.
The basic idea was that this would be a compact and accurate gun that someone could throw in his "kit" when he went out for a day on the lake or in the woods.
The name has sometimes been applied to small .22s with barrels as short as two inches, and to guns chambered in .22 rimfire magnum or even .32 long. But the basic features in any case are compact, light, accurate.
This is one of the original prewar Kit Guns. They continued to resemble this after the war, but the design evolved a bit.
The name "Kit Gun" is actually a model name dreamed up by S&W during the Great Depression. They applied it to the short-barrel version of their .22/32 Heavy Frame Target (whose frame was not that heavy when you get right down to it.)
The basic features are small frame, .22 caliber, four-inch barrel, adjustable sights, and small round-butt grips, though larger square butt grips (and even extension target grips) could be added to the gun for those with bigger hands.
The basic idea was that this would be a compact and accurate gun that someone could throw in his "kit" when he went out for a day on the lake or in the woods.
The name has sometimes been applied to small .22s with barrels as short as two inches, and to guns chambered in .22 rimfire magnum or even .32 long. But the basic features in any case are compact, light, accurate.
This is one of the original prewar Kit Guns. They continued to resemble this after the war, but the design evolved a bit.
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Anton Dee
Member
Kit Gun, one of my favorite tags!
My Model 34 in 4" is a gun that gives me a lot of joy. It shoots very well and I take it out to the range almost as much as my Model 18-2.
You can see it here next to it's somewhat larger companion. the Model 18-2:
And here another pic, now fitted with Diamond Magna's and a Tyler T-grip adapter:
My Model 34 in 4" is a gun that gives me a lot of joy. It shoots very well and I take it out to the range almost as much as my Model 18-2.
You can see it here next to it's somewhat larger companion. the Model 18-2:
And here another pic, now fitted with Diamond Magna's and a Tyler T-grip adapter:
GF
Member
What's a Kit Gun...?
Answer, a joy to shoot for kids big and small!
GF
Answer, a joy to shoot for kids big and small!
GF
Larry from Bend
Member
My Motorcycle Gun
NFrameFred
Member
Used to shoot only small motorcycles !
The box of my Mod 63 from 1981 identifies it as a "Kit Gun".
What's a Kit Gun? A friggin' obsession!
Just the ones on the left. 2 Model 1953 I frames & 2 J frames
My 1st pre war
Just the ones on the left. 2 Model 1953 I frames & 2 J frames
My 1st pre war
BUFF
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I had always been a fan of the Kit Guns. I thought the perfect Kit Gun would be centerfire, though, either a .38 Special or a .32 Long, with a 4 inch barrel. I had a 4 inch Regulation Police in .32 Long while in college and shot it a lot one summer when my job had closed down. Casting my own tiny bullets and using a pinch of Bullseye, it was cheaper to shoot than my .22's! I kept thinking that I ought to have a great local gunsmith add Kit Gun sights to it and then maybe have it Metalifed or Armoloyed.
Then S&W cranked out another batch of 3 inch square butt Model 60's with fixed sights for John Jovino. Now HERE was a potential Kit Gun Supreme! I bought one, and then I bought a Kit Gun rear sight assembly and began saving my pennies.
Then S&W cranked out a batch of 3 inch Model 60's with adjustable sights and a full length barrel underlug, like a tiny L frame. Hmmm! Maybe this would make a good Kit Gun! I bought one!
Finally, the ideal Kit Gun (for me, anyway) arrived, the Model 631 .32 Kit Gun chambered for the relatively new .32 H&R Magnum. 4 inch barrel, red insert front ramp sight with white outline adjustable rear sight, smooth trigger, 6 shots, stainless construction. I got one of those, swapped the Goncala Alves finger grooved "Combat" stocks for a set of Pachmayr's. There it is.
Team a 4 inch Model 63 up with a 4 inch Model 631, both shod with Pachmayrs for field use, and there is your perfect packing pair.
I bought a 2 inch Model 317 .22 LR when they came out and then a 3 inch Model 317-1 which had adjustable sights. 8 shots and weighing only about half of the steel guns with the same length bores. These are too light for me to shoot them well but everybody doesn't see the lack of weight as trouble.
I currently have a Model 33-1 Regulation Police with a 4 inch barrel. I still have the set of adjustable Kit Gun sights I never got around to using on something else. A while ago I found a new Chiefs Special cylinder in my boxes of stuff and it seems to drop right into the Model 33-1, which would give me a 4 inch .38 Special to put those adjustable rear sights on. A 4 inch .38 Special Kit Gun, hmmmmmmm. That might be almost perfect.
Kit Guns are proof that good things can come in really small packages.
Then S&W cranked out another batch of 3 inch square butt Model 60's with fixed sights for John Jovino. Now HERE was a potential Kit Gun Supreme! I bought one, and then I bought a Kit Gun rear sight assembly and began saving my pennies.
Then S&W cranked out a batch of 3 inch Model 60's with adjustable sights and a full length barrel underlug, like a tiny L frame. Hmmm! Maybe this would make a good Kit Gun! I bought one!
Finally, the ideal Kit Gun (for me, anyway) arrived, the Model 631 .32 Kit Gun chambered for the relatively new .32 H&R Magnum. 4 inch barrel, red insert front ramp sight with white outline adjustable rear sight, smooth trigger, 6 shots, stainless construction. I got one of those, swapped the Goncala Alves finger grooved "Combat" stocks for a set of Pachmayr's. There it is.
Team a 4 inch Model 63 up with a 4 inch Model 631, both shod with Pachmayrs for field use, and there is your perfect packing pair.
I bought a 2 inch Model 317 .22 LR when they came out and then a 3 inch Model 317-1 which had adjustable sights. 8 shots and weighing only about half of the steel guns with the same length bores. These are too light for me to shoot them well but everybody doesn't see the lack of weight as trouble.
I currently have a Model 33-1 Regulation Police with a 4 inch barrel. I still have the set of adjustable Kit Gun sights I never got around to using on something else. A while ago I found a new Chiefs Special cylinder in my boxes of stuff and it seems to drop right into the Model 33-1, which would give me a 4 inch .38 Special to put those adjustable rear sights on. A 4 inch .38 Special Kit Gun, hmmmmmmm. That might be almost perfect.
Kit Guns are proof that good things can come in really small packages.
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bedbugbilly
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bonesfixed - I'm new to the site and S & Ws as well and was wondering what a "kit" gun was so I'm glad someone asked! After seeing all these photos, I have to say that one of the .22s has certainly been added to my "want" list! What a bunch of great looking revolvers! Many thanks to those that shared photos of their "babies" - very interesting and some fantastic looking pieces! 
Recoil Rob
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My Model of 1955 22/32, pre-M43, Airweight...
Another little beauty!! I like that 3 1/2" barrel for proportion. I have a new spare 3 1/2" barrel I've been meaning to put in one of my Kit Guns that's been reblued and no longer original anyway. Just yesterday I attempted to pull the barrel but could not break it loose without concern for tweaking the little I frame. I'm going to purchase a safer frame wrench and try again.
The nice thing about the airweight barrel is that it's not stamped "Airweight".
The nice thing about the airweight barrel is that it's not stamped "Airweight".
Just got my first kit gun last week. It's a model 1953 with after market stocks. Took it to the range yesterday and found that I shoot as well with it as I do with my model 17.
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