Dstyles75
Member
Why is it called a "kit" gun?
"Kit" gun?
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Dstyles75
Member
Thanks! I knew it had to a simple answer like that.
hotrod150
Member
There was a good article, "H&R's Forgotten Tackle Box Guns", in the 2011 Guns Illustrated.
I always thought that a S&W kit gun or Ruger Single-Six was too nice to just throw in the tackle box, but one of these old H&R's or the Charter Arms Pathfinder I owned years ago would be perfect.
I always thought that a S&W kit gun or Ruger Single-Six was too nice to just throw in the tackle box, but one of these old H&R's or the Charter Arms Pathfinder I owned years ago would be perfect.
A true kit gun needs to be reliable and accurate,but not so nice as to be too valuable to tote around.
A 22
A 38
And a 45
Sadly,my bear gun seems to have become too valuable for toting.Thank God it's stainless
A 22
A 38
And a 45
Sadly,my bear gun seems to have become too valuable for toting.Thank God it's stainless
snubbiefan
Member
Kit-Guns use to be thought of as one you could toss around in your tackle-box...a cheap gun. At the price of a so-called Kit-Gun today....I doubt many of us are treating them like that. I saw two H&R 22 side-kicks go for over $250 each on Gunpoker the other day. I just use the "more economical" brand for that purpose, so if I lose it or scratch it....who cares.
Alk8944
US Veteran
It actually comes from the idea of being appropriate for your camping/hiking "Kit", the collection of items you would typically have with you when engaging in these activities. The S&W ".22-32 Kit Gun" was intended to be a light weight gun particularly suited to these activities. In no way was it ever intended to be a tackle box gun!
Jboutfishn
Member
A Taurus .357 Mag 2" stainless hangs out in the bass boat. My Smiths all stay dry. 
MrTrolleyguy
US Veteran
I was told the term came back with the doughboys returning from England where the term kit bag came from. You have heard the I WWI song...and don't tell me you have never heard it somewhere. yo
So it was a kind of bag of duffle bag with all your personal stuff. Kit-bag can be your backpack, tool box, your fishing tackle box or your range bag. Hence S&W picked up the term to mean a small revolver that would always be available to you. You have never heard of a S&W pistol being called a kit-gun by the company, right eh!
ps: it was one of our all knowing and Smith-wise members who passed that info along when I asked the same question.
So it was a kind of bag of duffle bag with all your personal stuff. Kit-bag can be your backpack, tool box, your fishing tackle box or your range bag. Hence S&W picked up the term to mean a small revolver that would always be available to you. You have never heard of a S&W pistol being called a kit-gun by the company, right eh!
ps: it was one of our all knowing and Smith-wise members who passed that info along when I asked the same question.
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Although not a Kit gun I first had a S&W 22-32 Target with a 6" barrel in 1956. Used it on the trail in a hip holster. A lot of camp meat plus rattlers have fallen to these old guns.
Here are my "kit" guns that don't mind going camping and fishing, hopping around rocks and boulders, and getting bumped now and then:
Model 13-2 .357 3".
Model 640-1 and Perrin Street Bowie.
Resto-modded 1943 Colt M1911A1 and Strider SnG.
Model 13-2 .357 3".
Model 640-1 and Perrin Street Bowie.
Resto-modded 1943 Colt M1911A1 and Strider SnG.
Dale53
Member
Here is my "Kit Gun":
I am not a fan of pearl grips (I kind of belong in General Patton's camp comments regarding pearl grips) but this revolver was passed on down from my step father. He treated my mother well, and in my regard to him, I wouldn't feel right changing them - he liked them so I HAVE to. It is an excellent example and in "as new" condition.
My most practical "Kit Gun" does not really fit the description (just the intent) but actual use in the field has convinced me of the value of a good .32 or .38 when it comes to harvesting edible small game (and FAR superior when it comes to protecting yourself from feral dog packs, etc.). Here is my favorite:
The .38 Special, when loaded with Ed Harris' recommendation - a double ended W/C seated out one band and charged with 3.5 grs of Bullseye, is extremely effective without damaging a ton of meat in edible small game but will take down larger animals with excellent efficiency. I have taken a number of small game animals with this combination. That includes grouse, cottontails, snow shoe rabbits, squirrels, marauding raccoons and
skunks (with care) along with the occasional poisonous snake. Shot loads can be effective in a .38 short barreled gun.
For those that prefer .32's for a "Kit Gun", you can hardly do better than this one:
I have acquired these over a long period of time. Just keep your eyes open and have a clear idea of what will work best for you, if you intend to use it in the field. The .22 rimfire loses quite a bit of power when fired from the short barrel of a revolver (compared to a rifle) and frankly, I find a .22 rimfire rifle to be marginal on edible small game. You can not always be sure of a head shot - body shots with a .22 solid seldom give satisfactory results and hollow points damage too much meat. You can alter the nose of solid .22's and that certainly helps (the old Hanned Precision made a tool for that purpose). I prefer a good centerfire revolver for my use in the field. YMMV
Dale53
I am not a fan of pearl grips (I kind of belong in General Patton's camp comments regarding pearl grips) but this revolver was passed on down from my step father. He treated my mother well, and in my regard to him, I wouldn't feel right changing them - he liked them so I HAVE to. It is an excellent example and in "as new" condition.
My most practical "Kit Gun" does not really fit the description (just the intent) but actual use in the field has convinced me of the value of a good .32 or .38 when it comes to harvesting edible small game (and FAR superior when it comes to protecting yourself from feral dog packs, etc.). Here is my favorite:
The .38 Special, when loaded with Ed Harris' recommendation - a double ended W/C seated out one band and charged with 3.5 grs of Bullseye, is extremely effective without damaging a ton of meat in edible small game but will take down larger animals with excellent efficiency. I have taken a number of small game animals with this combination. That includes grouse, cottontails, snow shoe rabbits, squirrels, marauding raccoons and
skunks (with care) along with the occasional poisonous snake. Shot loads can be effective in a .38 short barreled gun.
For those that prefer .32's for a "Kit Gun", you can hardly do better than this one:
I have acquired these over a long period of time. Just keep your eyes open and have a clear idea of what will work best for you, if you intend to use it in the field. The .22 rimfire loses quite a bit of power when fired from the short barrel of a revolver (compared to a rifle) and frankly, I find a .22 rimfire rifle to be marginal on edible small game. You can not always be sure of a head shot - body shots with a .22 solid seldom give satisfactory results and hollow points damage too much meat. You can alter the nose of solid .22's and that certainly helps (the old Hanned Precision made a tool for that purpose). I prefer a good centerfire revolver for my use in the field. YMMV
Dale53
Green Frog
Member
In British English (as opposed to American English) one's "kit" is one's accumulation of stuff at the moment, hence the term "kit bag." One is also referred to as being "kitted up" sometimes to indicate that they have together the stuff needed for the job at hand. We think of a kit as parts to be put together, but on the other side of the pond, the kit is already assembled.
I have had many guns that were kits in the American sense (also referred to as "projects" or even "basket cases") but the closest I have to a true kit gun is actually the first handgun I ever owned, and still have over 40 years later, a High Standard Sentinel Deluxe snubbie in 22 LR. I've carried many revolvers in the interim, but that one will probably be in my Bug Out Bag if the need arises. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
Froggie
PS One of these days I'll catch my brother Dale53 in a weak moment and he'll sell me that 631 in the previous post. Then I'll put a pair of nice wood stocks on it, and it will be part of my kit... for bar-b-ques!
I have had many guns that were kits in the American sense (also referred to as "projects" or even "basket cases") but the closest I have to a true kit gun is actually the first handgun I ever owned, and still have over 40 years later, a High Standard Sentinel Deluxe snubbie in 22 LR. I've carried many revolvers in the interim, but that one will probably be in my Bug Out Bag if the need arises. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
Froggie
PS One of these days I'll catch my brother Dale53 in a weak moment and he'll sell me that 631 in the previous post. Then I'll put a pair of nice wood stocks on it, and it will be part of my kit... for bar-b-ques!
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shep854
Member
My M34 with grip options, but it really wants custom stocks. I consider it the 'understudy' for my J- and K-frame .38s
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