Perfect "Kit Gun" Concept

[franke85]

By far, my favorite category of firearms is the "kit gun." I have acquired several guns over the years for just this purpose and I have enjoyed them all. I also love the varied opinions on the ideal hiking/camping gun and how they vary from person to person and region to region.

Anyhow, I have had an idea in my head of what would really be the perfect kit gun for me...and of course it hasn't (to my knowledge) ever been produced. I finally took the time to photoshop up a rendition of it and I thought I would share and get your opinions.

Here it is...

This Frankenstein has a M649 frame with adjustable sights mated to a 3" barrel and has the current Model 60 pro series grips. (It would also have no internal lock!) This idea arrived from my love for my Model 60 3" but has the added benefit of the body guard style shrouded hammer. I thought this addition would make my model 60 just a little bit more perfect by making it more "snag proof" if drawing from inside a sleeping bag or pack while still preserving single action capability.

The only challenging part of building this revolver would be the custom installation of adjustable sights onto a 649 frame. It would be desirable to make the sights a little more snag proof while I was at it.

Anyways, this is what I dreamed up, let me know what ya think! Feel free to post a picture of your favorite kit gun and why you love it or share your concept!

.

 

[Bwilli88]

For me it would be my 35-1 cut to 5" that 6" barrel is just a little too long.

 

[GF]

I do like the way the adj. sights look on your revolver. You did a good job on the picture. Would your Frankengun be a 38spl or 357mag?

GF

 

[Triggernosis]

I'd like to have my "kit gun" in a caliber somewhere between .22lr and .38 Spec.

 

[franke85]

I do like the way the adj. sights look on your revolver. You did a good job on the picture. Would your Frankengun be a 38spl or 357mag?

GF

Thanks GF. I would go .357mag to give me more options, plus that's what my trusty Model 60 is chambered in.

 

[GF]

I'm with you on the Mod 60 in 357, it's my favorite too.

GF

 

[Seven3]

This is really funny. About ten years ago, I was talking with a friend and proposed this exact concept. He thought I was crazy, and said the idea was stupid. I still think it has a lot of merit, for the reasons you mentioned. It would be such a niche gun, though, that I doubt S&W would ever produce it. Then again, with the huge number of models they already make, who knows? Anyway, its really cool to see a picture. Thanks.

 

[Dale53]

Franke85;
I also have a predilection for "Trail Guns". I have often used them as a side gun to my bird gun (a 12 gauge Beretta Silver Snipe over/under) for sitting rabbits and wounded grouse (or even sitting grouse).

I have one like GF's (except with Hogue grips) that I shoot very well. When worn with a cross draw holster (to keep from interfering with mounting the shotgun) I hardly know it is there. Full wadcutters make EXCELLENT edible small game loads as well as good SD loads.

I also have an S&W 631 (4") in .32 H&R Magnum that qualifies in every way as a good trail gun. Stangely enough the weight forward bias of the short barreled .38 Special actually holds better (that underlug really helps in that area).

Another gun that qualifies is my Ruger SP101 (4") in .32 H&R Magnum.

There are others but those are my most used.

FWIW
Dale53

 

[LoboGunLeather]

My old Model 34 (.22LR, adj. sights, 2-inch, blued) has always served me well on camping, fishing, and hunting trips for 30 years. I have eaten dozens of rabbits, snowshoe hares, and grouse taken with that little revolver. It rides easily in a vest pocket and, as long as I do my part, will put every shot where it is intended to go.

Difficult to improve upon the Kit Gun.

 

[Mule88]

Looks good, Id buy it

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

The adjustable sights negate the value of the shrouded hammer. GF's answer is possibly best, although a 36-6 is pretty good, too. A 3" SB bobbed M37 that shoots to POA with wadcutters might be even better, if shooting DA is your idea of a good time (it is mine).

 

[faraim]

Back in the late 70's Skeeter Skelton wrote an article in Shooting Times about building a kit gun. He started with a surplus Colt Police Positive Special and had it machined for a S&W adjustable rear sight. A ramp front sight similar to one used on the Colt Officer's Model target revolvers was soldered to the front. A Pachymayr grip adapter finished off the conversion. I've always thought the idea had a lot of merit, and have looked for one of the M36 target models, but haven't found one that was affordable.

 

[ENGINE18]

Very cool concept

 

[RightWinger]

I have never understood why these guns were called "kit" guns.....I like them and think they are ever so handy, but a "trail gun" or a "camp gun" would be more fitting unless there is some historical reason for their name that I am missing.

 

[cgt4570]

I have never understood why these guns were called "kit" guns.....I like them and think they are ever so handy, but a "trail gun" or a "camp gun" would be more fitting unless there is some historical reason for their name that I am missing.

Traditionally, the word 'kit' meant all the stuff you carry camping, hence the name.

BTW, I'll take one in .327 Federal Magnum!

 

[bronco45]

I have a Model 60-4 in 38 that I truly enjoy. It's a great revolver in town or out on the trail. And as an earlier poster noted 38 wadcutters work great on small game.

Second choice for "kit gun" status is a Model 19 2.5" with handloaded SWCs at 1000fps.

 

[WHO CARES]

I have been working on another idea for sights for my ideal "Trail/Packing Pistol." Assuming you are going to have one primary load for 90% of your shooting needs, consider a fixed rear sight the same as or perhaps only slightly more pronounced than the snub nose guns now come with. Then install a dovetailed front sight which would allow for small windage adjustments. A file applied to the front sight would give you elevation adjustments. If you later found a more preferred load, simply replace the front sight and "sight in" again.

I am considering trying this approach with one of my Ruger single actions with fixed sights as I am frustrated with trying to hold off center to hit targets with it as is.

Ward

 

[TwoPoundPull]

The one in the middle works for me, the others won't fit in my pocket...

 

[mod34]

I'd be happy to order 2 in an 8-shot .22WMR configuration. Thanks and let me know when they're ready. Money no object. Thanks!

 

[franke85]

I'd be happy to order 2 in an 8-shot .22WMR configuration. Thanks and let me know when they're ready. http://smith-wessonforum.com/images/icons/icon12.gifMoney no object. Thanks!

That would be an excellent configuration as well! Maybe one day I'll be at the point when I could actually make some of these...that would be fun...I'll let you know!