Perfect "Kit Gun" Concept

[Pisgah]

'Way back, S&W did put out a very few of what I consider the "perfect kit gun". It was a 3" Model 36 with target sights, and it was dubbed "Target Chief's Special". Dumb name, IMO. I think "Trail Masterpiece" would have gone over better.

 

[mnrivrat]

I am not a fan of DA only guns for the uses normaly associated with a camping/trail gun. For that matter I have pocket carried a J-frame size gun for years and have yet to snag anything when retrieving it.

Most everyone can shoot more accurately using SA, and that makes for cleaner shots on those far away bunnies .

 

[franke85]

I've enjoyed reading the responses. Here is a little more eye candy.

My first kit gun...a little Charter Arms Undercover in .38spl. What a handy and very lightweight revolver! I definitely prefer my trail guns in stainless, however, and also like the option for .357 when in black bear territory.

My current favorite trail gun (Model 60 in .357) and the inspiration for the concept in my original post. This revolver has accompanied me on many a hike and camping trip and is shockingly accurate with wadcutters.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Good Thread. I personally find .22 LR to be the near perfect "kit gun" caliber. Deadly at hand gunning ranges for small game yet not loud enough to spook the world ( including hikers, neighbors, etc.) . I also like a barrel length of 3" or so. Long enough for a respectable sighting plane but short enough for pocket carry. I have a mod 34 in 2" and a 63 in 4". Neither are perfect in barrel length and both are too valuable/pristeen to beat up in a "kit gun" environment. Hence my perfect kit gun (to date) is this little ( and older) charter Arms Pathfinder. All stainless, 3" tube, adjustable sights, better than decent construction, $185 price tag. Not quite a S&W but it's a good little shooter and perfect knocking around gun.

That said, if I think that PD from larger critters may be needed on my trip, I move up to a 360PD (There's a gun that should be available with a 3" bbl and adjustable sights.

 

[Jerry in SC]

Dave, those older Charters were nice guns. Underrated as a less expensive alternative.

I'm a little surprised that so many folks like a .38 Special as a Kit Gun cartridge (me too). I wind up carrying my Model 60 2" as much as any gun when I'm out and about. Too lazy for anything less handy, I guess.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I'll go with my model 60-1 .38 spcl. with adjustable sights

 

[bogman]

My perfect kit gun, is a 4" model # 65-2. A stainless .357 mag. with fixed sights. it shoots point of aim with my 158gr. cast bullet load. & will take care of anything in the Georgia woods. in summer the first two rounds are shotshells, followed by four 158gr. hard cast SWCs. I can shoot it better than the model #60-15, that I had. the little extra weight, is not a problem. I carry it in an Bianchi pancake holster.

 

[NE450No2]

I have done a lot of tent camping in bear country, in Montana, Idaho, and Alaska.

When I do, I always wear my S&W 44 Mag, on a belt, in a holster, around my waist, when sleeping, as if a bear gets on me, I feel that is the only way I think I would be able to "find my gun" while under attack...

With the gun just nearby, or loose in the sleeping bag, I do not think I could find it, while being savaged by a bear.

I have had bears in camp on several occasion, but I ain't been bit yet.

I have also had a couple of close calls, with moose trying to get into the tent as well...

 

[Stainz]

I liked John Taffin's, etc, opinion of a 'perfect packin pistola' - a 625MG in .45 Colt. Not very sheeple friendly as it is hard to hide - still, fun to shoot. I cannot think of a beastie here in the southeast woods it wouldn't be great protection from. A more respectable - and sheeple-friendly - 'trail gun' here in the southeast is my 296 in a Mika pocket holster. The first round or two are 240gr LSWC followed by my favorite - and usual - fare for the 5-shot AirLite Ti 2.5" enclosed hammer .44 Special - GA Arms' 200gr Gold Dots. Those Gold Dots are all I carry in the urban jungle. Neither is a good 'traditional' kit gun - they are usually .22-.32-.38 calibers.

I think S&W has my answer coming this spring - a new HiViz equipped 3" 63. I guess I should probably be selecting which kidney to sell to pay for it while I am waiting...

Stainz

 

[ACP230]

Two or three years ago a blued Bodyguard with a three-inch barrel and adjustable sights was featured in an Old Town Station auction.
So someone has already made at least one similar gun.

I was broke at the time, of course.