Favorite Kit Gun?

[HB]

After walking many miles with a heavy .357 blackhawk, I've decided to get a kit gun. I have plenty of .22s but I'm looking for a revolver in the .32-.38 caliber range. I've seen Ruger Single Sixes in .32 H&R Magnum but besides that choices seem to be few. A j-Frame or Astra Cadix could both be good if they shoot well enough, so could be some of the Charters I've seen. Any ideas what to look for?

HB

 

[rmfnla]

I like 3" J-frames. The S&W Model 60 is available in .357 Mag w/ adjustable sights; a great little package.

I only shoot .38 Spl out of mine but it's nice to have the flexiblity if you need it.

 

[dennis228]

I would agree with rmfnla that the 3 inch S&W 60 is a nice package for a kit gun. I have the model 60-18 which has the 5 inch bbl. and adj. sights and it is fairly light and easy to carry cross draw, and with the extra bbl. length is very accurate. It weighs just at 29oz. with Pachmayr gripper grips and handles 38+P very easily and moderate load 357's are very managable as well. Accuracy wise, mine really likes .38+P Speer Gold Dot 125's. A Ruger Single Six in 32 magnum is also a very nice woods gun but not easy to find them with adj. sights, and 32 mag. factory ammo is not abundant right now. The Ruger SP101 357/38 with 3 inch bbl. is a nice gun and might be another option for you.

 

[Triggernosis]

I just got a Model 60-4 (3" barrel, adjustable sights) that I think is going to be the holy grail for a kit gun that I've been looking for. I had a 317 in .22lr, but never really felt comfortable with it for anything - self-defense against critters or man, nor cleanly dispatching anything any bigger than a squirrel or rabbit.
The current Model 60's are a tad bit beefier in frame but will shoot .357 if you so choose.

 

[Ala Dan]

I also own a S&W model 60-4 (.38 Special), that fills the bill nicely for a true
"Kit Gun"~!

 

[HB]

Seems to be quite a consensus there! I stumbled upon a Colt Police Positive in 32 WCF today tho...

 

[Triggernosis]

That's nice enough too, HB.

 

[461]

The 5" J frames are my strong favorites. I've got the .22lr and the .357 and one of the two if not both go shooting with me every time. If they'd put one out in the .327 I think it'd be the perfect gun for me.

 

[bannockburn]

I used to have a 3" Rossi Model 88 in .38 Special. It was stainless and had small rear leaf sight that was easier to pick up than the usual sight groove on a S&W J frame. Fitted a Tyler T grip adapter to it and carried it everywhere in an Uncle Mikes nylon holster. Great little kit gun set-up.

 

[Ala Dan]

Here is a pic of a true "Kit Gun", a 2" barrel Smith & Wesson model 34-1 in
.22LR caliber~! Yes, its only a "six-shooter" and a little lite caliber wise;
but it fills the bill for shoot'in snakes, rodents, etc. From 1981 - enjoy~!
And, NO guys and gals - its not for sale at any price.

 

[Paladin7]

I like my S&W Model 36-1 3" 38 special. If you can find one, they are light, easy to carry, accurate, and perfect in my mind for woods walking... You will hardly know its there.

A 158 gr LSWC over 4.2 gr of Unique is plenty for small game, plinking and general enjoyment...

 

[CajunBass]

When I'm not taking a 22, my Colt Official Police in 38 fills the role.

 

[Racinbob]

Gotta put another vote in for the 60-4. Mines got the factory combat grips and is my favorite shooter. Been waiting close to 6 months now for the white outline rear blade to arrive from S&W

 

[Triggernosis]

Been waiting close to 6 months now for the white outline rear blade to arrive from S&W

Bob, I've been considering putting a white outline blade in mine. Is S&W the only place to get one?

 

[rmfnla]

Here is a pic of a true "Kit Gun", a 2" barrel Smith & Wesson model 34-1 in
.22LR caliber~! Yes, its only a "six-shooter" and a little lite caliber wise;
but it fills the bill for shoot'in snakes, rodents, etc. From 1981 - enjoy~!
And, NO guys and gals - its not for sale at any price.

The only downside is that 2" barrel; great for concealment, but not really necessary for trail use and a 3" bull handles so much better.

 

[Confederate]

Hard to beat the S&W 60.

Other considerations: 1) Ruger Single-Six w/.22WMR; 2) Ruger Speed-Six (.357); and 3) Ruger Mark II/III Standard Autos.

I'd recommend stainless steel in all these. The Single-Six is light and packs quite a punch with .22 magnums. The Speed-Six is beautifully balanced and shoots six shots -- and it has a nice round butt that makes it compact. The auto .22 is lightweight and has been a great kit gun since 1953. It also has incredible firepower.

 

[Racinbob]

Triggernosis, I don't know for sure. I havn't found anyplace else. S&W has them on their site so I ordered one for my 60. Picked up a 78 vintage 63 in mint shape a few months ago so I called them to see if I could add a second blade to the backorder. No problem. They told me both would ship within a couple weeks. Still nothing.

 

[Boxhead]

My 41 Special Single Six works for me.





Though the second handgun ever I bought, back in 1979, still works fine, a
M63.

 

[Onmilo]

Several years ago S&W put out a Model 60 with a 3" barrel and adjustable sights.
They were a super decent walking around the woods .38 special and it is one of those "I should bought one of those" kind of things you regret later.

 

[HB]

Very cool guns, all good suggestions. I have a single six but im looking for something with a little more pop than a .22 mag. Out of a revolver you basically have the ballistics of a 22LR rifle with a better bullet.

And that .41 cal single six is very interesting...

HB

 

[Brian Williams]

That 41 Spec looks real nice, I would like that or my S&W 60-4.

 

[eastbank]

here is the S&W model 31-1 in 32s&W long i bought my wife for a woods walking revolver, it had s&w adjustable rear sights and a higher micro front sight on it when i bought it,i load the hornady 100gr hp bullet to 850 fps and it is accurte. eastbank.

 

[EMC45]

Had a nice model 63 Smith 22LR. I think that is a nice Kit gun..

 

[BullRunBear]

Out of curiosity, would a 3" Model 10 fit the description for a kit gun or is it too heavy/bulky?

Jeff

 

[Triggernosis]

Several years ago S&W put out a Model 60 with a 3" barrel and adjustable sights.
They were a super decent walking around the woods .38 special and it is one of those "I should bought one of those" kind of things you regret later.

That would be a model 60-4. Perfect woods walking gun.