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Kit Gun Springtime

Talyn

Talyn

Emissary
Founding Member
The author takes out a pair of S&W “Kit Guns”.

Both with three-inch barrels (the three-inch J-frame is a personal favorite of long standing), one is the “AirLite” Model 317. The other is the Model 63. Both are of the “lock” era, both have fiber-optic front sights. The M317 has a “V” notch in the rear sight blade; the M63 has the square notch.

Kit Gun Springtime - The Shooting Wire | The Shooting Wire

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www.shootingwire.com

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A .22LR kit gun is a small, lightweight, and durable handgun—typically a revolver—designed to be packed into a hunting, fishing, or camping "kit" (bag/box) for practical, small-purpose tasks. These revolvers are generally used for small game hunting, pest control, hiking, target practice, or as a convenient survival tool.

Key Characteristics of a Kit Gun:
  • Purpose: Not meant for primary self-defense, but as a "companion" gun for outdoor activities, such as dispatching trapped game or handling snakes and rodents.
  • Design: Often features short barrels (2–3 inches), compact frames, and adjustable sights for accurate shooting.
  • Common Examples: The Smith & Wesson Model 317 Airlite and the S&W Model 63 are classic examples of the "kit gun" format.
Note on Confusion with "Conversion Kits":
While a ".22LR kit gun" is a complete firearm, a .22LR conversion kit is a separate product that allows you to shoot .22LR ammunition through a different firearm, such as converting an AR-15 to fire .22LR using a new bolt carrier group and magazine.
 
Talyn said:
A .22LR kit gun is a small, lightweight, and durable handgun—typically a revolver—designed to be packed into a hunting, fishing, or camping "kit" (bag/box) for practical, small-purpose tasks. These revolvers are generally used for small game hunting, pest control, hiking, target practice, or as a convenient survival tool.

Key Characteristics of a Kit Gun:
  • Purpose: Not meant for primary self-defense, but as a "companion" gun for outdoor activities, such as dispatching trapped game or handling snakes and rodents.
  • Design: Often features short barrels (2–3 inches), compact frames, and adjustable sights for accurate shooting.
  • Common Examples: The Smith & Wesson Model 317 Airlite and the S&W Model 63 are classic examples of the "kit gun" format.
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^^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^^

That's a pretty good summary description of a "kit gun".
 
PieterCoetzee said:
Yeah Ive heard lots of definitions. It seem like everyone has a different one. Most seem to say something about lightweight
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Yep. I believe anything that is on the heavy side or larger bore would disqualify a handgun from the "kit gun" category. I'm not sure why (other than just my age / times I grew up in), but "kit gun" always conjures up thoughts of revolvers rather than pistols.

Another way to look at 'em is through the lens of usage: Is it a handgun that doesn't have a specific mission / use case other than to just be near at hand whenever a little casual shootin' needs to "git done". A small lightweight 22 rimfire revolver fulfills that perfectly, but I don't think that a centerfire handgun is necessarily disqualified from the "kit gun" category when looked at from that viewpoint. Does a beater Glock 17 that lives under the seat of the truck qualify as a "kit gun"? One might argue that it does.
 
Another thing is weight. 100 rounds of 22 LR does not weigh much compared to centerfire ammo. When I am just walking around the woods, lunch, a canteen and 100 rounds of 22 LR equates to a very relaxing afternoon. Plinking and enjoying the scenery. Good for ones blood pressure!
 
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