Kit guns are multi-purpose utility handguns, intended to be used for small game hunting,

plinking Plinking refers to informal target shooting done for pleasure, typically at non-standard targets such as tin cans, logs, bottles, or any other homemade or naturally occurring target. Practice In contrast to shooting done at established targe ...

pest control Pest control is the regulation or management of a species defined as a pest; any animal, plant or fungus that impacts adversely on human activities or environment. The human response depends on the importance of the damage done and will range ...

, and self defense. They are generally small, lightweight, .22 rimfire revolvers, designed to be easily packed in a hunting, camping or fishing ''"kit"''. They are ideally suited for shooting

snake shot Snake shot (also commonly known as rat shot and dust shot) refers to handgun and rifle cartridges loaded with lead shot canisters instead of bullets, much like large caliber canister shot. Snake shot is generally used for shooting snakes, rodents ...

at snakes, rodents, birds, and other pest at very close range. They are also commonly used as the

coup de grâce A coup de grâce (; 'blow of mercy') is a death blow to end the suffering of a severely wounded person or animal. It may be a mercy killing of mortally wounded civilians or soldiers, friends or enemies, with or without the sufferer's consent. ...

by hunters and fishermen or as a method of

animal euthanasia Animal euthanasia (euthanasia from el, εὐθανασία; "good death") is the act of killing an animal or allowing it to die by withholding extreme medical measures. Reasons for euthanasia include incurable (and especially painful) conditio ...

when drug overdose is not available.

Smith and Wesson

In 1911, the Kit Gun line began as the 22/32 an I-Frame, .22LR, 6-shot revolver. These are sometimes called the "pre-war" models.http://www.ogca.com/Legendary%20Kit%20Gun.pdf HISTORY OF THE SMITH & WESSON KIT GUN ** The Most Perfect Revolver Ever Designed ** by Tom Clapper In 1953, an improved model was introduced, the "22/32 Kit Gun, Model of 1953”. In 1958, Smith and Wesson renamed it the Model 34 Kit Gun. This production line continued till 1960, when it was redesigned using the slightly larger J-frame and marketed as the model 34-1. The Model 34 continued to be manufactured until 1991. The Smith & Wesson Target Model 1953 (AKA: Model 35) is a 6" barrel .22LR target revolver based on the 22/32 model.The Gun Digest Book of Guns for Personal Defense: Arms & Accessories for ...
/ref> The rear sight was adjustable for both elevation and

windage Windage is a term used in aerodynamics, firearms ballistics, and automobiles. Usage Aerodynamics Windage is a force created on an object by friction when there is relative movement between air and the object. Windage loss is the reduction in e ...

, the front

sight Visual perception is the ability to interpret the surrounding Biophysical environment, environment through photopic vision (daytime vision), color vision, scotopic vision (night vision), and mesopic vision (twilight vision), using light in the ...

had a distinctive T shaped blade. Manufacture began in 1953, and it was discontinued in 1974.Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson - Jim Supica, Richard Nahas
/ref> In 1955, the Model 43 Airweight with an aluminum alloy frame was introduced. In 1960, a

.22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire The .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, also called .22 WMR, .22 Magnum, .22 WMRF, .22 MRF, or .22 Mag, is a rimfire cartridge. Originally loaded with a bullet weight of delivering velocities in the range from a rifle barrel, .22 WMR is now loaded ...

version the Model 51 was introduced. The Model 43 and 51 were discontinued in 1974. A stainless steel version the Model 63 Kit Gun was released in 1977. In 1983, the stainless steel Model 650 in .22 WMR was introduced. The 6-shot Model 63 was replaced by an 8-shot version in 1997. In 1997, Smith & Wesson also introduced the new 8-shot Model 317 AirLite Kit Gun, and the later the .38 Special Model 337 AirLite Kit Gun, and a .44 Special Model 396 AirLite Mountain Lite Kit Gun. All are made of aluminum alloy frames and cylinders made of titanium (except the Model 317, whose cylinder is aluminum). Their aluminum barrels have a stainless steel liner.

Other makers

Though not necessarily marketed under that term, other makers have produced firearms described as "kit guns" by shooters.

H&R Firearms H&R 1871, LLC, or more commonly known as Harrington & Richardson, is an American brand of firearms and a subsidiary of JJE Capital Holdings. H&R ceased production February 27, 2015. History The original H&R firm was in business for over a centu ...

produced several series of good quality, reliable and relatively inexpensive .22LR revolvers commonly used as kit guns, most notably, the later 9-shot Model 900 series. The

Ruger Bearcat The Ruger Bearcat is a single-action, .22 caliber revolver manufactured by Sturm, Ruger & Co., introduced in 1958. It is based on the classic Remington single-action revolvers of the mid-19th century. Because of its compact size and frame, it is a ...

, a small-framed single-action revolver, was introduced to meet the demand for a kit gun, as a smaller alternative to the

Ruger Single Six Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc., better known by the shortened name Ruger, is an American firearm manufacturing company based in Southport, Connecticut, with production facilities also in Newport, New Hampshire; Mayodan, North Carolina; and Presco ...

. Though most kit guns are revolvers, the

Colt Woodsman The Colt Woodsman is a semi-automatic sporting pistol manufactured by the U.S.Colt's Manufacturing Company from 1915 to 1977. It was designed by John Moses Browning. The frame design changed over time, in three distinct series: series one being 1 ...

Sport model has been described as a "near perfect 'kit gun' for the outdoorsman." File:H&R .22 Revolver (8277131674).jpg, H&R Model 900 9-shot .22LR Revolver File:Ruger-New-Bearcat.jpg, .22LR Ruger Bearcat File:Colt Woodsman - First Series.jpg, An early First Series Colt Woodsman

References

{{reflist Camping equipment Revolvers Survival guns

Smith and Wesson

Other makers

See also

References