Kit gun
A compact .22 revolver for outdoor kits.
A kit gun is a multi-purpose utility handgun, typically a small, lightweight .22 rimfire revolver designed to be easily packed in a hunting, camping, or fishing kit. It is intended for small game hunting, plinking, pest control, as an ancillary weapon, and for self-defense, and is ideally suited for shooting snake shot at snakes, rodents, birds, and other pests at very close range. Kit guns are also commonly used for the coup de grâce by hunters and fishermen or as a method of animal euthanasia when drug overdose is not available.
- Caliber
- .22LR, .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, .38 Special, .44 Special
- Capacity
- 6-shot, 8-shot, 9-shot
- Frame
- I-Frame, J-frame, aluminum alloy, stainless steel, titanium cylinder
- Manufacturer
- Smith & Wesson, H&R Firearms, Ruger
- Introduced
- 1911 (Smith & Wesson 22/32)
- Discontinued
- 1991 (Model 34), 1974 (Model 35, Model 43, Model 51)
Lore & Background
The Kit Gun line began in 1911 with Smith & Wesson's 22/32, an I-Frame, .22LR, 6-shot revolver, sometimes called the 'pre-war' model. In 1953, an improved model was introduced as the '22/32 Kit Gun, Model of 1953'. In 1958, Smith & Wesson renamed it the Model 34 Kit Gun, continuing production until 1960, when it was redesigned using the slightly larger J-frame and marketed as the Model 34-1. The Model 34 was manufactured until 1991.
Other models followed: the Smith & Wesson Target Model 1953 (AKA Model 35) with a 6-inch barrel and adjustable rear sight, manufactured from 1953 to 1974; the Model 43 Airweight with an aluminum alloy frame introduced in 1955; the .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire Model 51 introduced in 1960; and the stainless steel Model 63 Kit Gun released in 1977. The Model 63 was originally 6-shot, replaced by an 8-shot version in 1997. In 1983, the stainless steel Model 650 in .22 WMR was introduced. In 1997, Smith & Wesson introduced the 8-shot Model 317 AirLite Kit Gun, followed by the .38 Special Model 337 AirLite Kit Gun and the .44 Special Model 396 AirLite Mountain Lite Kit Gun, all with aluminum alloy frames and titanium cylinders (except the Model 317, whose cylinder is aluminum).
Other makers have produced firearms described as 'kit guns' by shooters, though not necessarily marketed under that term. H&R Firearms produced several series of .22LR revolvers commonly used as kit guns, notably the later 9-shot Model 900 series. The Ruger Bearcat, a small-framed single-action revolver, was introduced to meet demand for a kit gun as a smaller alternative to the Ruger Single Six. Though most kit guns are revolvers, the Colt Woodsman Sport model has been described as a 'near perfect kit gun for the outdoorsman.'
Reader's Guide
The kit gun concept originated with Smith & Wesson in 1911 and evolved through multiple frame sizes, calibers, and materials over the 20th century. Its significance lies in its versatility as a compact, lightweight utility handgun for outdoorsmen, serving roles from pest control and small game hunting to self-defense and humane dispatch of animals. The line expanded from .22LR to include .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, .38 Special, and .44 Special, and from blued steel to aluminum alloy, stainless steel, and titanium construction. The introduction of the Model 43 Airweight in 1955 and later AirLite models in 1997 emphasized weight reduction for portability. The Ruger Bearcat and H&R Model 900 series provided alternatives, while the Colt Woodsman Sport was recognized as a near-perfect kit gun despite being a semi-automatic pistol. The kit gun's legacy is that of a practical, packable firearm that adapted to changing materials and calibers while maintaining its core purpose as a reliable companion in the field.
Did You Know?
- The Smith & Wesson Model 34 Kit Gun was manufactured from 1958 to 1991.
- The Model 63 Kit Gun, introduced in 1977, was originally a 6-shot revolver before being replaced by an 8-shot version in 1997.
- The Model 317 AirLite Kit Gun has an aluminum alloy frame and an aluminum cylinder.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a kit gun?
A kit gun is a small, lightweight utility revolver built to tuck neatly into a hunting, camping, or fishing kit. Rather than serving as a primary sidearm, it functions as a compact, all-around field tool for the outdoors.
What calibers do kit guns chamber?
The vast majority are .22 Long Rifle or .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, which keeps them light and easy to handle in the field. A smaller number of models were offered in .38 Special or .44 Special for those wanting a bit more stopping power.
What are kit guns actually used for?
They shine at close range for small game, pest control, plinking, and as a backup or self-defense option while in the field. Hunters and anglers also keep one handy for a quick, humane coup de grâce or for euthanasia when other methods aren't practical.
Which manufacturers made kit guns?
Smith & Wesson, H&R Firearms, and Ruger all produced models in the category. Smith & Wesson's 22/32, first introduced in 1911, is widely regarded as the most historically significant kit gun ever made.
When did kit gun production wind down?
Several S&W models, including the 35, 43, and 51, were dropped around 1974. The Model 34 followed in 1991, marking the later end of the line for that particular family of kit guns.
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