The One Handgun

[CZ93X62]

You are not alone in that regard. I "Passed" on a LNIB Model 31 x 4" at an Idaho gun show a few years ago, and that was unalloyed stupidity. Not that I could shoot it worth a flop anyway, but that's beside the point. I can almost do good work with the 38 Regulation Police once Pachmayr grips are installed.

 

[Pistolero]

Some Colt's are amazing. I have an old 5" Police Positive in .38 S&W (not Spl) that will, with certain
loads, group into just a bit over an inch at 25 yds, and it has done it many times, to my surprise and
delight. And it has a Tyler T, I can't deal with the Colt dbl action revolvers without some modified grips.

It was a non-funtional mess when I got it, and I reshimmed the cyl and stretched the hand and got it
back working, and very well indeed.

Bill

 

[Kevin Stenberg]

To show my ignorance. What make a revolver a Kit Gun?

 

[Pistolero]

It is a model of S&W small .22 cal.....to "go in your kit", like in your fishing kit or
hiking kit- small & light. Usually a 3 or 4" bbl light revolver, I think all are/were in .22 cal,
but perhaps some in .22 Mag or .32, but I never saw one like that. I think they all have
adjustable sights, too. On the small frames, too.

https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/model-317-kit-gun

Current iteration, have been many variants over the last 50-75 years.

I have one of these, and it was not called "Kit Gun" when I bought mine about
10 yrs back, it was just a 317 AirLight .22. And it weighs about 9 or 10 ounces, and
as Al said - makes it hard to hit with. Also the silly sights were really a PITA, had to
change them out. Front was a round topped fiber optic ---GRRR. And the rear blade
had a V-notch. Changed the front to a flat topped fiber optic and the rear to a square
normal S&W blade. Easier to hit with now, but the low weight is still a hinderance for
shooting accurately, but a delight to carry around.

Here is a pic of an older model Kit Gun.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/mgm-conten...92516_01_s_w_model_34_1_22_32_kit_gun_640.jpg

Bill

 

[Bret4207]

The last decade or 2 Smith has gotten rather bone headed with their sighting systems IMO. I can see a big red or green front on a fixed sight defense gun. On a field or target gun? No, I want traditional Smith adjustable sights. Don't mess with success!

 

[CZ93X62]

The last decade or 2 Smith has gotten rather bone headed with their sighting systems IMO. I can see a big red or green front on a fixed sight defense gun. On a field or target gun? No, I want traditional Smith adjustable sights. Don't mess with success!

CAN I GET A WITNESS??!!

I dislike these fiber-optic sights with a purple passion. Ruger and S&W are enamored with them presently, and I had to hold my nose to buy the SP-101 x 327 Federal that only came with that nasty thing as OEM equipage. At least it is dove-tailed, so a proper black Patridge or ramp sight can be swapped in with fair ease.

 

[Charles Graff]

Bret, there is a lesson here for all of us. I have kicked myself many times for passing up guns. Oh well, what is gone is gone. I bought this good pre-war hand ejector 32 about 30 years ago for $160.00. It is in high condition and shoots like a house-a-fire. I keep the loads mild with a 105 full wadcutter over 2/Bulleye.

 

[Gary]

You certainly have some fine firearms Charles, I just have firearms that work OK for me, nuttin' fancy.

 

[Bret4207]

Nice old Smith Charles. Very nice! I haven't passed them all up, I did finally buy the very old Colt Officers Model Target with the Paine Bead front sight and Colt adjustable rear on a 7.5" barrel. I also bought the Smith M48 K-22 Mag when it hit the shop I used to frequent a 2nd time. And I never even hesitated the second I saw the Smith 24-3 Lew Horton 44 Spec! It's all those other "should'a been mines" that get me!