Looking for a "tackle box" gun. Recommendations?

[jl1966]

So, I do a lot of kayaking and fishing around my area. I am looking for an inexpensive but somewhat quality pistol for taking along on these trips. I am looking hard at the Taurus PT22 poly models right now, but figured some of you might have some other suggestions to consider. Keeping in mind it needs to be small enough to fit in a pocket, .22 caliber, not so expensive that I would be devastated to lose it, somewhat resistant to wet environments. I own many larger caliber firearms, but touching of a .38 or 9mm on a crowded river day draws a lot of attention, just to dispatch a snake.Thanks in advance!!

 

[stoky]

A stainless revolver or Ruger LCR would cycle w CB (quiet) or sub sonic ammo. Charter Arms makes one they call the Pathfinder, in stainless or aluminum.

 

[MTNSTRYDER]

I carry a NAA Pug because it fits in my trunks if it gets wet take 5 practice shots (AIMED LIKE YOU MENT TO HIT A SNAKE IN THE HEAD)Dry off touch of oil reload.The 22mag shotshells work well at close range.
This year I bought a PMR30 I’ve put over 300 rounds though it with one failure to extract the gun and 2 mags thats 60 rounds weighs just a little more than the NAA 5 shot Minni revolver and it fits in the pocket of my life vest.
There seems to be more meth labs and punks in the woods lately.A boat launch on a very isolated lake in northern Vermont was part of a drug pipeline.With GPS making it easy to drive to from the city and no cellphone coverage to report them It’s a real concern .

 

[bassjam]

I'd probably opt for a revolver over an autoloader for .22. Partially for reliability, but mostly so I could load whatever I wanted in it like subsonics, or CCI Quiets, or even CB's and I know it would cycle. An LCR would be perfect, but you may consider then pricey. I think a NAA PUG like MTNSTRYDER mentioned, or a NAA Blackwidow would be good alternate choices for pocket carry.

 

[stoky]

This year I bought a PMR30 I’ve put over 300 rounds though it with one failure to extract the gun and 2 mags thats 60 rounds weighs just a little more than the NAA 5 shot Minni revolver and it fits in the pocket of my life vest.

I like the PMR30, except for the popularity keeping price$ well over MSRP.
quiet they ain't

 

[stoky]

If you don't mind SA, Heritage makes a 3½ bbl.
and it's .22 Mag convertible

 

[cluttonfred]

The PT22 Poly actually sounds like a great choice, tip up barrel makes it easy to switch out whatever is in the chamber. I don't know if it will cycle subsonics, but you could keep the clip loaded with hypervelocity rounds and load whatever you need in the chamber.

 

[Speedo66]

Bud's has the Heritage .22 SA revolver for $121 shipped. Not my cup of tea, but at that price if it fell in the lake, well.......no biggie.

 

[MedWheeler]

My Phoenix HP22A has filled that role more than a few times. I do also have a Taurus PT22, the metal one. Both are good little shooters. The Phoenix has the lighter trigger and better sights (and holds two more rounds.) The Taurus is more of a "point and press to play" gun, and rides a lot nicer in the pocket thanks to its smoother profile and lighter weight.

I also have the HRR, in both the 4.75-inch and 3.5-inch (birdshead) models. A bit big and heavy for pocket use, but I'd bet either would be fun in the field, and could do pretty much whatever could be asked of a "fishing .22." With the .22WMR cylinder in place, you'd have a more water-resistant round, but it would definitely attract more attention if fired.

 

[FL-NC]

The cheapest 22 revolver you can find that works. Put it and the ammo in a small pelican box.

 

[.308 Norma]

The .22 that rides in my large tackle box is an old Smith stainless revolver that we used to call a "22/32 Kit Gun." I could have swore it was a Model 63 when I bought it 35 or 40 years ago, but my wife picked up a Model 63 for herself a while back, and the one she bought holds 8 shots (mine only holds 6) and has a 5" barrel (mine only has a 4").
Regardless, if I was looking for a "tackle box gun," I'd buy one like my wife's seeing as how Smith obviously doesn't make stainless 22/32 Kit Guns like mine anymore.
Oh yeah, "just one more thing" (Colombo said) - my wife paid about 4 times as much for her "tackle box gun" as I paid for mine. And while a person could say, "Yeah, but on average, wages are 4 times higher than they were when you bought yours." That just doesn't tell the whole story. You see, I already have 35 or 40 years use out of my "tackle box gun." But my wife is 65. There's no way on God's earth either of us is going to get 35 or 40 years use out of that gun. Maybe 20. But that still means my wife's "tackle box gun" was twice as expensive as mine. And that's today. Who knows, if I kick the bucket in another 20 years, I might still be carrying my "22/32 Kit Gun" that I paid about $200.00 for way back when wages were 4 times less than they are nowadays.

 

[Mn Fats]

For me, a Beretta 21a bobcat is about the nicest pocket sized autoloading .22 imo. Quality and inexpensive in my eyes. Win win. Of course your definition of "inexpensive" could be different than mine but for a little over $300 new I wouldn't be "devestated" if it slipped into the drink.

 

[entropy]

They didn't call the S&W Model 34 the "Kit Gun" for nothing. My Uncle kept one in his tackle box, for quieting down ornery muskies. He shot one on the deck of the boat once, forgot it was the hull. He had to quit fishing and head for the dock quick....

 

[22250Rem]

Don't know how much room there is in the O.P.'s kayak but I've seen small boats with those small Pelican cases that are water tight and may even float if the gun isn't too heavy. They make them in several sizes so once the dimensions of the gun are known it would be an easy selection. In something like a kayak the case could even be lashed to the inside of the kayak for security if it capsizes.

 

[Armored farmer]

I would look at a Ruger sr22.
Ruger lcp
...or a S&W bodyguard, they are one sale right now for about $200.

 

[Mn Fats]

My Uncle kept one in his tackle box, for quieting down ornery muskies.

Why would anyone ever shoot a muskie? I hunt them year round but never thought to shoot one. Just pick em up buy the gills, they'll quiet down.

Don't know how much room there is in the O.P.'s kayak but I've seen small boats with those small Pelican cases that are water tight and may even float if the gun isn't too heavy. They make them in several sizes so once the dimensions of the gun are known it would be an easy selection. In something like a kayak the case could even be lashed to the inside of the kayak for security if it capsizes.

Good suggestion there. I own an airtight Plano tackle box that's tied to my canoe that I've tipped more than once. Each time with an unharmed single six in it.

 

[cfullgraf]

There are a number of different S&W J-frames in rimfire cartridges that fit the tackle box purpose well except for cost. Barrel lengths start at a nominal 2" and up. They can be had in fixed or adjustable sight versions as well as 22 Long Rifle or 22 Magnum chamberings.

Current production in 22 long rifle there is the Model 317 Airlite (I assume it is still available) or the Model 63. On the used market, there are numerous various models including the previous mentioned Model 34 (the 22/32 Kit gun) in 22 long rifle and the Model 51 (22 Magnum).

A stainless Ruger Single-Six or Single-Ten with a shorter barrel would also be a good option as already mentioned.

 

[Davek1977]

as Medwheeler said, a hp22 from phoenix wouldn't be a bad choice. i don't own one yet, but very may well in the near future. a friend has one, and while he has many colts and smiths, one of his go-to plinkers is hs hp22 which he said has been utterly reliable with all ammo, accurate, etc despite its inexpensive nature. too, i've heard pheonix's support of the gun is awesome as well.

 

[jl1966]

Thanks for the good responses guys. They are some good ideas. I am still pretty stuck on the PT22, as it seems to fit my needs the best. A Smith or Ruger is a little pricey for my intended use. A steel revolver is also rather heavy for pocket carry in a swim trunk pocket. As one poster said, the tip up barrel on the Taurus allows use of whatever ammo is needed at the moment. My G19 fills the defensive role if larger varmints become a problem.

 

[doubleh]

The pt22 looks like a good choice. I didn't know anything about it but looked it up online. I was going to recommend the Phoenix as I have one and it has been dependable and is less expensive.

 

[chicharrones]

I used to use my old Beretta Bobcat as a camp and off road motorcycle gun. The pro is the size of the thing. The cons were the size of the sights and it would try and rust.

Now days, I might consider a Charter Arms Pathfinder or a Ruger LCRx, both in .22LR.

 

[mokin]

Twenty years ago (or so) I made an impulse purchase of a New England Firearms R-92 for $99.00. It holds nine rounds and is kind of big, but it is a great little pistol and frequently resides with my tackle gear. As those are hard to find, I'll second the Ruger LCR suggestions.

 

[Old Dog]

I spend a lot of time on the water myself.

I realize the prospect of losing one's gun in the water is not unlikely, and I get wanting an inexpensive, easily replaceable gun, so my perspective won't answer the OP's question, but I have to go with a reliable, easy to maintain tackle-box gun.

In the past 50 years of working, living and recreating on or in the water, I've learned that in the marine environment, a stainless revolver is your best friend over any auto-loader ...

Thus, I cannot recommend a pistol for a tackle-box or boat gun (unless your boat is a yacht and you frequent the Indian Ocean waters off, say, countries such as Somalia, but then an M4 and a couple 5-inch-54s might be necessary).

A Taurus Model 94 (10 shot) in stainless can probably be had for 3 bills if you look hard.

But for me, I go with a 3-inch S&W 317 "Kit Gun." Stainless, 8 shot. Lightweight. Fiber optic front sight. Awesome -- but expensive ...

I realize the prospect of losing one's gun in the water is not unlikely, and I get wanting an inexpensive, easily replaceable gun, so my perspective doesn't answer the OP's question, but I have to go with a reliable, easy to maintain tacklebox gun.

 

[Hanzo581]

How about a little something like this?

http://grabagun.com/north-american-arms-22lr-gbg-22lr-1-1-8-boot-grip.html

 

[Wisco]

Why would anyone ever shoot a muskie?

Very common a couple generations ago. Hasn't been legal in WI in my lifetime. Similar to the shows about alligator hunting - bring it in close, pop it, land the dead Muskie in the boat.