Suggest an accurate, feather-light rimfire 'kit gun'.

[buzz meeks]

Well, the title pretty much says it all. I'm looking for a compact .22 to stow in a backpack on hiking and hunting trips. Its function is very specialized. This is a piece I will use to finish wounded big game and pot small game if I am stranded and need the food. That last requirement, however unlikely, is why your suggested pistol must be capable of very good accuracy. I have a Buckmark and am tickled with its accuracy and function but it's heavy and bulky. Action type doesn't concern me but I may go with my heart and experience and just buy the real thing- a S&W Kit Gun. But before I go shopping I thought I'd ask around. Remember: rimfire, light weight and accurate. Thanks in advance.

 

[GEM]

As I see it, you have three choices:

1. SW's airlite 317 line
2. The Ultralite's from Taurus
3. NAA minirevolvers with the longer barrel.

SW Model 63's aren't in current production but there were rumours of a revival if you like stainless guns.

There are also the little Ruger Singe Actions but they don't offer much as far as your description of light weight.

 

[Thirties]

Smith and Wesson model 422. These are no longer made, but are available used. Excellent lightweight .22 auto pistol.

.

 

[Matt-man]

My wife shoots a recent-production 317 Kit Gun with the 3" barrel. My biggest complaint with it is that the fiber-optic sight setup isn't as precise as I'd like. The gun may be capable of good accuracy, but I find that the sights are the limiting factor. There's also a 1 7/8" model with fixed sights, but I cannot attest to its accuracy.

The NAA mini-revolvers can be really hard to shoot due to their tiny size.

You might also consider a Ruger 22/45 with the 4 3/4" barrel. They're heavy (28 oz) relative to the Smith Airlites but the accuracy will be good.

 

[cookekdjr]

Hmmmmm...the "lightweight" is going to limit your "accurate" choices.
Look at a Ruger Single Six. If its too heavy, check out the Bearcat. Not quite as accurate (and you may have to do some adjusting to bring poi to poa since the sights are fixed).
You might look at the Charter 2000 pathfinder, although I don't know how accurate you can be with a 2" barrel without a benchrest.
Maybe the solution is a Single Six and a comfortable holster. (I've been faced with this choice myself, btw. I'm now holster shopping and I have a Single Six en route to my local gunstore ).
-David

 

[armedcitizen]

Well, since you didn't specify "handgun", I'll recommend one of those break down rifles that have the action and barrel and that store in the stock and the whole thing can float. They used to be called the AR-7 I think. Armalite is making them now but I don't know what they call them. It would certainly be a better choice for the taking game option I would think.

 

[DR]

S&W 317 kit gun. Feather-lite describes it perfectly. I agree with Matt-man to go for one with the regular sights if you want the most accurate setup. You won't wring the most accuracy out of the gun with the fiber optic. However, the fiber optic does give you a quicker shot, which could be important if your supper-to-be won't stand still.

 

[buzz meeks]

Thanks for the advice so far. Just to clarify, I am only looking at handguns but action type does not matter. Also, quick access is not necessary. This is something that will be stowed in my pack. I will only access it if I need to emergency bivouac for a few days or to brain an animal that's been anchored but isn't dead yet. I hate using a 9.3x62 round on a deer or elk that's laying at my feet, you know?

 

[hightech]

Charter Arms

I use a Charter Arms Pathfinder in .22 mag for my back packing gun. Take a look at their current line up.

 

[bubbygator]

Take a look at Beretta here.

 

[patentmike]

Personally, I went with a vintage model 43 over the 317.
12 ounces, it's a classic, and actually costs less.

 

[Bob41081]

Kit gun

I'd look at a Sig Trailside 4".

Bob

 

[sd]

Ruger bearcat.

 

[Ala Dan]

If you can find one, a 3.5" barrel Smith & Wesson model 43.

 

[Master Blaster]

I have a 3.5 " adjustible sight 43 made in 1972, its the only one I have ever seen for sale, I bought it about 5 years ago and it was $300 with a box and papers in near new condition. Draw backs re that it has an aluminium alloy cylinder. S&W only recommends standard velocity ammo in it so if you want to shoot minimags or stingers this gun is not a good choice.

I would part with it for about $600. Maybe

The 34 was its all steel cousin and is small relatively light about 23 oz instead of 12 oz. 34's are much more common and usually go fast at about $350 arond here.

I also have a taurus 94 with AS and a 4" barrel, its 9 shots and is very accurate with any ammo. A new 94 can be had for under $290.
Its just the right size and capacity for a .22lr revolver IMHO. My 94 has an excellent trigger and is more acurrate than my vintage super single 6. The 94 is what I take to introduce adults to shooting handguns.

Here is a 43 with no box or papers for $499

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976573638.htm

 

[rolltide]

The NAA Black Widow is all you need. It is ultra light, as accurate as most any other factory 22 revolver of any size, easy to shoot well with the large rubber grips, and you can shoot either 22 Mag or 22LR in the same gun. With the 22 mag, it would even make a human assailant think twice. NAA makes an excellent product and stands behind everything they sell for LIFE. You can carry this little gun in your shirt pocket, pants pocket, around your neck, almost anywhere and it is safe to carry with all cylinders loaded with the hammer down in the safety notch.



I have owned other 22 revolvers, but my only 22 revolver now is an NAA 22mag/22LR combo with a 1 5/8" barrel and the black widow grips. It will kill a rabbit easily at 20 to 30 yards.

For better accuracy go with the bigger guns in a semi-auto action like the S&W 422. It is still light, thin, and very accurate in my experience.

Roll Tide

 

[sturmruger]

I would recomend getting a Ruger 22/45 which can be had for around $200 used. Then you can get a Pac-Lite barrel that would keep the gun around 20 oz.

 

[SRYnidan]

Take a look at a Bersa Firestorm in 22.
Aluminum frame fixed barrel.
In many ways a low cost Walther PP in 22LR.