Great video. Although I have the .22 convertable my favorite for the task is a .410 single shot. That is the gun I learned to shoot with as a kid. All of my family had them. Yes the shells are expensive. That is probably why it works for me. You didn't fiddle around and miss. That is what a pellet gun was for. I believe the best hunting skill you can aquire is hunting rabbits and squirrels. That will reflect in being able to use a kit gun. Short of a grizzly I don't worry to much. They don't live here. We do have black bear which I chase away with a stick. Mountain lions are not that easy but are thin skinned so a .22 will work. Wolves rarely bother. Use to be a problem with wild dogs but the increase in wolves settled that. Worse thing would be a moose. Big and can have bad tempers and can move quietly.
I just bought a Taurus 856 defender with the ultra-lite frame, 3 inch barrel. To me, this might make the perfect kit gun. 6 rounds of 38 special in a 17.5 oz package. It is +p rated which is a formidable round. I hike the desert areas in Arizona, this package will handle anything I may run across. Standard pressure wadcutters for small game all the way up to hard cast +p for the angry Javalina or 2 legged threats. Thanks for the series Blackie it was a good topic and one I have been interested in for some time. Safe trails.
Blackie , Another Great Video and Outstanding Information on kit gun . .22 Ruger Single Six SS is my favorite kit gun . My pack gun is a S&W .357 6 inch barrel . My big game hunting hand gun .44 mag. Thanks again. You Are The Master Woodsman and Buschcrafter . Tim L.
Blackie I totally agree. I like your shotgun I have the same gun in 12 Ga. I found a polymer shotshell holder and I screwed it to the stock on the left side It holds 5 rounds. 1, slug, 2. buckshot, 2, #4 field loads. Ready for anything.
You did very well. I think “kit gun” is a combination of semantics and context. Out west in wild country everyone went armed ( in my youth) and some still do. From prudence and necessity. In more civilized areas this became frowned upon. So when going out fishing, say, a small gun of small caliber might be allowed in one’s “kit”. For snakes and such, without violating social norms if not the letter of the law. Now both the law and social norms are relaxing in all but urban areas. Of necessity. Your choice of kit gun becomes whatever you can can carry.
Shout out Sarasota Florida south west side ! And I agree to have a bigger caliber if in the woods here for wild hogs and ferral hogs. Although the revolver is the way to go !
I just need to thank you sir for that first video you made about the gun kit been carrying my gun with the only one I have is old colt 45. Around my Farm I was attacked by a rabid Fox which I was able to stop before it bit me if it had not been for your video post I would not have had that gun with me thank you sir so much that video save me from going through a lot of painful shots because the fox was tested rabies
Thank you Blackie, good information. When I lived in the Colorado mountains, years ago, most of us carried .22 single action revolvers for general purpose.
Definitely enjoy your kit gun series. I carry a Remington model 51 .380 with fmj 7 shot when bow hunting calling elk in the PNW. Bunny or grouse at 12 yards when presented. Bears and cougars.it . Might not kill on the first shot, but change their mind with the rest. I have hunted deer with 1976 6 inch .357 Colt Python several times. effective with the right load.
I have an old NEF single shot 12ga that I find difficult to beat when it comes to different loads. Having adapters makes even more sense because you can double or triple the variety of ammo you can use. A good revolver on your side with a long gun and you shouldn’t have any problems putting meat in the stew pot.
I’m in the central Sierra Nevada mountains, the biggest threat here is black bears and rattle snakes. I spend most of my time on National forest and BLM land, and my carry weapon is a Ruger sp101 5 shot .357 magnum. Light enough but powerful. It is almost always loaded with the first 2 rounds being 38 special snake shot loads, followed by 3 rounds of Underwood Xtreme Penetrator .357 magnum, which will punch a hole through anything we have in these parts. The idea even with an agitated or aggressive bear is that the first 2 shots are quickly fired in the hope it just runs off so you don’t have to kill it with the following magnum rounds. When I was a kid a bunch of us had over/under double guns with one barrel in .22 and the other in .410. Those were a lot of fun. I’d like to have something like that now, maybe 26 inch barrels, in 20 guage and 22 magnum. That there would be a great gun to roam around with.
Spent most of my life in the more northern section. Id say, you are in more danger from a Mountain kitty anymore, since they became spoiled wards of the state.
My little sherrifs modle heritage won't shoot any 22 mag good enough .but my 357 shoots 38 squib loads good enough to pot stuff .up here we have bear that will just walk right up to ya no fear at all
Glad you brought out the 20 GA, like me, you probably have a 12 GA too, but too many people think that 20 is not as good as the 12 and I call bologna on that.
Bondarms derringer in 45colt/410 is also a good kit gun especially with the 4.25 barrel ,that would take care of those 2 legged and bigger critters alongside my 22chiappa with magnum and lr cylinders.
I think a small cal. gun like the .22 is perfect to carry on an adventure because it is pretty light compared to bigger cal. guns and that can make all the difference in the world if you have to wear it from sun up to sun down while trying to find and set up camp. But I wouldn't want to have to defend my life with it if something serious went down. So, I usually have a 30/30 near by for that. I'd prefer to carry my NMA but it can get real heavy real fast if its an all day adventure. I'd like to get a shotgun like yours Blackie, but that seems kind of impossible in today's economy and wouldn't do any good with the ammo shortage.
I love my 22 wmr super 6 and I have hunted with an H&R 20 single for 40 years. Oh yeah I have other much more powerful and things that shoot more rapid. I have a 22 wmr rifle that will shoot 3" groups at 175 yards
My kitgun is a Ruger double action in 22LR loaded with snake shot and stingers for what is most likely to present itself while strolling through the woods here. On the other hand I also have my EDC which is a S&W Shield in 45acp and it does accompany me in the woods but I only have it along for bigger things that try to harm including the most dangerous thing in the woods (man). And I know some people think I should have a full size pistol for my EDC but the difference between me and them is when you see that sign on a store or restaurant that reads no guns allowed they'll usually turn around to put a full size back in the truck but "I KNOW" they can't see me printing. The only time I don't have a gun on me is when going through a metal detector.
I've a question, How do you carry that long gun? Strong arm muzzle up? Muzzle down? Do you carry it as we all have been taught to by carrying it from the strong arm (with the strap/sling) with the muzzle up and behind the shoulder? I (when I was able to hunt or walk in the woods) learned another way, whereas I sling the gun, muzzle down, stock behind my off shoulder, and reversed so that the trigger is facing front. I can control the swing of the muzzle by holding the forearm with my support hand, and also use that hand to swing the gun from shoulder rest to shooting rest in half the time it takes me to take it off my strong arm. At the same time as the sling is falling off my off shoulder, it has been adjusted to catch on my elbow for a "Marine" 3-point firing stance. (There is a name for that stance, I just can't remember it right now.) If you haven't tried it, try to count the moves from your normal way of tranporting your gun to firing stance. Then try the way I mentioned.
@@blackoracle69 I've been told that the way I carry my shotgun is wrong, but, I can usually get a shot off faster than anyone else on the field! (Way back when I could go quail hunting, years ago!!) They keep saying it "Hung up on my jacket/coat/elbow etc etc." I just laugh at them!! LOL
I have shot many a coon and possum with my glock 19. Even a few ground hogs. Like your friend I used to only carry a 4 inch smith model 66 357mag. Nothing wrong with it but if I were to get very dirty or God forbid drop my weapon out of a tree stand I know my glock will work. And I'm more concerned with tweakers and wild dogs than anything else. We don't have rattle snakes in my parts.
We have black bear here, and I always wondered what the minimum caliber would be to be powerful enough if need be. .357 or 44 Magnum? Would love to find one of those single shot shotguns, they seem to be extinct now.
Hats, I still wear my boonie hat from my tour in Vietnam. Need to find a new one. Looked for your hat at BSA web site and could not find it. I'm down in SE Georgia is that where you are?
I would caution people against picking their kit guns just because of capacity. A lot I see, with the ease of buying a 15+ round semi-auto, will pick a hi-cap handgun just because it's hi-cap. Can't hit the ocean from the beach with it, but favor it because it's a ton of rounds and rapid reloads. I'm different; I learned to shoot; I don't need 75 rounds if I can hit with less than 5 rounds. You see this a lot at public ranges. Somebody will be there throwing lead like they know they have 12+ more in the mag and can afford to trade accuracy for volley fire and hoping "maybe" something will hit eventually if they throw enough. With my EDC for the woods, it's either a 5-shot .38 special, or my '44 1860 repro loaded with an empty, and invariably it's all I need. Friend of mine champions his carry weapon because of its capacity, but it's the gun he shoots worse! He can pit the ace with his J-frame .38 but won't carry it because "it's just five!" Me, I'd rather have five I can control than 25 that I can't group on a sheet of plywood. You can never miss fast enough to hit what you're aiming at. And, for most any small game; a miss on the first shot means you aint bringing it home because it spooked and is forever gone.
We don't have wild hogs in this country, but you have my respect for your management of this invasive species that reproduces like rats. Question? is it advisable to leave a replica cap n ball revolver loaded for say a month or more. I'd consider it as a backup weapon.
@@blackoracle69 Thank you for another fine video. I like your shotgun - so practical! When we're way back off the trails I have been known to carry a side-by-side 20 gauge. Never had to use it but it would humanely deter whatever ailed me. You're the man!
I don't think people understood that the kit gun was a historical phenomena of roughly 1911-1960s. It was still around much longer and still is today of course but it started to peter out, as shown by smith and wesson getting rid of the 'kit gun' name. You may not agree with the philosophy of use, but plenty of people did think it had a place. And the reality is they got along just fine. If you don't think it fits in your system, that's just fine. But you should understand the context of the times too. Today we are way more obsessed with self defense and concealed carry than they were. This little 22 was super cheap, and it was a gun that you would throw in your fishing kit, outdoors kit whatever. It was a tool, and people found use for it. It was not the EDC tactical bugout pistol to slay all your enemies and live forever off the land with. It would put down a coyote in a trap. It would take out a rabid coon. It would provide squirrel for dinner, if your aim was good enough.
Very much so. It seems to run in cycles. Every few years there will be an outbreak. Common in raccoons, coyotes and foxes in the southeast US. Interestingly, opossums almost never become infected. Their body temperature is too high for the virus to survive in them.
here are some answers to your questions hope you enjoy the video
I definitely am enjoying it, and learning from it.
Blackie how long can you leave a paper cartridge in a pistol before you have to worry about it being corrosive to the cylinder?
Ruger saw the response to the Heritage Barkeep and will be making the Wrangler with a Bird Head Grip...these make wonderful kit guns.
I just wish they had a .22 mag cylinder for them, but 100% agree, I think this will make an excellent kit gun, for me anyway.
Great video. Although I have the .22 convertable my favorite for the task is a .410 single shot. That is the gun I learned to shoot with as a kid. All of my family had them. Yes the shells are expensive. That is probably why it works for me. You didn't fiddle around and miss. That is what a pellet gun was for. I believe the best hunting skill you can aquire is hunting rabbits and squirrels. That will reflect in being able to use a kit gun. Short of a grizzly I don't worry to much. They don't live here. We do have black bear which I chase away with a stick. Mountain lions are not that easy but are thin skinned so a .22 will work. Wolves rarely bother. Use to be a problem with wild dogs but the increase in wolves settled that. Worse thing would be a moose. Big and can have bad tempers and can move quietly.
I just bought a Taurus 856 defender with the ultra-lite frame, 3 inch barrel. To me, this might make the perfect kit gun. 6 rounds of 38 special in a 17.5 oz package. It is +p rated which is a formidable round. I hike the desert areas in Arizona, this package will handle anything I may run across. Standard pressure wadcutters for small game all the way up to hard cast +p for the angry Javalina or 2 legged threats. Thanks for the series Blackie it was a good topic and one I have been interested in for some time. Safe trails.
Blackie , Another Great Video and Outstanding Information on kit gun . .22 Ruger Single Six SS is my favorite kit gun . My pack gun is a S&W .357 6 inch barrel . My big game hunting hand gun .44 mag. Thanks again. You Are The Master Woodsman and Buschcrafter . Tim L.
Blackie I totally agree. I like your shotgun I have the same gun in 12 Ga. I found a polymer shotshell holder and I screwed it to the stock on the left side It holds 5 rounds. 1, slug, 2. buckshot, 2, #4 field loads. Ready for anything.
And there lies the Beauty of a break action Shotty, for these applications. you can quickly Taylor the load, to the situation.
You did very well.
I think “kit gun” is a combination of semantics and context. Out west in wild country everyone went armed ( in my youth) and some still do. From prudence and necessity. In more civilized areas this became frowned upon. So when going out fishing, say, a small gun of small caliber might be allowed in one’s “kit”. For snakes and such, without violating social norms if not the letter of the law.
Now both the law and social norms are relaxing in all but urban areas. Of necessity. Your choice of kit gun becomes whatever you can can carry.
Right on point Mr. Thomas. Take care from an old FoloridaCracker.
thanks for sharing sir was very good stuff
Shout out Sarasota Florida south west side ! And I agree to have a bigger caliber if in the woods here for wild hogs and ferral hogs. Although the revolver is the way to go !
I just need to thank you sir for that first video you made about the gun kit been carrying my gun with the only one I have is old colt 45. Around my Farm I was attacked by a rabid Fox which I was able to stop before it bit me if it had not been for your video post I would not have had that gun with me thank you sir so much that video save me from going through a lot of painful shots because the fox was tested rabies
DOUBLE Dang! excellent recovery sir. 45 Colt can penetrate well. Safe New 2022!Year
Well said Blackie
Thank you Blackie, good information. When I lived in the Colorado mountains, years ago, most of us carried .22 single action revolvers for general purpose.
Good video Blackie.
Thanks!
awesome on kit gun also for that 20 ga you can get a nylon deal for stock for 6 bucks that holds 5 shells
Definitely enjoy your kit gun series. I carry a Remington model 51 .380 with fmj 7 shot when bow hunting calling elk
in the PNW. Bunny or grouse at 12 yards when presented. Bears and cougars.it . Might not kill on the first shot, but change their mind with the rest. I have hunted deer with 1976 6 inch .357 Colt Python several times. effective with the right load.
I have an old NEF single shot 12ga that I find difficult to beat when it comes to different loads. Having adapters makes even more sense because you can double or triple the variety of ammo you can use. A good revolver on your side with a long gun and you shouldn’t have any problems putting meat in the stew pot.
You made me laugh out loud. "Terrify everything around". That's me. I want to terrify the wildlife. Thanks for the chuckle.
Glad you enjoyed it
I’m in the central Sierra Nevada mountains, the biggest threat here is black bears and rattle snakes. I spend most of my time on National forest and BLM land, and my carry weapon is a Ruger sp101 5 shot .357 magnum. Light enough but powerful. It is almost always loaded with the first 2 rounds being 38 special snake shot loads, followed by 3 rounds of Underwood Xtreme Penetrator .357 magnum, which will punch a hole through anything we have in these parts. The idea even with an agitated or aggressive bear is that the first 2 shots are quickly fired in the hope it just runs off so you don’t have to kill it with the following magnum rounds.
When I was a kid a bunch of us had over/under double guns with one barrel in .22 and the other in .410. Those were a lot of fun. I’d like to have something like that now, maybe 26 inch barrels, in 20 guage and 22 magnum. That there would be a great gun to roam around with.
Spent most of my life in the more northern section. Id say, you are in more danger from a Mountain kitty anymore, since they became spoiled wards of the state.
The larger caliber handguns are the kit gun for the urban and suburbian jungle. I do own the hertiage .22lr and .22 wmr too.
My little sherrifs modle heritage won't shoot any 22 mag good enough .but my 357 shoots 38 squib loads good enough to pot stuff .up here we have bear that will just walk right up to ya no fear at all
I have took alot of game with glock and czs but I still would prefer to pack a 22 revolver.
they are just so handy
Glad you brought out the 20 GA, like me, you probably have a 12 GA too, but too many people think that 20 is not as good as the 12 and I call bologna on that.
Bondarms derringer in 45colt/410 is also a good kit gun especially with the 4.25 barrel ,that would take care of those 2 legged and bigger critters alongside my 22chiappa with magnum and lr cylinders.
I think a small cal. gun like the .22 is perfect to carry on an adventure because it is pretty light compared to bigger cal. guns and that can make all the difference in the world if you have to wear it from sun up to sun down while trying to find and set up camp. But I wouldn't want to have to defend my life with it if something serious went down. So, I usually have a 30/30 near by for that. I'd prefer to carry my NMA but it can get real heavy real fast if its an all day adventure.
I'd like to get a shotgun like yours Blackie, but that seems kind of impossible in today's economy and wouldn't do any good with the ammo shortage.
I love my 22 wmr super 6 and I have hunted with an H&R 20 single for 40 years. Oh yeah I have other much more powerful and things that shoot more rapid. I have a 22 wmr rifle that will shoot 3" groups at 175 yards
My kitgun is a Ruger double action in 22LR loaded with snake shot and stingers for what is most likely to present itself while strolling through the woods here. On the other hand I also have my EDC which is a S&W Shield in 45acp and it does accompany me in the woods but I only have it along for bigger things that try to harm including the most dangerous thing in the woods (man). And I know some people think I should have a full size pistol for my EDC but the difference between me and them is when you see that sign on a store or restaurant that reads no guns allowed they'll usually turn around to put a full size back in the truck but "I KNOW" they can't see me printing. The only time I don't have a gun on me is when going through a metal detector.
I've a question, How do you carry that long gun? Strong arm muzzle up? Muzzle down? Do you carry it as we all have been taught to by carrying it from the strong arm (with the strap/sling) with the muzzle up and behind the shoulder? I (when I was able to hunt or walk in the woods) learned another way, whereas I sling the gun, muzzle down, stock behind my off shoulder, and reversed so that the trigger is facing front. I can control the swing of the muzzle by holding the forearm with my support hand, and also use that hand to swing the gun from shoulder rest to shooting rest in half the time it takes me to take it off my strong arm. At the same time as the sling is falling off my off shoulder, it has been adjusted to catch on my elbow for a "Marine" 3-point firing stance. (There is a name for that stance, I just can't remember it right now.) If you haven't tried it, try to count the moves from your normal way of tranporting your gun to firing stance. Then try the way I mentioned.
usually i carry it muzzle down on left side so i can with my left hand grab forestock swing gun up into shooting position
@@blackoracle69 I've been told that the way I carry my shotgun is wrong, but, I can usually get a shot off faster than anyone else on the field! (Way back when I could go quail hunting, years ago!!) They keep saying it "Hung up on my jacket/coat/elbow etc etc." I just laugh at them!! LOL
@@jeffreyharville1918 What you describe is called “African carry.” Muzzle down on non-dominant shoulder, non-dominant hand on forearm.
I have shot many a coon and possum with my glock 19. Even a few ground hogs. Like your friend I used to only carry a 4 inch smith model 66 357mag. Nothing wrong with it but if I were to get very dirty or God forbid drop my weapon out of a tree stand I know my glock will work. And I'm more concerned with tweakers and wild dogs than anything else. We don't have rattle snakes in my parts.
Great video, don’t forget your wrestling with folks egos when you are talking on this subject
Good point
I bought a 12 gauge Hatfield for my field gun. What modifications would you recommend?
I have a thirty eight and i'm comfortable with that
We have black bear here, and I always wondered what the minimum caliber would be to be powerful enough if need be. .357 or 44 Magnum? Would love to find one of those single shot shotguns, they seem to be extinct now.
Could you make a video about fire safety? This topic is overlooked in a bushcraft community
sure thing
Hats, I still wear my boonie hat from my tour in Vietnam. Need to find a new one. Looked for your hat at BSA web site and could not find it.
I'm down in SE Georgia is that where you are?
I would caution people against picking their kit guns just because of capacity. A lot I see, with the ease of buying a 15+ round semi-auto, will pick a hi-cap handgun just because it's hi-cap. Can't hit the ocean from the beach with it, but favor it because it's a ton of rounds and rapid reloads.
I'm different; I learned to shoot; I don't need 75 rounds if I can hit with less than 5 rounds. You see this a lot at public ranges. Somebody will be there throwing lead like they know they have 12+ more in the mag and can afford to trade accuracy for volley fire and hoping "maybe" something will hit eventually if they throw enough. With my EDC for the woods, it's either a 5-shot .38 special, or my '44 1860 repro loaded with an empty, and invariably it's all I need. Friend of mine champions his carry weapon because of its capacity, but it's the gun he shoots worse! He can pit the ace with his J-frame .38 but won't carry it because "it's just five!" Me, I'd rather have five I can control than 25 that I can't group on a sheet of plywood.
You can never miss fast enough to hit what you're aiming at. And, for most any small game; a miss on the first shot means you aint bringing it home because it spooked and is forever gone.
You have shown your liking of your 1851 Navy... do you ever use it for a kit gun? thank you from South Dakota...
yes i have often carried a cap n ball i would like to find a 5 inch 51 sheriff i have a 1858
We don't have wild hogs in this country, but you have my respect for your management of this invasive species that reproduces like rats. Question? is it advisable to leave a replica cap n ball revolver loaded for say a month or more. I'd consider it as a backup weapon.
@@blackoracle69 Thank you for another fine video. I like your shotgun - so practical! When we're way back off the trails I have been known to carry a side-by-side 20 gauge. Never had to use it but it would humanely deter whatever ailed me. You're the man!
@@jayj8256 yes they can be loaded that long and longer just keep them dry and if its been a few months change caps
I don't think people understood that the kit gun was a historical phenomena of roughly 1911-1960s. It was still around much longer and still is today of course but it started to peter out, as shown by smith and wesson getting rid of the 'kit gun' name. You may not agree with the philosophy of use, but plenty of people did think it had a place. And the reality is they got along just fine. If you don't think it fits in your system, that's just fine. But you should understand the context of the times too. Today we are way more obsessed with self defense and concealed carry than they were. This little 22 was super cheap, and it was a gun that you would throw in your fishing kit, outdoors kit whatever. It was a tool, and people found use for it. It was not the EDC tactical bugout pistol to slay all your enemies and live forever off the land with. It would put down a coyote in a trap. It would take out a rabid coon. It would provide squirrel for dinner, if your aim was good enough.
very true
I had no idea rabies was still prevalent in North America 🤯
Yep, just heard something on the news about bats getting hit hard with it right now.
Very much so. It seems to run in cycles. Every few years there will be an outbreak. Common in raccoons, coyotes and foxes in the southeast US. Interestingly, opossums almost never become infected. Their body temperature is too high for the virus to survive in them.