Stainless, and polymer stock? Iron sights plus scope mounts..


What are the best characteristics...of a gun, for the long haul?

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Non gratum anus rodentum

Define "long haul".

I'd just stick with my duodonal phaser
and, of course, the disintegrating-ray
micro implunger.

Everybody has their preferences.

Some oldtimers even carry the vibravelocetink.

You make the call...

Stainless and polymer...

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Non gratum anus rodentum

I would think something with a simple action, like a break barrel or a very robust bolt action. Nothing that would require any kind of gas seal or recoil spring. Also, something that could still be used if the stock was damaged, and I would like the stock to be of a solid material so it could be repaired. I think a hollow plastic stock would be hard to fix, but if you gave me enough time, I could carve a new fore end. It would have to have simple, very tough iron sights.

Perhaps a single or double barreled .22LR in stainless with fixed sights and a solid stock.

I think you already summed up my ideal long term survival rifle. Polymer stock and stainless steel to reduce succumbing to the elements, also iron sights, again to keep it simple and less likely to break, be effected by water, etc. I'd also consider the caliber, and if I could get away with .22 lr, I'd do it. You can store tons of ammo for low cost/low weight, and .22 should be plentiful compared to something like .243 or 22-250. Of course if I was in bear country, the .22 would be out of the question.

Survival rifle to me means a gun that pots food primarily. And, it has to be quiet. It has little or nothing to do with combat, or being lost in the forest.
So, any good .22LR that fits the bill. If I was to add anything at all, a suppressor might be first. Any of the older bolt action single shots make a just about perfect survival gun. Plenty of the newer guns would too. A couple of hundred rounds in the pack, and a good consistent eye and aim, you could stay out there for a long time with that. Small game, deer, and moose too. Polymer, scopes, I'd say yeah if thats your thing, but neither one is a must.

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Geoff. Since 1960.

A rifle that keeps you alive over the long haul.

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Regards, Ron
USASA 1965/69

If you ever sort out the definitive answer to this question Steve, you'll make a mint working for the gun industry...

To me it's simple, light, effective and robust. See how easy that was?

Drew

Get yourself a 20 gauge flintlock trade gun. You will want one modifed to take a bayonet. You will need to dig an outhouse. You will be making gunpowder using human waste as a raw ingredient. Fun stuff.

1) Short & lightweight, for obvious reasons
2) .22 rimfire, the most versatile and lightweight ammo option
3) Stainless steel barreled action, polymer stock --- impervious to most abuse/damage
4) Robust action, with few, and easy to replace parts apt to break or wear out.
5) Robust scope mount system, backed by easily installed BUIS
6) Inexpensive, and/or, suitable for other day-to-day use

There you go --- a description of a Stainless/Synthetic Ruger K22, with a decent scope backed by a New England Custom Guns aperture rear sight and suitable height front sight if required.

A spring loaded pellet gun or crossbow. Squirrel stew every night.

Any fans of the Ruger 10/22 takedown?

I think the question has a basic answer, but, there are all kinds of "what if's" it does not take into account. Notwithstanding all the potential variables, my basic choice would be;

1. 22 LR
2. Bolt action Magazine Fed
3. Stainless & Polymer Construction
4. High Quality 3x9 Variable Scoped With See Through Rings & Iron Sights
5. Sling & Swivels

I also like the over and under .22 over .410, or .20 ga., a might heavier but a little more versatile for game getting.

Cheers;
Lefty

I have one problem with the .22 and that is the ammo. I've had problems with it in long term storage. It has a tendency to go bad if not kept in air-tight, dry, temp-control environment. It seems that centerfire ammo can last longer in non-controlled storage.

I had a Savage O/U Camper special which would be a good survival gun. It packed into a small case and had a 20 gauge barrel with a 22lr over and simple action with a hammer and barrel selector. It had short barrels and even a place in the stock to store extra 20 gauge rounds and 22 lr.
When first married and poor I bought a Golden Retriever and wife asked how I'd pay for him. In a foolish moment I said sell a gun and the Savage went. The dog was worth it but those guns sell for big bucks now.

Just looking at history, the longest term survival rifles have been flinters. They'll last a couple hundred years with proper care.

Right now my personal choice is a .308 AR with a 3-9 scope and back up sights. I have powder and reloading capabilities. My backup backup is a Mini 14. My backup backup backup is my Lyman Hawken.

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Even older, even crankier....

Best characteristics of a survival weapon is that after lying around for months (or years) without any attention, thought, maintenence or whatever when you need it and pick it up it goes bang when you pull the trigger.

AK 47 comes to mind.

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Forum consigliere

I lucked into one a while back at a good price. I couldn't find the proper case, but this one for a Marlin Papoose works OK.



It only takes a second to put together, and between the .22 and 20 gauge barrels will take almost any game you can think of, in a pinch.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

1. Simplicity
2. Durability
3. Accuracy
4. Ready availability of ammo/components
5. Ease of maintenance/repair
6. Ready availability of spare parts

All that being so, a good flintlock would be hard to beat. The chief challenges would be finding enough black powder (I don't buy the "make your own" theory) and pure lead to keep it fed.

If you want to go a little more modern, another possibility would be a Springfield '03 or later '03-A3, ideally set up with Lyman target sights. You could do most of your shooting with light cast-bullet loads like these (see link) and save the full-power stuff for the occasional big game animal.

FWIW, I'm not real whupped about the .22 as an "only" gun, though it would make an excellent second piece in a basic battery. The Ruger 10/22 would be a good choice if only because of the vast array of parts available for it.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

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Wishin' don't make it so.

I have 3 of the Savage 24's all over 20 ga. A 357 mag ( good match to a 686) a 30-30, and one of the "Camper" 22l.r. I Found a nice tool box that fits perfectly . It now has swivels and a detatchable sling, an red dot scope for the 22 sized rail mount (there is an indexing notch for remounting). Also in the box are a cleaning kit w/CLP, a 100 round box of CCI 22's, and 2-20 round MTM 600 Nitro plastic boxes each with 5-slugs, 5-#4 buck shot, 5-4 or 5 shot and 5-7 or 8 shot. This has been a constant companion for over 25 years. The box has been unopened for many years (like 17), I opened it up last week to see how bad of shape it was in- while never a new and beautiful gun: it still looks like the day I bought it. Sent 1 oiled patch down the barrels and wiped down the outside and back in the box (not one speck of rust), I still need to put it back behind the truck seat for when I might need it. Last time I shot something with it, was a daytime racoon wandering too close to a friends pool with kids all around. This is my vote for a long term anything gun. Ivan

Others beat me to it but I was going to say that Savage/Stevens made a pretty good one back in the 40's and 50's. The Stevens Model 22-410 became the Savage Model 24 in 1950. You have the .22LR for smaller treats on feets like squirrels or rabbits and the .410 can take quail, pheasant, turkey, deer, etc. The earlier models have that Tenelite stock which won't be bothered by the elements.

CW

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μολὼν λαβέ

How about the old lever action .30-30's like the Winchester Model 94 and the Marlin 336. If there were ever a survival rifle I could think of that was it. They are simple and pretty rugged and even alot of the older beat up ones from the good old days are still working. I know of a Marlin 1936 from the very first year with no finish that is still as slick as the day it was made. They'll do the job ok.

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Vaya con Dios

How about the Henry AR7 at #275? And it floats too!

From: Henry Repeating Arms | Fine Rifles Made in America and Priced Right

"Since 1959, the venerable AR-7 has been the choice of U.S. Air Force pilots who need a small-caliber rifle they can count on for survival should they have to punch out over a remote area. Over the years, the AR-7's reputation for portability, ease of operation and reliability has carried over to the civilian world as well."