If the balloon goes up: Survival rifles

[PALADIN85020]

I think that if national catastrophe ever happens, lightweight compact .22 rifles and plenty of ammo will be worth their weight in gold. The U.S. Air Force, back in the 1950s, thought that it would be good to have such a weapon as part of their pilots' survival kits, to be used if stranded in remote and possibly enemy-controlled areas. Eugene Stoner (of AR-15 fame) developed the AR-7 survival rifle to fill this need. The barrel, action and a magazine fit within the stock itself, and the package would float in water, either stowed or assembled. One was used in the James Bond movie "From Russia With Love" by Sean Connery to bring down a helicopter - a stretch, but you can see it on film. I bought this one in January of 1974. It was made in late 1973. It's got an original ArmaLite logo molded into the side, but was sold in a Charter Arms box, which I still have. Charter had bought the rights to make the arm from ArmaLite, but had not yet started their own production. It's been made by others since, but this is one of the originals.

I also have a Springfield Armory M6 over-under survival weapon in .22 LR/.410. This was another concept developed for the Air Force, enabling killing of small game by either a rifle shot or a shotgun blast. Both of these, I think, would be excellent choices for "grab and go" guns for emergencies.

What's your choice to fill this niche?

John

 

[mkk41]

If and when the SHTF , I ain't going nowhere!

Where ya gonna go?

Everybody will take to the roads to go , nowhere! You'll probably get as far as a tankful of gas , whigh probably won't be far. You'll burn it sitting in gridlock.

I figure martial law will be declared and Nationl Guard will become National Police , anyone on the move will be subject to search and seizure of all deadly weapons. If other 'highwaymen' don't kill ya and take it.

This lands my land! I'm here , my stuffs here , and if push comes to shove , I'll die here!

 

[truckemup97]

John, I saw one of those today at the gun show, sitting beside a brand new one from Henry. The Henry was cheaper.

If I were hitting the woods and needed something light to keep me company, I think I'd take my old Remington Apache 77. It's stood by me for more than half my life, so I can't abandon it now.

 

[rburg]

I had one of those back in the 1970s. They had/have a couple of defects. The cap on the butt is subject to cracking, particularly when its cold. Worse, don't ever dry fire it. They snap firing pins like crazy. I think I replaced mine 2 or 3 times. The last cycle, I bought 2 or 3 more just in case. Not hard to replace, but a serious problem on a survival rifle.

 

[Ron H.]

Sir, while a .22 RF rifle makes good sense for a subsistence hunter or farmer in more or less normal times, I would not want to have to repel boarders with just a .22.

I also suspect that food animals of any sort would quickly become scarce in a long-term, widespread collapse, so any gun's food-gathering utility would be limited. Not saying I wouldn't pot a bunny if the opportunity arose, just that I'd expect such opportunities to be very few and far between.

All that being so, I'd want a rifle suited to self-defense against armed humans operating in groups, perhaps in vehicles, perhaps fitted with improvised armor. Such a gun and its ammo would be heavy, but like Mr. Mkk41, I plan to stay at home. If I live long enough for my food to run out, then maybe I'd leave and carry something lighter.

JMHO, FWIW.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[1 old 0311]

As was the trend, 150 years ago, I keep both my handgun, and long gun in the same caliber:.357. I have plenty of .357 handguns, and a Henry .357/.38 to keep it company.

As mkk41 said "I ain't going anywhere." I couldn't carry all my firearms, ammo, cleaning supplies, food, water, blankets, extra clothes, and first aid supplies, and even if I could the roads would be full of millions of others running around in circles.

 

[halco46]

If it comes down to SHTF this is my rifle, .45 Hi-Point Carbine. Shoots great,No issues and is Deadly Accurate. I don`t laugh at Hi-Point anymore,they got this right!.

 

[opaul]

I agree with staying at home. Urban dwellers will probably suffer from the hoards before they begin to sweep out in the more rural and then remote areas. I keep a 9mm pistol in my b.o.b. with a few essentials to get me home, and hopefully that could be accomplished in less than 48 hours. The previous post have been right on the mark, and I would sumitt that more than one gun would be needed: semi automatic pistols and revolvers, long range rifle i.e. 308, more close up rifle i.e. 556 AR15, 22 caliber/air rifle for small game, a shotgun for short range work and of course plenty of ammo. Food and water and long term substance like gardening and preserving also need to be given consideration.

 

[Out West]

I agree with you regarding the value of a good 22 lr rifle and lots of ammo should the baloon go up. However, I'm out on the rifle you posted. I had one of these decades ago. Mine was a horrible weapon. That little screw at the rear of the receiver that holds the stamped rear peep sight - it comes loose about every third shot. The trigger is aweful. And ergos of the rifle are very poor.

I don't like posting this. If you are serious about the scenario you laid out, I know you can do a lot better. The least expensive Marlin 66 you can find, IMO, is a much better option.

Out
West

 

[M29since14]

In that scenario, I don't see much utility in a .22LR of any type, except possibly a pocket pistol like a TPh, or something similar.

I agree with the stay-at-home-and-wait crowd, except that here in Indiana one might freeze to death if things go really sour. I might be inclined to head south to a friend's property, depending on just what I think may be going on between here and there. I wouldn't plan on shooting much along the way. I'll take a carbine or two, and a couple pistols. Nothing in .22 rimfire bigger than a handgun.

I have seen the two "survival" rifles you mention and would not be thrilled to have either - unless they were all I could get.

If I had to rely on a compact .22 rifle, I would much rather have my little Browning .22 auto. Takes down into, what, a 16-inch package (approximately)? Pretty slick little guns.

 

[moxie]

Amen on mkk41's view.

If you like .22 LRs, the Ruger 10/22 or Marlin 60 or 795 are the updated way to go.

For "repelling boarders," the AR in some configuration is the way to go. Firepower, light weight, ammo and parts availability are drivers here.
Here are two options:
Palmetto State Armory 16" M4 Chrome Lined, MP, Carbine

http://cmmginc.secure-mall.com/shop/index.php?shop=1&cat=76

 

[mtgianni]

For a walk in the woods type emergency mine is a Savage 24 22 lr over 20 gauge. 44 will be on the hip. For leaving an enemy controlled area an AR with a Ruger MK1 are my choice.

 

[mc5aw]

John ... I had one of the later originals dating from '76-'77 and shot a ton with it. Lots'o'fun for a kid in the woods! Was thinking of picking up a new one, but couldn't justify the price when I already have a few 10-22s.

For my end of the world rifle, I always kept a good quality 15 on hand, with enough .223 to feel comfortable. That is until I splurged and purchased a Springfield SOCOM the month before last. It is the best, most accurate rifle I have ever owned.

 

[Alpo]

I had a Charter Arms version of that thing. It's a good idea, it just does not work. Maybe for it's intended purpose - have stowed under the seat for years at a time, and then used to fire less than a box of shells before you are rescued. But as a gun, to go play with and burn up bricks and bricks of shells - no.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Unless Sequoyah Nuclear plant blows up, everything I need is right here.

However, If I was on the prowl looking for small game then I think a suppressed .22 would be a good way to go. No sense scarring off the other two bunnies just to get one... nor would I want to advertise to other hungry campers who may be lurking within ear shot. pfff... dinnner.

 

[walnutred]

We have a Rossi pump in 22 Mag that we all shoot well. When people were concerned about Y2K I kept two bandoleers with my Garand "just in case". However long term planing included several extra pounds of black powder for my flintlock. But I agree with those who are staying put. I have a well shallow enough for a hand pump. I have a wood stove. I'm not on a main road.

 

[Gun-runner]

Everyone will head for the hills so wild game will be sparse. A good AK or AR plus a bunch of spices to "season" the looters should hold you for a while. ; )

 

[CQB27]

How about this one?

I would more than likely be grabbing this one though.

 

[The Last Standing Knight]

A good, well built .22 should be part of anyone's firearm battery. However, the use of a firearm should be dependent on where you live. In a major emergency, forget about the roads and getting into the country. I remember what happened down here with Katrina and Rita some years back.

In an apacolyptic (sic) scenario, probably the best bet would be a compact long gun of reasonable accuracy with a medium range and lots of firepower. In this kind of scenario, probably the only rifle would be an AK-47 due to its low maintenance and compact size.

The truth is, no matter how well we think we are prepared for something, these scenarios often fail to account for "Murphy's Law". In the end, ANY survival weapon will be what you have at hand when the ball drops and how well you can utilize it.

 

[Ethang]

If it comes down to SHTF this is my rifle, .45 Hi-Point Carbine. Shoots great,No issues and is Deadly Accurate. I don`t laugh at Hi-Point anymore,they got this right!.

Is it me or does this look kinda like the rifles in the Planet of the Apes movies....