If the balloon goes up: Survival rifles

[PALADIN85020]

Probably my 42 year old Remington Nylon 66. It still fires like new, requires no lubrication, uses a tube magazine, and light weight. All I need is a pocket full of .22 ammo.

I also am a great fan of the Nylon 66s - unfailingly reliable, lightweight and accurate. I modified this one with a scope, a sling and an adapter for a flash suppressor or a noise suppressor. It would be an excellent choice for a .22 bug out gun.

However, to repel boarders, I'd have to admit I'd rely more on this one. It would be my favorite SHTF firearm.

John

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

PALADIN...I have the same setup as you do, a M&P 15 with quite a few mags, but I have a lot more .22 ammo than .223 and my trusty 66 is a lot easier to carry. I can carry a lot more .22's in my pockets than .223's. I like your scope setup, but my stock irons also work well.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Let's see-we just had a Pit Bull thread that was locked, now we have a survival rifle thread, I guess it's about time for a bear gun thread

 

[sheriffoconee]

Let's see-we just had a Pit Bull thread that was locked, now we have a survival rifle thread, I guess it's about time for a bear gun thread

We are overdue for a "can I shoot +P in it" thread too.....

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

On another board I once asked if anyone had any experience using any othese lightweight survival rifles,no responses IIRC, some of the AF types said they'd seen them but never fired them. Methinks they are like the S&W and Colt "Aircrewman" revolvers-a Great Idea that Doesn't Work. They look nifty, but.... The Luftwaffe issued their aircrews a drilling, 2 shotgun barrels and a subtantial centerfire caliber.Speaking from my vast experience as an Armchair Outdoorsman and voracious reader, I think relying on a 22 limits you to squirrels and rabbits, and I have read there are hazards from relying too much on rabbit for your survival meat. My choice would be a deer cartridge, 30-30 in a lever action, 270 or above in a bolt action, will do against 2 legged predators in a pinch.
I agree with staying put, here in NJ the main roads are heavily traveled even under normal circumstances, in a mass panic.....

 

[truckemup97]

Let's see-we just had a Pit Bull thread that was locked, now we have a survival rifle thread, I guess it's about time for a bear gun thread

So, with which gun would you arm your bear?

 

[sigp220.45]

The year: 1972

The movie: Rage

The star: George C. Scott

The REAL star (in 13 year old sigp220.45's little brain): The AR7, wielded by a very pissed off Mr Scott.

If you go to the Wiki page for the movie you can see what is possibly the only movie poster to feature this rifle.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rage_(1972_film)

 

[45Wheelgun]

Well I'm not sure it is my front line choice for a survival weapon, I have an original Armalite AR-7. It has functioned flawlessly for me. Been to the range a bunch of times and digested everything I fed it.

 

[GF]

Let's see-we just had a Pit Bull thread that was locked, now we have a survival rifle thread, I guess it's about time for a bear gun thread

We are overdue for a "can I shoot +P in it" thread too..... sheriffoconee


I hope I don't get it locked (or me a warning) by my usual response in "SHTF rifle" threads when I state that all you EVER need is a single shot 22 and 1 bullet.... to get started.

(Mad Max did it and he was a hero! )

GF

 

[rimfired]

I like short answers. So I have glossed over the other long ones, makes my old eyes tired. Run what ya brung. A .22 or .410 is fine for small game. I prefer a .45acp pistol on the hip, a .223 CAR on the sling. I can hump enough ammo for both till I kill to get more ammo. I believe I can kill with a .22 just prefer to get the job done more efficiently.

 

[quneur]

In this scenario, I would simply take a little hike (I live near the water) to the Sound (Puget Sound) and fish for food. There are lots of edible fish besides salmon, eg. sole, pacific cod, rock cod, etc. I would eat all the fish/shellfish I need and trade the rest.

Too supplement food supply, I can hunt squirrels in my backyard with my little 10/22. A little runoff stream runs through it, so fresh water isn't a problem. Friends have property on Lopez Island which would be a perfect place to hold up. Lots of deer and no hunting pressure. Just for kicks, they once sat on their porch and counted 26 deer in about an hour.

 

[walnutred]

Given the number of people buying them I suspect a lot of people will be using a Mosin Nagant for a survival rifle. Local gun shops have been routinely running specials for a MN rifle and sealed can of 440 rds of ammo for less than $200. On any given day at the local State run outdoor range 20%-30% of the shooting stations will have MN rifles on them.

A couple years ago a Big Box store had a sale on 3 barrel single barrel combo sets. I bought one with 223, 20 ga and 50 caliber muzzle loader and it all came is a soft case. For substance style hunting that will do everything I really need.

 

[GatorFarmer]

There's not much to go wrong or break on a Mosin or other late 19th design. I suppose that if the stock breaks, one can sit and whittle a new one. If spare parts were a problem and dubious reloaded ammo with cast bullets the norm... I'd expect a Mosin to remain in service much longer than an AR.

But.... if one wants to go about the idea of forage seriously, a few companies still make the classic of the genre used back in the days when folks really did wander the woods with a gun and a hatchet. These are the 20 gauge trade guns, flintlocks, capable of firing either shot or a solid ball. A more modern stainless steel action, synthetic stock, fiber optic sighted flintlock has been offered by T/C (I think it was). Down side was that I recall it having a rifled barrel.

Though it might be better to get a larger bore trade gun made. A bore of .75 or above tends to work much better with the sort of crude black powder made at home. Cast your own shot, make your own powder, find and make your own flints...

You will actually see guns of this type - sometimes made from plumbing supplies - in the Third World and other primitive areas where they actually do serve their purpose in furthering a hand to mouth existence.

 

[williamlayton]

I tried that organized evacuation.
I will stay home.
If everybody leaves I have a grocery store handy to loot + I got all the guns here.
I am too old to run.
Blessings

 

[sigp220.45]

Here's my "worst case scenario" rifle:

Plain old Mini-14 with 8 factory 30 round mags. If I need more than that I'll just have to convert.

 

[Lee D]

Here's my "worst case scenario" rifle:

Plain old Mini-14 with 8 factory 30 round mags. If I need more than that I'll just have to convert.

good choice. ive had several AR's, some good, some bad. never had a Mini hiccup...ever.
i hate these SHTF type threads, i need at least one good shotgun, a 10/22, my Mini 14, the Socom, and a couple pistols. i sure aint running anywhere

 

[amazingflapjack]

I don't hear much about the mini 30. I would prefer anything over a 223 anything. Flapjack.

 

[Alpo]

The main problem, as I understand it, with the Mini 30 is magazines. Like the Mini 14, it has a rep for not liking aftermarket mags. Until recently you were limited to Ruger 5-rounders and Eagle 10s. Now Ruger will sell you 20s, but they are 40 bucks each. That's a heap of money for a "battle rifle". I found a good deal, a couple of years ago, on Ruger 20s for the 14, and bought ten. But if I was going to war, ten wouldn't be enough. At 40 bucks each, I couldn't afford ten. AK mags run 10 or 15 bucks each. When you can get three 30s for the price of one 20, it kinda tips the scales away from the Mini.

 

[walnutred]

If I was going to consider a Mini 30 I would just go ahead and buy an AK clone. Not much price differance and a more proven system.

 

[Stainz]

My homestead defender has been a 625JM and 240 loaded moonclips of 230gr FMJ .45 ACP 'ball' ammo - now with a Governor to share those duties.

I finally broke down, several months back, and bought an AR - a S&W M&P 15 Sport - stock - all I need. Some ammo, spare mags and, and a tote,too.

I also have a few Nagants... but they are anemic 7-shooters with hard to pull triggers and slow, SA-like, reloading.

The Vic SAK, 'Farmer', is likely as deadly. I do keep loaded speedloaders and moonclips, stoked with PD ammo, in my office - easy access - for everything in the safe. I don't plan on leaving - although I have a 'BOB' in case of fire, etc.

Stainz