*Survival Rifles* Got One? What's yours?

[wetdog1911]

Had AR-7' from 3 different makers over the years, but no Henry. All were less than 'Meh' and I had little confidence in any of the 3. Got my first one in the late 70's, an Armalite, IIRC, for $70.00 or so.

BUT, I really liked the concept.

Then, in 2004 or so, I got a Marlin Papoose. WAY more expensive than the AR, but it WAS a Marlin after all and I could afford it. Ran good from the git, but really smoothed out after I let my son and a friends son run a brick of CCI SV through it at the friends backyard range.

With the padded case, it's easy to chunk in the trunk for long trips if need be and so far, has served my need well.

SO, who has these type of .22's?

Rob

 

[whataboutbob]

I have a Ruger 10-22 takedown

 

[mauser9]

Am going to include my newer Ruger American compact in 22 magnum with the shorter 18 inch barrel. Synthetic stock and gun is very light for carry and still packs a wallop up close for some varmints. Nice gun for the $280 I paid for it.

 

[Mule Packer]

I'm not quite sure what you mean by "survival rifle," but if I had to depend on just one rifle to "do it all,"...i.e. foraging (anything from grouse to squirrels to deer) and self-defense, I'd probably go with one of these:

My Ruger 10/22 with a 2½-pound Volquartsen trigger.

Or my Winchester 9422M in .22 magnum.

You can throw 500 rounds of either one in back pack or saddle bags without noticing any considerable weight. Nothing real fancy, but both dependable work horses. I'd feel comfortable with either one.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I’ll go with my regular 10-22.

 

[OldSarge21]

I had an AR-7 from Armalite. It was kinda cool, but was a jamomatic. I sold it last year. My survival rifle is a Savage 24 BDL 22lr Over 20ga. I also have one in 22 mag over 20ga and one in 22lr over 410. Not much for firepower but are very handy and versatile. Breaks down into three parts and fits pretty well into a pack. Also made braided paracord slings for them, ya know, just in case.

 

[RayRay7]

Always wanted the Marlin Papoose as a kid in the 90s...sadly I don’t think I’ve seen once since.

I scored a Savage 24c .22/20g early this year - it’s pretty nifty but has a cruddy feeling trigger. Still haven’t shot it lol.

 

[dmthomp32]

I've got a Springfield M6 scout (.22 LR and .410) as well as a Marlin Papoose. I love both rifles. The m6 is tough to shoot for some folks due to the squeeze lever/trigger but I find it very accurate and have no issues with it. While I had one Papoose that wouldn't run for anything, and it was basically brand new in the box (I think I know why the original owner never shot it!). Made some moves to get another near new example and this one runs like a sewing machine. With some factory Marlin 15 round banana mags it really becomes fun to shoot.

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[walnutred]

I avoided 10/22s for decades but when I saw my first stainless 10/22 TD it was love at first sight.

 

[tnmandpshooter]

Custom built akm

PSA KS47

I've also got two sks that take ak magazines.

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[Cal44]

I'd use my Marlin 39A.

 

[wetdog1911]

I avoided 10/22s for decades but when I saw my first stainless 10/22 TD it was love at first sight.

Yeah, me also, but I already had the Marlin.

Back then, it was pretty much a break down .22 that you could stuff in a BOB for instance. Not a lot of choice back then. Isn't the take down 10-22 fairly recent? Like in the last 20 years or so?

Rob

 

[alwslate]

I’ve got one of the great “survival” rifles from the not too distant past. A Remington Nylon 66.

 

[Grayfox]

I had a Henry AR-7. Nice little rifle, but the trigger was heavy and gritty. However, its a very simple mechanism. I took it apart and did a little polishing. That made a world of difference.
Never really warmed up to it. It felt kinda awkward in my hands. Finally just sold it.
As for "survival rifles", I guess that would depend on what you were surviving. Lost in the woods or the end of the world? Could be anything from a 10-22 to a M1A. I got both scenarios covered.

 

[BSA1]

Survival in what type of situation?

When discussing 22 rifles I think of a takedown that can be carried disassembled in a backpack or a case that will not attract attention. Something such as the AR-7 or modifying a Ruger 10/22 with Magpul stock.

The old trusty Winchester Lever Action 30-30 fills most of my big game hunting needs.

For every other situation a AR-15 will work well. Actually the AR in .223/5.56 is becoming a common deer hunting choice.

 

[PPS1980]

Ruger 10-22 takedown in SS. It carries in a standard backpack. Doesn't scream "GUN!" when broken down. Is a 10/22 so its reliable, ammo is relatively cheap and easy to find, parts are pretty common and working on it is pretty easy. Shoots well, relatively accurate, and is reliable.

P.S. It's threaded so it takes a suppressor too.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I’ve got Ruger Gunsite Scouts in 5.56 and .308. I’m good . . .

 

[BB57]

I interpret the term in the aviation sense, and I keep a few options on hand

1) A lightweight, 16" pencil barrel AR-15 with a .22 LR conversion kit. A pair of loaded 30 round .223 magazines, a 30 round .22 LR magazine, and a couple hundred rounds of .22 LR ammo pretty well cover it for hunting small to medium game if I ever have to walk out.

Unfortunately, some places are not semi-auto friendly. For example it's actually easier for an American to get a firearm into Canada than it is for a Canadian to get one into the US - but that doesn't apply to semi-autos.

In that situation, the same case holds a 24" Model 92 takedown in .45 Colt, or a 9422.

There are pros and cons. The .22 LR cartridge is small and light and you can carry a lot of them, but it's not much use on anything larger than small game. A Model 92 in .45 Colt launching a tier 2 load with a 255 gr bullet at around 1800 fps is much more effective on larger game, and even bear, but it's not a good choice for small game.

One option is to carry the .45 Colt and another smaller take down rifle in .22LR like my 1890 Winchester. It's a great option if there are two of you to split the load you'll have if you have to walk out. The case is small and the rifle itself is quite light.

Then of course there is the M6 Survival rifle, marketed first by Springfield Armory and then by CZ (who made them all anyway). I had one in .22LR/.22 Hornet, but the .22 Hornet barrel had horrible accuracy. I sold it and went back to using the earlier .22 LR/.410 model I already had and kept.

It's still not ideal as while the .22 LR barrel is quite accurate for the type (1" 5 shot groups at 50 yards), the .410 is a short range proposition with shotshells - 20 yards or less on birds, and .410 slugs deliver terminal ballistics comparable to a .380 ACP, and are not all that accurate beyond about 30 yards.

If I come across one in .22LR/.45 Colt I'll probably buy one and see how well the .45 Colt barrel really shoots.

The most important thing however is to have something to carry your survival rifle in:

 

[Charlie Foxtrott]

For all of you guys opting for .22 rimfires.

All I can say is good luck with that.

 

[Shark Bait]

Mine would also be a 10-22, but with a Gemtech suppressed barrel.