Recommendations for a SHTF .22?
- Thread starter ShooterMcGavin
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Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow
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This is about the only .22 I'd feel comfortably defending the homestead with in a SHTF scenario:
http://www.cabelas.com/link-12/product/0034775227757a.shtml
http://www.cabelas.com/link-12/product/0034775227757a.shtml
sm
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If serious hits, one is not going to have the luxury of a gunsmith on the corner, or being able to have the little brown truck bring them parts.
Less is More.
Simple is Good.
To reiterate what others have shared.
Plus what is proven to have worked...
-Single shot .22 and I like the option of being able to use .22 short, long and long rifle.
-Remington Nylon 66 and I suggest the butt fed model .
-Remington Speedmaster , (semi-auto) which will take short, long, long rifle
-Remington Fieldmaster , (pump) which will shoot S,L,LR
-Marlin 60
-Browning Auto .22
-Winchester 9422
-Marlin 39
Just what has been done numerous times before and still applies.
This is where a single shot, tube fed bolt, lever action and pump action rise above many other choices.
--
Magazines are part of the gun, so if these get messed up, lost, one may end up with single shot.
Again, we don't know what the serious is, still magazines have to be considered.
Re
apoose.
The old ones were "less" ammo picky. The newer ones I have tried, are more picky about ammo.
Serious Situation, and getting ammo is to be difficult.
.22 rim-fire qmmumition is great Barter material, still it would be bad to have a gun picky about ammo and it not shoot it well, again leaving one with a single shot.
i.e. for some reason you lose .22 rim-fire ammunition, but still have wicks for oil lamps, and wicks for Zippo lighters and flints for Zippos, (other great barter items) and all the person has is standard pressure, or .22 shorts.
.22 short will take small game, or put down a nice size critter caught in a snare. Just ease up and put one near the back of the ear.
Though you might be best saving that round and using a sling shot with a rock instead.
Blending in another consideration.
Meaning something simple that allows one to travel more discreet, and in use, appears to be a simple gun, to put food on the table, or keep pests away.
Do not rule out a Youth, or Kids sized single shot either. A smaller person, such as a kid, has a right to a firearm too if matters get serious, and an adult can conceal and use one very effectively as well.
Go handle a Pink Cricket, Chipmunk , Marlin Youth, Henry Youth and see for yourself.
Sling it African carry, put your coat on, and go on about your business...
Less is More.
Simple is Good.
To reiterate what others have shared.
Plus what is proven to have worked...
-Single shot .22 and I like the option of being able to use .22 short, long and long rifle.
-Remington Nylon 66 and I suggest the butt fed model .
-Remington Speedmaster , (semi-auto) which will take short, long, long rifle
-Remington Fieldmaster , (pump) which will shoot S,L,LR
-Marlin 60
-Browning Auto .22
-Winchester 9422
-Marlin 39
Just what has been done numerous times before and still applies.
This is where a single shot, tube fed bolt, lever action and pump action rise above many other choices.
--
Magazines are part of the gun, so if these get messed up, lost, one may end up with single shot.
Again, we don't know what the serious is, still magazines have to be considered.
Re
apoose.The old ones were "less" ammo picky. The newer ones I have tried, are more picky about ammo.
Serious Situation, and getting ammo is to be difficult.
.22 rim-fire qmmumition is great Barter material, still it would be bad to have a gun picky about ammo and it not shoot it well, again leaving one with a single shot.
i.e. for some reason you lose .22 rim-fire ammunition, but still have wicks for oil lamps, and wicks for Zippo lighters and flints for Zippos, (other great barter items) and all the person has is standard pressure, or .22 shorts.
.22 short will take small game, or put down a nice size critter caught in a snare. Just ease up and put one near the back of the ear.
Though you might be best saving that round and using a sling shot with a rock instead.
Blending in another consideration.
Meaning something simple that allows one to travel more discreet, and in use, appears to be a simple gun, to put food on the table, or keep pests away.
Do not rule out a Youth, or Kids sized single shot either. A smaller person, such as a kid, has a right to a firearm too if matters get serious, and an adult can conceal and use one very effectively as well.
Go handle a Pink Cricket, Chipmunk , Marlin Youth, Henry Youth and see for yourself.
Sling it African carry, put your coat on, and go on about your business...
My vote goes to the 10/22. I had borrowed a marlin 60 from my brother in-law and shot about 500 rounds through it before I bought my 10/22. The Marlin was a good rifle but the 10/22 had a better feel, although SMALL it works well. The only complaint I have with the 10/22 is that it will not shoot the bulk pack wal-mart federal ammo. It jams every few shots with that stuff, so far with every other brand of ammo it works fine. I've even shot 300 rounds of Remington subsonics through it without any failures. The 10/22 is very accurate as well. I would kinda like to have a bolt-action also but I will probably buy a .17hmr for a bolt action rifle.
ShooterMcGavin
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- 629
TTT.
New questions in the first post.
New questions in the first post.
CajunBass
Member
Actually I don't know of a single 22 rifle that won't fill the bill. I could tell you what I like, but it probably wouldn't help you much. They're all accurate enough for small game hunting. They all go a long time between cleanings if you want to. I know I can't say I've ever actually CLEANED any of mine. I might wipe some crud out with a Q-tip and some Hoppes from time to time, but actually strip it down and clean it? Naw. I'd rather just shoot 'em.
This isn't all of them, but it'll give you an idea. And yes, I happen to like 10/22's but the others are just as good. Actually the Marlin 39A is better, but it costs a lot more. It should be better. That's a Remington 597 on the right. Good gun for not a lot of money if you don't mind a plastic stock.
Oh, I believe you said you might prefer a bolt gun. Well the bolt gun there is a Stevens 46. Long out of production, but representative of a lot of tube fed bolt action 22's made by various manufacturers, Stevens, Savage, Remington, Marlin, Mossberg, and who knows how many others. All the ones I've ever seen shot just fine.
ShooterMcGavin
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Very nice little setup, Cajun! Thanks for sharing it!
I have considered the Rem 597 (mainly for its low price) and the Marlin 60, among others. Without talking with those who own some of the models, it's tough to know how the different models compare (accuracy and reliability feeding different ammo brands) or whether higher capacity magazines will fit them.
I can imagine, but I am not quite sure what "tube fed" is or how many shots it typically holds. Are most/all bolt-action .22s tube fed, or do many use magazines?
Also, there are cylindrical magazines, which avoid the look of the magazine hanging out the bottom (like the Ruger Charger). Do any rifles use that style? Probably, if they do, capacity would have an upper limit; maybe 10 shots.
I have considered the Rem 597 (mainly for its low price) and the Marlin 60, among others. Without talking with those who own some of the models, it's tough to know how the different models compare (accuracy and reliability feeding different ammo brands) or whether higher capacity magazines will fit them.
I can imagine, but I am not quite sure what "tube fed" is or how many shots it typically holds. Are most/all bolt-action .22s tube fed, or do many use magazines?
Also, there are cylindrical magazines, which avoid the look of the magazine hanging out the bottom (like the Ruger Charger). Do any rifles use that style? Probably, if they do, capacity would have an upper limit; maybe 10 shots.
pgeleven
Member
i'd go for a Henry lever 22 WMR. always helps to have a little extra reach. the H001M is a lovely choice IMHO
TCB in TN
Member
I have shot .22's for a long time and have NEVER had a tube damaged to the point it needed replacement. I have only even talked to one other person who has. I and many others HAVE lost and or damaged a number of detachable mags. BTW having taken plenty of tube fed guns a part I have never seen it as a very difficult task to replace one.
Again, I don't think you'll find a better suited rifle then the 981T. It takes all the .22 except mags... It is accurate and is easy to clean and operate. Has a synthetic stock. At most it is $180... You can get a very good scope and ammo to make it up to $300... You will hear a lot of opinions, but all will be biased... Try and find a rifle that fits you. I did a lot of searching and settled on this Marlin. Plus it is all American made.
TCB in TN
Member
I have run thought a lot of woods, rocks, hunted off my motorcycle, wrecked a few times too. Still never had any trouble with a tube fed .22. Not saying that it can't happen, but I would be willing to be that the average tube fed gun lasts longer than the average mag fed gun as far as that goes. As a matter of fact I have a couple of tube fed marlins with the short tubes that don't stick out much past the stock that I would be willing to bet would be operational past the point of the stock being broken off. I love the Rugers, but tube fed beats mag fed in "reliability" any day/
I've seen tube fed guns have problems.
Sometimes it's just picky-ness with a certain type of ammo (which to be fair, can happen with any .22) and sometimes it's a downright failure to work.
It's also harder to clear a malfunction in the tube if you have one. With a detachable magazine and some kind of nasty cartrige bashing jam, you just yank the mag out and the jam comes out with it. With a tube, you might have to tear the rifle completely apart to clear the malfunction.
If you already had a tube fed rifle I wouldn't worry too much about it but if you're spending money on something new, I'd go mag fed every time.
Sometimes it's just picky-ness with a certain type of ammo (which to be fair, can happen with any .22) and sometimes it's a downright failure to work.
It's also harder to clear a malfunction in the tube if you have one. With a detachable magazine and some kind of nasty cartrige bashing jam, you just yank the mag out and the jam comes out with it. With a tube, you might have to tear the rifle completely apart to clear the malfunction.
If you already had a tube fed rifle I wouldn't worry too much about it but if you're spending money on something new, I'd go mag fed every time.
Deus Machina
Member
Personally, I do think there are a few good choices. 10/22's should be fine as long as you clean it now and then, and I'd personally say any name-brand pump or lever would be great.
And remember, as long as you've got the barrel, bolt, trigger assembly, and the innovation that you really must have in a SHTF situation, any busted-to-hell semi-auto only becomes a passable single-shot.
That's no reason to go buy the $10 Rustbucket Special, but if it's something you'll be leaving in your closet with the SHTF pack until the day you need to run out of the house and drag it through mud, sand, and acidic alien blood, why pay for any more than your range gun?
And remember, as long as you've got the barrel, bolt, trigger assembly, and the innovation that you really must have in a SHTF situation, any busted-to-hell semi-auto only becomes a passable single-shot.
That's no reason to go buy the $10 Rustbucket Special, but if it's something you'll be leaving in your closet with the SHTF pack until the day you need to run out of the house and drag it through mud, sand, and acidic alien blood, why pay for any more than your range gun?
CajunBass
Member
The tube fed magazine on my Marlin 39A hangs a round up once in a while. I haven't figured out why yet. I think one thing that happens with a lot of tube is people forget to clean them. I know I did on this rifle for a long time and when I did, man the dirt and crud that came out had to be seen to be believed. Filthy. I'm not sure if there is still some of that in the Marlins or not, but it's not a major problem. I'm not figuring on having to fight a major battle with it.
Tubes can get damaged. Box magazines can get lost. Six of one, half dozen of the other.
Tubes can get damaged. Box magazines can get lost. Six of one, half dozen of the other.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
A Stevens Little scout 14 1/2, If you can find one it is one of the best.
If I had to go 22lr...
I would probably take my Marlin 39m
but I probably would take my Marlin 1894C in 357.
If I had to go 22lr...
I would probably take my Marlin 39m
but I probably would take my Marlin 1894C in 357.
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