10/22 for hurricane season defense in my subdivision.... Really

[Katana8869]

So here I am in Florida with hurricane season just around the corner and I am trying to decide on a rifle to give me a little better range than my Mossberg and Benelli shotguns. I'm not wanting to spend 1k on an AR and though I am considering either an AK or a SKS, I have serious concerns about overpenetration here in the subdivision that we live in.

So I have been reading and researching and one rifle keeps coming up over and over.... the Ruger 10/22. I know that a .22lr is a great pot-filler during hard times, but I'm not sure that I can go there for self defense. However a 10/22 with a good scope, 25 round mags and the ability to put alot of lead in the air with no recoil and fast follow up's does have a certain appeal....

So what does everybody think? Is a 10/22 a good subdivision SHTF weapon?

 

[ColtPythonElite]

It beats a sharp stick.

 

[sixgunner455]

Use CCI Stingers or Velocitors.

 

[amprecon]

If it's all I had at the time it would work. I would not choose it as my first choice.

Self-defense as defined is if a person has reasonable fear for loss of life or limb, or some such as defined by your state.

A shotgun should suffice in most self-defense situations unless someone is shooting at you from afar with a rifle.

.22lr's are for small game and plinking, I wouldn't trust them as my first choice for a self-defense firearm, although they may have been used as such successfully for some.

 

[Lunie]

It beats a sharp stick.

That's an understatement.

 

[jim243]

Is a 10/22 a good subdivision SHTF weapon?

No it is not!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

It is a good pot filler, short and simple. But, for a SHTF it is way too weak. What will you be up against?, gators or two legged vermon, you want something more substanual.

A 223 would be a decent choice.
Jim

 

[hso]

Gonna be pretty difficult explaining why you needed the greater lethal range of a .22 (or any rifle) in a subdivision in a natural disaster situation when a shotgun gives you plenty of power.

As poiinted out, a .22 is great at collecting game for food, but it can't trump the shotgun in your situation.

 

[matty-vb]

I agree with HSO. Stick with the shotguns. Practice with slugs if you feel you need extended range. If you still have range concerns and have multiple shotguns you could always add a small 2x scope to one and make it a dedicated slug gun.

 

[lloveless]

A shotgun is an all around game getter/self defense tool. Ideal for what you need.
ll

 

[Agsalaska]

I saw a used mini 14 go on an auction the other day for under 500. It had been knocked around a little bit but probably shot as straight as it ever did. I think it had 3 20 round mags with it too. Sounds like what you need.


I've been down the hurricane road by the way. Got to be prepared.

 

[kd7nqb]

so buy a 150 used 10/22 and a 100 Mosin for $250 you have every possible combination of rifle you need.

 

[wasr10634unme]

just buy one if you want it. traded mine last year. buying new one after taxes cause my stepbrother wont trade back. plus 1 on the mosin also and just so you know youll have to have more than one variant

 

[gpr]

a 10/22 would be great for you.....would you like to buy mine.....

 

[raubvogel]

Didn't they have an emergency rifle-in-its-stock thingie? AFAIK it was 22.

IMHO, a 22 can still kill a man. You just have to practice be good with it. I still think it is more the user and less the tool.

gpr, if I had the opportunity to get me an used 10/22 for around $100, I would. THey do have their place.

To the OP: what made you come to our beloved sand-filled love bug-infested state?

 

[Saakee]

If you have a glock or a 1911 and really think you need a rifle, why not look in to a mech tech upper? It'll turn your handgun in to a pcc, extending range and utilizing your normal SD round

 

[kozak6]

An ordinary pistol would be fine, and your shotguns are easily good enough.

A rimfire doesn't offer any more range than a shotgun with slugs. Buy some boxes and get some practice in if you are that concerned.

Honestly, you should be more concerned with nonperishable food, water, first aid supplies, maybe a generator or a chainsaw. That kind of stuff.

 

[Isaac-1]

A shotgun with slugs is good out to 75 yards or so (slugs are effective well beyond 75 yards, aiming is the issue), do you really see a defense situaiton where you would need to engage at a greater range. If the bad guys are better armed, your likely better off falling back than standing and shooting it out. Like others have said a .22 has its place, but I don't see it here, sure it may discourage people from a distance, it may cause a fatal wound either short term or long term, but what it can't be counted on to do is stop someone fast. A .22 can also travel a long way (be dangerous at over 1/4 mile), and has a fairly high tendancy to bounce when hitting water or even the ground. If you really feel you need to buy something with greater range, buy a bolt action hunting rifle, it is after the end of deer season now, and there are a number of deals out there on used guns, for that matter there are some fairly cheap effective new ones on the market too like the Savage Axis series (budget series prices start around $250) often found at discount sporting goods shops and big box stores.

 

[OARNGESI]

How about a ak74 you can get one fairly cheap and the 5.45x39 round may be perfect for you.

 

[theicemanmpls]

Normally SD situations are not at rifle range. If you shoot a bad guy 100 feet away, one can usually count on spending some heavy jail/prison time.

If you are looking for defend Fort Apache situation, NOTHING beats a shot gun.

If you still insist on a 10/22, get plenty of those 10 round Ruger mags. Look into the GOOD 25 rounders. Plenty of crap out there to waste your money on.

IMHO, a three round burst COM from a .22 rifle will put the hurt on all two legged beasts.

 

[hogshead]

Sounds like you have the best gun for the job. A shotgun. So go ahead and get a 1022 because you want one.

 

[Loosedhorse]

Gonna be pretty difficult explaining why you needed the greater lethal range of a .22 (or any rifle)

Gosh--I guess I'm REALLY gonna have trouble explaining why I need I rifle in the confines of my BEDROOM!

Actually, I won't. Neither will the OP. OP, I agree with the Mini-14 suggestion, since price is critical.

 

[Plan2Live]

Gonna be pretty difficult explaining why you needed the greater lethal range of a .22 (or any rifle) in a subdivision in a natural disaster situation when a shotgun gives you plenty of power.

On the surface, I agree 100% and that was my first thought. Then I remember the stories that came out of the Virgin Islands back in the late 80s when a Hurricane hit down there. There were reports of roving gangs of indigenous residents attacking transplanted residents and tourists with machettes. If you just watched a group of thugs hack up your neighbors it would be hard to sit and wait until they were within shotgun or handgun range if you had other options. Tough call.

Speaking of Hurricanes and guns, I remember watching a TV reporter interviewing a guy after Hurricane Andrew hit Miami. The picture was a fairly tight shot of a guy sitting on the entry step in front of his house holding a long gun, I think it was a shotgun. The reporter asked him what he was doing and he said he was "protecting his property". The camera pulled back and showed the guy sitting in front of a more or less flattened house in a more or less flattened neighborhood. What property?!!! Dude, your stuff is gone. He had a van that appeared driveable in the driveway, just get in it and go. It's sad how people can get rattled in such situations and don't see the bigger picture.

 

[Art Eatman]

Based on stories from Hurricane Andrew, just the sight of any firearm was adequate deterrent for daytime encounters. Looters wanted targets which were much softer.

Night time events generally ended when looters discovered that a house was occupied; they left.

 

[TurkeyOak]

+1 for 10/22 and Mosin Nagant.
The M-N will cover ranges beyond your shotguns. The shotgun for close up, and a 10/22 because everyone needs a .22.

 

[hardluk1]

You have 2 shotguns now? Put a rifled slug barrel on the mossy and with current sabot loads they are accurate out to 225 yards with a scope. Not that you would ever need it for home defence!! But good for deer. If you just want a .22lr get a marlin 60 over the ruger. More accurate by far when box stock and new price about the same and would be a more reylable small game getter. Now then the shotguns and a .22 should cover about any problem that comes up. Use a tungston T load for up close to buck shot out to 40 or 50 yards and slugs to 225 or so and a nice 22 for feeding the family.


You really should own a handgun. Something easy to shoot for anyone in the family ,full size 9mm would do well enough. What ever fits the smallest hands in the house that my need it.