A few questions regarding emergency rifles

[SharpsDressedMan]

Well, Malamute, you've got a point. I was joking about "getting out", meaning they don't follow the mainstream trends or social crap of of the rest of the world. Oh, they get out, in the wild, WAY more than the rest of us....probably after stepping out of the front or back door. And I agree about one's main toting rifle; if I had to pack a gun in the wild, it would be a lot lighter in weight, and bigger in delivery. Maybe a .35 Whelen Scout weighing in at 7-8lbs with the scope on it. And the quality of AK's varies a lot. My brother "built" mine, and he is really down on the "junk" AK's built from shot out barrels or heavily used parts kits, etc. A properly assembled AK from relatively VG-EX parts is a machine that is hard to kill. A poorly built AK can be nothing but problems, and often the buyers don't know how to discriminate between good and bad. Crap shoot for sure, but there are some reliable companies with a good reputation for quality. Any given gun choice is not for everyone,true, and I would not choose an AK variant for general purposes. I'd still choose it for a die hard, backup or emergency use gun. I have a 7.62 and two 5.45's for "emergency" go-to urban defense rifles, and I expect that if I had enough time and ammo, they might just be the last guns to break, should I shoot all my guns for endurance. At least in the rifle sector. My Glocks might give them a run for endurance. For that matter, a Glock 20 might be the best emergency weapon, with lots of power, and a lot easier to carry, hide, or pack in vehicles, etc. You could stash a Glock 20 just about ANYWHERE in or near your remote cabin, and probably still find it there, even if jerks broke in and tried to steal stuff. It just hides easier than a rifle or shotgun.

 

[Geno]

Armoredman:

This is a fantastic thread. I first read it on the day your created it, and have thought and thought of the answers. This is truly a difficult thread if one ponders the propositions with seriousness! Here is the best I can do after literally a week of reflection. <<Some of our brains don't process as rapidly>>

1 Bolt/lever/semi/single shot? Please, must be legal for you to own and use.
Answer: Bolt

2 Wood/polymer stock?
Answer: Polymer

3 Fixed or folding stock?
Answer: Fixed

4 Weight limit - remember, you might be backpacking with it.
Answer: 20 pounds or less total package (I like heavy weapons)

5 Sights, fixed/adjustable/scope only?
Answer: Nightforce 3.5-15X56

6 Optics or not/what kind?
Answer: Nightforce 3.5-15X56

7 Easy to carry spare ammo/magazines/speedloaders?
Answer: How heavy would 100 rounds of either .223 Rem or .308 Win be, right? <<Quality of shot, not quantity of shots>>

8 Ease of concealment from the curious sheeple wandering the same trail?
Answer: Not even possible (reasonably) to fully conceal a decent bolt-action, carbine.

9 Amount of ammunition carried in the magazine/tube?
Answer: I'm content with 5 + 1. I don't plan to save the US of A from an attack.

These answers, of course, are predicated on the assumption that I am in possession of my primary and back-up CCW pistols.

Geno

PS, this is a great thread topic! Thanks for creating it. It made me think for a week, literally.

 

[taliv]

well, you guys already know what i'd take

 

[armoredman]

Actually I don't, taliv. I have a feeling it would cost more than mine!
I'm beginning to think I created a new niche between survival rifle and SHTF rifle.
All I need is that light short optic, really liking the Redfield Revolution 2-7. The Bushnell 4-12 on it is a fine scope, works great, but a bit big for the concept.

 

[jbkebert]

Mine is a Savage 24 .223/20ga not as nice as the Drilling DM posted but the same idea. It travels in the truck, tractor, backpack, heck sometimes on my mountain bike. Will handle just about anything I would ever need it to.

 

[taliv]

armoredman, an AR15

it's lightweight for carry and quick to use. i'd strip everything off it but a micro-T1 and a sling. they're not just for zombies, you know

 

[Maverick223]

All I need is that light short optic

I have been looking for the same thing for my VZ.58 (and add in extreme reliability w/o the need for batteries) and have come up with this: Trijicon RMR. Magnification sold separately (an ACOG would work, but it doesn't fit the size or weight constriction well). The only concern I have is how well it will work for my eyes (I have astigmatism).

 

[Mr. T]

I would personally recommend a Youth Model 20 gauge. Maybe a Remmington Express with synthetic furniture on it. You could also put a after market collapsible stock on it. I put one on from ATI a few years ago and it works great and it did reduce the weight some even more. I know this is a rifle forum, but from what you are describing I think you could get by with the versatility of a shotgun better. If you put a sling on it, it should accomodate you in backpacking.

 

[armoredman]

Maverick, not QUITE what I had in mind for the 527M, but nice idea for the vz-58. I was looking at a much cheaper red dot, TSR 25, IIRC, but the standrad short light inexpensive scope for the 527M
taliv, sounds good - I haven't liked the AR platform since I fired an M16A1 back in '84. It just doesn't feel right to me, that's all, I prefer the vz-58 for a semi auto military style rifle. BTW, the Holy Grail of vz-58s may be coming in sometime in the near future, a vz-58 in .223 that takes AR style magazines.

 

[Maverick223]

armoredman, I have heard that rumor...any chance of any other chamberings (the M17S pretty well fills all my poodle shooter roles as well as I could hope for)? Perhaps a plinker cartridge like 5.45x39.5mm (would be the perfect platform for it...simple to clean, lightweight, reliable)?

 

[goon]

I know this is the Rifle forum, but do you think maybe a .357 revolver like a Ruger GP-100 or something similar might meet your requirements?
There is all kinds of versatility there if you handload - and still a lot even if you don't.

 

[Cosmoline]

The chunky and clunky is also my impression of M1A's, M1 Garands, H-K 91's, AR's, SKS's, and most bolt actions in military clothes compared to Winchester levers and sporter bolt actions

They also make a racket when chambering a round, which limits their utility for hunting.

That's not to say surplus guns aren't out there. I know guys in the bush who use Mosin-Nagants for example. A nice folder AK is almost too valuable for a cabin gun though. And it would be a prime target for theft. SKS's seem to be more common.