"Get home gun" options? .22lr viable option?

[Hbibb1]

(If this is not the appropriate section for this post please direct me where it should go)
Given that I have finished my get home bag. What would be a good option for a firearm to add to this? Being that I'm 18 I can't carry a handgun, so I'm left with a rifle, carbine, or shotgun. I really like the Walther Uzi in .22lr, but is it a viable option given the caliber? I've been reading up on it and from what I see, it's a solid gun. I would guess that since it is identical to the original, it's presence would be adequate to ward off lesser threats that may arise in a SHTF or similar situation? Or would something like a Hi-Point carbine be better? (I would get and modify an ati stock because we all know the hi-point is ugly as sin). Is the Uzi viable? Or the hi-point? My budget is around $500, and I drive a smaller car so the smaller the better. Thanks in adance .

 

[spazzymcgee]

How about a Kel-Tec Sub 2000? I didn't like mine, but I'm sure they're great options for lots of people. Very compact, and much more reliable and combat viable than a .22 long rifle.

 

[lpsharp88]

How about a Ruger 10/22 takedown?

 

[TEAM101]

Ruger 10/22 TD with a folding stock.

 

[azrocks]

If you foresee the role of this firearm as primarily a small-game getter, then add me to the list of those recommending the 10/22 TD. If defense is a concern, you'd be much better served by something 9mm or up.

I think the Walther is a poor choice. It's not good at what it looks like it does, nor is it good at doing what a .22 should do. It's a cute toy, but that's about it from a practical standpoint. Plus - I've owned a P22 - and that experience will prevent me from ever purchasing another Walther (Umarex) product in that caliber.

I'm not a Kel-Tek or High-Point fan - not because I've had bad experiences but because I'm a gun snob - but I do know lots of people are happy with them. If they do in fact run well, I think a 9mm carbine would be a good possibility.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

Really, truly, not to sound like an a-hole, but given your age I would first ask what your firearms experience is?

 

[C.R.]

maybe the Henry (AR 7 I think ) survrial .22 ,it is a takedown , it all packs into the stock, its a semi auto ,it will even float . Henry has a reputation for great customer service .It isnt intimidating looking like an uzi but it will work,and not look like you are a potential trouble maker if you have contact with Law Enforcement .

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I gotta say, this is the first time I've ever heard the term "get home gun" before.
Learn something new every day I guess.

For what its worth, I don't consider the Walther Uzi to be of any use at all really. They look cool I suppose, but that's about it.

 

[Scooter22]

Marlin still has the Papoose take down that comes in a case.

 

[Telekinesis]

Not to be too insensitive, but have you actually looked at the laws regarding handguns?

A very quick review shows that age of possession is 18 (which matches federal code) and that essentially anyone who can legally possess a handgun may have it in their vehicle (this was a very cursory review of TX law and may not be completely accurate, so do your own homework). That means that pistols aren't completely off the table as you can purchase via private party and you are legal to have it secured in your car (with the rest of your stuff). Granted it's more work on your part and selection becomes tighter. Of course you'll have to illegally CCW it if you ever use the gear, but that's your choice given location and threats.

To echo azrocks, what's the purpose of the gun? If it's for defense, something like a 9mm pistol will be much better than a .22 rifle. It lets you keep your hands free and look like everyone else until you need to use it. That's not really possible with a rifle. If it's hidden you can't immediately use it, and if it's not you can easily use it but you give up the ability to blend in with the rest of the people around you.

There are differing opinions, but if I'm ever using my get home bag, I want to look exactly like everyone else ("grey man" if you will) and not be seen or remembered as a guy carrying a rifle.

On another note, if the gun is for defense and you're going to be using a rifle, go with a rifle caliber. A pistol caliber carbine is the worst of both worlds - it's not concealable and it lacks the power of a rifle cartridge.

 

[bannockburn]

Hbib1

I use to have a Charter Arms AR7 which I use to keep in the back of my Toyota Tercel as my JIC (Just In Case) gun. It was okay for occasional use but not exactly the best choice if you were looking for a dependable and accurate .22 rifle. If I had to choose a "Get Home Gun" based on your considerations I would go with a Ruger 10/22 Takedown rifle or else a 10/22 with a folding stock. This is my 10/22 with a Butler Creek folding stock:

 

[Jim NE]

I would seriously look at the Hi Point 9mm carbine. Or the .40 or .45, if you want, but ammo cost will go up with those two. I have 2 of the 9mm versions, and they're pretty handy. I should ask, though - if someone isn't old enough to buy a handgun, can they still buy handgun ammo? I honestly don't know the answer to that. Guessing it varies from state to state. And don't waste money on an aftermarket stock for a Hi Point. That's dressing up a pig.

If ammo is an (age related) issue, go with a .22 mag rifle, and I would personally avoid a .22 lr. There are some .22 magnum semi-autos out there, and .22 mag out of a rifle will produce 9mm pistol muzzle energies, more or less. I would also look older used model 94 Winchesters in .30/30...or .32 Special if you want to be different. They won't hold as many rounds, but will be much more potent. You can get good ones under $500.

 

[azrocks]

Another benefit of the .22 - once again assuming its not to be used primarily for defense - is in regards to noise discipline. Not only can it be easily suppressed, even in non-suppressed form - with subsonic ammo - the report can be minimal (you can actually get suppressor-level performance with subsonic ammo alone in a really long barrel, but that's obviously not possible in your application).

If I had my way I'd always have a .22 of some sort for along with a people-sized caliber to take out larger 'predators'. For this reason I like to put lightweight inexpensive .22s in my go-bag, and rely on my EDC firearm for defense. A modular / layered approach.

 

[X-Rap]

I suspect I could get home about as well with a 10/22 Folder as most anything so long as I didn't have to deal with armor of some sort. Sure would be under consideration along with an AR.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[hso]

We don't do SHTF here.