Ruger 10/22 As Home Defense and SHTF rifle

[Desert Scorpion]

Hi, I recently decided as to a series of observations and consideration that I should most likely stock up on ammunition, food and weapons. So I began my search for a personal weapon that would meet the need for my above criteria. I am not worried anything will happen just want to be prepared; I go by that little sentence (Better safe than sorry). So after research upon research I have found that my best bet is actually a Ruger 10/22 with Buttler Creek folding stock and a stock pile of steel lips 25 round magazines. I plan on buying a lot of them , all for me to put in a big safe and not touch unless something big happens. I want to see people opinions on the 10/22 I am have three already and know a lot about them but want to see them related to military type applications. My own observations would show that they are quite, very low to no recoil at all, ammo being cheap and abundant, accuracy, high ammo capacity, large availability in the United States and very deadly. I have shot more than one coyote with one and they have in some cases lost whole limbs, the 22 cal bullet is no matter to joke with, it may not kill on point of contact but can kill especially with hollow point ammo. SO what do you think about a 10/22 as a (SHTF) rifle?

 

[Bartkowski]

SHTF, sure. Would be great to hunt quietly, and it is a light gun.

But for defense, no, it isn't a good choice because I don't think you could consistenly kill someone or something, especially from a distance. It is better than nothing, but not the best choice.

 

[cat_IT_guy]

I think if it comes to the point where my life is on the line, Im going to want a weapon that will not kill eventually, but will kill quikly. A .22 has outstanding merit as a survival tool - but more as a small game getter than as a defensive weapon.

Having said that...I will not stand in front of a 10/22 while someone unloads 25rds - that would surely ruin your day! Nothing against the .22 (I have 3 of them) but I just think there are better tools for the job of defense.

 

[ThomasT]

I never learn. This time i have on my asbestos underwear. I like a 22 rifle for home defense. Everytime i write that i get flamed. Hence the fireproof undies.

A 22 will work. If you have anything bigger at all then use that. I keep a 10/22 and a factory mag loaded for the same purpose.

Its hard to beat a fast firing low recoil rifle. Twenty five shots in a group the size of an orange is hard to argue with. But still have the biggest gun you can get.

When i first got married 30 years ago i had a winchester 190 and a double barreled 12 gauge. I kept them both loaded and felt ready to take on anything that came along.

I forgot. For a survival gun it is tops. If you read long enough people will tell you the 10/22 is inaccurate. I didn't know that until i got high speed internet. Before that i just used my Ruger to kill everything I aimed it at.

 

[Bartkowski]

Its hard to beat a fast firing low recoil rifle. Twenty five shots in a group the size of an orange is hard to argue with. But still have the biggest gun you can get.

What about an AR, low recoil and accurate? They are louder and more expensive, but are better defensive guns than 10/22's.

 

[ThomasT]

Bart you are dead right. I don't think the OP has one though. So now he has a goal. Get an AR or a Mini-14 or maybe an M-1 Carbine.

But then again he may be short of cash doing the best he can with what he has.

 

[Girodin]

It is probably just bad luck on my part but one of the 10/22s I have had was the least reliable firearm I've had in my safe. It still is after a trip to the smith.

The other 10/22 I have is the second least reliable firearm I've owned.

I know that my experience does not match others but there is no way i would stake my life on my 10/22s. The problems are accentuated with 30 round mags but not exclusive to them BTW.

That said when they run I can put a bunch of stingers in the same area very very quickly. So although the 10/22 is way down my list of HD guns I could see pressing (a reliable) one into service if there was no other oprion. A good 12 guage or even a hi point carbine is cheap enough that one should not be left with no other option however.

Sure a .22 could kill some one. And a mag dump to center mass is even more likely to. People also live through getting shot COM with .45s though, so one never really knows. Also, there is no guarantee you will be able to get off multiple shots, let alone a mags worth and if my life was on the line I would much rather have another rifle of shotgun. Ask your self if you knew you would be forced to shoot a bad guy tonight would you stick with the 10/22 or go with something else.

 

[RancidSumo]

My 22lr wouldn't pierce a sheep skull at 15 yds. I don't think it is a good defence choice.

 

[MaterDei]

I'm not sure what the difference between a SHTF and a defense rifle are. My primary concern during a SHTF scenario would be defense. Second would be game hunting.

Would a 22 suffice? Yes...in a pinch. I'd prefer something a bit more stout but a 22 will do.

 

[glockman19]

Simply put....NO. I wouldn't use a 10/22 for Home or Self Defense. If it's all you have then OK but...I'd get at lease a .38 or 9mm.

For a SHTF Rifle at minimum I'd think .223

 

[Neo-Luddite]

With cci stingers a 10/22 will provide kinetic energy on par with a .380 ACP pistol firing standard ammo.

Yes, WAY better than nothing any day. With the 10 rnd factory mag, reliability is very good to excellent.

I have been buying a bit extra for my 10/22 for emergency needs--ammo and springs, etc.

In a true survival situation it will be my planned on game getter for most applications should game laws restricting caliber be rendered moot by circumstance.

Does the 10/22 have any primary defensive/military utility? In very limited ways, yes, but really only in tandem with other weapons. And you have to really stretch things to hypothesize about a scenario where you SHOULD have nothing but a 10/22. At the least consider a large caliber pistol for emergency needs also.

 

[RancidSumo]

Also, before you buy to many of any kind of mag, try one or two first. Not all rifles like all the after market mags and the mags don't always like all kinds of ammo.

 

[ThomasT]

Every 10/22 i have owned has been super reliable. I honestly cannot recall ever having a jam in one. I have owned 5 (i think) and thought they were fine rifles.

As far as sheep go i thought the Bible said the goats were the hard headed beast. I guess it shows "you never can tell". LOL.

A 22 will work for defense but a bigger gun sure is nice. You simply cannot have too big of a gun.

 

[goon]

There is a lot to be said for the 10/22. I think it makes sense to have a .22 anyhow, especially if you're planning ahead for any kind of disaster. An ammo can of .22LR will get you a lot of meat and with a semi-auto or lever or pump action that holds a decent amount of ammo, could be pressed into service for defense.
It would do, but I just bought an NEF 20 gauge youth gun for $69 about a month ago. Given the choice between a 20 gauge and a .22 for defense, I'd prefer the 20 gauge slug every time.

Plus in my area, there is a real (but remote) chance that I may need to stop a bear. I was out hiking last week and found a bear track that both of my fists fit into. As much as I love the .22LR, I would not want to try to stop something like that with a 10/22.
Maybe it could be done, but I'd feel a lot more comfortable with a shotgun loaded with slugs or a 30-30.

 

[trickyasafox]

RATSHOOTER I never learn. This time i have on my asbestos underwear. I like a 22 rifle for home defense. Everytime i write that i get flamed. Hence the fireproof undies.

A 22 will work. If you have anything bigger at all then use that. I keep a 10/22 and a factory mag loaded for the same purpose.

Its hard to beat a fast firing low recoil rifle. Twenty five shots in a group the size of an orange is hard to argue with. But still have the biggest gun you can get.

When i first got married 30 years ago i had a winchester 190 and a double barreled 12 gauge. I kept them both loaded and felt ready to take on anything that came along.

I forgot. For a survival gun it is tops. If you read long enough people will tell you the 10/22 is inaccurate. I didn't know that until i got high speed internet. Before that i just used my Ruger to kill everything I aimed it at.

I agree totally. if you are in a position to only own one firearm, and do well with a 10/22, then I'd say by all means get one and go for it. The deterrence factor of just having a gun will go a long way- and for those times you need it? we always talk about shot placement, and a 10/22 is easy to shoot well quickly.

 

[aspade]

I plan on buying a lot of them , all for me to put in a big safe and not touch unless something big happens.

So if and when something big does happen, you'll have a safe full of rifles and accessories that you haven't used and aren't familiar with. Great.

 

[35 Whelen]

Desert Scorpion:
I've owned a 10/22 for over 30 years now. To give you and idea of how old it is, it has a factory, decently figured walnut stock. Mine has been extremely accurate and reliable beyond description. And this coming from a boy who grew up in the country dragging his 10/22 through everything imagineable, firing countless thousands of rounds through it and way, way back, making some...ummm....now reversed, illegal modifications to it. One word of advise...and I'm speaking from experience. If you plan to hunt with your 10/22, leave the 25 round clips at home. Why? The first time you lie prone to take a shot, you'll know why. The first time you try to lay your rifle across something flat to take a shot, you'll find you have something of a monopod that makes it impossible to steady your rifle.
Anyhow, I think your post begs the question: What's your SHTF scenario? I live in the country, where if the brown smelly stuff did come in contact with the ventilation device, probably no one would be around me as there are no stores to loot. If your SHTF firearm would be mostly to feed you and protect your home, (I'm not talking about fending off bands of hooligans..I'm talking about defending yourself/family from occassional intruders) I think the 10/22 is a good choice. But if you live in an urban area and feeding your family means keeping others from taking your food, you might want something a little bigger.
Regards,
35W

 

[35 Whelen]

Oops! double post...

 

[Ignition Override]

If cost is a serious factor and a used Mini 14 ($500) with a 20-rd. Ruger magazine is out of the question (some Wolf etc .223 is about $.25/rd.), why not an SKS or even the so-called (shorter) 'Paratrooper' version? "GunBroker.com" has lots of SKS selections and four full pages of Mini 14s.
An Infantry 16-month veteran of Iraq just told me last Thur. that one speck of sand can jam his standard Army rifle, but doubt that this would happen to a Mini or SKS.

For basic SKS rifles, $200-300.
The 7.62x39 ammo prices have been very stable for months and still sells at Ammoman for 1,000 rds./$200, delivery included.

These two calibers are very widespread and relatively low-cost, used in various combat/hunting rifles in case you want to make a trade or upgrade years later. When regular gasoline someday costs $6.00/gallon many rugged guns with 10-round + magazines might cost much more or become illegal to buy.

Even the Russian Saiga ( a sleeper gun?) can be ordered in .233, x39 or .308.
If affordable, one of the above guns plus a semi-.22 might be almost perfect, but you might want a larger round to start with.

 

[M47 Dragon]

In a SHTF scenario, I will use my .22 rifle...

I will hand it to my girlfriend and tell her to lay down some cover fire while I advance with a better weapon. "Oh, and baby, try not to shoot me in the back."

 

[Defensory]

Ruger Mini-14 or Mini-30 for home defense/SHTF---no problem.

Ruger 10/22 for home defense/SHTF---no way.

 

[JimmerJammerMrK]

I say no.

I think a Mini-14 would be a much better option, or something like a lever action .357 mag carbine.

 

[cluttonfred]

The short answer, as already stated, is that a good semi-automatic .22LR with hypervelocity ammo and reliable magazines is a great all around survival tool and can be used for self defense in a pinch. If we are really thinking about doomsday scenarios, it's a heck of a lot easier and cheaper to get a few rifles and pistols and several thousand rounds of ammo in .22LR than in any other caliber. My Marlin Papoose with seven Stingers or Yellow Jackets is, as I have said before, a whole lot better than a sharp stick.

That said, with the low cost of surplus communist block weapons these days, there is no reason why anyone should have to depend on a .22 for self defense. For $300 you can get a Yugo SKS and several hundred rounds of surplus 7.62x39mm ammo. For $200 you can get a nice M44 and several hundred rounds of 7.52x54R ammo. Either would be adequate for self defense, the SKS makes a fine short-range deer rifle and the M44 will take just about any game in North America. The noise and flash alone from the M44 will scare the bejeezuz out of anyone or anything.

There is abolutely no reason, unless the budget is so tight that a $200 purchase is out of the question, to depend on a .22 as your primary self defense weapon. There's my free advice, worth at least as much as you paid for it.

 

[Timthinker]

On numerous occasions, I have stated that better weapons than a .22 long rifle firearm exist for self-defense. But with that caveat in mind, let me address the suitability of the 10/22 for that task. If I were to decide upon a .22 firearm for home defense, then I would select a 10/22 with a reliable high capacity magazine. In my experience, the Ruger 10/22 is a very reliable design that has functioned well with different brands of ammo. Furthermore, a rifle/carbine provides better performance for the .22 long rifle cartridge than that produce by a shorter barreled handgun. Lastly, a high capacity magazine will allow for additional shots if they are required to end a violent confrontation.

I conclude with this personal anecdote. Through the years, I have owned a wide variety of firearms for self-defense. The first firearm I owned for that task was a Ruger 10/22 with a 25 round magazine. I never doubted that carbine and magazine arrangement could serve me well. Indeed, on more than one occasion, its presence near my bedside proved a great comfort when things "went bump in the night". So, if someone is determined to use a .22 for home defense, then the 10/22 certainly deserves close examination.


Timthinker

 

[Browning]

IMO a Ruger 10/22 would make a great survial/post disaster carbine in that.....

You can buy thousands of rounds ($12 for 550 rds) for very little money.

It's accurate up to 150 yards with a decent scope (farther if you've practiced).

Because they have 25rd+ mags for them just like military style semi-auto rifles do (so it gives you plenty of chances to hit multiple targets).

They're so easy to shoot (very little recoil and the least amount of noise that you can get out of any firearm short of using a suppresor) that you could hand a non-shooter one and with 5 minutes instruction they could easily hit something.

That being said though I'd rather have something bigger if I had a choice about it.

A $175-$200 SKS would enable you to have the same number of shots and then you wouldn't have to be as pinpoint in regards to shot placement as you'd have to be with the .22LR. A .22LR will certainly kill someone (especially if they're hit in the head, spine, lungs or heart), but usually it doesn't put them down for good very quickly the way a .30 caliber rifle bullet will (or any other centerfire caliber rifle round for that matter).

Get the 10/22, but get something else to supplement it (Shotgun, SKS, AR, AK, Lever Action Rifle or whatever) that would put someone down alot quicker and that could at least put down a whitetail if you had to hunt with it.