Right. I was hoping someone would bring this up: a rifle is a weapon even after the bullets are gone or your opponent has engaged at close quarters. I train in quarterstaff, and in close combat I'd hold the rifle at the 1st quarter - 3rd quarter positions and use muzzle and stock for striking, jabbing, hooking and swinging. It's a very formidable weapon used this way and if you peppered the BG with .22lrs on the way in, by the time you're in clinching distance you'll have a huge advantage.
Practice this by using a heavy bag and, holding the rifle like a quarterstaff, swing the hips then follow through with stock or muzzle, elbows close to the body, and it will maximize your weight, lean forward and thrust with either end to the sternum, swing up for an uppercut, slam down on the back of the head or neck, the sucker's going down. We know that being pistol whipped is no fun, but being rifle-whipped is a game ender.
