Should I get a survival rifle?

[kb58]

Assuming "survival" means doing in evil-doers at your front door, I can't imagine anything more practical than a 12-ga or 20-ga with appropriate shot, hell, even a single-shot model.

Once we get into tactical stuff, or even a simple hunting rifle with a scope, it brings up something I've been thinking about. How can the homeowner with said rifle know that he needs to shoot someone that's 150 yards away? I mean, how could that intent be accurately assessed, at that range, and know for sure - like, life and death - that they're coming for you? Seriously, I'm wondering.

I realize that I'm getting off-topic a bit, but the thread does seem to be headed that way.

FWIW, in my one and only survival book, the writer recommended only one firearm, a .22 rimfire Ruger MK III or S&W equivalent. In the book's context, "survival" meant just that, finding food, offing nasty critters, or, when using hollow-point, doing in said evil-doers. With a 7" barrel, the marksman-type pistols are Very accurate.

 

[spazman]

As a zombie apocalypse adherent (it's just a joke to me, really, but it gives me the excuse to stock up on things I would normally do without), I agree. The scoped rifle is not a defensive weapon.

As far as HD, surviving against people who were trying to hurt me or my loved ones, I could use my .410 single. That CLICK of the barrel closing is damn scary. So is my aim with it.

Survival? A scoped .22 would feed you reliably. So would my .410 single shot. The best survival gun is the one you have.

 

[Panzercat]

Surviving what and shooting what? Varmints? Burglers? Shooting the neighbor's cat for food because it's the end of society? Shooting hungry neighbors because they came asking for food?

On the level of importance, a gun is fairly far down the list:
1. Food and water.

When a heavily-armed survivalist runs out of food, does he become the problem?

And let's stop right there. Apparently guns are no longer useful tools to acquire food anymore? So low in importance that you ranked it at number five? Really? Now I could be COMPLETELY off base here, but I've heard- and this is just a rumor -that an armed survivalist can- stay with me here -hunt his own food more efficiently than chasing after it with a sharp stick and therefor not become 'a problem'. And that's even setting aside the potential need for defense if food and water become scarce commodities.

Back on topic, I think a skeletonized 10/22 would be suitable for basic survival needs. Cheap to feed and light weight; See Rock6's setup. That said, his M6 is just hawt. Can't recommend the AR7 however. Heard too many issues with them to consider them a reliable survival tool.

If I needed something a bit more than 'basic' survival, I'm in agreement with Fiv3r. A .223 of some flavor. My vote goes to (unsurprisingly) a Keltec SU16c. Reliable, lightweight, compact, etc etc.

 

[skwab]

IMO, the only reason you ever need to justify the purchase of a new firearm is that you want one! I never thought I was a rifle guy until well before obama was elected I decided to get an AR before prices went up and Obama potentially outlawed them - then I got hooked. So be warned.

 

[chicharrones]

Coolness factor

However, the Survival Rifle has always had a coolness factor to me.

Yep. I think "survival" or takedown guns are pretty cool and entertaining myself. Regardless of real need.

I like the pack all in itself ability of the Henry "AR7" for sure. I almost bought one too, but the bulbous stock width didn't fit me well enough to buy one.

I'm pretty sure I'd like the Papoose better given my experience growing up with a Marlin 60, but you have to bag that gun when taken down.

After looking into takedown guns, I came to think that just a long barreled pistol would be good enough in a pack. I mean 9" long or longer. Something like a Ruger Single Six with the available 9.5" barrel would be pretty awesome. Shoot it from a improvised rest as needed.

What I have myself for takedown guns also need to be bagged, but I hardly ever take 'em apart. One is my old Marlin 39, which I consider too pretty to treat as a takedown gun. The other is a Neos Carbine kit which would really be more awesome as just a pistol with its 16" barrel. Removing the fore end from the barrel and installing the pistol grip would leave a very light pistol.

EDIT:

Thinking along pistol lines, a Ruger Charger or the inexpensive Crickett Hunter Pistol might make great little pack guns too, without the bother of takedown. I've seen the little Crickett/Keystone pistols at Academy a while back. Could be fun. http://www.crickett.com/crickett_hunterpistol.php?osCsid=rjo549sihphomkaale97ahagf1

 

[mljdeckard]

I dunno. I think I would get really tired of eating rabbits and wounding a lot of deer to get one kill before I REALLY started to wish I had brought something heavier.

Most of the .22-sized game is nutritionally inferior. I really think I would want to have one rifle, one shotgun, and a .22. Maybe I'm just spoiled.

 

[sixgunner455]

Once we get into tactical stuff, or even a simple hunting rifle with a scope, it brings up something I've been thinking about. How can the homeowner with said rifle know that he needs to shoot someone that's 150 yards away? I mean, how could that intent be accurately assessed, at that range, and know for sure - like, life and death - that they're coming for you? Seriously, I'm wondering.

Well, there's always the chance that he's not coming for you, but coming for or killing someone else at some remove from your position. If you can see that far (say, for example, you actually had a scoped .270 in your hands at such a critical moment, and say you've hunted deer with it for ten years or so - you know what it can do at that range, and where it hits), and your neighbor's wife or daughter is being threatened with imminent distressing harm by undesirables who have invaded your area, would you not take immediate action to prevent said harm?

Just because the guy doesn't have a knife to your throat or wasn't breaking down your front door or crawling in your bedroom window at the moment you shoot him doesn't mean that he wasn't a threat to someone.

 

[USAF_Vet]

The AR7 was a gimmick in concept, and a failure in execution for all practical purposes. there is a reason pilots aren't issued them anymore, and wind up with an M-4 carbine or just their pistols. Todays rapid deployment CSAR teams will likely have a downed pilot out of the bush before he has time to find the wreckage after bail out, find the weapon and assemble it.

Fun little guns, but lack a lot of practicality. Buy one if it floats your boat, but don't assume it's critical to your survival anymore than a Savage or Ruger rimfire.

Since you say you're a pistol guy, look into the Kel Tec SUB 2000 pistol caliber carbine. It folds, and possibly even uses the same mags and ammo as one of your hand guns.

 

[22-rimfire]

One that I particularly like is the CZ Scout rifle (youth size). It is really a nifty little rifle that you can mount a scope if you want or use it well as it comes from the factory. It works for adults too as it is not TOO small and points really well. http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-452-scout/

I am not a big fan of the Henry AR-7 and definitely not a fan of the previous manufactured versions of that Armalite design. I view it as more of a novelty, but fun to own especially if you wanted to pack something in a canoe or kayak. But depending on it? Naah.

My suggestion is that you consider a 22 mag over a 22LR for "survival" purposes. You aren't going to carry much more than a few hundred rounds anyway, and the 22 mag packs a significantly greater punch from a rifle.

A lot can be said for choosing the Ruger Mark II/III or 45/22 for survival purposes as well. They are remarkedly accurate. It would be very easy to keep one inside a large plastic bag during rain events.

Another practical choice is a Thompson Contender for accurate shooting in a small package. You can also carry an extra barrel (caliber) if you want to.

 

[benEzra]

I would personally prefer a Ruger 10/22 with a folding stock, if you want a .22 rifle that's easily stored. It's a little bigger than the store-in-the-stock rifles, but the 10/22 is a much more capable rifle and will be more fun to shoot. You can get reliable 25-round magazines, and you can generally shoot a .22 anywhere you can shoot a pistol. And you could always get a wooden-stock 10/22 to try it out, and add a folder later if you feel so inclined.

You might also consider something like a Kel-Tec Kel-Tec Sub-2000, but if it were me I'd probably get the .22 first. But a 9mm carbine like that should be usable at most any pistol range as well, if you don't have a place to shoot rifle calibers.

I don't currently own a .22 rifle (I sold an old Remington I had a few months ago to pay bills and such) but I think I'd like to pick up a 10/22 with a red dot at some point. I think that would be a neat combination.

 

[W.E.G.]

The .22 has serious limitations.

Get something rugged, and that has enough horsepower to hold its ground against whatever might be coming.

 

[Goblin]

Forget all those "Gimmicky Guns" and get a 30/30 levergun. Best all-around rifle on the planet!

 

[gp911]

You might also consider a used Savage 24 combination gun. The classic "survival" gun where I come from, it's an over & under with a rifle barrel over a shotgun barrel, available in all sorts of combinations like .22lr/.410, .22wmr/20ga, etc and it can be broken down into it's parts without tools (at least mine can). I love mine in .22wmr/.410.

 

[Panzercat]

Forget all those "Gimmicky Guns" and get a 30/30 levergun. Best all-around rifle on the planet!

My current 'survival rifle'. I think I'll survive 'stuff' just fine with it; or at least untiul I get my Su16c back

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

You don't need a .22 if you already have a 12 gauge double barrel shotgun, Which you already have. If you don't, they have a good remington double that retails for 109.95 at S-mart.

 

[CoRoMo]

Should I get a survival rifle?

Not yet. Wait until it's too late, then go find one.

 

[SwissArmyDad]

Not yet. Wait until it's too late, then go find one.

Thanks for the chuckle.

 

[kb58]

Not yet. Wait until it's too late, then go find one.

I once asked if I was sent on deployment as a civilian, would I be allowed to carry a rifle. The answer sobered me right up, "If you ever need one, there'll be plenty lying around. And if it gets to that, think carefully before picking it up."

 

[SwissArmyDad]

I once asked if I was sent on deployment as a civilian, would I be allowed to carry a rifle. The answer sobered me right up, "If you ever need one, there'll be plenty lying around. And if it gets to that, think carefully before picking it up."

Methinks we've entered the red dawn zone. haha.

 

[kb58]

I should have added that I work for a military contractor...

 

[Germster]

No.

 

[huntsman]

my survival rifles: Marlin 336 Winchester 63
my hunting rifles: Marlin 336 Winchester 63
my fun/plinking rifles: Marlin 336 Winchester 63

 

[JHenry]

you can get one of those mossberg JIC packages and have no problem fitting a .22 pisol and an excessive amount of ammo for it along with the mossberg itself and other goodies

 

[dprice3844444]

ar-15 w/22 conversion

 

[Float Pilot]

I have a few 22 rifles.
Oddly enough the most accurate cost my almost nothing at a garage sale. It is a Chinese bolt action with a 5 round mag like a CZ mag. The trigger sucks and it is not a thing of machining beauty.

I gave the guy 40 bucks and was going to sell it some time later for $110. Including the regular sized Pentex 4 power scope mounted on it...

But I pulled it out of the truck one day and discovered that it shoots dime size groups at 50 yards. (CCI-mini -mags) and it will hit a coffee can at 100 yards.

So now it drives around in the truck with me along with a couple of bricks of Mini-Mags. That little piece of accurate junk has harvest more darn grouse and ptarmigan than I care to count.