My survival rifle

T

TFin04

Joined
Aug 21, 2005
Messages
1,494
I posted a few questions a while back about a 'survival' 22 rifle. I have found one that works great for me.

The Romanian M69 22 "Trainer" rifle. It was built in the late 60's, early 70's and they are still pretty easy to find.

As with most Romanian guns, they are extremely stout (I would call it "overbuilt") and feel like a real rifle. Full size length stock and a 22" barrel.

It's a bolt action gun that takes a 5 round magazine. The front sight is the same as an AK47 and the rear buttplate of the stock has a trapdoor just like some AK47's. The cleaning kit from an AK will fit in there.

A few things I like about these rifles:

- Cheap - $70 is about the going price
- Accurate. They will go toe to toe with your Marlins, Rugers, and other mid level 22's.
- Reliable. Caveman simplicity.
- Ability to load single rounds. If you lose the magazine or it becomes damaged, this rifle will function without it. You can't say that for a lot of 22's out there.
- On board tool kit. I have stored in mine a flathead screwdriver, pin punch, and 10 spare rounds of 22LR ammunition. I can disassemble the entire rifle (including bolt) and adjust the front sight with these two tools. This is a full detail strip, not just a field strip.
- Even more room for more ammo storage in the stock, if you wish.
- Lightweight- under 6 lbs

For me, it's the perfect small game rifle or medium to large game rifle should the need arise. I will get some pics of my rifle up soon but here is an idea of what they look like:

SLG-ROM22.jpg


Anyone else shoot these?
 
I had forgotten all about those things, I loved them. I had a nice specimen when I was younger and wish I still had it. Very accurate and handy little woods rifle.

If I found another one locally I'd likely have to pick it up just for the heck of it! Right now my woods .22 rifle is a Savage MkII, synthetic bolt-action, irons. Very fun rifle.
 
I do all my small game hunting with a bull stainless Marlin .22 Magnum. The .22 Mag gives a little extra punch to make it a viable 100 yard gun (2"). It packs enough wallop to efficiently take down a coyote. My grandpa used to hunt deer with them (1 shot in the spine at the neck)
 
For $70, heck yeah. Wish I could find one around here for that price.

My current .22s are:

Ruger 10/22 All Weather with a Williams peep sight

Keystone Arms Cricket (Technically my nephews, but this little thing makes a great pack gun.)

Ruger 22/45 MK II Target 4"

Heritage Rough Rider 22 LR/22 Mag single action 6.5"
 
Last edited:
TFin04 said:
Anyone else shoot these?
Click to expand...

Not yet, but if I ever see one for sale around here I think I'll have to start. Thanks for that great little review.

I just entered the world of firearms a couple of months ago with a Ruger 22/45 Mk. III, and I have a Colt Commander in layaway. After I get that paid for I'll be thinking about a rifle or two and a shotgun, and then who knows what? :D
 
Here is my new favorite rimfire.

- Romanian M69 "Trainer" Rifle - 22 Rimfire
- 5 Shot 22LR magazine (will shoot longs or shorts if single loaded directly into the breech)

A few things I like:
- Cheap! $70
- Accurate. Rumors say CZ built these rifles for the Romanian army. This is a tack driver
- Tool kit/spare ammo on board:

22Rifle.jpg


Buttplate housed toolkit:

22ButtStock.jpg


Contents (tool kit is a Romanian AK47 kit that I removed a few items from):
Flathead screwdriver
Sight tool
Pin Punch
7 spare rounds of 22LR

22ToolKit.jpg


Screw Driver:

22ScrewDriver.jpg


Also is a front sight tool:

22SightTool.jpg


Pin punch:

22PinPunch.jpg


I can completely disassemble the entire rifle with those two tools. That means a full detail strip, not just a basic field strip.
Love this gun!!
 
Whats not to love about the .22 as a survival rifle?

Long's will take any small game, the CB caps will fill your pan with squirrels from tree-top high, and grouse from the lower limbs.

Survival dose not mean you would need to loose any weight!
 
Dude I like that .22 Caliber rifle....,I have several 10/22's and a Rossi youth 10shot pump,that packs easliy.
 
cqbdude said:
Where can you get those romanian rifles?

anyone got a link?

Thanks..
Click to expand...

There is a few on Gunbroker (search Romanian Trainer). They aren't imported anymore, but were wicked guns. I have almost bought one on a couple of occasions- they are nice rifles and are affordable.
 
I saw one for about 100 bux. The look nice, but i think i'm gonna get a 597 instead. Just more fun to plink around with.
 
sherlockbonez said:
I saw one for about 100 bux. The look nice, but i think i'm gonna get a 597 instead. Just more fun to plink around with.
Click to expand...

This thing plinks with the best of them, but it's mainly a squirrel and rabbit killer. I can service it in the field if needed and have some spare ammo on hand in case I need it.

It is rugged as hell and will do just about everything you can ask out of a rimfire rifle.
 
TFin04,

I was being an idiot - nevermind me.

I carry, when I need to, a Mossburg bull barreled .22 with a five shot clip, lever action. It is ungodly accurate - but the bull barrel makes it heavy.

If I do not carry that - I carry a .410 double barreled that was my grandfathers.

I think that Romanian job is a great rifle, as long as you can hit things with it at will. A .22 will limit you to small game - so you need to be accurate so you don't starve if you are depending on it.

TF

TF
 
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