Thoughts on a survivla firearm

RescueRiley

RescueRiley

Joined
Mar 22, 2006
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Well I've been giving this topic alot tof thought Obviously location is key in this decision, and I'll hopefully be doing alot more camping than surviving so the selection should also double as a fun little campgun. That is capapble of potting small game and could concievably pack enough of a wallop to discourage the bad guys. a .22 seems almost ideal it is light and possible to carry hundreds of rounds of ammo without too much weight.. there is also a wide variety of ammo available ranging from 22 cb longs, and caps (and assorted subsonic cartridges) which are good for low noise and short range up to maxi mags and velocitors which can put a wallop on med sized game if needed. A shot gun would also be nice as a close range gamegetter witha wider margin of error (also nice if self defense is a concern.) the ability to be taken down would be a nice feature (for packability) simple rugged construction and price are also a concern as this fire arm will probably be a beater. Both rossi and H&R (NEF) manufacture matched sets a fire arm theat the barrel and chamber can be swapped out form a single shot .22 to a .410 shotgun ...I'm not sure of the rossi quality but it is avail in stainless steel with a mod. choke on the .410 (better for slugs) I have owned a H&R shotgun in the past and it was a solid piece of machinery, but the .410 barrel is full choke (potentially dangerous when considering slugs.) THe rossi is also available with a 20 gauge barrel.

Another consideration if self defens is not a concern would be a high powered pellet pistol on the cheaper side crossman makes the american classic model a .177 cal pel pistol (pump) that can generate 600 fps I've bagged several squirrels and bunnies in the garden with mine as a kid. crossman also makes a c02 powered single shot .22 pellet pistol that generate 460 fps ( i never owned this one but my friend does and together we have potted alot of squirrels at close range with it. I recently did a search on yahoo and looke up "pellet pistol 1000 fps" and came up with an awesome find (unfortubately I did not write the name of it down) but it is a 22 cal pellet pistol that you can pre charge your self that can rifle six consecutive shots at velocites up to 1000 feet per second "more than adequate for most small game at respectable ranges.

Actual handguns (something I know little about) are also a great option (for those who have access to them as they are easily stowable. I personally feel that somethin like a ruger single six with a 6 inch barrel would be a good selection The .22 model is available with cylinders that will accomodate .22 lr for small game and .22 mags for defensie purposes . this model is also available in .357 mag which will accomodate .38 specials for smaler game and shotshellls for potting things at close range...

Love to write more but the baby is crying...input as always is encouraged.
 
I'm not big on the break action single shots. I had a Savage Mod 24 .22LR over 20ga IIRC and sold it for lack of use. Recently I bought a CZ 452 Lux in .22LR. As you said, it can handle a wide variety of ammo and it is very accurate with CCI MiniMags. I haven't tried the Velocitors and .22Short ammo yet.
 
You know this subject is dear to my heart and I've given it a lot of thought. Frankly I believe that whatever firearm that you have with you, have enough ammunition for and are highly trained with is the best survival firearm made. Given that, like any tool, different firearms have different capabilities, whats best will suit your environment.

Right now, I carry a .357 ruger revolver and a break down browning BLR .308 as my dedicated 'survival' arms. I EDC a .45 1911 and have a .22 pistol in my BOB. Any of these I would bet my life on. The trick is ensuring you have access to one when it counts and being a expert with it under all types of circumstances.

My .02
 
When I am in the woods I like to have some kind of firearm with me. I have carried all kinds. My only concerns as to choice are that it be reliable and reasonably accurate(minute of rabbit at say 50ft). Lately I have been packing a 4in S&W 617 22LR revolver. Awesome handgun and almost rifle accurate :) For long guns I usually pack a Ruger 10-22 or my NEF 357mag Survivor model with the barrel cut back to 16.25 inches. The NEF is a really fun gun as it packs very easy and has plenty of power for most anything that I would need a rifle for in my neck of the woods.
 
I have owned a H&R shotgun in the past and it was a solid piece of machinery, but the .410 barrel is full choke (potentially dangerous when considering slugs.)
Click to expand...
I shot 5 rounds of 2.5" inch Remington slugs through a full choke H&R Pardner. Accuracy was easily pie plate at 25 or 30 yards. No problems had whatsoever. The full choke is necesary for shot with a .410- due to the reduced load, you need to keep a tighter pattern to put a shot charge on mark.
 
I think I would take a 22lr or 22mag unless I was in bear or mountain lion territory.I realy like quality airguns, and they can be quit effective on small game,but most are more delicate than firearms so not sure how well they would cope with extended time outdoors.
But if we changed it from surivival firearms to firearms that can survive,I think the old mausers and enfields are as rugged as they get>
 
My dad has a Ruger single six with a six inch barrel and the extra mag cylinder. It is a lot of fun and versatile shooting shorts, LR, and mags. I am not all that proficient with pistols, but I can shoot this one accurately all day.
 
.22 is a game getter, no doubt. I would recommend a short barrel lightweight 10/22, or one of the combo guns like an M6 or over under. You can get an ultr light weight 10/22 that can be transformed into a nice gun to keep folks away very quickly. It all depends on your own situation. I like a short barreled 18" 870 for the sheer versatility of the shot and slug loads, and I don't mind the weight, but that's just me. Depends on your enviroment.
 
Riley, take a look at the Browning Buck Mark Rifle Stainless, Grey Laminate, Sporter. Pricey, but light, short and s*w*e*e*t.

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First of all what's the priority? Self defense or hunting? On the self defense side, our military organizations have done a lot of research and since the 1960's, it has been small caliber and high rate of fire. A .223 semi-auto rifle could certainly be used for hunting, but not as effective as something like a 30-06 hunting rifle. Handguns can be used for hunting, but IMHO, are generally self defense arms.

If your priority is hunting, then something like a Remington 7400 in 30-06 would handle most game in North America. In self defense mode, it is not much different than an M-1 Garrand, which was used by a lot of infantry in WWII. For close range general use, a 12 guage shotgun capable of using slugs is an effective hunting and self defense weapon. The AR-7 type rifles have always appealed to me for their weight and compactness and would be a good choice for small boats, light airplanes, snowmobiles, etc.

But what is the scenario?

Civil unrest, plague, nuclear holocaust: armageddon scenarios where return to normal government and life is unlikely.

Temporary natural disasters like Katrina.

Lost in the wilderness.

The first two scenarios are more a home survival issue. The last one is more likely and more on topic here. For hiking, weight and portability are the primary issues for me. I don't hike with a firearm, and I can't think of a case where I would want to, other than kayaking some areas of Alaska. I would take a shotgun and weight and portability are less of an issue with a sea kayak. IMHO, fishing and snare gear would capture enough food for survival in the wilderness regions of North America and at a fraction of the weight (and cost) of a hunting firearm. Firearms are illegal in the better hiking areas anyway. I have no moral or political issues about firearms, I just don't want to carry all that iron up and down mountains with only a "maybe" in mind. For the areas I hike in, a small casting rod and a fistful of gear would have me fat and happy with several speices of trout; the shotgun ammo alone would weigh more.
 
I also have never had any problem with 20 plus slug shots through my full choke NEF .410. If they make it and DON"T say you shouldn't use slugs than IMHO there is no danger. I would prefer a repeating .22 rifle though for 1. a quick second shot if you are really surviving and miss 2. much easier to shoot than any pistol at medium range 3. multiple shots, more fun as a camp gun.
 
I don't think so Riley, but it's a very small package. Try to find a store that sells them and put one to your shoulder...it is a sweet feeling for sure. :)
 
IMHO there is no perfect do all gun. So its all about compromise.

I'm sorting threw the guns at the house (and all the gear/toys) and so I spent some time thinking on this. The same theory that we all seem to apply to knifes seems to apply here. Small so it is with you when you need it, medium so it will relay be able to handle the 'job at hand' and a chopper in this case for bear type work.

I don't want a 30-06 for small game but I don't want a 22 for deer. We don't have a bear problem here in AL. but feral hogs and dogs are a concern. Zombies are a problem every were.

For me a combo of a Vaquero and a Winchester '92 both in 45 colt seems a good combination. The same in .357, 44-40, .44 mag and many others would work just as well and maybe better. Either buy them selfs should be enough.

Slow lead, even large diameter will leave plenty to eat if the shot is placed well. The range is what I would consider more defensive (150 yards max with out a lot of praying) but that should be enough for what we (I) are talking about.

I can carry hot and mild loads with out a military load out. In either of these guns a hot load will meet the specks of a .44 mag. Mild loads at 800 fps will/have worked on man size targets since 1873.

I probably can't shoot birds flying, but when every shot counts I will only shoot at a shure thing. (But if I'm out of food I probably lost my pack and every thing in it to, so whats on my person is all I got. If the rifle was in the pack Im living on bark soup and grass any way with out a hand gun.)

Best/worst of all I own both and so I don't/can't have to buy a new one just for this job.

Are they the ultimate survival guns? Nope, to heavy for some, to large/small for others, not enough long range potential for the rest. But I guess that is the bottom line, what works for you?
 
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