What is the most reliable .22 rifle or pistol for survival?

[Dan22]

AH,
That’s a nice-looking set-up and would sure pack well in a vehicle, boat or airplane. I wouldn’t mind having one.

My only negative thought would be “Can I load it for single shots if I lost the Clip?”

For a survival automatic the old Winchester Model-63 has a well-protected loading port in the stock with no clip or under barrel loading tube. Taurus makes a stainless steel reproduction so if a hollow stock were available that would be worthy of consideration too.

The bolt-action boys have me convinced with the ease of loading in the single shot thing should I lose a clip or damage a feed tube.

My favorite guns are lever and pump but they would be a bear to load for single shots if the tube was damaged.

I really don’t like pure single shots when shooting targets as it is a bit inconvenient and time consuming compared to multiple cartridge types but in a pinch we might end up in a single shot mode so which is the easiest to keep on shooting with a minimum of fuss?

[Bushwack]

Here are a couple of critter getters.

Ruger Single Six and Marlin 39A w/ Leupold 2x7. Both guns are solid and reliable.

[wunhunglo]

I've got an old Browning take-down rifle with silencer; great little rifle, easy to carry, hasn't suffered a broken or lost part in the 30 years I've had it (it was second hand when I bought it). loading port through the stock and funtions well on the subsonic ammo. Ideal survival Rifle. I'd go as far as saying it is more Supremely Viable than a 10/22 with all the trimmings!

[Dan22]

Well Pilgrim, ya can’t go wrong with a lever action Marlin and a Ruger Single Six. Two classics that have proved themselves over many years.

That Browning .22 is another beauty. They have been made in some pretty outrageous levels of finish. Some are so fancy I’d be afraid to take them out in the field. I’d prefer to have the basic model which is beautifully made.

I think the Browning was originally a Remington model 24 designed by John Browning. Not sure of the history but it ended up with the Browning name.

[ArkansasHunter]

Single shot loading would be difficult for sure if you lost the clip but still could be done.
I'm posting the following because these rifles are kinda cute LOL !












You can find these at Henry's website.

[Seven©]

Originally Posted by wunhunglo

I'd go as far as saying it is more Supremely Viable than a 10/22 with all the trimmings!

Blasphemy.

[Bushwack]

Dan,
I agree with you about not wanting to ding, scratch or other wise mar a beautiful firearm......to a point. The point is why spend the money on a fine gun if you will not use it for it's intended purpose? As I understand it, the objective is to shoot small game to eat.

Now I'm not saying any gun should be treated without a care about damage, but any well made gun will hold up to hard use.

Besides how can you brag a little about that tough shot you made on the 25 pound fire breathing, branch breaking, mean, tough, dog chasing, man eating squirrel if you don't take your beauty out to the dance? lol

[andrew cochran]

What do you guys think of a Henry Mini bolt for survival. Stainless steel. Small and lightweight. Bolt action. Only thing I don't like is plastic sights.

[larmus]

thats like the chipmunk single shot bolt action. cool little guns, good thinking AC. would the bolt action on that stand up to adult useage, most people are'nt gentle.

[Dan22]

Andy,
It might be OK if the little rifle can be comfortably rested on your shoulder, sighted and ease of working the bolt o the follow-up shot.

I’m getting a picture of elbows stuck out like chicken wings.

Like getting off a motorcycle and trying to get comfortable on a kid’s tricycle.

Maybe with a pop-out butt extension.

[andrew cochran]

Yeah if your gonna complain about it being small step up the the accu-bolt. Bout the samething cept adult model. I'm positive the bolt would handle heavy usage. But I like the COMPACT factor.

[andrew cochran]

Originally Posted by larmus

thats like the chipmunk single shot bolt action. cool little guns, good thinking AC. would the bolt action on that stand up to adult useage, most people are'nt gentle.

I'm quite positive it would.

[andrew cochran]

But thier is also a marlin stainless steal rifle. Single shot youth. Cept it's wood stocked.

[Dan22]

Oh, don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking the build quality of any of the small “Youth” models, just the physical size might be too small for an adult to handle comfortably.

I will go to the local Gander Mountain store sometime next week and see how they feel.

I do know I love the feel of my Winchester model-490 which is a full size .22.

[larmus]

ive been thinking of one for my daughter to use. but in a shtf situation it wood be great as a food gatherer, being its light weight and all.

how about the rossi .22 and .410 combo with the two barrels. ive looked at them, but wonder about the barrel swap part.

[billy]

Originally Posted by Recon 173

Ruger 1022. Best .22 LR available. You can do more with that little carbine and accessories than you can with most other guns. Best .22 LR gun for the money today.

i own 3 10-22's
they jam if you dont clean them .
i dont care what anybody says.
if that mag gets dirty enough it stops working.
guess what?
if you dont have a toolbox
it aint getting cleaned.
nice lil guns.
LAST CHOICE FOR A SURVIVAL GUN.

[andrew cochran]

+1 same for any auto gun.

[andrew cochran]

Originally Posted by Dan22

Oh, don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking the build quality of any of the small “Youth” models, just the physical size might be too small for an adult to handle comfortably.

I will go to the local Gander Mountain store sometime next week and see how they feel.

I do know I love the feel of my Winchester model-490 which is a full size .22.

Yeah I think and adult could handle it. Maybe with a little difficulty.

[andrew cochran]

Originally Posted by larmus

ive been thinking of one for my daughter to use. but in a shtf situation it wood be great as a food gatherer, being its light weight and all.

how about the rossi .22 and .410 combo with the two barrels. ive looked at them, but wonder about the barrel swap part.

Ya know maybe a Rossi is better than all these others. They have some that can swap between a 20 guage, .22 Long rifle, and .243 win or .44 mag! Swaping the barrels is easy and only requires removeal of one screw, pop the forearm off take the barrel off and put a new one on. Reliable too!

[larmus]

thats what i thought too. what i would really want is the m6 survival scout, but they dont make them anymore. savage does make a nice over/under dual cal. rifle, the "model 24". ive looked at that one too. goes from .22/.410 up to .223/12g( the one i would get). but they have a starting cost of $600+ kinda steep for me.

i would be afraid if i dropped the savage/m6/whatever o/u im carring, that if it landed on the barrel or across a big rock it would bend both barrels( i know it takes a lot, but what if...), your out a gun. if you drop the rossi and tweak the barrel you would still have the other barrel to use.