The Ultimate Survival Firearm
Part of my tier-2 survival kit (which I keep in my car) is a Ruger 10/22 rifle. From a pure survival perspective (I’m talking wilderness survival not end-of-the-world scenario where you’re fending off looters) I feel a 22 LR rifle (especially the Ruger 10/22) is the ultimate survival firearm. Here are the benefits:
- It’s super reliable: Whether you’re in an environment that is sandy, cold, hot, dry, or humid the 10/22 can take the stress and keep on shooting. I’ve shot Ruger 10/22s that haven’t been cleaned for over a decade with regular use and it still fires not only reliably but accurately as well.
- They are cheap: For under $250 you can get yourself a brand-new rifle and for under $200 you can get a great used one.
- The ammo is dirt cheap: From a price perspective, the cost of 22LR ammunition is almost negligible. Even in the current high-demand environment you can get a box of 550 rounds for around $13! No other ammo can compare.
- The ammo is light: My bug-out bag contains a box of 550 rounds of 22LR ammunition which is a considerable amount of ammunition and a negligible amount of weight. All very important when mobility is key.
- They are relatively quiet: When shooting the 22 LR it sounds more like a glorified BB gun then a rifle. This can be a huge advantage if you need a meal and don’t want to attract attention (I also love the crossbow for this reason…more on that in another post). If you want even less sound then be sure to purchase subsonic rounds (these are a bit more expensive).
- They’re very accurate: If you’re shooting within 100 yards, the 22L rifle is extremely accurate. Perfect for small game.
- They’re easy to store and maintain: Most 22 LR rifles (like the Ruger 10/22) are very easy to maintain and when broken down they can fit into a bug-out bag without a problem.
Let me reiterate that I do not recommend the 10/22 or any 22 LR rifle as a home defense weapon. For that purpose, there are far better options available like a shotgun, pistol, or larger-caliber semi-auto carbine like an AR-15 or AK.
But with that said, I wouldn’t trade my 10/22 for any other firearm when caught out in the wilds. So what are you waiting for? Go out and get yourself one!
Another excellent choice would be the M-6 scout. Very draconian and not much to look at but having a rifle and shotgun option is nice. I opted for 22 hornet/410 option, I choose 22 hornet for the range and extra power. Rounds are expensive though however light enough to carry several hundred.
I agree with the .22 choice for wilderness survival. You might consider the AR-7 for stowing in your backpack. http://world.guns.ru/civil/civ007-e.htm
Randy,
Thanks for your comments. I’ve heard good things of the M-6 as a survival rifle. Just for the fact that it has dual capabilities (shotgun/22) in one system is great. Here’s a great review with some neat modifications: http://www.oldjimbo.com/survival/v-shrake/m6.html.
Jimmy,
Thanks for the info. I’ve never heard of the AR-7 before. That’s pretty sweet that you can store the barrel and trigger/bolt assembly in the stock. That’s the most compact rifle I’ve seen. And at around $200 the price is right. I think I found my next purchase
thanks Jimmy!
Your 10/22 will out shoot an AR7 all day. AR7’s are a short range .22 only. You give up accuracy for size. I’d rather have a child sized .22 than an AR7 in my bag.
Just my $.22 worth.
Thanks for the comments David. How short is short range? Are we talking under 25 yards?
as a new ar-7 owner, i must say it is the most fun gun i have had in a long time.
the difference in accuracy is due to the light barrel weight. with a rest it is as good
as the shooter. a 10/22 is an excelent gun, but the ar-7 has its place
Hey Rick,
I’m still up in the air with the AR-7. It’s nice to hear someone else saying good things about the accuracy. It seems like most of the people I’ve talked to have issues with either the accuracy or the durability of the rifle. Btw, which model do you have? The one made by Henry (Henry Repeating Arms)? I heard that one is better.
As a retired law enforcement officer, I can tell you that I saw more people die from a .22 cal handgun or rifle than any other caliber. The Isreali army uses the 10 / 22 in urban warfare. I know of several police special services units that also use the .22 cal in thier list of weapons.
Good point Bill. I remember reading stories of the Nazi assassins using a .22 handgun for most of their hits. Also the Israeli Mossad and sky marshals carry a 22lr handguns (see http://www.tactical-life.com/online/tactical-weapons/israeli-mossad-22-lrs/ for a great article on this).
It definitely should be treated with respect.