CmdrSlander
Member
So, many of us are probably familiar with the Wild West Guns "Alaskan Copilot" - a .45-70, takedown Marlin lever action intended for bush pilots. In the lower 48, .45-70 is probably a bit much, and the "Copilot" isn't exactly cheap. So what would be a good pilot's survival rifle for those flying in the lower 48? It should be legal in all lower 48 states (so most semi-autos are out :banghead and in a caliber capable (though not necessarily ideal for this purpose) of defending against larger game but taking small game for sustenance. It should be relatively compact, though not necessarily a takedown rifle.
Also, before someone points out how quickly help would arrive in most places in the lower 48, let me concede that you're mostly right. However, there are plenty of truly wild and desolate places in the lower 48 where help could be long in coming. Recently a pilot and his family died after surviving a crash in the wilderness near a major city in Colorado because nobody saw it happen and it happened very fast. With no preparations (to include weaponry, but also, and more importantly in this case, a compass or ground nav. suitable gps and/or maps) or ability to navigate, any wilderness, even a fairly tame one can be a deathtrap.
Also, before someone points out how quickly help would arrive in most places in the lower 48, let me concede that you're mostly right. However, there are plenty of truly wild and desolate places in the lower 48 where help could be long in coming. Recently a pilot and his family died after surviving a crash in the wilderness near a major city in Colorado because nobody saw it happen and it happened very fast. With no preparations (to include weaponry, but also, and more importantly in this case, a compass or ground nav. suitable gps and/or maps) or ability to navigate, any wilderness, even a fairly tame one can be a deathtrap.