survival .22?

[ccsniper]

I have been pondering a small .22 survival rifle here lately. I am thinking either a .22 cricket in the adult model, or a rossi single shot .22. My question is, are the buttstocks on these guns hollow? We have plenty of them in this area but none will let me try and open up the stock to find out. They seem hollow but I am just checking.

Also do you think it will be enough room to hold 50 rounds of ammo, a Gerber Vise, small box of matches, mini Bic lighter, 2" pack of cottonballs in petroleum jelly, water purification tablets and 24"x12" of aluminum foil ? I plan on making a parachord sling and wrapping the buttstock in paracord wrapping a buck paklite skinner in the cordage as well as an emergency poncho.

That would give me a single shot .22, cordage, a knife, multi tool, fire starting capabilities, cooking surface (aluminum foil) water purification method, and shelter (poncho).

What do yall think?

EDIT: I know that sounds like a lot of stuff to be stuffing into the buttstock of the rifle, but the adult size cricket with the synthetic stock feel like they have a lot of area in them that I am pretty sure would fit most of that stuff in inside. If not I can always get a little pouch to stick on the sling or buttstock.

 

[TonyAngel]

I really don't know, but what about the Marlin 70PSS (I think it is). I wonder if that buttstock is hollow and it's a semi auto. I don't know that a single shot .22 is the best survival rifle in terms of self defense.

 

[ccsniper]

I don't know that a single shot .22 is the best survival rifle in terms of self defense.

I talking survival, not SHTF

 

[DNS]

Just had this discussion on another forum.

My suggestion would be a Savage 24 in 22/410.

 

[Lovesbeer99]

http://www.henryrepeating.com/rifle-survival-ar7.cfm

I'd start with the Henry AR-7 then get a fanny pack for the other items. This gun breaks down and fits in its own stock, floats and is water proof. It comes in black, silver and camo. (I like the silver one) It sounds like you need a kit and not just a rifle.

 

[JFrame]

Just to throw out another idea for the OP's consideration -- a TC Contender carbine with a 16" S/S .22LR barrel. They used to make a plastic or polymer stock for the Contender called (IIRC) the "Appalachian," which had a hollow buttstock.

Just a thought...

.

 

[ccsniper]

I chose the Rossi and Cricket because I can find them here for less than 100 bucks used, not so much with the AR7 or Thompson contender

 

[JFrame]

I chose the Rossi and Cricket because I can find them here for less than 100 bucks used, not so much with the AR7 or Thompson contender

Congrats -- I hope they work out for you!

.

 

[thomis]

A word on the Henry survival rifle... I was all wrapped up in the idea of this little rifle a few years ago. I received it for Christmas one year. It's the only gun I have ever sold. And I don't miss it. I thought it was extremely cheaply made, inaccurate and overall just bad. I was happy to sell it for $80 after putting about 300 rounds through it. Your opinion may differ from mine but I thought I'd share my experience.

 

[ryanu]

If I was you i would buy a cheap marlin model 60 with a synthetic stock or a cheap savage bolt .22 with a synthetic stock instead of the single shot, you have bolt or a autoloader wich might be alot better for your uses. Both these firearms can be had for under $130 and IMO are better than the one you listed as wanting to use.

 

[Pete D.]

M6

There is an "if" attached to this next idea....because the gun is not being made at this time.
The Springfield Armory M6 Scout survival rifle (made for SA by CZ). You'd have to find one used and they are not easy to find nor are they cheap, even used. It is SA's copy of the M6 survival rifle. It is (or was) available in two versions - a .22 rimfire/.410 and a .22 Hornet/.410. In addition, each of those was available either Parkerized or in SS.
It has been a while since SA offered them - they seem to make them every so often. I know that when I wanted to buy one, I had to wait some years for a new run.
It's been a while.
It is a very basic, accurate, reliable gun - as small or smaller than the AR7 and much more reliable. It is an all-steel, break open O/U with a magazine for spare rounds housed in the stock. It comes apart and can be carried in a Machete sized holster on one's belt.
It will shoot a .410 slug right to POA at 25 yards - at least mine will.
See this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springfield_Armory_M6_Scout

and this: http://www.oldjimbo.com/survival/v-shrake/m6.html
This fellow stores his shotshells in carriers outside the stock. He uses the storage in the stock for ther purposes.
Pete

 

[Phaethon]

Couldn't you just buy something with a wooden stock and hollow it out to the best of your ability with machine tools? If you're in a survival situation, I don't think you'll really be concerned if your wood gets ruined or your accuracy is sub-MOA, as long as it's shoulderable, shoots, and can hold what you need. Hell, maybe you can hollow out a synthetic stock too, or mold your own from resin or fiberglass.

I'm sure that'd be a fun project.

 

[Steel Talon]

Hey OP I think you are spot on to a solid idea. I have no knowledge based on the adult cricket. However if it's a wood stock it can easily be modified / drilled to fit your need. There are several options out there to consider. Even the no longer made Marlin Papoose model would work. Hollow stock and some spray foam could do wonders.

Your items could easily fit into one or two of those Mini M&M's plastic round resealable tubes. (or items as such).

In addition to the single shot I would also consider a bolt action. Semi Auto's would not be a choice for me due to possibility to greater feed failure issue that can occur in the field. I would also look to a 22 magnum over the .22 long rifle since your only planning to carry 50 rds. More kill punch to bullet weight performance.

Keep your post updated I'd love to watch your progress on your build.

Good karma
ST~

 

[Shadow 7D]

The M6 is well liked, but any second hand (inexpensive) accurate rifle will and can fill the need, but if you insist on paying more, well enjoy.

Marlin makes or made a .22/22mag/.22 hornets (rare) over .410 of 28, even seen a 20ga.

Those are like the scout, but they have a functioning stock and seem to be well liked as a good all around gun.

 

[unwise11]

A Model 60 and a backpack.

 

[Onward Allusion]

+1 for the AR-7 from Henry Repeating Arms. Pretty accurate too! Surprisingly... Maybe I'd lucked out and got the one made on a Tuesday.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

Handi-rifle with the choate buttstock and forend.

 

[Barker45]

I went with a CZ 452 scout and a small EDC kit in a small ruck. I can't rave about the CZ 452 enough. I think some of the pink scout stocks are synthetic and may have a hollow buttstock that may work, just paint over the pink (unless you like it of course .
My other "survival" 22 is a S&W 63 revolver. Both are fun plinkers and great at killing commie-zombie tree rats! It's hard to beat the accuracy of the CZs.

 

[TonyAngel]

Quote:
I don't know that a single shot .22 is the best survival rifle in terms of self defense.

I talking survival, not SHTF

I'm not talking SHTF either. There are things that you might have to defend yourself against that come in varieties with more than two legs.

 

[jmorris]

If picking by weight the Henry wins. "Do it all" the Savage 24 can't be beat. Speed of putting a compact rifle into use, you can't beat an SBR.

 

[Onmilo]

Don't forget the Marlin Model 70 Papoose takedown rifle.
You should always carry your survival gear in a seperate pack and at most, a very basic kit on or in the rifle.
Redundency is a good thing, especially in a survival situation.

Hollowing out a large enough space in a wood stock isn't a good idea, it leaves the remaining stock walls vulnerable to cracking or out and out breakage.

Running around in the woods with a knife and a piece of flint isn't surviving, it is existing until death.

 

[Russ Jackson]

You could take a Walther G22 and remove the butt extension and make a larger one to hold some of the stuff. Then fabricate a box to fit on the lower accessory rail to hold alot more. You could fit all kinds of paracord in the stock by removing the caps in the front stock under the barrell. The two magazines hold 20 rounds tota...Russ

 

[Lovesbeer99]

Just curious if you'd be interested in a .223. You might want to look at the Keltec SU16. If fold in half and holds 2 20 round mags in the stock.

If not Kel Tec also makes an SU 22 which is basically the same gun but in .22lr. This will fit your bill.

http://www.keltecweapons.com/our-guns/rifles/su-22/


You'll still need a fanny pack though.

 

[thunder173]

Lots of different ways to do a kit/stash a firearm and survival gear,..but probably the best is to settle on the firearm that works best for your plan and environs,..then build your crash/bug out/get me home kit around that. Even if it takes a separate back pack to pull it off.

Over the years, I have built kits around a Charter AR-7, over/under combos,..single shot break down shotguns and various and sundry handguns. I have even aquired a take down Taurus Pump .22 LR that I put a kit together for the wife with. All have their advantages,..all have their limitations. I guess it is really going to depend on what you plan to try to survive,..and in what environment. What may be essential for me,..may be insignificant to somebody else.

Cover the basics,..a good shooter in sufficient caliber or gauge that you are comfortable in using for foraging for game,..and to maybe do double duty as a SD weapon?? A good quality knife and a means to keep is sharp,..and a cleaning kit for that firearm. (No good if you can't maintain it.) An adequate supply of ammo for whatever you have chosen,..that you can actually carry,...and be realistic.

I'd want the means to make fire,..and I'd be redundant here. Next,..the means to purify water by the most effective yet simple of means. Having some kind of cordage is good,..the real deal 550 cord I would say is best,..but I'd also have some heavy monofiliment,...and maybe some hooks and a few sinkers??? A compass,....and a map of the area tha I intent to traverse. A lot of this stuff could be on the weapon,..or in it if the stock had any cavities.

Extra gear?? I'd probably choose super sized garbage bags, or plastic sheeting over any poncho,..it has more potential uses for both shelter AND for rain gear,..maybe even water collection,...etc. I might also consider one of the space blankets if I had room,..or even better,..one of the bags made from the same material. A means to gather and carry water,..and a means to signal,..whistle, mirror,...something,...and if I had the room and ability,..a small but well thought out first aid kit and some kind of emergency food for a couple of days.

To me what would be very important;...whatever I'd put together,..I'd try to keep it as small as I could,..definitely keep it as light as I can get it all to be,..and do whatever I'd need to do to keep it either WITH ME,...as in on me,..or really close by where I could get to it in a hurry,.....

Just my .02,....ymmv

 

[goon]

You might check out the plainsman's cabin forum. This is the kind of thing they discuss a lot there.

I wonder if any synthetic stocked bolt action magazine fed rifle might not work for you. The stock will likely already be hollow. I like manual operation with a box magazine because it means you can literally use any kind of .22 ammo without worrying about function through a tube mag or if it will cycle the action.
Also, will a .22 handgun work for your purposes? Carry it on a belt with a small pack with the rest of your gear. Just a thought.
Are you planning to carry a second gun for self defense if need be? Strange as it sounds, I did use a handgun to defend myself against an aggressive raccoon in broad daylight last summer. It charged out of the woods at me. I promptly shot it. Good thing I decided to stick that gun in my back pocket before I wandered into the woods (I was literally almost within shouting distance of my parents' house and figured there were no threats around - but that gun might have kept me from contracting rabies).