survival .22?

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thomis said:
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.
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Yep. After wishing for that Henry myself, for all the "survival" reasons, all it took was holding one and I changed my mind. That's not a knock against Henry or what the gun is designed to do. It's just that my definition of a survival .22 changed once holding the Henry.
 
There's a post on that plainsman's forum (and thanks for the mention goon, interesting stuff) about a Crickett synthetic stock rifle. The buttstock is hollow under the buttplate, and looks like a fine place for a bit of survival kit and ammo.

It seems like an excellent choice. The gun weighs about as much as a full size pistol, comes in stainless/synthetic, and has what looks to be a pretty decent aperture sight setup. If you were to set it up with some sort of thumbscrew for a stock bolt, it would just about fit in a daypack taken down, or you could rig up a little scabbard of some sort on the side of a pack. Probably fit nicely in one of those storage bags for a folding chair.

I may have to check the couch cushions for an extra $150 myself.
 
The newer Rossi matched pair 22/410 has the hollow synthetic stock like you are wanting. If you find an older one with the wood stock you can order the synthetic replacement stock and forearm directly from Rossi, i checked with them and it supposedly fits just fine. There are several videos on YouTube of folks that have put together survival kits that fit in the stock of the Rossi. I have two of these 22/410 matched pairs, they are simple, light and and lots of fun.
 
as stated, you can pick up the H&R .22lr, buy a set of choate survivor stocks and you are set.

The stocks are easily opened up with knurled screws, forend is hollowed out for storage, as well as the buttstock, very nice little set up.

Dave
 
I would hold out for something like a SS Savage Mk. II (used if possible) or a Armalite/Henry AR-7 (Not a Charter or Survival Arms copy). The original seems to be the best, but they come with a price to match; the Henry has a spotted reputation, but good CS so I would risk it. FWIW, I am considering one myself, as I have been looking for a decent survival rifle for a while now. I don't know if this is a big deal for you, but the ability to float is an attractive feature for me as it will likely go on a few canoe trips.

:)
 
A Model 60 and a backpack.
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hehe...I agree with that post.

For survival and ease of transport you could get a small range bag and stuff it with a 22 pistol, ammo, all the gear you're thinking about having, plus a first aid kit and flash light.

If I ever had to leave home in a hurry I'd throw a pistol or two into one of my small range bags and get in my truck. If I have to leave my truck I'll take the first aid kit i leave in there and put it in my bag.
 
Running around in the woods with a knife and a piece of flint isn't surviving, it is existing until death.
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depends very much on your level of bushcrafting/woodsmanship. I'm not going to brag too much on myself, but I could survive for quite a while with nothing but a knife and flint. I do that kind of stuff for fun, every year the week before Christmas. I have pictures of last year where there was 3" of snow covering everything around my spider/debri hut. stayed about 70 degrees in there
 
ccsniper,,,yeah, you're tooting your own horn.

Try that little game for a month or more.
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well goodness......little harsh arent we

....most survival kits are designed to help keep you going for a week or so.....even with the best supplies, youd be hard pressed to make it a month...
 
Just a real thowaway thought on this.....is it really necessary to base your requirement on how much stuff you can stuff in a buttstock? If I needed a 'survival' rifle in .22, I'd be more than happy with my 'run what ya brung' M&P15-22....and a small bag in lieu of crammed overweight buttstock.
 
Think you've got that right Kwanger. The Savage 22/410 I've got, some ammo for both and the range bag/small bkpk with your other goodies, you're ready to hit it! You might need some of the things inside that butt stock, but it might be the wrong time to be sortin' through it too.:banghead: Best think thru some of the possible scenarios before packin' too deep!:what:
 
You could also get a cheekpad with the zippered pocket to carry whatever doesn't need to be waterproofed (assuming storing in the stock is waterproof).
 
A Dandy inexpensive .22 Semi-Auto

I purchased a semi-auto Cool Colored (Purple/Gray/Charcoal) Ruger 10/22 with a aftermarket 25 round clip. With background check, tax and extra clip it cost $302.00. It is a good firing, accurate, dependable bad a$$ rifle.
 
Quick question. In todays overpopulated world just what is it you'al perpose to be surviving from?
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not everyone enjoys spending all their time in the city....


....it is entirely possible to end up severely lost on a fishing/ hunting/ camping/ hiking trip......

....also in a katrina-like incident they would come in awfully handy.....
 
M-Cameron.
I suppose I am being a bit "harsh".:D

I live out in the country, there are some very rugged places not too far from here, abundent game and flora, drinkable water, many options for permanent or semi-permanent shelter structure.
A person could lay up there indefinately.

I don't know anyone who would actually want to.
Not for a week, not for a month, and especially not with just a knife and a flint.

Sad to say but the vast majority of people lost or stranded in remote terrain will usually die within three days and the usual causes are hypothermia and thirst.

The vast majority of people will not be able overcome these two causes of death with a little pocket "survival kit". They certainly won't be able to do so with just a knife and a flint, not will they do so with a little packet of stuff jammed into the buttstock of a .22 rifle.

One that is serious about survival in a wilderness area needs the rifle for signalling, defense, and game animal collection.
One also needs a large dedicated pack size survival kit with dedicated items that will ensure that person will stay warm, dry, and hydrated in that environment for an unknown period of time.

The little kits are only useful as backups to a larger kit.
Anybody trying to convince you different may very well get you dead.

Yeah, screw it. It is a "Harsh" world out there.
 
I've hunted in the wild west and Rockies and Northern forests always by myself, never had or hired a guide. Never needed a surival rifle or kit either.

I also doubt my town with a population of 1,000 counts as a "city".
 
I have a Rossi Matched Pair in .22lr and .410. They are a lot of fun. They come with a neat little bag to hold the disassembled gun. The best way to build a survival kit would be to stuff the bag with Gatorade, power bars, an emergency blanket and a satellite phone. And leave the gun at home.
 
If your contemplating a single shot .22, then look into an old Stevens Favorite. IMO they are the last word in single shot .22s - Here is why:

* Even with a 24" full octagon barrel, they barely weight 4lbs (4.25)
* They TAKE DOWN without any tools, and without loosing zero of the sights.
* They are exceptionally accurate with a variety of loads (at least my vintage model is)
* They reliably cycle any and all .22LR/L/S loads
* They are VERY inexpensive - about $220 for a new production, and just a hair more for a clean vintage model.
* Vintage models exhibit better fit and craftsmanship that modern economy guns, like the H&R

The Stevens 'Favorite' is full of WIN.
 
If you're seriously thinking about a firearm for a survival situation I'd go with the Rossi Trifecta or one of the matched pairs. If you're trying to survive for more than a week or so you might want to consider killing something a little bigger than a rabbit and a .243 can take care of plenty of animals up to and including an elk, the shotgun could help you claim birds from the sky, and the 22 can help keep your spirits up while you practice your marksmanship while killing bunnies and squirrels to snack on and acquire fur to keep you warm. This thread is a lot of fun. Makes me want to go out for a week or so and play around in the forest.
 
I've hunted in the wild west and Rockies and Northern forests always by myself, never had or hired a guide. Never needed a surival rifle or kit either.
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And I've never needed my fire extinguisher. But I'm glad it's there.
 
Funny this thread is up tonight.....:scrutiny:
I just got my CA AR7 back together(this, I believe was the predecessor to the Henry US Survival Rifle) ....
Its a Charter Arms AR7 in .22lr
This AR7, as beat as it is, is the only semi-auto .22lr I've seen that can cycle Winchester SuperX HV 40g copper HP's(this is the .22 round you want in a "survival" situation..)
A friend had it packed away in a duffel bag for years, he gave it too me since basically the poor rifle was forgotten in that bag and my friend has The Savage combo .410shotgun / .22lr survival rifle he likes better. The exterior is beat to hell but I gutted it gave it a good bath, relubled everything and function checked out okay.
Bring on Zombie Apocalypse ...;)

together
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packed up
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size 12
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