Pistol for a survival kit...

Like was mentioned some snare wire weighs very little, takes up almost no space and will likely feed you better than an airpistol anyway....and can be used for other purposes.
 
Freyr_255 said:
I have a Webley Alecto in 22cal($250 from Hero Army surplus in Ontario I think it was) and they are a great pistol. Had some issues out of the box as the seals were a bit dry but I sorted that out. Otherwise I'd say get a Savage Rascal 22lr(paid $180 for it locally). They weigh in at 2.5lbs and are quite compact and even with the short stock are easy to shoot. I have one as a backpacking gun that I put a stock extension on made out of aluminum tubing so the weight gain in negligable.
Click to expand...

When I read the first suggestion of an air pistol, the seals immediately came to mind. If the seals freeze, you have a complicated fishing weight. I have had bad luck even on cold days with a creaky .38Sp revolver. IMHO, whatever you choose has to be dog$hit simple to operate without any worries about lubrication or complexity.

I have handled the AR7 collapsable rifle and an 10/22 side by side on the same gun counter. There is no comparing Bill Ruger's gun to the Armalite. The AR is crude and clumsy, without the fit or finish of the Ruger. For twice the money, I'd go for the Ruger. There is a take-down version on the market in small numbers due to demand and debugging. I think Butler Creek had a takedown 10/22 kit a while ago. The foreend was really short on that one.
 
maple_leaf_eh said:
The AR is crude and clumsy, without the fit or finish of the Ruger. For twice the money, I'd go for the Ruger.
Click to expand...

No one will argue that it is a flashy or amazing gun, but it's anything but crude, and nowhere near clumsy - I don't think the rifle is the problem if you're having difficulty with it.

Take the ruger, and toss it in the lake - where is it? On the bottom.

The suggestion was made taking the scenario into account - of course there are 'better' guns. The AR7, with 2 loaded mags, will float, and I can put it together with my eyes closed in less than a minute, and it shoots straight.
 
The problem with an air pistol is that if they are small they don't have the energy to take the small game you mention consistantly. Sure you get get a lucky shot on ocasion but they are not practical for the most part. The crosman 1322 or 1377 is a 10 pump pistol that can be modified to shoot in the 450 to 480 fps range (which is quite effective for the game mentioned) but it is a big heavy gun.

A truely packable and practical survival gun is on the wish list for many of us. I am currenty trying to design a light weight .22LR that folds. The problem is, of coarse, to design it in such a way that it cannot be fired unless it is locked into a shooting position that meets the legal lenght. Still working on it, if I get it right I'll let you know.
 
TargetAcquired said:
No one will argue that it is a flashy or amazing gun, but it's anything but crude, and nowhere near clumsy - I don't think the rifle is the problem if you're having difficulty with it.

Take the ruger, and toss it in the lake - where is it? On the bottom.

The suggestion was made taking the scenario into account - of course there are 'better' guns. The AR7, with 2 loaded mags, will float, and I can put it together with my eyes closed in less than a minute, and it shoots straight.
Click to expand...

Yep, that's my point. It's not pretty, it's light, accurate, tough enough, and floats. Are you going to get looks of approval at the range when you bring it out? - No. Are you going to get dinner, if you're in the middle of nowhere, carrying everything you own on your back? - Yep. At 2.5lbs, you can still carry an axe, a tarp, water purifier, wool blanket, spare socks, flare gun...
 
I presume the desire to include an air pistol in a survival kit is to avoid the legal issues with firearms across various regions, jurisdictions and even countries; I certainly see the appeal. However, in that respect, have you considered a slingshot or takedown recurve bow? I'm not knowledgeable enough about either to recommend a specific brand or model, just presenting it as food for thought.
 
jlagman said:
I presume the desire to include an air pistol in a survival kit is to avoid the legal issues with firearms across various regions, jurisdictions and even countries; I certainly see the appeal. However, in that respect, have you considered a slingshot or takedown recurve bow? I'm not knowledgeable enough about either to recommend a specific brand or model, just presenting it as food for thought.
Click to expand...

on the take down recurve bow idea there is primal gear folding bow very short when folded but a slingshot is a good idea get good with it that said the only air pistol i have taken game with is a crosman 1377 its not small its not all that light and pumping is a pain but there is holster options for it

if i where the OP a AR7 would be the route i go 10/22 not all that compact and a bit heavy
 
Polar_Hunter said:
The problem with an air pistol is that if they are small they don't have the energy to take the small game you mention consistantly. Sure you get get a lucky shot on ocasion but they are not practical for the most part. The crosman 1322 or 1377 is a 10 pump pistol that can be modified to shoot in the 450 to 480 fps range (which is quite effective for the game mentioned) but it is a big heavy gun.

A truely packable and practical survival gun is on the wish list for many of us. I am currenty trying to design a light weight .22LR that folds. The problem is, of coarse, to design it in such a way that it cannot be fired unless it is locked into a shooting position that meets the legal lenght. Still working on it, if I get it right I'll let you know.
Click to expand...

im working on some what the same idea as you for a folding .22 but mine is using a think barrel(i wish i had something else a little lighter) and some parts i had from my last crosman 1377 and i think i just came up with a way to lock the trigger when its folded i have to go write it down before i forget
 
If you are willing to consider C02 the Crosman 2240 can be modified into an accurate shooter that has the energy to kill game as large as rabbits. The photo below is my custom .25 cal. It has the same overall lenght as the 1377/1322. Shoots 480 consistantly.

 
I second the Crosman 1322 or 2289. You'll want the pump so you don't have to worry about CO2. Just gun and pellets and go.

Learn how to mod it, plug the bleed hole in the valve and maintain it well. Store it with one pump of air in it to keep the valved close to keep crap out of there. You can get a 14.3 grain pellet doing about 480 with 10 pumps. That's good enough to knock down a rabbit or bird with a head shot under 15 yards which the gun can easily do. The whole thing will cost you about $70 plus a tin of pellets, get flat nose, you'll want sectional density not penetration. I do recommend you upgrade the breech to a Crosman steel breech, (about $48), the plastic on WILL crack and in a survival situation, you want an all steel breech.

Another one to consider is the Benjamin Sheridan HB22. Google "Scopes and Ammo", Eric can get you almost any Crosman part.

While snare wire is a good thing to have in a SHTF bag, I really wouldn't want to rely on a trap line to feed myself, there are some who could, but I'm not one. Are you?
 
Unless your set on an airgun, what about a short barreled 10/22? I just put one together with an 8" Dlask barrel and cut the wood stock down. Its 1/2' inch over the legal length and is super compact.
 
I owned, and then rapidly as possible, sold, an AR7 from Charter Arms. Was not impressed. A lot not impressed.

Unless you ditch the stock, it takes a horrendous amount of space, compared to the alternatives (Cricket, TC HotShot, etc.) and in my not too humble opinion, the designers screwed the pooch hugely, when they failed to leave room in the stock for a couple boxes of shells. Some space for a spare mag would have been good too. Lose the mag, and you are using a really clumsy single shot that is hard to load.

Yeah it floats. Big deal.
Lesse. Would I rather have it sit there, on the river bottom, or float away on me, while I get my feet under me? Hmmm.. Dunno. Pretty low on my list of things worth considering in the scheme of things.
I'll just try to stay dry.

The stock felt like it would be more at home alongside a nice pair of formal wear Mickey Mouse balloon boots, as far as handling was concerned. Not comfortable.

I figure it'd be a poor choice for a survival kit gun, on that.

A single shot, $50 Cooey would be a way better starting point, IMO.

But, back to airguns....I figure if a fella were all that concerned about breakdowns, a 'first aid kit' of spare parts could be stored under the grip panels. But realistically, they don't go wrong much.

Cheers
Trev
 
trevj said:
I owned, and then rapidly as possible, sold, an AR7 from Charter Arms. Was not impressed. A lot not impressed.

Unless you ditch the stock, it takes a horrendous amount of space, compared to the alternatives (Cricket, TC HotShot, etc.) and in my not too humble opinion, the designers screwed the pooch hugely, when they failed to leave room in the stock for a couple boxes of shells. Some space for a spare mag would have been good too. Lose the mag, and you are using a really clumsy single shot that is hard to load.

Yeah it floats. Big deal.
Lesse. Would I rather have it sit there, on the river bottom, or float away on me, while I get my feet under me? Hmmm.. Dunno. Pretty low on my list of things worth considering in the scheme of things.
I'll just try to stay dry.

The stock felt like it would be more at home alongside a nice pair of formal wear Mickey Mouse balloon boots, as far as handling was concerned. Not comfortable.

I figure it'd be a poor choice for a survival kit gun, on that.

A single shot, $50 Cooey would be a way better starting point, IMO.

But, back to airguns....I figure if a fella were all that concerned about breakdowns, a 'first aid kit' of spare parts could be stored under the grip panels. But realistically, they don't go wrong much.

Cheers
Trev
Click to expand...

the ar7 is now made by henry 2 mags can be stored in the stock and if youreally want another mag can be stoed in the receiver(since the barrel is out it would be safe) its not made to be a daily plinker but a gun you can grab when your in a survival situation and need a gun for food and it will do just that thats its purpose and it still provides a level of protection that a sub 500 air gun cant and the way it feels in hand go's out the window when you really need it
 
antiqueguy said:
the ar7 is now made by henry 2 mags can be stored in the stock and if youreally want another mag can be stoed in the receiver(since the barrel is out it would be safe) its not made to be a daily plinker but a gun you can grab when your in a survival situation and need a gun for food and it will do just that thats its purpose and it still provides a level of protection that a sub 500 air gun cant and the way it feels in hand go's out the window when you really need it
Click to expand...

Yep. Different generation of the AR-7
 
5440fight said:
Yep. Different generation of the AR-7
Click to expand...

That sounds good. So the newer Henry one is ok? I had heard bad reviews about the older version but this sounds promising. I was thinking of the new Ruger takedown 22 but this might be better. It will be stored under the floorboards in my floatplane and only used when something happens that I can't get home and have to spend the night in the bush. I was thinking of my old Cooey 410 and I still think that might be the best option. Much easier getting a partridge for dinner with a 410 than a 22. I'll have to do some more thinking on this one.....
 
I'm curious as to the legalities of packing a pistol in a survival kit? Can't hunt with them and can't use them for self defense. Have you asked the CFC about your specific requirement? Perhaps you can get a carry permit due to to your line of work.
I suspect a take down rifle may be your best legal option. The Browning AR-7 is fuggly but it does float and will do what you need in an emergency. You can store one full 22LR magazine in the gun (chamber empty) and 2 others in the stock with the barrel.
I don't own one but it would be a serious contender for me if in your situation.
 
nitpicker said:
I'm curious as to the legalities of packing a pistol in a survival kit? Can't hunt with them and can't use them for self defense. Have you asked the CFC about your specific requirement? Perhaps you can get a carry permit due to to your line of work.
I suspect a take down rifle may be your best legal option. The Browning AR-7 is fuggly but it does float and will do what you need in an emergency. You can store one full 22LR magazine in the gun (chamber empty) and 2 others in the stock with the barrel.
I don't own one but it would be a serious contender for me if in your situation.
Click to expand...

sub 500fps air guns are not firearms in the eyes of the law
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom