What "survival" .22 to buy?

[TheCoachZed]

I want a .22 to take on my motorcycle on trips, or throw in my backpack when canoeing.

As far as I see it, I have four options:

1). Marlin Papoose. This is the one everyone says to buy, as it's much more accurate than the competition. However, I've read plenty of reports of ammo fussiness, and it doesn't pack up as small as or have a lifetime warranty like its competition, the.....

2). Henry "Survival" (AR-7). I see they've made some cosmetic changes to this rifle, but I can't track down a straight, reliable answer on whether or not they made the necessary internal changes to the action to ensure reliable cycling of regular, bulk .22 lr ammo. It does have that lifetime warranty, though, if I have a problem, and it'd be pretty easy to stuff in a pannier. But would it be as reliable as a...

3). Norinco JW-15 Backpacker. Trouble is, this gun is just too long to stow in my existing luggage and kinda obvious and alarm-raising on the road. And, the stock sights sound sketchy, and I don't know if I can find a good, discreet case for it. If I'm going to run a longer .22, I could always just use my....

4). Rossi Model 62 gallery gun copy (takedown model). But really - seems to me that running this gun as a canoe trip/motorcycle trip gun in all sorts of weather would just ruin it. Plus, it's at the gunsmith right now getting the extraction sorted out, and may be there a while.

So, I'm leaning towards a new Henry Surival/AR-7. I would like to know, though, how users of the new "improved" rifle are finding its function with an assortment of ammo.

 

[P12]

Out your four options I picked the JW-15, but personally I would go with a 10/22.

 

[TheCoachZed]

I've thought about a 10/22 folder, but the fact is, size/weight is everything on a bike. A 10/22 takes up precious cargo space.

 

[KC]

1) Have a Papoose, great item for what you're looking for. Nice and portable.
2) AR-7, doesn't even come close to #1 choice. Wouldn't even consider it.
3) Haven't had one of these, look really neat, and would love to handle one, but, I'm positive that though smaller, not as portable as other options.
4) Had one of these in a carbine model. Wish I still had it, but then again, I still have my Papoose.

I also have a "Little Scout" take-down single shot. Even a more compact rig than #1 (small and weights next to nothing), and less opportunity for something to go wrong with it. Just my 2-cents.

Good luck with your search.

 

[TheCoachZed]

1) Have a Papoose, great item for what you're looking for. Nice and portable.
2) AR-7, doesn't even come close to #1 choice. Wouldn't even consider it.
3) Haven't had one of these, look really neat, and would love to handle one, but, I'm positive that though smaller, not as portable as other options.
4) Had one of these in a carbine model. Wish I still had it, but then again, I still have my Papoose.

I also have a "Little Scout" take-down single shot. Even a more compact rig than #1 (small and weights next to nothing), and less opportunity for something to go wrong with it. Just my 2-cents.

Good luck with your search.

Got a pic of it?

I really want a repeater, because I plan on camping a lot with this gun, and if I ever got jumped by a bear with only a .22, I'd rather have 5, 8, or 10 shots than 1.

I don't want it for a bear defense gun (nor do I want a bear defense thread ) BUT it would be the only gun around should I ever need one. And I do camp in bear country a lot. Gnome Sane?

 

[Satain]

I have been scouring the EE for month's now looking for an M6 scout but to no avail.

 

[P12]

What's the weight difference between the JW-15 and a 10/22 with a Butler Creek side folder, is it really that much? The Norinco is 30.5" long, the Ruger should be around 27.5" long with the stock folded, and you can use 25 round mags.

 

[Jamie]

I would gladly take the extra weight of a 10/22 with a folder anyday

 

[Perforator]

I have a 10/22 with the ATI folder, listed weight is 5 lbs.
It's 27" folded, you could take off the bogus flash suppressor and save an inch.
http://www.frontierfirearms.ca/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=647&products_id=3251

 

[mikeystew]

PAPOOSE! there is no equal which has the combonation of low weight, accuracy, reliability, compact takedown, high rate of fire, and overall quality that the papoose offers.

the carry case is also handy in that it gives you a place to store other stuff like a cleaning kit and bullets. the buttplate can also be easily modified to house extra magazines. and while in the case the whole lot floats.

I'm waiting for a good used one to pop up in the EE that isn't $450. Someday i'll break down and get one new, but honestly im in no rush, my mod 60 is my survival gun as i personally have no real need for a takedown feature. Im of the mindset that it's no good to me folded up in my pack. but then again i drive a pickup, not a motorbike.

 

[.22LRGUY]

Not sure I'd ever take a semi over a bolt as a "survival" gun. I have a 10/22 and a Norinco Backpacker and the decision would be easy for me~the Norinco. Very light, very compact, off-hand shots feel really natural w/o the weight of a full-length barrel. I guess it depends on your concerns where "survival" is concerned. To me, true survival would mean it would be a hunting gun first, defense second. I like the accuracy (and trigger) on my Norinco, and am having a blast with it. I posted this last week;

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=560536&highlight=Norinco

As a game-getter .22, I'd bet on my Norinco over my 10/22, at least...in my hands. As bear defense, a 10/22 might be better...but by the time that happens, you might have starved to death.

Don't have first-hand experience with the other 2.

 

[diananike]

I'd go with the papoose, the Henry is just to light and weird.
That said I sold my papoose a few years ago and kept my M6 Springfield.

I also have the Norinco Backpacker and quite like it, but the sights it comes with are pretty flimsy and hard to use, you'd really have to put a scope on it to realize it's accuracy potential. Also I don't think I'd want to be dismantling and reassembling it all the time for portability, it's really not designed for takedown.

 

[mikeystew]

Not sure I'd ever take a semi over a bolt as a "survival" gun. I have a 10/22 ...

Ahh, but have you ever shot a marlin semi? i used to think the same thing until i bought my model 60. Im sold. it has never jammed ever, and is more accurate than my 39a, and exactly on par with the 925 bolt action... believe it!

With the papoose having the same action body as the 60 and a medium weight 16" barrel, i would take the papoose over a shorty bolt action anyday. And certainly before any other semi option, especially the 10/22 or AR-7.

 

[Griffoneur]

Had an AR-7, gave it away, a real jam-o-matic.
Never tried the others.

 

[.22LRGUY]

Ahh, but have you ever shot a marlin semi? i used to think the same thing until i bought my model 60. Im sold. it has never jammed ever, and is more accurate than my 39a, and exactly on par with the 925 bolt action... believe it!

With the papoose having the same action body as the 60 and a medium weight 16" barrel, i would take the papoose over a shorty bolt action anyday. And certainly before any other semi option, especially the 10/22 or AR-7.

Well, my 10/22 has never jammed...but then again, I have less than a brick through it. As for bolt vs. semi in a survival situation, I think I'd want the most accurate, simplest to clean, fewest parts-gun with me. My Norinco will cycle longs and long rifle, I can drop the bolt out in less than a second if there were any issues with barrel obstruction, etc. To each his own though.

 

[mpjustin]

be patient for a M6 scout - I used to have 4 of them but am now down to just one in 22 hornet.

 

[ton45-II]

I don't think you will alarm anyone if you carry your survival rifle like this, hidden but quickly accessible and no assembly required. I'm trying to put together a 10/22 with a Dlask 12.5" barrel. It will be just as short as the Norinco Hiker and probably carried the same way in the woods.

 

[cyclone]

2). Henry "Survival" (AR-7). I see they've made some cosmetic changes to this rifle, but I can't track down a straight, reliable answer on whether or not they made the necessary internal changes to the action to ensure reliable cycling of regular, bulk .22 lr ammo. It does have that lifetime warranty, though, if I have a problem, and it'd be pretty easy to stuff in a pannier. But would it be as reliable as a...

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=561196&highlight=survival

............

 

[Until the Angels Fall]

I wouldn't rely on a Norc for a "survival gun"/ I KNOW other really like them/believe in them but thats just me, get the Papoose and let us know how it is!

 

[TheCoachZed]

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=561196&highlight=survival

............

I know that's what "they" are saying.... but I called Henry's customer service and they were unable to tell me anything besides "we changed the colours and the sights." So who's to know?