.22 "Survival" pistol

[Broadsword]

I'd like to get myself a .22 pistol I can keep in my bug out pack. I'm pretty sure I want a Ruger target model of some sort but I'm not sure on the optimal barrel length, improvements or accessories. I've seen pistols doing Google searches with everything from lasers to red dot sights, tactical lights etc. What are you guys using for this type of thing? Pic's and details would be great. I picked up the 1911 milspec I've been looking for so I'm thinking about trying to swap my Detonics Combat Master for the "Survival" pistol.
I've also posted this in the rim fire section hoping to get another point of view. Hope that's OK with the Mods.
Broadsword

[Wulf202]

I really liked the slab sided I had. That's one I REAAALY regret selling.

http://www.ruger.com/products/2245SlabSided/specSheets/10145.html

[yardsells]

I'm a big fan of my Ruger Single Six Convertible:
http://www.ruger.com/products/newModelSingleSixConvertible/models.html

Pros for ME:
1. Adjustable sights
2. Nice single action trigger
3. Good sight radius
4. Multiple calibers .22 S, L, LR, and Mag.
5. Stainless Steel
6. Will send just about anything down range. ie. At my range, I can grab rounds out of the squib/dud bucket, load them and it sends them without hesitation. My thought was that if I had to scrounge for ammo, I didn't want a picky gun.

Con for me (Defensively Speaking):
1. All of the Single Action Revolver attributes not conducive for defensive use.

[MED]

I'd like to get myself a .22 pistol I can keep in my bug out pack. I'm pretty sure I want a Ruger target model of some sort but I'm not sure on the optimal barrel length, improvements or accessories. I've seen pistols doing Google searches with everything from lasers to red dot sights, tactical lights etc. What are you guys using for this type of thing? Pic's and details would be great. I picked up the 1911 milspec I've been looking for so I'm thinking about trying to swap my Detonics Combat Master for the "Survival" pistol.
I've also posted this in the rim fire section hoping to get another point of view. Hope that's OK with the Mods.
Broadsword

I keep a Ruger 22/45 4" and 10/22 in my trunk in a case with many mags. I shoot these with my son just about every weekend. FYI - RIM fire mags are exempt from the Denver Ordinance. This along with my carry pistol serves my purpose.

[MONTROSE1911]

I'm a big fan of my Ruger Single Six Convertible:
http://www.ruger.com/products/newModelSingleSixConvertible/models.html

Pros for ME:
1. Adjustable sights
2. Nice single action trigger
3. Good sight radius
4. Multiple calibers .22 S, L, LR, and Mag.
5. Stainless Steel
6. Will send just about anything down range. ie. At my range, I can grab rounds out of the squib/dud bucket, load them and it sends them without hesitation. My thought was that if I had to scrounge for ammo, I didn't want a picky gun.

Con for me (Defensively Speaking):
1. All of the Single Action Revolver attributes not conducive for defensive use.

++1 on this!

[sneakerd]

I mentioned in the other thread the 22/45 pistol with optics as the perfect survival pistol. The revolver is another great idea for the reasons stated. The Ruger can be gotten in the Hunter model S-Six in SS as well.

[Mak the Knife]

I have had a number of MK III 22/45's and have bagged more rabbits with them than I can remember. However, I would suggest the standard MK series, not the 22/45. Unless you can find someone manufacturing a metal lower for that gun, I don't think that it would be a wise long term survival gun. Working in local shops I have seen way too many 22/45's come in with a bowed or stressed magwell from someone putting the gun back together improperly. If it is in your budget, see about getting an aftermarket barrel for the Ruger, you can find great quality, accuracy and a much lighter weight by doing this.

Also, for long term survival, the Ruger makes for a great candidate due to it's simple, inexpensive and (if you are familiar with the gun) easy to replace parts.

[MED]

I have had a number of MK III 22/45's and have bagged more rabbits with them than I can remember. However, I would suggest the standard MK series, not the 22/45. Unless you can find someone manufacturing a metal lower for that gun, I don't think that it would be a wise long term survival gun. Working in local shops I have seen way too many 22/45's come in with a bowed or stressed magwell from someone putting the gun back together improperly. If it is in your budget, see about getting an aftermarket barrel for the Ruger, you can find great quality, accuracy and a much lighter weight by doing this.

Also, for long term survival, the Ruger makes for a great candidate due to it's simple, inexpensive and (if you are familiar with the gun) easy to replace parts.

Maybe you should qualify this by saying nobody that is stupid should own one as a long term survival gun. I put mine together correctly every time and it has thousands of rounds through it.

[Asmodiar]

Pass on a pistol and get a henry AR-7 http://thepackingrat.net/2007/04/06/us-survival-rifle-henry-repeating-arms/

[Prometheus]

cool gun but takes a bit to set up, not really a quick defense gun

[SA Friday]

cool gun but takes a bit to set up, not really a quick defense gun

No, no it isn't. Then again, I think swinging a tree limb is more effective than shooting someone with any 22. Not sure its logical to assess a rabbit gun for survival on the grounds as to how fast it can be deployed for self defense.

[Prometheus]

I guess when I think survival gun I think hunting, but more importantly I think how fast can you pull it from your BOB and defend yourself, doesnt set up take 5 min. or so?

[SA Friday]

I guess when I think survival gun I think hunting, but more importantly I think how fast can you pull it from your BOB and defend yourself, doesnt set up take 5 min. or so?

I get that. Makes sense, but any gun I would want to shoot rabbit sized food with just isn't going to cut it for shooting a large animal or person in defense. So, I tend to think of having another gun specific to actual defense but too large a bullet for small game hunting.

[Prometheus]

I agree the only reason I would end up in an emergency with any kind of .22 is they are so cheap you could store it somewhere and forget about it, for 10 years.

[Bert]

get a 22 conversion for your Detonics and have both.

[Outlaw1]

I'm a big fan of my Ruger Single Six Convertible:
http://www.ruger.com/products/newModelSingleSixConvertible/models.html

Pros for ME:
1. Adjustable sights
2. Nice single action trigger
3. Good sight radius
4. Multiple calibers .22 S, L, LR, and Mag.
5. Stainless Steel
6. Will send just about anything down range. ie. At my range, I can grab rounds out of the squib/dud bucket, load them and it sends them without hesitation. My thought was that if I had to scrounge for ammo, I didn't want a picky gun.

I've never shot the newer version, but I'm sure it's similar to the older models.

My brother bought a Single Six somewhere in the mid 70's. I have shot many bricks reliably through it, not to mention the thousands of rounds he has discharged. If you keep a standard and magnum cylinder around it will take care of business. Out of all the firearms in our armory it is my second favorite. It's second only to a pump action Winchester Model 06 .22 dad bought me when I was 8, for no particular reason other than sentimental value. There is something just 'right' about those old rifles/pistols.


Con for me (Defensively Speaking):
1. All of the Single Action Revolver attributes not conducive for defensive use.
Do not say that to Bob Munden. [LOL]

Honestly, I can go either way with that statement about single actions. When it comes to accuracy I'm a much, much better shot with a SAO wheel gun. Over the years I've shot as many pistols as I could get my hands on and I always do much better with a revolver.

On the flip side, my personal defense pistols are an HK USP .45 Compact with a Fire Dragon ported/compensated barrel & a Glock 27 with a Fire Dragon .357 Sig barrel. If I have to protect myself (hopefully not) there is a good chance I will be in a 1 versus 12 situation. I carry the autos just for the sake of being compact and the high volumes of rounds.

When I'm hunting I carry a Ruger Super Blackhawk, or a Ruger Redhawk .44 Mag in a shoulder rig with speed loaders as a side arm. If I have to defend myself against an animal I would expect it to be only one predator, not a dozen. Shot placement is going to be more critical to me than having half a dozen high cap mags.

So apply that theory to this situation: I'd carry a Ruger Single Six over my Ruger Mk IV, or my Browning Buckmark if shot placement was critical.

After all this typing, the best advice is go out and shoot all the pistols you can and see what fits your shooting style. I guess I could have said that in the first place. Well, I like to talk about guns, sue me. :)

[mx'r]

I guess when I think survival gun I think hunting, but more importantly I think how fast can you pull it from your BOB and defend yourself, doesnt set up take 5 min. or so?

No. It only takes seconds to assemble in the field. I love mine, and it's really quiet for some reason. A 5 year old could put it together.

[RichM]

Another option to consider is the Marlin papoose. I have one and am very pleased with it. It has a slightly larger form factor but it is quite sturdy and surprisingly accurate.

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/selfloading/70pss.asp

[Ranger]

I second the AR-7, that's what I keep in my bug out pack. I figure if I want a .22, it's to hunt at least small game and much better with a rifle than a pistol. For another $20 I got a cheap scope for it too and keep it all with 500 rounds in my pack.

[DSB OUTDOORS]

Browning Buckmark and AR-7 in my stuff. Buckmark has the Tactical Solutions barrel. Very light weight and accurate!!

[baglock1]

I'm a big fan of the .22 caliber for a number of reasons. With that in mind, I have a few of them in my collection with a few more to go (namely, a PMR-30). In the pile is a 3-screw Rugar Single Six, an older Remington single shot bolt action (to get a threaded barrel at some point), the ubiquitous 10/22, and an AR-7.

The AR-7 is a great little rifle but if I was out in the field, I probably wouldn't want to have it collapsed and stored and risk the 45 seconds it would take to assemble it. I'd have it built and strapped to the side of the pack within easy reach.

If I had my druthers though and the cash was available, I'd keep the AR-7 stored except when out actively trying to get small game (it's primary use IMHO) and keep a Single Six holstered and loaded with .22 WMR. It adds more weight to the BOB but provides a greater level of versatility. That's assuming though that we were only looking at .22 firearms.

With no restrictions except that it were to be a firearm that could reasonably be added to a BOB (i.e. no AR-15's or AK's), I'd toss the AR-7 in the bag with a full size pistol in 9mm or .45 on top.

[TTWHTD]

This one. From short range out to over 200 yds. 30 rds total. If you want super light then a rubberband gun may be more your flavor but it's pretty versatile.
http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee448/res3cue1/IMG_0936.jpg

[Camperdavid]

With no restrictions except that it were to be a firearm that could reasonably be added to a BOB (i.e. no AR-15's or AK's), I'd toss the AR-7 in the bag with a full size pistol in 9mm or .45 on top.

I have a newly acquired AR-7 in my BOB with a 1911 .45 on top. I wouldn't want to defend myself with a AR-7, or kill a barn swallow to eat with my .45

[katatonic]

dont froget the marlin papoose! i got an ar-7 but the marlin is better!