Survival Rifles

Enter your search terms Submit search form   Web www.survival-gear-guide.com

When it comes to Survival Rifles, the best option will largely depend on the intended use for the rifle.  This page will discuss some of the options available in the context of wilderness survival and personal survival situations.  There are essentially only two uses for a survival rifle:   1) To kill game for food.   2) For use as a personal protection weapon.

For hiking, backpacking, canoeing, or even flying over remote areas for example, or situations where you dont actually intend to use the rifle except in an emergency, smaller and lighter is usually better.  A lot of people choose to carry a handgun, which is ok for personal protection, but in most cases not a very good choice as a survival weapon.  Chances are, if you have to use this weapon in this scenario, you will be trying to feed yourself.  If you have to hit a squirrel or other small game from any sort of distance, you need the accuracy that only a rifle can provide.  The best choice for this situation would be a lightweight compact .22LR caliber rifle.  Here are some good choices to fulfill this need:

.22 Caliber Survival Rifles:  (Click images for more info) 

Taurus Model 62 stainless pump action carbine   Henry Survival Rifle.   Springfield Armory M6 survival rifle / CZ M6 survival rifle   Marlin model 70PSS All weather "Papoose".   Ruger 10/22 CRR   Ruger Charger

 

Now, while a .22LR is a great survival rifle, with its light weight and light inexpensive ammo, and compact size... If you find yourself about to be mauled by a bear, cougar, Lion, etc...  you might as well just throw it on the ground.  Option 2 would be to use it to take yourself out with a head shot and avoid the unpleasant experience of being semi-consciously disemboweled and eaten for lunch.  There are other scenarios, such as accidentally running across a not-so-legal alcohol producing operation, or marijuana farm, for example, where you might not get a warm welcome, and be forced to defend yourself.
SO... if you plan to go hiking, camping, or otherwise romping through the woods in an area that is potentially inhabited by predators, human or otherwise, may we suggest option 3:  Pack a larger caliber rifle.  Again, some people prefer a large caliber revolver such as a .44 or .357 for this task, but if you choose to carry a weapon, a larger caliber survival rifle will not only protect you from predators, but will make life easier if you find yourself lost or stranded and need to kill game.   Keep in mind that with bigger caliber weapons, comes bigger heavier guns,  bigger heavier ammunition, and bigger heavier price tags.  Here are some choices for this category of survival rifle:

Larger Caliber Survival Rifles:

Kel-Tec Sub2000
Marlin Model 1895
SKS Assault Rifle
NEF Handi Rifle
Remington 870 XCS

Readers Rifles

Do you own a survival rifle you would like to share with our visitors ? Post a picture of it here, and tell us about it. Why do you choose it as your survival rifle ? Have you made any modifications to it ?

(I protect the privacy of my visitors, you do not need to post your name if you dont want to.)

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

Marlin 39 TDS 
This rifle is a variation of the Model 39 lever .22 and is no longer made. It has a 16" barrel and a slimmer fore arm and weighs 5lbs. It came with the ...

My options based on my experiences... 
I've gone with a variation of the M-4 carbine in .223/5.56 caliber. My M-4 has a low power optic on it which is a 1 to 4 power Millett DMS-1 Tactical Scope....

Browning 92 lever rifle in .357 magnum 
Having grown up on a ranch in South Texas I became aware early on in life of the importance of firearms, especially when working and roaming in the brushlands....

stoeger 2000  Not rated yet
A shotgun hands down. It is the most versitile. No offence .22 fans, but theres a reason cops don't carry .22s. Buck shot and slugs have a proven track ...