Survival?

[S.B.]

Gil was a champion bullseye shooter (six times U.S. pistol champion, if I remember correctly)and only interested in hitting the X ring, and member of the 2600 club. Haven't been down to his shop in several years but, have been there many times. He never spoke to me about any interest in everyday pistols only target, highly reworked pieces? And I think, if you reread his works, he wrote about these target guns by masters like Jim Clark and others? His essay about the fine points of target shooting with handguns in still available from his shop, if no where else.

[Bigbuck]

I would feel very comfortable taking local game for the pot with my Single Six or my Mk II.  Ammo sure is light enough to carry a large number of rounds....

Not to be changing the subject, but....my preference for survival would be my Springfield M6 scout in .22 LR over .410....

[Greeenriver]

Has anyone here ever considered keeping a .22 pistol for survival? Personally, I think a revolver would do for me. I like the idea of being able to shoot all different kinds of ammo. Shot, high velocity, and target.

I actually read this entire thread before posting, and have given it some thought. My "Survival" bag was put together years ago, and I update it when better things come along. One of the recent updates was the addition of one of the inexpensive Rossi Youth model two barrel combo guns with a 22LR barrel and a .410 shotgun barrel. This comes in a nylon carry package holding the stock, forearm, and both barrels. The bag has a shoulder strap and I added sling swivels to the stock and forearm that the carry strap will snap onto to double as a sling, if needed. In the same nylon carry bag as the Rossi I keep a Ruger Single Six with a 3&3/4 in barrel and a Federal 550 round bulk pack of 22 HP's, along with 50 rda of 410 3in mags, and 50 rds of 410 2&1/2 in shot loads, and 25 rds of 410 slugs. It also contains the extra 22 mag cylinder for the Ruger, and 100rds of 22 mag ammo.

I really think that a decent 22 LR pistol or revolver should be part of any survival kit, the uses much out number the slight ammount of extra weight involved.  I even normaly have a little Ruger Bearcat and a handfull of 22 LR HP's in one of my pockets when simply going Deer hunting in my blind, 50 ft from the road.

Greeenriver

[greener]

The Army has an interesting perspective on this issue.

http://www.sererescuesog.addr.com/USRSOG-Firearm.htm

"The weapon of choice for U.S. RSOG cadre ... is a heavy barreled, match grade, .22 caliber pistol.  Barrel lengths vary from 5-10 inches, the longer the barrel the better. These are not the types of pistols that you buy at a pawnshop or at a farm sale.  They are tricked out, highly accurate weapons systems.  With or without optical sights the pistols have rifle like accuracy.  RUGER and Smith & Wesson make the two most common models carried.  The preferred finish on the firearm is stainless or after-market weatherproofed camouflaged coating.  Many cadre have red dot scoped sites, which increase the abilities of the firearm."

The picture shows a Standard Ruger and a 22A with 30mm scope and light.  Don't know how tricked out these are, but the standard, off the shelf models of either pistol are plenty accurate for handgun-range hunting and survival. 

[S.B.]

greener,  this article is what prompted me to post this thread? Thanks.
Steve

[Pinkerton]

I'm sorry this is off subject but since it was mentioned here I thought I'd ask.

What's the deal with the price of the M6?  Just a couple of years ago it seemed like you could buy them new for around 200, but now all I'm seeing are more like 600 to 700 or more.

Thanks, and sorry for taking this in a different direction.

[Old Griz]

My survival gun currently is a 4" SP101 .22LR. I have thought about getting the 3" S&W 317, but it is really expensive. Another alternative is the 4" Buckmark. The Ruger is a tank. I know I can depend on it, but it's a lot heavier than the 317 would be. However, in a true emergency situation I don't know if those few ounces would make that much difference in my Maxpedition Jumbo Versipack.

[kmystry]

I'll throw in my 2 cents here...
I carry a S&W model 422 semiauto pistol in my possibles bag.  It loves Federal 525 round bulk pack ammo...Federal Champion I think is the actual brand that I get at my local Cabela's.
I also carry a US military NBC decontamination box (the little green plastic box with the snap lid) with a lanyard attached to carry it around my neck...gives me access to about 250 rounds of ammo in a waterproof lightweight box.
I "woodsbum" alot and I have yet to find a combination of gun and ammo that I like better than this.  I fly occasionally with a relative in his Cessna over pretty mountainous terrain and I carry my possibles bag with me always on these flights for the very reason that if we were to go down and to survive the impact, I'd be able to forage for something to eat until help arrived.
An Altoids tin is another great carry option for ammo...I use a 1/2" loop of bicycle innertube as an elastic band to keep it closed.
 

[Ak.Hiker]

If you are interested in carrying a .22 for survival Veral Smith has suggested that the CCI 40 grain Velocitor is the best 22 LR load on the market. Of course the accuracy in your gun would need to be tested. He made a comment that they are loaded to the same power as the high speed loading many years ago. They shoot real good in my S&W 317. I wish S&W would come out with a .22 kit gun based on the 317 with a longer barrel for field use. 

[S.B.]

I always thought the S&W 317 was a kit gun? What is your definition of "Kit Gun"?
Steve

[Ak.Hiker]

One of my buddies carried his fathers S&W .22 kit gun when we were on back packing trips years ago and I think it had a 4 inch barrel. It was a fine shooting little handgun. I would prefer it to my 3 inch if I had a choice. Of course the 317 is a Kit Gun. I just would like to have one with a 4 inch barrel. They are pretty nice little handguns.