.22 "Survival" pistol

[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/newMod...le/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.

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/firear...ding/70pss.asp