Survival Pistol?
- Thread starter jplacquay
- Start date
Three Pronged Answer To One Question
Rosi Trifecta,
This is a 243, 20ga modified choke, and a 22lr single shot. It weighs nothing with all three barrels and stock. This easily fits into my day pack disassembled and ammo is a plenty.
243 will do a way better job on medium and large game than will any 22. With the 243 barrel and open sights this thing is MOD accurate (minute of deer) out to about 75 yards or so in my hands. It is no tack driver but would put food on the table in a pinch.
20Ga in this weapon is no different than any other 20 ga single shot. 20 ga buck shot will do a wonderful job defending the camp sight at night if need be and 20 ga hunting loads will help you take flying critters as well something that a 22 will not.
22lr with thing thing is small game accurate and again is no different than other 22 single shots.
http://www.rossiusa.com/whatsnew-trifecta.cfm
You can also get almost an endless supply of barrels with thing making it a winner in my book. Want a .44m go right ahead.
This gun is a modest example of everything that it is. It isnt the best 20ga single shot, 22lr, or 20ga however it is a great package that boasts all three.
It comes on every canoe camping trip from now on and also serves as the lady friend's primary hunting tool. Beat that for $300.
Regards, Vermonter
Rosi Trifecta,
This is a 243, 20ga modified choke, and a 22lr single shot. It weighs nothing with all three barrels and stock. This easily fits into my day pack disassembled and ammo is a plenty.
243 will do a way better job on medium and large game than will any 22. With the 243 barrel and open sights this thing is MOD accurate (minute of deer) out to about 75 yards or so in my hands. It is no tack driver but would put food on the table in a pinch.
20Ga in this weapon is no different than any other 20 ga single shot. 20 ga buck shot will do a wonderful job defending the camp sight at night if need be and 20 ga hunting loads will help you take flying critters as well something that a 22 will not.
22lr with thing thing is small game accurate and again is no different than other 22 single shots.
http://www.rossiusa.com/whatsnew-trifecta.cfm
You can also get almost an endless supply of barrels with thing making it a winner in my book. Want a .44m go right ahead.
This gun is a modest example of everything that it is. It isnt the best 20ga single shot, 22lr, or 20ga however it is a great package that boasts all three.
It comes on every canoe camping trip from now on and also serves as the lady friend's primary hunting tool. Beat that for $300.
Regards, Vermonter
seeker_two
New member
I'll second Vermonter's idea with one caveat....get a .22mag barrel instead of the. 22lr.....better bullet construction on the Mag's. Supplement it with a good DA revolver in .22mag (Charter Arms or Taurus).
22-rimfire
New member
Cool concept and another option.
It wouldn't fit in my day pack, but it would fit in a kayak or canoe. You must use a big pack for day hikes. Seems like that might be all you carry in your pack with some ammunition. Price is right for not caring a whole lot if it gets wet.
It wouldn't fit in my day pack, but it would fit in a kayak or canoe. You must use a big pack for day hikes. Seems like that might be all you carry in your pack with some ammunition. Price is right for not caring a whole lot if it gets wet.
Lots of responses but some are impractical. The OP wants a lightweight handgun that can always be in his backpack just in case he finds himself stranded in the woods. Long guns are out because they are too heavy and the ammo is too heavy. Larger calibers are out for the same reason.
When going into the woods, I'm going to hope that the OP is carrying an appropriate self defense sidearm for his region. What is needed now is something to use to shoot food. If you're hungry in the woods, you are likely to get more chances to shoot small game than big game. In most areas, this comes down to shooting squirrels or raccoons out of trees at close range, something that can be easily done with any .22 handgun. You might luck up on a rabbit or pheasant but these are much more difficult to hunt.
The last thing you would want to do is kill a large animal such as a deer or elk just to get one meal and leave 100+ pounds of bloody meat to draw in bears, wolves and coyotes that would only cause you more worry once they close in on your area.
My impression is that you want to stash the gun in the pack and not worry about it until you need it. I would pack a Ruger Single-Six and 100 rounds of ammo. Your choice of 22LR or 22WMR since you will have both cylinders. Get the shorter 4-5/8 barrel for compactness and your biggest problem will be that you could forget that the gun is with you.
When going into the woods, I'm going to hope that the OP is carrying an appropriate self defense sidearm for his region. What is needed now is something to use to shoot food. If you're hungry in the woods, you are likely to get more chances to shoot small game than big game. In most areas, this comes down to shooting squirrels or raccoons out of trees at close range, something that can be easily done with any .22 handgun. You might luck up on a rabbit or pheasant but these are much more difficult to hunt.
The last thing you would want to do is kill a large animal such as a deer or elk just to get one meal and leave 100+ pounds of bloody meat to draw in bears, wolves and coyotes that would only cause you more worry once they close in on your area.
My impression is that you want to stash the gun in the pack and not worry about it until you need it. I would pack a Ruger Single-Six and 100 rounds of ammo. Your choice of 22LR or 22WMR since you will have both cylinders. Get the shorter 4-5/8 barrel for compactness and your biggest problem will be that you could forget that the gun is with you.
22-rimfire
New member
You would probably get a couple meals, and more if it was winter or during colder weather. But I agree that a larger animal is not a good choice unless that is all there is or you are feeding more than a couple people.
The Single Six is certainly a good choice. The problem is that you have to be able to hit what you are aiming at consistantly because you probably don't get that many opportunities. Hence, a short rifle concept....
The perfect choice is difficult and subject to many what if's. If I were heading for the woods today, I would have the Henry Mare's Leg in 22LR if I could rig up a scabbard or my 5" S&W M63 (22LR) if I wanted something more compact. I am not really concerned about bears, but I would make do with the 22LR.
But I think a 22 mag is a better choice if you have one and can shoot well with it.
Wow, I am VERY new to TFL and never expected this many responses. This is wonderful! I like all the replays and suggestions. As stated earlier though, I am looking for a handgun so I can keep the pack small and lite. If I were just "surviving" or living off the land and I had my truck or cabin or even a base camp I would have my .243 rem 700 mountain rifle with the 4-12 Nikon monark on it as well as my Benelli m1 super 90 field and lots of ammo for both. But a long gun is out of the question for my purposes. Yes a long gun would be ideal and in 99% of my outings into tge woods I have some type of long gun, whether it's my 30-30 win 94 trapper or my side by side short barreled 12ga. I'm looking for the pistol (as stated earlier) to throw in my pack and forget about. I'm in no way worried about predators as in MOST situations, the old saying of "they're more scared of you than you are of them" will hold true. Along with the fact that a good campfire will keep MOST away.
I also agree that gathering is almost always more productive than hunting but I want to have the option to take game if the situation presents itself.
Keep the comments and suggestions coming PLEASE!!! This really is a great discussion and if y'all would like I can even post what I'm putting in my survival kit for your comments as well.
As of now I have time for all the comments and suggestions before making a purchase because I am serving in Afghanistan with the USAF Security Forces and I won't be getting home for another few months.
I also agree that gathering is almost always more productive than hunting but I want to have the option to take game if the situation presents itself.
Keep the comments and suggestions coming PLEASE!!! This really is a great discussion and if y'all would like I can even post what I'm putting in my survival kit for your comments as well.
As of now I have time for all the comments and suggestions before making a purchase because I am serving in Afghanistan with the USAF Security Forces and I won't be getting home for another few months.
I won't suggest any of a multitude of far better choices in individual guns, but I WILL say that the Judge/Smith .410/.45 Colt revolver in any form by either maker is one of the WORST possible choices for any type of survival handgun.
You won't get close enough to most birds (or squirrels) to hit with the limited-range birdshot, it will not take down a rabbit even if you could get close enough to shoot at one.
I seriously doubt you could get close enough to a deer to hit one with the mediocre .45 Colt accuracy.
Velocities are so reduced with .410 Buck that it's neither an adequate defensive or hunting proposition, .410 slugs are typically very light in weight, quite inaccurate at any distance (you are, after all, shooting a .41-caliber projectile through a .452-.452-inch bore), and also lose effectiveness along with reduced velocities.
If you want something you can actually HIT with at typical animal encounter distances, a good .22 that you can shoot well will be FAR more effective on birds, squirrels, rabbits, turkeys, and other small edible game at greater distances.
If you want something that can defend against cougar, smaller bears, wolves & so on, a good .357 that you can shoot well can take smaller game up to deer easily, while offering sufficient power for the larger clawed threats you may have in your hometown area.
And, I will continue to say the Mare's Leg is a poor all-round choice for serious purposes.
Denis
You won't get close enough to most birds (or squirrels) to hit with the limited-range birdshot, it will not take down a rabbit even if you could get close enough to shoot at one.
I seriously doubt you could get close enough to a deer to hit one with the mediocre .45 Colt accuracy.
Velocities are so reduced with .410 Buck that it's neither an adequate defensive or hunting proposition, .410 slugs are typically very light in weight, quite inaccurate at any distance (you are, after all, shooting a .41-caliber projectile through a .452-.452-inch bore), and also lose effectiveness along with reduced velocities.
If you want something you can actually HIT with at typical animal encounter distances, a good .22 that you can shoot well will be FAR more effective on birds, squirrels, rabbits, turkeys, and other small edible game at greater distances.
If you want something that can defend against cougar, smaller bears, wolves & so on, a good .357 that you can shoot well can take smaller game up to deer easily, while offering sufficient power for the larger clawed threats you may have in your hometown area.
And, I will continue to say the Mare's Leg is a poor all-round choice for serious purposes.
Denis
I also think the Ruger Single Six .22/.22mag convertible would be a good choice.
S & W makes a model 317 Kit Gun that looks like it might meet your needs. It is a 3" 8 round aluminum alloy J-Frame in .22LR. It is SA/DA, comes with an adjustable rear sight, a fiber optic front sight, and weighs 12.5 oz. It would probably do in a pinch.
S & W makes a model 317 Kit Gun that looks like it might meet your needs. It is a 3" 8 round aluminum alloy J-Frame in .22LR. It is SA/DA, comes with an adjustable rear sight, a fiber optic front sight, and weighs 12.5 oz. It would probably do in a pinch.
I'd say for survival I would still take the stainless single six convertible over a semi auto 22. The biggest reason is reliability. They are extremely reliable, well built, and easy to hit with.
Second, I have a ruger mark II target model and while I love it, if the mag/mags were to get lost or damaged, you have a single shot pistol, its also more susceptible to dirt and grime causing malfunctions. Which would not be uncommon in a survival situation. Just more things to worry about.
Worst case scenario with the single six, unless by some chance you lose both cylinders, youll always have a repeater, and its much less susceptible to malfunctioning. And a wider choice of loads to shoot too.
Second, I have a ruger mark II target model and while I love it, if the mag/mags were to get lost or damaged, you have a single shot pistol, its also more susceptible to dirt and grime causing malfunctions. Which would not be uncommon in a survival situation. Just more things to worry about.
Worst case scenario with the single six, unless by some chance you lose both cylinders, youll always have a repeater, and its much less susceptible to malfunctioning. And a wider choice of loads to shoot too.
Hammerhead
New member
The Single Six is so popular because they last forever. Also a revolver doesn't have any feed issues. If you a bad round that doesn't go off you just cock the hammer and your GTG.
My buddy has an old three screw convertible that must be what, 40 years old? Shoots great.
My buddy has an old three screw convertible that must be what, 40 years old? Shoots great.
22-rimfire
New member
The Ruger Single Six is a good choice. It is very reliable. I generally prefer a double action revolver over a single action in 22 as I find it more fun to plink and generally shoot with the DA revolver (vs single action) in 22. 22 shells are pretty small. You won't always be taking it out in the woods for survival backup needs. The gun will be used elsewhere.
Is a DA revolver as reliable as a SA revolver? The single action is probably a little more reliable. But short of letting the DA sit in the bottom of a river or lake and then use it without cleaning, they are about equal and you certainly can keep the handgun in a holster or water resistant pouch if it is in a pack. The more rapid fire ability might come in handy.
Is a DA revolver as reliable as a SA revolver? The single action is probably a little more reliable. But short of letting the DA sit in the bottom of a river or lake and then use it without cleaning, they are about equal and you certainly can keep the handgun in a holster or water resistant pouch if it is in a pack. The more rapid fire ability might come in handy.
The reason I recommended the Single-Six is that it is rugged, relatively lightweight, accurate and proven. There are many form fitted holsters made for it and it has adjustable sights which are important for hunting. Since the gun would mainly be used for hunting small game, the single action is appropriate and easy to maintain.
Interchangeable cylinders mean that you can shoot any .22 rimfire load from short CBs to #12 shot shells to CCI Stinger long rifle loads to .22 magnum loads.
Is it better than a Mark II or Mark III .22 pistol? For me it is and I gave my reasons above. You won't be able to use .22 shot shells in a Mark pistol and it also won't handle .22 magnum or .22 shorts. If you already have a Mark pistol, it is fine and you should probably use it. If you are buying a .22 handgun and you want to maximize utility and simplicity, then I believe the Single-Six is a better bet.
I have noticed that some people have a tendency to do more rapid fire shooting and to use more ammo when they have a semiautomatic pistol. If you are this type of shooter, then a single action will help tame your trigger finger and prevent you from wasting ammo in a survival situation. Single actions tend to instill a healthy respect for the value of each round fired and it reinforces the need to make each shot count. This may be just psychological, but I have seen that it is a valid observation for many people that I have hunted and shot with over the years.
Interchangeable cylinders mean that you can shoot any .22 rimfire load from short CBs to #12 shot shells to CCI Stinger long rifle loads to .22 magnum loads.
Is it better than a Mark II or Mark III .22 pistol? For me it is and I gave my reasons above. You won't be able to use .22 shot shells in a Mark pistol and it also won't handle .22 magnum or .22 shorts. If you already have a Mark pistol, it is fine and you should probably use it. If you are buying a .22 handgun and you want to maximize utility and simplicity, then I believe the Single-Six is a better bet.
I have noticed that some people have a tendency to do more rapid fire shooting and to use more ammo when they have a semiautomatic pistol. If you are this type of shooter, then a single action will help tame your trigger finger and prevent you from wasting ammo in a survival situation. Single actions tend to instill a healthy respect for the value of each round fired and it reinforces the need to make each shot count. This may be just psychological, but I have seen that it is a valid observation for many people that I have hunted and shot with over the years.
I'd vote for a .357 revolver. with 50 .357's, and 50 rnds .38. Yes a little heavier than the .22 IMO you'd be better with some emergency or survival fishing gear, and a manual of how to find edible plants. With the .357 you'd have a survival, as well as a self defense platform.
Can't speak for the S&W offering, but the Taurus is a waste of time and money in my opinion. The one example I've fired had penetration and accuracy issues and a trigger pull that only a weight lifter could love. The .45 loads keyholed at less than 15 yds, and the Federal brand (built for the Judge) buckshot loads failed to penetrate 1" fence boards. The pattern at 7 yds, was 5" across, negating any "you just don't need to be accurate, the spread will do the trick" issues.
For survival, where you're shooting camp meat say, or packing out deer quarters shot with a long gun, one of the .44 revolvers should do the trick. But for real survival, a 12 ga shotgun with slugs for deer, and bird shot for the rest is a practical answer...and it's not bad as a home defense weapon if that's the "survival" you're talking about. Ammunition can be bought almost anywhere in the world, let alone the USA.
Rod
For survival, where you're shooting camp meat say, or packing out deer quarters shot with a long gun, one of the .44 revolvers should do the trick. But for real survival, a 12 ga shotgun with slugs for deer, and bird shot for the rest is a practical answer...and it's not bad as a home defense weapon if that's the "survival" you're talking about. Ammunition can be bought almost anywhere in the world, let alone the USA.
Rod
If you are going with a revolver, and yes it is a pistol by definition, I would have to think along the lines of a 4" .44M S&W 629 Mountain Gun. That is my go to 'woods' gun and I carry it a lot in a Galco DAO holster. It is light (39 oz +-) fairly compact and it goes bang everytime. I added the X frame Hogues to mine, they are the same that come on Smith's 500M and they do help to dampen recoil on heavy loads.
While it is hard to argue against a good .357M or a Judge or even a good .22, in my mind it is hard to beat a 4x4. I can download a .44M to .38 or get rounds that exceed 320gr. You can always download a .44M, but you can't get a .357M to .44M power levels.
The 410/.45Colt combo looks good on paper, but I think if you look at your needs, there are better choices out there. The .44M Mountain Gun just happens to be mine--YMMV.
While it is hard to argue against a good .357M or a Judge or even a good .22, in my mind it is hard to beat a 4x4. I can download a .44M to .38 or get rounds that exceed 320gr. You can always download a .44M, but you can't get a .357M to .44M power levels.
The 410/.45Colt combo looks good on paper, but I think if you look at your needs, there are better choices out there. The .44M Mountain Gun just happens to be mine--YMMV.