"Backpack" rifles. Any experiences?

[sinful]

I've been pondering selling my Mossberg 702 Plinkster .22lr rifle and picking up a folding "survival" rifle. Does anyone have experience with any of the "backpack" rifles?
Here's what I'm leaning towards since it breaks down so small and has A nice mag variety available. (Standard 8-round magazine. 10, 15, 25, 50 round magazines available.)



http://www.henryrepeating.com/h002_survival.cfm


I know there's a few other companies that make "survival" rifles, some even have a 410 and 22 single shots.

Does anyone have experiences with these?
Any pros/cons of them?

[Zef_66]

I think the idea of a survival rifle is a good idea and I plan to use my AR15 for just that.

But in my opinion, the 22LR is just too small of a bullet to be a suitable survival rifle. I would want something that I can use for protection (from whatever) as well as providing me with sustenance. If you are set on something folding, check out Ket-Tec rifles. They are light and have a folding stock. And can be had for pretty cheap. The Kel-Tec Sub-2000 is a nice inexpensive rifle that fires cheap handgun ammo. But my choice would be the Kel-Tec SU-16A rifle. This uses readily available and inexpensive 5.56 NATO rounds, is very accurate, light, and fairly low price. Or any of the other SU-16 models would work as well. Check them out!

[P-11 shooter]

If you want a cool folding .22 springfield armory makes a over under .22/.410 that is pretty neat. I shot one at the group shoot but I don't remember who's it was. It was cool though.

[Holleta]

How about one of the folding Kel Tec Sub-2000's? A bit more oomph than a 22 and about the same packed size.

[Zef_66]

How about one of the folding Kel Tec Sub-2000's? A bit more oomph than a 22 and about the same packed size.

Hey!! Good idea! I wish I would have thought of that!!!

[sjl127]

Tried and true, 10/22, folding stock, of course.

[Holleta]

Duh! I guess someone was not paying much attention (that someone would be me)

Seems like a decent deal on a AR-7 http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...?Item=89928277

(I hope nobody else posted this link)

Hey!! Good idea! I wish I would have thought of that!!!

[sinful]

I think the idea of a survival rifle is a good idea and I plan to use my AR15 for just that.

I'm thinking of a bug out situation where I'll be using my AR15 for personal defense and long range zed/raider hits. I will be carrying plenty of 5.56/.223 for personal defense, but the AR is just a tad too loud and will draw lots of attention. A .22 for the small animals will be very nice.

The .22 projectile is suitable for small game in a survival situation; squirrel, birds, etc.. In this neck of the woods, there's plenty of small game.

When TSHTF I'll be backpacking when the Jeep fails or runs out of fuel. I plan to have 3-7 days of food, clothing, and weaponry to get to my BOL(bug out location) where I have supplies. I will have on me in my travels, AR15 in plain site with mags in pouches on a load bearing vest, Glock 19 with two extra mags in a drop leg holster, and a small caliber rifle for survival folded and inside or attached to my pack.

If you want a cool folding .22 springfield armory makes a over under .22/.410 that is pretty neat. I shot one at the group shoot but I don't remember who's it was. It was cool though.

Did you shoot both the 22 and the 410? are they semi auto or single shot? (I'm going to google it after I hit post)
How did you do with it?
Was it accurate?
Was it comfortable?
Easy to shoot/reload/etc..?

Tried and true, 10/22, folding stock, of course.

Even with a folding stock, I think the 10/22 is too large for inside a backpack.



Does anyone else have experience with any "backpack" rifles?

My other option is to put a suppressor on my AR, but I don't like the idea of relying on only 1 rifle in the PAW.

[PA Rifleman]

Does anyone have experience with any of the "backpack" rifles?...

Does anyone have experiences with these?
Any pros/cons of them?

Yes, I had one. It was an early Armalite AR-7, essentially the same gun Henry markets now. I didn't have any trouble with mine.

I have a few observations, though.

• It came with a low capacity magazine (I recall somewhere about eight rounds). Everything nests in the buttstock, and there isn't room for *anything* else. If you get extra mags, or an oversize mag, you'll need to stow that somewhere else.
• The buttplate slips over the buttstock and snaps in place with a molded plastic dimple. It lacks a positive latch. I never lost anything, but if it were dropped and the cover popped off, parts *will* fly.
• The Keltec and the M6 scout have an advantage over the AR-7: they both have all their parts "captured". Breaking down is simply folding them up. The AR-7 and it's descendants require disassembly, making lost parts an unfortunate possibility.
• The AR-7 floats, and uses steel only where necessary. It does what it was designed to do. If I were part of a nautical activity (say, tubing on the Delaware or canoeing), the AR-7 would be an excellent choice. It's also very light.
• Accessorizing: Lots of options. My rifle lacked any provision for a scope, I think the newer ones can accept a scope. It kind of defeats the purpose, though. Lack of a sling was a common complaint with the early ones, this may have been resolved.

Related articles:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/survival_rifles.htm
http://survival.com/IVB/lofiversion/...php?t6415.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AR-7

[sinful]

You've proviede a great help and some good links/reading. I'll have to do some more research...

You mention a very valid point about the fold-n-go vs the actual break down and make a mess versions.

Off to read!