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5 Best Survival Rifles For Emergency Preparedness
When it comes to emergency preparedness, water, food, and shelter are all needed for survival, so you’ll have to cover each one. Furthermore, in true survival situations, a firearm, specifically a rifle, is one of the most critical components. Whether there is a natural disaster, power outage, or you get lost hiking, having the appropriate tools can save your life.
Being prepared is more than just having a firearm. Source
Sure, you can stockpile canned goods and bottles of water and have a tent ready to go at all times, but what if you have to be on the run? You can’t lug around 100 cans of food. Emergencies can also bring out the worst in people, especially if they aren’t as prepared, leaving you having to defend yourself.
You can probably guess where I’m going with this, but few items are more important than a survival rifle.
What Is A Survival Rifle?
There is no hard and true definition of a survival rifle, as they can technically serve different purposes for different people. However, many of us consider survival rifles to be firearms that can be used to hunt, put food on the table, and, as a last resort, used as a defensive weapon.
While there are many characteristics to consider when choosing a survival rifle, a few are more important than others.
What To Look For In A Survival Rifle
Of course, you’ll want your rifle to be reliable and accurate, as you would any other rifle, but for a survival rifle, you’ll also want to consider its size and ammunition.
Compact and Lightweight
Weight and size are extremely important when choosing a survival rifle. Most of the time, you’ll want them to be able to be stored in a backpack so you can pick them up and go at a moment’s notice.
Rifles that can be broken down or folded easily are ideal. They also tend to be lighter, allowing you to carry more supplies and ammunition.
Not every one of these would be ideal as a survival rifle. Source
Ammo Availability and Capacity
You want to go with a caliber that is easy to find in times of need, relatively lightweight, and, with proper shot placement, can still kill small to medium game.
The most common survival rifles are chambered in .22 LR, which checks all of those boxes. However, other calibers, such as 9mm and .223/5.56, can also serve well as survival rounds, but once you start getting into odd or extremely large calibers, their use for survival purposes starts to diminish.
Top Picks
Henry AR-7 Survival Rifle
With its name literally telling you what it is, how can we not include it?! Regardless of the name, it lives up to being a worthwhile survival rifle.
Originally designed for U.S. Air Force pilots who crash or need to emergency land in a remote area, the rifle can be broken down and stowed within the buttstock to fit easily in the cargo area or cockpit. Translate that to more of a civilian-type use, and think of backpacks and small fishing boats.
The AR-7 isn’t pretty, but it’s practical. Source
At an overall length of only 16.5 inches stowed and weight of a mere 3.5 pounds, even with carrying plenty of spare ammo, it won’t slow you down too much when on foot. It comes with two 8-round magazines and an adjustable rear sight and blade front sight that are more than adequate to assist you in snagging a squirrel or two for dinner.
The entire rifle fits perfectly inside the buttstock. Source
Add to that the fact that the buttstock is impact and water-resistant to keep your core components safe, and it’s hard to say no to a Henry Survival Rifle.
Ruger 10/22 Takedown
One of the most popular rimfire rifles ever, the Ruger 10/22, is available in several different Takedown models that allow you to split it in half. It’s compact and very easy to store in a bag or car.
Coming in at 4.6 pounds, you can still carry a ton of ammo without worry. Best of all, the Ruger rotary magazines are known for their reliability and compact size. Grabbing a few extra magazines is well worth it, and you might as well throw a 25-round factory magazine in there as well!
A tactical take on the 10/22 Takedown. Source
The rifle features an accurate cold hammer-forged barrel, a smooth and repeatable trigger, and an adjustable rear/gold bead front sight combination that all work together to provide an extremely efficient survival rifle.
Smith & Wesson FPC
Stepping the stopping power up a notch, we have the Smith & Wesson FPC (folding pistol carbine) chambered in 9mm.
This unique carbine folds horizontally so that you can not only store it with ease but keep your optic on and zeroed as well. Folded, you’re left with a ready-to-go firearm just over 16 inches long – no assembly needed.
Your optic always remains ready to go.
It features an M-LOK handguard and a Picatinny rail up top. It also comes with one 17-round and two 23-round magazines that can be stored within the stock. Thus, there is ample capacity and room for all of the accessories you feel necessary.
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Lastly, you get bonus points and extra rounds if you carry an M&P pistol that can share magazines with the FPC!
Savage Model 42 Takedown
With the ability to shoot .22 LR rounds from the top barrel and .410 shotgun shells from the bottom, you can maximize scavenging ability.
The rifle can be disassembled with one button and even includes a bug-out bag for transport. It’s longer and heavier than the others on the list so far, but it is still extremely portable.
Stock up on both ammo types to stay ready for anything. Source
Featuring adjustable sights that can be removed to install a scope base and a 20-inch carbon steel barrel, you’re set up for accuracy from the start.
AR-15 (Take Your Pick)
There are simply too many AR-15s to begin to list any specific ones here.
They continue to get lighter and smaller, giving you many options that are still very easy to carry and store. You’ll get stopping power, capacity, aftermarket support, and easy access to ammo. You can even install a folding stock adaptor to reduce its footprint further.
A short barrel and a folding stock adaptor make a great combination. Source
If you train frequently with an AR-15 and can find one that doesn’t tip the scales, it can be a great option for a survival rifle.
Final Thoughts
It’s always better to have a survival rifle and not need it than the opposite, so don’t wait for an emergency before thinking about getting or finding one!
Whether you’re a hiker, pilot, prepper, or any number of other things, a survival rifle should be high on your wish list.
As always, stay safe, train hard, and have fun.
