Gun Manufacturers Rifle Making Suggestion

me | May 18 2012 | Yosemitest

[Yosemitest]

Gun and Rifle manufacturers, I want your attention.
I've been looking for a rifle/shotgun to take on a long hike, and there's not many choices.
Take a look at Henry's U.S. Survival AR-7.



It's a good product for backpacking, but too small on caliber.
The fact that when it's packed inside its waterproof stock, it can float if dropped into water,
and can be retrieved and will still work, is a great deciding factor.
But being a .22LR is a detractor.

Now take a look at the Rossi Circuit Judge and their many different variations.



I like the 3-inch Magnum .410 gauge and .45 Colt varity that can also shoot 2.5-inch shotgun shells in .410 ga.
At 85 and 1/2 ounces, that's pretty good and a lot of choices, from shooting birds, to defending against bears.
A stainless steel model is a must on the trail, due to 100 percent chance of getting rained on, and on a long hike, probably getting dropped.
But, we need the capability of breaking the rifle down and putting it in the backpack, similar to Henry's AR-7.
Rossi's Circuit Judge doesn't offer this. Here's where someone can make some money, building a rifle that would fit this need.

The main goal is to keep the total pack weight down, to preferably under 30 pounds.

Rossi offers a model with a Black Tactical "Blued" barrel and a Black Synthetic Stock that only weighs 75 ounces,
but a hiker needs a stainless steel or weatherproof finish and prefers
"the pieces when disassembled, fit inside a impact-resistant, waterproof stock, which will float."


Okay builders, any thoughts?

[Chainmail]

I would stick with the AR-7 if you are planning any long distance stuff: 1. 22LR is amazingly accurate and efficient. I carried an Armalite AR-7 as my main pack gun when I used to go on long distance hikes and used to carry it assembled, using a bootlace as a sling and carrying fishing line, bandaids, spare ammo and a compass in the butt. I could shoot any and all rattlesnakes and if I outran my food supply, quail and occasionally trout near the surface supplied the protein. 2. You can carry a huge amount of .22 ammo! 3. The AR-7 is dependable, very light, and semiauto - and there is a decent Ramline magazine out there that carries 15 or so rounds.

Now, if you absolutely have to have something heavier, there's always the Savage Model 24 .22LR over .410 or .22LR over 20 gauge Magnum or .222 over 20 gauge and a couple of other variations.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Here is another Rossi in .223/12-gauge for $281.

[Yosemitest]

I looked at a Ruger Breakdown 10/22LR in stainless and a 25 round clip. and gave it some thought.
The total was about $375.00 not counting ammo, and Stinger ammo is a must for a hiking .22LR.
But I kept going back to the Circuit Judge, because of a wide range of ammo.
Due to weight, I only want to carry one fire arm.

[PAR35]

How are you going to defend yourself with it if it’s broken down in your backpack? Hit him over the head with your backpack?

[Kirkwood]

I have the SS Circuit Judge and it is a terrific little gun. Light weight and versatile. I refinished the wood on mine and the stock comes off easily. It would be easy to modify it into a quick breakdown gun or put on a folding stock. I even thought about doing that, but I have too many other projects to do first.

[Bryanw92]

I’ve never heard of a breakdown 10/22. Now I have to go buy another gun. :-)

[Blood of Tyrants]

M1 carbine?

[Yosemitest]

The .223 that weighs 6 lbs 8 oz is a possibility, but the cost is a good bit higher that the others.
At $1,230.00, that's over twice what the Circuit Judge cost.
A .223 is a real consideration, but after 26 plus years in the Air Force, I rally don't like the .223.
Other choices are Browning's .270WSM in Stainless at $1,300.00 that weighs 6 lbs 12 oz, but that's a little higher weight than I'm comfortable with.
However the .270 in high on my considerations, but the .410 offers more choices.

[Yosemitest]

I have a Taurus 4410 in 7 1/4 stainless and I like it.
It's tough on possums and raccoons that get into the pet feed.
Also out in the country, those stray dogs don't hang around very long if you burn their butts at about 25 feet with number 7.

[Yosemitest]

Carrying two barrels isn’t in my plans, but thanks anyway.

[Chainmail]

Just saw a Savage Model 24 for sale on Gunbroker in .22 Hornet over 12 gauge - now that's a beast!

Looking at the Circuit Judge, it doesn't strike me as very difficult to change the grip screw to a thumbscrew (like the Ar-7) and make the stock rapidly removeable for a packable package. I would more than likely remove that ugly cheekpiece to save weight too..

[Yosemitest]

Okay, is that a Mossberg .12ga, and what does it weigh?

Also what's the total cost?

[Cyber Liberty]

Looks like a beautiful lil wrist-breaker....

[Chode]

guess they don't make them anymore, and that's a shame

[Cyber Liberty]

Unrelated question: Are you even allowed to carry a firearm across all those state lines, even if it is a long gun?

[kitchen]

Look at the Savage 24c, Camper's Companion. .22 over 20 gauge, take-down, light weight with ammo storage in the buttstock.

[Yosemitest]

All of your info is very good.
A long hike can weigh heavy on your mind, as well as on your body.
I haven't made my purchase yet, so I'll give your words some thought.
I've read that most bear encounters along the trail are a "stand still and allow the bear her room, and eventually she'll leave" situation.
But rarely someone will walk up on one in dense undergrowth and have a real problem.

[wtc911]

Don’t use stinger ammo in the 10/22.

[Ratman83]

New Jersey, New York good luck with that, being from out of state ha ha ha.

[x1stcav]

Stick with the AR7. If you’re truly in a survival mode you don’t want a big noise signature.

Even in the AR7, the .22 is good out to 50 yards.