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?

[Yosemitest]

Your link didn’t tell me what it is or how much it cost, or where to get one.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

I think you may be creating a “floor wax and dessert topping” paradox, here. If you want a rifle that is good at everything, what you get will probably be good for nothing.

Most everywhere you will want to hike has its own rules and regulations. If you are on federal land, or state land, whether the terrain is mountainous, forested, desert, or who knows what, you will need different equipment, and just as importantly, there is equipment you don’t want.

Make sure your hunting and fishing licenses are up to date.

Best rule about bears is DO NOT SHOOT BEARS. If you want to drive them off, try pepper spray or an air horn. In the lower 48, they are mostly black bears that are fairly peaceable. In Canada or Alaska, they are grizzly bears that you practically would need an elephant gun to stop. Same with polar bears. Just leave them be. This is their house.

The two most dangerous critters in the lower 48 are big cats and canines, increasing numbers of wolves and coyotes. A .22 is more than enough to convince a big cat, a mountain lion or bobcat, to bugger off. And the same with a coyote.

The rules about wolves are changing, however, so you must know the local conditions, and what the locals use against them if they are becoming a nuisance.

Two other problems are feral dogs and your fellow human, both of which can be a major pain in the butt.

TL;DR - A .22 should suffice. And don’t hunt unless you have a hunting license, or you will get a fine that will make your teeth swim.

[RandallFlagg]

I love a good gun porn thread. Thanks!

[Yosemitest]

I'm not an expert on the .223, although I did make Expert Marksman with one in 1994.
But I agree that a survival, lightweight, breakdown .223 as you described, would sell.

[Ratman83]

Based upon other cases you may want to rethink. This guy is out of jail only because Christie commuted his sentence. It is very un gun friendly up there.

At trial Brian Aitken’s defense team showed the jury Brian’s three FBI background checks to lawfully purchase firearms, a number of witnesses—including a Mount Laurel police officer—testified that Brian was moving between residences and all witnesses—including the Mount Laurel police officer—testified that Brian’s firearms were unloaded & locked in the trunk of his car exactly as New Jersey State Law requires…Brian knew how to do this because he had called the New Jersey State Police days earlier to ensure he was in compliance with the law…a fact the Judge ruled inadmissible in the court room.

[Bryanw92]

Nah. It just takes me to a web site. I’ll have to go to the gun store to get to the gun. ;-)

[Yosemitest]

That Keltec is something to think about.

[Yosemitest]

"headspace issues. resulting in overpressure and booooooom"

Okay. That makes sense about the Stinger ammo in the Ruger 10/22/

[Yosemitest]

They might, but it's still legal.
Also phone calls ahead make a lot of difference.

[Ratman83]

See 65.

[Malone LaVeigh]

Have you looked at the Kel-Tec Sub 2000 (.40 S&W) or their SU 16 (.223)?
Both are lightweight and fold up into a smaller, more easily transported package.

[ansel12]

I don’t know what it is, I think it came off an Air Force plane (post 52) but I do own one. Just piggy backing on your thread and hoping someone knows what it is.

[Yosemitest]

Okay, thanks. "GunsAmerica.coma" has a used one in stainless for $825.00 plus $25.00 for shipping and with $25.00 at the other end for paperwork, that's cheaper.
I like the "hard to wear out" side of it.

[Yosemitest]

My pleasure.
Hey, everyone has something to add, and everyone learns something.

[Blood of Tyrants]

I have had several Garands over the years and it is by far my favorite rifle.

[Errant]

If a bear is menacing you, the louder the better. A 12 guage loaded with 00 Buck, if you stumble into a druggy’s camp, might save your life. Low brass shells for subsistence hunting, isn’t going to be much louder than a 410 and certainly quieter than a 45 colt revolver; I’ve got two. I have to use ear muffs with the revolvers, but don’t with my 45 colt lever action rifle. The space between the cylinder and forcing cone is going to make the circuit judge pretty loud. I’ve never shot one but I’ve never seen a revolver (even a .22) that wasn’t a lot louder than a rifle or shotgun in the same caliber. A 410 shotgun isn’t that great for bringing home game. A 20 guage might be a good compromise between game getting ability and would offer a big reduction in weight. It’s also a popular black bear gun for youth in Alaska, using slugs.

[mylife]

A little heavy and it does not use AR mags.

http://centerfiresystems.com/rifle-c93.aspx

[Yosemitest]

New Jersey can be bypassed, and you can mail your firearm ahead from Stroudburgh, Pennsylvania to Port Jervis, New York.
Also Brian Aitken "confided in his mother during a moment of emotional distress at home that life wasn't worth living."
He was caught with two HAND GUNS, not rifles.
But if New Jersey doesn't want hikers' money, we can always MOVE the Appalachian Trail, bypassing New Jersy by keeping it in Pennsylvania until Port Jervis, New York.

[Yosemitest]

New Jersey can be bypassed, and you can mail your firearm ahead from Stroudburgh, Pennsylvania to Port Jervis, New York.
Also Brian Aitken "confided in his mother during a moment of emotional distress at home that life wasn't worth living."
He was caught with two HAND GUNS, not rifles.
But if New Jersey doesn't want hikers' money, we can always MOVE the Appalachian Trail, bypassing New Jersy by keeping it in Pennsylvania until Port Jervis, New York.

[PubliusMM]

I’ve got a couple of Mossberg 500’s. VERY dependable. Have one outfitted with the Pachmyr Vindicator kit for home defense, and another with the long stock, for work in the field dealing with varmints and such (two legged and four legged).
These have been the most affordable, reliable tools in my arsenal over the last 40 years or so.