rifle best suited for bug out bag?

So I wanted to start packing a bug out bag to keep in a car. But what kind of rifles are best to put in a bug out bag that are compact, takes up little space, needs little maintanence but will still shoot pretty decently? I was looking at something like this:

Security & Firearms - FIREARMS AND PARTS - U.S. Survival AR-7 Don't Leave Civilization Without One COLLAPSIBLE FFL REQUIRED FREE SHIPPING - Ready Made Resources Solar Power Disaster Preparedness Store Emergency Supplies

Is that worth my money or should I look at something else? I hope I'm not asking in the wrong forum.

 

AR7s are a mixed blessing. If possible, see if you can shoot it before buying. Use plated high velocity ammo - NOT ultra hot stuff. CCI Minimags should work well. Some AR7 rifles work well, others have issues.
Other choices - Ruger 10-22 or Marlin 60 or 795 with folding stocks. More reliable, better accuracy, not quite as portable.
For centerfire, the M1 Carbine in folding stock,or the Hi-point Carbine (if the bag is longer.

 

Keltec Su16c IMO. Obviously 5.56 isn't as light and compact as the rimfire options mentioned above but I'll take that tradeoff.

Kel Tec SU-16 series Rifles: Simple to Maintain - YouTube

 

do you want a full center fire rifle or a carbine or a .22? That will determine your weapon selection... for full rifle calibres a Rossi papoose or savage o/u rifle shottie combo might work... otherwise a M1 carbine would be a good choice... for .22 think abouit a ruger challenger might be of interest...

YMMV

 

You might want to check out a Mech-Tech if you have a Glock,or 1911:
MechTech - Home


One of these can be shipped right to your door for $350-$550 depending on how much Bubba flows in your veins.
There are only legality issues with the People's Republic of Comifornia.
These can be had in many,many different calibers(.38super,9mm,.357Sig,.40S&W,10mm,.45acp,.45Super,.460R)
One member of the Mech-Tech forum is shooting 1.25"groups@100yrds with his 9mm model using factory +P ammo.
Matt

 

OH,and by the way!Mech-Tech has excellent customer service,which the others mentioned are iffy at best.
The only real issue I've heard of with these is that they prefer a high nutrient diet of either +P,or +P+ ammo.So you cant be feedin them none of that fat free crap.
Matt

 

One other thought you might give is a nice 30/30 lever action they are very dependable you can keep them in a vehicle with little maintance just clean and oil then every so often Ive carried one in my vehicle for a long time and put complete faith in it . They are a good bush gun for game and self defense. If you want something smaller look at Rossi they are making a very nice lever action shorty kind of like the rifleman carried I think they call it the trail hand. it comes i 38spl, 357mag, 44mag and 45 long colt.​

 

I would roll with something like this for a 10/22,Mini 14 or Mini 30...But that's just me...

 

Rossi Mod 62 pump 22

22 rifle that breaks down with a single (captive) screw.
Sights stay with the Barrel
will load and shoot 22LR, 22 Long, 22Short intermixed in the tube magazine - only one that I know of that will.

all steel, so a good coat of oil is required.

No aftermarket stuff. Rifle is out of production, so you will have to pick up up use...

Other wise, a M1 carbine is not a bad choice IF you have access to ammo source.

Good luck in your search.

 

http://www.keltecweapons.com/our-guns/rifles/sub-2000/

And if your pistol uses the same magazines, bonus!

 

Actually I keep a Hernry Survival rifle in my BOB in the car. It's lightweight, compact, accurate, and even floats. Spare mags are cheap and plentiful also. CCI Stingers seem to work best, although it shoots cheap 550 box ammo just fine (I never have missfires with CCI).

Don't bother with a Charter Arms Survival Rifle. Most are junk which people pawn off on the unsuspecting (personal experince) and either can't be fixed or will cost as much as a new Henry to fix.

My second option was a Rossi Papoose, but I like the Henry better since everything breaks down and fits in the buttstock.

I do have a Sub2000 in 9mm that takes Glock mags, but I was unimpressed by the range of pistol caliber carbines even though I have several Glock pistols to compliement it.

 

I've got a Winchester Mod 94 in .44 Mag that I like... It's short enough to be used in close quarters.. About the same length as my M4.. It's got enough grunt to handle what stands in your way, be it 2 legged or 4 legged critters.. It's been reliable.. Lever action for those who don't know the model.. Holds 10 shots up the tube..
Only reason I don't keep it in my truck is that living up north, temps get below freezing, and the condensation of warm then cold and back does bad ugly things to a blued gun...

 

Although a 22RF is the classic survival firearm; will you be surviving or heading home or to your BOL?

 

Another vote for the levergun in .357 backed up by a 7 or 8 shot .357 revolver!

 

I have a Henry Repeating Survival Rifle, which is really an AR-7 now made by Henry, in my pack and a KelTec Sub2000 that takes my Glock mags in a laptop case with 5 33rd mags. If I had to choose one, it would be the KelTec.

By the way, I paid just over half what that AR-7 is priced at for the Henry at a local pawn shop.

I also have another Sub2000 that lives by my wife's side of the bed , a Rossi .22/.410 interchangeable and just traded for a M6 Scout with a guy on this forum...my wife says I have a survival rifle jones...but she knew I was a gun addict when she married me 30 years ago.

 

Wait until my wife hears I found another one I want...

 

Another take-down option would be the Browning .22 semi auto. Simple quarter turn breakdown, smooth operating, accurate, etc.

 

Depends on your intended use. For me, I want something that will go through glass or shoot at a good distance. As for up close, staying hidden is my goal.

I have a Browning BLR take-down model in .308 that fits nicely in a BOB.

However, some of the other suggestions are good ones.

 

Have an old AR-7 and my son has my old Papoose. Both are excellent take downs. I carry neither in my BOB but a Browning Buckmark. Every vehicle has a long gun w/ammo so a BOB rifle is not necessary. The AR-7 is in the intermediate backpack(3 week bag).