The .22 for Survival

Survival is a big word that has many connotations. Some view it as a short term proposition, requiring just a few days worth of provisions to weather the worst part of a disaster. Others view it as a long term ordeal, requiring extensive stockpiles and wilderness retreats to offset political chaos and economic collapse. Still others view it as a continuous, self sufficient lifestyle that allows them to simply drop out of society. All have differing views as to where firearms may fit into their plans. Some see no need for firearms at all while others build extensive arsenals to accommodate defense and foraging in a variety of circumstances.

Regardless of individual levels of preparedness, a rifle or handgun in .22 Long Rifle caliber can be quite useful, providing that one has or is willing to develop the skills to effectively use it. The .22 has long been a standard for small game, it easily dispatches vermin, and in a pinch, it can take medium, non-dangerous game and serve in a defensive capacity, provided it's potential for accuracy is fully utilized. Its mild report, which does not carry very far, is not disruptive in semi-rural environments and fifty to one hundred rounds of ammunition is easily carried in a pocket.

.22 rifles are light and handy, as are full sized .22 pistols and revolvers. A take down .22 such as the Browning 22 in Grade I can carry unobtrusively in a backpack as will the popular Ruger 10/22 with the addition of a folding stock. Although more difficult for many to master than a rifle, full sized .22 pistols and revolvers such as the Ruger 22/45, the Browning Buck Mark, and the Smith & Wesson 617 carry even more conveniently than rifles and are capable of exceptional accuracy in experienced hands. Five hundred rounds of .22 Long Rifle ammunition is quite inexpensive, will last a long time when prudently used, and takes up comparatively little space.

.22s of various designs, including combination guns offering a single shot .22 barrel over a single shot shotgun barrel, have long been considered viable additions to survival gear in aircraft because of their relatively light weight, comparatively compact size, and substantial utility. Likewise, .22 pistols and revolvers have long been popular trail guns for those who spend substantial time outdoors. These qualities make rifles or pistols chambered for the .22 Long Rifle cartridge suitable for emergency kits for vehicles and campers where space may be limited.

A .22 rifle or pistol could stand alone in an emergency, being used for such purposes as foraging, defense, and signaling. However, its modest ballistics make it less than ideal for medium and larger game and personal protection against aggressive humans and animals. The .22 really shines when it is a secondary firearm used in conjunction with a more powerful weapon carried for specific purposes (e.g. a .22 rifle paired with a carefully chosen defensive handgun or a .22 pistol or revolver paired with a centerfire rifle or shotgun). In this instance, the .22 can greatly extend one's capacity for weathering the most adverse situations while providing the added bonus of serving as an extra weapon if the primary firearm becomes lost or damaged. For these reasons, the versatile .22 is a worthy addition to any survival kit.