My backpacking gun

[Blowgunner]

I do a lot of backpacking, and have wanted a small gun to pack with me. First I started carrying a Ruger MKIII, but I'm terribly inaccurate with it. Then i started eyeballing the Ruger takedown. I had 2 issues with the takedown. First, It's over 4 pounds. Not much weight really, but when I'm already carrying enough gear on my back to last me a week, 4 pounds is a lot. My other issue is its carried in two pieces, so I cant just pull it from my pack and shoot.
I decided to mod a youth rifle for my needs. Started with a Savage Rascal, and cut it down in to basically a bolt action Mares Leg. Modified the sight a little to make adjustments easier, and recrowned the barrel. Its a great little shooter. 26.5" overall length, 16.25" barrel, and weighs less than 2 pounds. Working on a scabbard now that will attach to the side of my pack for quick deployment, if I see some food running around on the trail.

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[edslhead]

That's gonna be a nice setup. A Thompson would be good too. When I'm out campin in the boonies I worry about somthin seeing me as the food runnin around on the trail so I pack the 10mm in a rip open zipper Maxpediton fany style pack.

 

[Blowgunner]

That's a slick setup. I had a run in with a pissed off bear last year, and have been trying to decide what I want as a defensive carry on the trail.

 

[Stomper]

My "trail carry" is now a Draco pistol on a single-point bungee-sling. That will cover PNW predators (two and four legged) and food (if need be).

 

[Flopsweat]

Wow, that weighs a lot less than my 870.

 

[mjbskwim]

There is a thread on here some place where someone took the stock off a little, rascal type rifle and made a 2 piece aluminum tubing stock for it with a wing nut? to take it down quickly

 

[mjbskwim]

https://www.northwestfirearms.com/threads/my-survival-ghb-pack.187566/
14th post

 

[Blowgunner]

Ive seen the take down and folding stocks people have made for the Cricketts and such. Kinda where I got the idea. I almost went that route but decided to keep it simple after shooting a Henry Mares leg. No assembly required haha.

 

[clearconscience]

What about a henry survival rifle?

I'm a firm believer in having a trail gun like this for game/food and something larger for larger animals or worse people.

I will never go into the woods without a pistol and at least 3 back up mags.

 

[Blowgunner]

I wouldn't feel bad with just a Bond .357, and my little .22 rifle. Of my years backpacking, and doing probably 50+ miles a year, only had one scare. An angry bear. Still managed to scare it off.
Those Henry's are cool. If I was a boater that would be my choice. If I was to do a "kit" style gun though, I'd go with the baikal MP18 20 guage. Not really intended as a take down, but one lever strips it down.

 

[Brutus57]

What about a 44 magnum buntline? With removable shoulder stock?

Brutus Out

 

[308]

The Keltec Sub2000 folds nicely and shoots well in my opinion.

 

[Martini_Up]

The Keltec Sub2000 folds nicely and shoots well in my opinion.

View attachment 161322

Where's your food, water, filter, tent, bag, cook-kit, first-aid, socks and sleeping pad go?

 

[308]

Where's your food, water, filter, tent, bag, cook-kit, first-aid, socks and sleeping pad go?

I'll hire a Sherpa for all that.

 

[Blowgunner]

Where's your food, water, filter, tent, bag, cook-kit, first-aid, socks and sleeping pad go?

That was my thought lol.
The problem with most "pack" rifles for me, is the fact they have to be assembled or unfolded in some way, and in the case of some, the weight is a big issue. If i was only out for a day or 2, weight isn't a concern. Once you hit that 4/5 day threshold weight becomes a big issue.

 

[308]

FWIW...that pack photo was taken this am. It was only to show how the Keltec fits in a small pack. I don't have a bugout bag, and probably won't be making one any time soon.

 

[Brutus57]

Wife and I have BoBs but likely to stick around since we a remote from the mainland. The garden will be much bigger this year.

Brutus Out

 

[ZA_Survivalist]

Stomper took mine.

Since he said Draco.. Ill say M92 or M85
Just cant beat the compactness/firepower ratio.

 

[Blowgunner]

Firepower for what? Destroying every last bit of meat on a rabbit?

 

[Stomper]

Firepower for what? Destroying every last bit of meat on a rabbit?

Yes, and pulverizing the marrow into a pile of reddish/yellowish goo! Besides, who needs rabbits? That's what the Vienna sausages, Beenie-weenies, and Doritos are for!