I have been waiting in the wings befor I pounced on this one. I think for a ONE gun survival gun it would be tough to beat the side by side. However, some of our posters have mentioned the drawbacks, namely, size and weight of the ammo for packing. Thus limiting the amount you can carry. Also, you are limited to two shot, hopefully you won't need more or you have a heck of a reload practiced and like to carry gun in one hand and extra shells in the other! It is definatley short, light and handy. Also as a "survival" gun you shouldn't need to use it beyond short range, playing in to the guns useful range very well. Having said all that - I don't pack one. I went with a little more complex choice of three weapons, only carring two at a time. One long gun and one pistol. Here's why I choose what I did. When I go into the woods in my Super Cub here in Alaska (or for that matter, anywere) I always carry a 1911A1 LongSlide in .45 Super with a .22LR conversion kit. In the lower 48 - a standard 5" govnmt model .45 acp would be fine. I think these calibers and the 1911 are highly over looked as survival guns. I can carry 200! rounds of .22LR ammo in the same space as 8 or 9 - 12 Gauge rounds. Truth be told there are very few animals including people that won't fall to a sneaky guy with a .22! I always carry it in the .45 Super make up - loaded and locked. The .45 Super has about 70% the power of a .44 Mag. Twice the power of a .45 ACP, which I also cary a clip of(anti-personnel-you never know). The .45 Super is my compromise last ditch "bear" gun for if he ever has me on the ground and is eating me. Also I would use it as a hunting handgun. As for my longun I carry a short barrel M870 12 Gauge or a Win M-94 .444 Marlin Timber Carbine. I think the best rifle for this would be a short light " scout " type bolt gun, but I like the lever guns. I don't think lever guns are as durable in the field as a bolt gun after a nasty jam I experienced on a fly in hunt in bear country (Montague Isl.) with my Guide Gun .45-70. But thats another story I will tell if you want. Granted nothing beats the double barrel for dependabilty, I think , but I like to have more shots in the gun and the option of actualy hunting when I get there. I carry the 870 when there is no hunting to be done, then its for bears or birds if in season. So there you have it, a .45/.22 pistol and a M-94 .444 Timer Carbine or a M-870(18" barrel and folding stock) 12 gauge. But does my choice beat the Side by Side? Maybe not, but don't rule out the "scout" type bolt guns either. I just carry my choices because I like em!!!
Posts by FA18CUB
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Just a quick update - for those who prefer a bolt gun as a wilderness tool. Savage makes the "scout" and 10fm (same gun without the rail and detachable mag.). Gibbs rifle company has several different suitable rifles. Ruger makes 2 different campacts. Winchester has the Classic compact and several youth models. Remington has the model Seven. There are quite a few of these types of rifles to choose from. You just need to know what you are looking for.
Of course thanks to James Gates I just spent half an hour at GunsAmerica.com emailing a bunch of M-311 owners about their 12G and 16G guns for sale! Thanks James, my wife will love that! <!--emo&
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