I am wondering if it would be possible to build a survival rifle, like the .22 that fits in its own stock, but in a larger caliber. Looking at .223/5.56. I dont care if it is bolt action or semi. I was also thinking about something like the KetTec sub-2000 in .223/5.56. Does anyone know if there is anythink like this out there, or can a gunsmith offer any advice on if it would be possible to build something like this? I have seen the Keltec su16.. Im not a fan of their stuff. I worked at a gun show for a while and their stuff all felt really cheap to me, their shotgun is a step above the rest of their stuff.
I know someone is going to ask its purpose, and it is to keep in a B.O.B, or G.H.B. I like the folding design of the sub 2000, but I like the water tight floating stock idea of the survival rifle.
Any smith out there wann offer a suggestion or recommendation? What would something like this cost to build as a custom project and would you be interested in taking it on?
Thanks,
Tim
Depending on what you want to survive here are my two suggestions.
For the Zombie Apocalypse: AR-15 pistol in 300AAC with 9" barrel and a buffer tube assy that can be shot from the shoulder, like the SIG brace or a cut down M16 tube with crutch tip. According to ATF, the design purpose matters for classification as SBR or pistol, not the end (ab)use. Topped with a mini Aimpoint or Zeiss Z-Point this "pistol" is as effective as any SBR while being lighter, cheaper, and less cumbersome to move across state lines. If you add a LAW folding stock adapter, the whole affair will fit inconspicuously into a computer bag and can be carried loaded in your car with most CCW permits.
The entire bag can be made floating by inserting closed-cell PE foam panels if you like to test the fording capabilities of your car or your legs. However, from events I witnessed at glacier streams on Iceland I can tell you that you will have bigger things to worry than whether your rifle floats if you misjudge the depth/flow rate of water.
To get food on the plate: The M6 Scout in 22Hornet/.410 is hard to beat. Following a dare of my nephew, we found out that you can reliably hit the small Tannerite jars at 100 yards even with the rudimentary peep sight and the mitten trigger. In other words, the Scout can divert into your pot any small game that you can spot with the naked eye. With some practice, the choked .410 barrel is equally impressive against flying targets.
I resolved the flotation issue by cutting the outline of the gun into layers of extruded styrofoam (the blue or pink insulation panels). The layers were glued together with dabs of PU foam (window installation foam) and then covered with a light fiberglass/epoxy layer. I made two shells at half of the required total thickness. The shells are glued together at the seam with transparent roofing caulk (Through The Roof), covered with a strip of Gorilla tape. The case can be opened easily by pulling a stainless steel wire out that was inserted into the seam gap before gluing. The idea with the wire was stolen from a compressed sleeping bag that was once stored in the bottom of an ejection seat. Both the sleeping bag pack and the rifle pack are part of the minimum equipment list for my seaplane.
The M6 has put many tasty meals on my plate over the years when I decided to spend another night/day in a remote place. (For the pilots: My flight plans have an extra day or two built in for my own leisure and to accommodate for weather. If things went seriously belly up, the ELT/PLB should take care of expediting rescue efforts.)