Your most robust rifle

[Moloch]

I would pack an extra extractor for a spare part. That is the only part that I would be concerned with. I would have the same concern for any bolt rifle.

With the Mauser K98k's giant claw extractor you dont even have to worry about that.

My only concern would be RUST, but I would always carry the mosin nagant oil/solvent bottle with me.

[gak]

I like the idea of a short-ish .308, bolt (but pref w/ a DM--maybe Rem 700 all weather Mt Rifle?) or same in auto, or Marlin .45-70 "Alaska" variety. Not usually a Marlin fan, I'm very impressed with that gun.

Of what I have, "cheapie" syn stock with small recticle 3x9 (probably originally a Wally or K Mart "package" gun) -all "black" push feed Win 70 .270--amazing tack driver and tough as nails to date--though technically not all weather. Would also trust my life to my Pre 64 94 30-30, and much prefer in "carry" mode in the wilderness. It never in 40+ years (with me) has needed a minute's worth of 'smithing, and that's with next to no care other than occasional wipedown and lube. However, in the OP's scenario, ultimately it's the little pieces in such a lever that'll let you down in a potentially long-term, severe service situation. Though limited for all-'round utility (vs the Marlin) by its open sights, especially if venturing into bear country as part of this "fantasy" scenario, I like my Browning .45-70 carbine better (of my guns) in the go-bang every time department. Tough gun. Similarly, my beloved M-1 Carbine's never needed an ounce of attention, but not large enough caliber for "ideal head for the hills" wilderness duty, and supposed sub-zero reliability issues if Korean stories are true--and again limited by fixed-sights operation in its most desirable form.

Back to guns I don't have: since this is not an "ammo availability everywhere" scenario, I like the idea of the new Ruger Mini 14 6.8 as a full notch "better" carbine replacement for this scenario, ghost ring and all. Maybe the ultimate, all 'round compromise gun I can think of. Comparatively light weight and wieldable, hi cap (possible), reasonably powerful and accurate for a "survival" type. Basically, M1A/Socom/Mini 14 Tanker "lite." Works for me.

But it appears I've gone off on an "all around" tangent vs the OP's robust theme. Back to the .308 bolt or auto, or the Marline .45-70 - or my Browning in same.

[Suwannee Tim]

My M77 30-06 with a Leupold M8 4X has never failed me. I've got others that hypothetically might be just as good or better but they are not proven.

[Skans]

My most "robust" rifle has to be my IZZY SBL import heavy barrel FAL. I simply don't think it's possible to break or wear out anything on this tank-of-a-rifle in semi-auto. Even if it were a full-auto, it would take some serious number of rounds and abuse before something would break on it. It weighs at least as much as a BAR.

[gandog56]

Robust? DOOD, I have 10 Mosin Nagants, a K98, and a No.4 Mk.1 Lee Enfield!
Not to mention an AK and an SKS.

[mavracer]

unknown hostile envioroment I want my M1A.

[ZeSpectre]

Robust, out of what I own I'd have to say my synthetic stocked SKS. I shudder to think what you'd have to do to break it and any competent blacksmith could probably repair it.

[darkgael]

Does it have to be a rifle? If so, I'd probably opt for my flintlock. It always goes bang and it's accurate.
If it could be any long gun, then it'd be a .62 cal (20ga.) fowler like this:
[IMG][/IMG]

[Moloch]

@ darkgael
Wow, nice rifle! I love the .62 caliber!
I have also a trusty Hawken GPR .54 which never failed but once. (I forgot to remove the oil from the barrel )
Its very accurate with maxi-ball and with only moving parts in the lock as reliable as it gets.

[ninjatoth]

my .444 marlin.Knocks down all the sappling on the way to my victim

[ARGarrison]

SMLE No1 Mk III*

[moosemike]

Lee Enfield no.5 mk.1 jungle carbine, .303

[jmr40]

My Ruger 77MK-2, stainless/synthetic in 308. Mine has aftermarket iron sights combined with Ruger rings which allow the scope to be removed in seconds with a screwdriver. I have a couple of extra sets of rings that I could even sight in multiple scopes for it. It is a 1/2 MOA gun with my handloads and will keep even the worst military surplus ammo under 2" at 100 yards. I dont think it is possible to break this gun. Have another in 280 that is just as accurate and robust, but I would have to go with 308 in a SHTF situation because of ammo availability.

[Bayou Rifle]

Springfield Armory fiberglass stocked M1A, open sights.

[sewerman]

bolt action my smle mkI #4
semi... my fn-fal, best of the best battle rifles in MHO.
at one time as many as 90 countries used this rifle as their first line infantry weapon!

sewerman

[DiscoRacing]

700vls

[smoakingun]

everyone know the most robust rifle ever is the nagant

[Dwight55]

If my right hand came out of the gun safe (answering the OP post) with anything but my M1A, . . . my left hand would slap it and me silly.

Oh, . . . and yeah, . . . that is why I had my wife buy it for me in the first place (OP post).

May God bless,
Dwight

[Palmetto-Pride]

which rifle would you tell the magic genie you want from your safe?

As long as I had a magic genie I would ask to give me one that would never break and always go bang when I pulled the trigger..............lol

All jokes aside, I would trust my life to my S&W M&P15T 5.56 I have about 1000 rounds down the pipe and it has never had a FTF.

[30-30remchester]

Most commercial rifles werent built to withstand severe conditions.Most military models were built "soldier proof". And no tougher more durable action has been invented than the 98 mauser and its dirivitives. Some of its dirivities are the Sprinfield 1903, P17 Enfield and the commercial pre 64 model 70 Winchesters. These were designed to be fully disassembled in the field, and to operate under muddy,wet, and dusty conditions. The 30-06 is THE standard all other hunnting cartridges are judged by. And this round is avalible all over the world and in nearly every small burg.

[Stevie-Ray]

Originally Posted by Skans

heavy barrel FAL.

Same here, my HB SAR-48 would be it.

[T.A.Sharps]

If you found yourself in a highly unforgivable environment, extremely harsh conditions, and you needed a rifle to survive (needs to work every time), which rifle would you tell the magic genie you want from your safe?

It is a little tough of a question. Do you go with the one rifle you think is more reliable mechanically, the rifle that shoots the hardest hitting cartridge, the one you have the most trigger time with...

I would think the first rifle I would grab would be between my Marlin 1895CB 45/70, or my M1 Garand 30'06. I also have a Remington 5R Milspec .308, but it has a fixed 10X scope. If the setting is the one rifle you would have to use for everything I don't think it could be my beloved 5R. It just could not take care of emergency short range work.

I do think if I had to, I could carry a pack with a spare part for every part in my M1 Garand along with a few tools to replace them. Regardless of what rifle you have, that seems like the ultimate in reliability to me, to be able to replace any part that would happen to break at all if any.

That would be a fat minus to my Marlin 1895CB. If some part in that broke I would need a gunsmith to fix it.

I would also be more comfortable shooting my M1 at longer ranges than 200yards. I know my Marlin could do it also, but the buck horn sights are more SWAG sights ( Scientific Wild Ass Guess) since the 45/70 will have a higher arch trajectory, and the sight just has 4 notches to adjust with.

The sight on my M1 has a positive click up and down, it would be easy to estimate with, not to mention the flatter trajectory would require less critical aiming.

The Marlin 45/70 action is very strong, and they do make good guns. This 1895CB has given me amazing performance and reliability. With special brands, or special hand loads it can have very hard hitting power and accuracy to boot. With one shot from a .458" wide expanding bullet being more likely to put down a bear or deer, and my 1895[B]CB[/B carries 9 of the fat bastards, and can put them in a .43" grouping with iron sights.

For a wilderness critical survival end all be all scenario, I would have to go with...

[Tucker 1371]

Either of these two, depending on what the job is.



If it's self defense, AK. If I need to pole vault or make a shiskabob for a cookout the Mosin with the bayonet is my go to .

PS: Just picked up the Mosin yesterday, kicks like a mule but I'm lovin it .

[OJ]

Bayou Rifle Springfield Armory fiberglass stocked M1A, open sights.

That gets my vote in spades. Composite stock indestructible and, the only change I've made is installing the XS ghost ring sight set - aperture diameter is twice the size of the stock one, front sight white stripe is tritium - if you can imagine a need for a night sight - but it is more visible in low light conditions - and, it doesn't shoot loose as the stock one did.





I well remember in WWII when the Springfield '03 I was originally issued was replaced by the M1 Garand - I thought it was the greatest thing ever invented. The M1A function is nearly identical and field stripping is easier due to the detachable box magazine - and it is equally reliable. It is truly a joy to shoot week in and out.

The only malfunctions I've ever had with it have been magazine related - and only 20 round magazines, at that. On another thread, I was chastized (in a friendly way) for posting the picture above with a 10 round magazine - but they just don't malfunction like the 20 rounders for me, at least.

[fast-eddie]

Rossi Trifecta, .243/.22/20 guage , the .44/.22/20 guage would be nice to.

You never said anything about ammo. If there's a weight limit I'd got with my Marlin M60.