Your most robust rifle - Page 3

Come and take it. · July 13, 2009, 06:34 PM

Parts like the firing pin and safeties can lock up in harsh wet icy condition. A bolt action would be just as vulneravle as any semi-auto in that.

I would go with a garand action.

Dr. Strangelove · July 13, 2009, 10:49 PM

For all-around must work no questions asked, from what I own:

Ruger M77
Savage 110
Custom build Mauser 98

Those three I would never question, the Mauser I believe is much more forgiving of truly horrible conditions, but the Ruger is the only one that has iron sights as well as a scope. For that reason only, I choose the Ruger because I can still hit something if the scope goes south.

raftman · July 13, 2009, 11:05 PM

I've only got 2 rifles (so far), and it's not really a fair comparison between the 2. In any case, the answer is M44 as far as which is more robust. The other rifle's a Mossberg 151k.

Buzzcook · July 13, 2009, 11:43 PM

There are a bunch of modern stanless steel and plastic guns out there that were designed for "rough" conditions.

There are a bunch of old milsurps out there that survived conditions that would make most of us cry for momma.

Whatever your choice you should learn how to maintain your rifle in adverse conditions or it won't matter what you choose.

Don't forget to hang a condom over the barrel of your rifle to keep the weather out.

Crankylove · July 14, 2009, 02:21 AM

If I had to pick from what I own........my 1944 vintage Nagant. Its tough as nails, shoots like a laser beam out to 300 yds, and the bayonet also doubles as a hotdog roaster

blhseawa · July 14, 2009, 03:37 AM

1) Mauser 98

2) HK 91

3) Everything else in the gun safe.

YMMV

ken22250 · July 14, 2009, 01:01 PM

that depends, if it was a SHTF senario, i would take my 1903 springfield, if it was just, "your stuck in the woods with no way out" i would either take my 1903, or my 1874 sharps, in 135 years, i have heard very few complaints about sharps failing, and i trust mine.

stubbicatt · July 14, 2009, 05:42 PM

Prolly my Mosin Nagant PU sniper. Good rifle, and it helps in most situations in which you can do so to maintain some stand off distance so you can run like crazy.

Else my PTR91 w/ scope and 22 l.r. conversion kit. Not much you couldn't do with all that.

mpd61 · July 14, 2009, 07:31 PM

my Mauser M48A

armsmaster270 · July 14, 2009, 07:59 PM

M1 Garand hands down.

Ian0351 · July 14, 2009, 08:16 PM

If it had to be a gun that I own today it would be the nicer of my two Mosins, a 1952 Polish model that was refurbed in Hungary with a new bolt group and tighter fitting stock.

If I was buying a gun for this purpose I would want a Cooper-spec Scout Rifle, ideally a Steyr Scout in 7.62x51 with a fixed 4X scope in the forward position, synthetic stock and 18" barrel.

Dezynco · July 14, 2009, 08:24 PM

P1917 Enfield 30-06 by Winchester. If it jambs, just crank the bolt a little harder. It will put'em where it's lookin'. Mine's was sporterized a long time ago (unfortunately) but it's still a fantastic old rifle for 91 years old!

thebluemax · July 16, 2009, 01:05 PM

K98 or Yugo M70 both are stout and will likely be around long after I'm gone.

howwie · July 16, 2009, 01:10 PM

AK in semi, mosin in bolt, glock for handgun

Renny · July 16, 2009, 01:29 PM

My Bikal IZH 94 12G over 223Rem single shot hunting rifle would be my choice

swmike · July 16, 2009, 11:25 PM

Even though I just bought a new Remington 700, for that "I have to depend on it no matter what" rifle I would take my 1903-A3 30-06.

A supply 130 gr SP's and a supply of 220gr SP's should be adequate for 2 or 4-legged quarry.

Then again, my 700 is in Stainless Steel so I might take it too.

For total reliability I would definitely lean to a Bolt Action. Fewer small springs whose failure would make an autoloader just a club.

Doodlebugger45 · July 17, 2009, 12:06 AM

I was going to say my Win mod 70 in 308 caliber because it shoots everything so well. But actually, based on my own PERSONAL real life experiences, I haven't actually owned that rifle long enough to subject it to a whole lot of different situations to truly test it. So... the real answer is my Winchester 94 30-30. It's ridden 5000 miles on a horse in a saddle scabbard and 400,000 miles in a pickup truck behind the seat bouncing around on the floor. It's been through rain, snow, ice, sand storms, and general neglect. But it's never ever failed to do what it's supposed to do. AND it's very short and light, which is a good thing if I'm fighting for survival since I might have my hands full of other pressing matters at the same time I'm trying to hold onto the rifle. It doesn't rust or fail to fire in 36 years of real life abuse. Yep, that's the one I want to be toting around with me.

Huntergirl · July 17, 2009, 01:17 AM

My Marlin 444, or my Marlin 44mag, which generally is my truck gun. Its been through everything. Its an old gun, which has been duracoated.

Ignition Override · July 18, 2009, 01:00 AM

The MN 44 (five rounds).

Otherwise, the LE Jungle Carbine (ten rounds) is lighter and handier with a nice safety, but the mag feed lips need to be adjusted. With just one round the bullet goes just to the upper left area outside the chamber and stops. Can such feed lips always be tweaked to solve this?

T. O'Heir · July 18, 2009, 03:10 AM

"...Your most robust rifle..." Commercial hunting or any rifle? Great question, either way.

Cameron · July 18, 2009, 03:21 AM

DSA FAL

LongRifle · July 18, 2009, 10:12 AM

It would have to be my VZ-24 Mauser custom that I, had chambered in .308 Winchester. The reason for .308 Winchester is that every military and police forces use 7.62 NATO ammunition. If I were trying to survive it would be comforting to know that I would not run out of ammunition, I could get it off the dead. I hope nothing like that ever happens but it does not hurt to think.

I, know that alot of agencies use 5.56, but they also use .308 Winchester and in Europe they love 7.62 NATO.

Moloch · July 18, 2009, 01:34 PM

@ Longrifle

The Mauser 98 System is always a good choice if it gets rough and tough, but .308?

I had 2 K98k in .308 and they had all sort of feeding issues, sometimes the rounds didnt want to slip into the extractor claw and therefore they couldnt be chambered or they got jammed on the barrel wall because they entered the chamber at a angel way too steep. The .308 is shorter than the 8x57mm so this causes this issues. (and yes, bot of them had the extra-feed ramp for the .308)
I sold both of them and replaced them with good old K98k's in 8x57, here in Europe the 8x57mm mauser is one of THE hunting cartridges so its way easier to get them than in the US. IMO the K98k is gerat in 8x57, never touch a running system I say.

I bet the 98 in 30-06 would be gerat too but I would NEVER use one in .308, its a jam-o-matic and such rifle can get you killed.

7jinxed7 · July 18, 2009, 02:20 PM

M1A Scout Squad.

mathman · July 18, 2009, 05:35 PM

I know you said rifle...but if my life depended on it, I'd choose a good pump or semi auto shotgun with a 5 or 6 round capacity and an 18.5 inch barrel.

You can always shoot slugs...right? (out to about 100 yards anyway)

July 13, 2009, 10:49 PM	#52
Dr. Strangelove Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2008 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 1,436	I'll play! For all-around must work no questions asked, from what I own: Ruger M77 Savage 110 Custom build Mauser 98 Those three I would never question, the Mauser I believe is much more forgiving of truly horrible conditions, but the Ruger is the only one that has iron sights as well as a scope. For that reason only, I choose the Ruger because I can still hit something if the scope goes south.

July 14, 2009, 02:21 AM	#55
Crankylove Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2008 Location: 4B ID Posts: 1,770	If I had to pick from what I own........my 1944 vintage Nagant. Its tough as nails, shoots like a laser beam out to 300 yds, and the bayonet also doubles as a hotdog roaster __________________ The answer to 1984 is 1776

July 14, 2009, 03:37 AM	#56
blhseawa Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2008 Location: Des Moines, WA Posts: 220	Well, of the rifles I own ... 1) Mauser 98 2) HK 91 3) Everything else in the gun safe. YMMV

July 14, 2009, 07:31 PM	#59
mpd61 Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Central Mass Posts: 352	Without a doubt... my Mauser M48A

July 13, 2009, 06:34 PM	#51
Come and take it. Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 999	Parts like the firing pin and safeties can lock up in harsh wet icy condition. A bolt action would be just as vulneravle as any semi-auto in that. I would go with a garand action.

July 13, 2009, 11:05 PM	#53
raftman Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,890	I've only got 2 rifles (so far), and it's not really a fair comparison between the 2. In any case, the answer is M44 as far as which is more robust. The other rifle's a Mossberg 151k.

July 13, 2009, 11:43 PM	#54
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	There are a bunch of modern stanless steel and plastic guns out there that were designed for "rough" conditions. There are a bunch of old milsurps out there that survived conditions that would make most of us cry for momma. Whatever your choice you should learn how to maintain your rifle in adverse conditions or it won't matter what you choose. Don't forget to hang a condom over the barrel of your rifle to keep the weather out.

July 14, 2009, 01:01 PM	#57
ken22250 Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2008 Location: Pennsylvaina Posts: 218	that depends, if it was a SHTF senario, i would take my 1903 springfield, if it was just, "your stuck in the woods with no way out" i would either take my 1903, or my 1874 sharps, in 135 years, i have heard very few complaints about sharps failing, and i trust mine.

July 14, 2009, 05:42 PM	#58
stubbicatt Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2007 Posts: 1,707	Prolly my Mosin Nagant PU sniper. Good rifle, and it helps in most situations in which you can do so to maintain some stand off distance so you can run like crazy. Else my PTR91 w/ scope and 22 l.r. conversion kit. Not much you couldn't do with all that.

July 14, 2009, 07:59 PM	#60
armsmaster270 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2008 Location: California Posts: 1,951	M1 Garand hands down.

July 14, 2009, 08:16 PM	#61
Ian0351 Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2009 Location: Washington Posts: 414	If it had to be a gun that I own today it would be the nicer of my two Mosins, a 1952 Polish model that was refurbed in Hungary with a new bolt group and tighter fitting stock. If I was buying a gun for this purpose I would want a Cooper-spec Scout Rifle, ideally a Steyr Scout in 7.62x51 with a fixed 4X scope in the forward position, synthetic stock and 18" barrel.

July 14, 2009, 08:24 PM	#62
Dezynco Senior Member Join Date: May 7, 2008 Posts: 401	P1917 Enfield 30-06 by Winchester. If it jambs, just crank the bolt a little harder. It will put'em where it's lookin'. Mine's was sporterized a long time ago (unfortunately) but it's still a fantastic old rifle for 91 years old!

July 16, 2009, 01:05 PM	#63
thebluemax Member Join Date: July 8, 2009 Posts: 17	K98 or Yugo M70 both are stout and will likely be around long after I'm gone.

July 16, 2009, 01:10 PM	#64
howwie Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2009 Location: Georgia Posts: 188	AK in semi, mosin in bolt, glock for handgun

July 16, 2009, 11:25 PM	#66
swmike Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2005 Location: Marysville, WA Posts: 670	Even though I just bought a new Remington 700, for that "I have to depend on it no matter what" rifle I would take my 1903-A3 30-06. A supply 130 gr SP's and a supply of 220gr SP's should be adequate for 2 or 4-legged quarry. Then again, my 700 is in Stainless Steel so I might take it too. For total reliability I would definitely lean to a Bolt Action. Fewer small springs whose failure would make an autoloader just a club.

July 17, 2009, 12:06 AM	#67
Doodlebugger45 Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2009 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,717	I was going to say my Win mod 70 in 308 caliber because it shoots everything so well. But actually, based on my own PERSONAL real life experiences, I haven't actually owned that rifle long enough to subject it to a whole lot of different situations to truly test it. So... the real answer is my Winchester 94 30-30. It's ridden 5000 miles on a horse in a saddle scabbard and 400,000 miles in a pickup truck behind the seat bouncing around on the floor. It's been through rain, snow, ice, sand storms, and general neglect. But it's never ever failed to do what it's supposed to do. AND it's very short and light, which is a good thing if I'm fighting for survival since I might have my hands full of other pressing matters at the same time I'm trying to hold onto the rifle. It doesn't rust or fail to fire in 36 years of real life abuse. Yep, that's the one I want to be toting around with me.

July 17, 2009, 01:17 AM	#68
Huntergirl Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2005 Location: Wyoming Posts: 907	My Marlin 444, or my Marlin 44mag, which generally is my truck gun. Its been through everything. Its an old gun, which has been duracoated.

July 18, 2009, 01:00 AM	#69
Ignition Override Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2008 Location: About 20 nm from the Big Muddy Posts: 2,899	The MN 44 (five rounds). Otherwise, the LE Jungle Carbine (ten rounds) is lighter and handier with a nice safety, but the mag feed lips need to be adjusted. With just one round the bullet goes just to the upper left area outside the chamber and stops. Can such feed lips always be tweaked to solve this?

July 18, 2009, 03:10 AM	#70
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...Your most robust rifle..." Commercial hunting or any rifle? Great question, either way.

July 18, 2009, 03:21 AM	#71
Cameron Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Posts: 113	DSA FAL

July 18, 2009, 10:12 AM	#72
LongRifle Junior Member Join Date: July 7, 2009 Posts: 12	It would have to be my VZ-24 Mauser custom that I, had chambered in .308 Winchester. The reason for .308 Winchester is that every military and police forces use 7.62 NATO ammunition. If I were trying to survive it would be comforting to know that I would not run out of ammunition, I could get it off the dead. I hope nothing like that ever happens but it does not hurt to think. I, know that alot of agencies use 5.56, but they also use .308 Winchester and in Europe they love 7.62 NATO.

July 18, 2009, 01:34 PM	#73
Moloch Senior Member Join Date: November 27, 2005 Posts: 1,419	@ Longrifle The Mauser 98 System is always a good choice if it gets rough and tough, but .308? I had 2 K98k in .308 and they had all sort of feeding issues, sometimes the rounds didnt want to slip into the extractor claw and therefore they couldnt be chambered or they got jammed on the barrel wall because they entered the chamber at a angel way too steep. The .308 is shorter than the 8x57mm so this causes this issues. (and yes, bot of them had the extra-feed ramp for the .308) I sold both of them and replaced them with good old K98k's in 8x57, here in Europe the 8x57mm mauser is one of THE hunting cartridges so its way easier to get them than in the US. IMO the K98k is gerat in 8x57, never touch a running system I say. I bet the 98 in 30-06 would be gerat too but I would NEVER use one in .308, its a jam-o-matic and such rifle can get you killed.

July 18, 2009, 02:20 PM	#74
7jinxed7 Senior Member Join Date: June 3, 2009 Location: no where Posts: 352	M1A Scout Squad.

July 18, 2009, 05:35 PM	#75
mathman Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2005 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,531	I know you said rifle...but if my life depended on it, I'd choose a good pump or semi auto shotgun with a 5 or 6 round capacity and an 18.5 inch barrel. You can always shoot slugs...right? (out to about 100 yards anyway)