Let’s discuss the Ruger 10/22 and why I think it has a place as an urban survival rifle. Specifically, I’m going to be discussing the Ruger 10/22 Takedown model # 11112.
If you are interested in what urban survival gear you should have (or carry) in addition to a rifle, be sure to check out our article…Urban Survival Gear List – Urban Survival Kit Essentials. It will get you going in the right direction.
Now, back to the 10/22…
Specs
- Stock: Black synthetic
- Front Sight: Gold bead
- Rear Sight: Adjustable
- Material: Alloy steel
- Barrel Feature: Threaded barrel with flash suppressor
- Thread Pattern: 1/2″-28
- Capacity: 10
- Twist: 1:16″ RH
- Finish: Satin black
- Overall Length: 36.75″
- Barrel Length: 16.40″
- Weight: 4.6 lbs.
- Grooves: 6
- Trigger Pull: 6 lbs., 8 oz.
- MSRP: $459.00
- Street Price: $339.00
Before we get going, I’m not saying the 10/22 is good for self-defense or any defensive application for that matter. I’m also not saying it could never be used in a defensive role in a pinch.
What I am saying is that it is very practical and could be useful in an urban survival situation for a number of applications.
Cost
Affordable
With a little searching, you can easily find the 10/22 Takedown for less than $350. All things considered, I find it to be a good value. The action on the 10/22 has stood the test of time and has become a household favorite for a lot of folks over the years. There are a good many shooters who have cut their teeth on this platform.
Cheap and plentiful ammo
Depending on the manufacturer, you can find .22LR for less than 3 cents per round and it is readily available. In the past, there have been runs on this caliber that made it hard to find. However, during those times it was pretty difficult to find most calibers. The cheap price makes it easy to stock up and makes training sessions very affordable.
Ammunition
Ammo is easy to store
Keeping with the ammo theme, the small size of .22 ammo makes it easy to store large quantities. With very limited space you can stash an adequate amount to provide for training and usage.
Ease of Use
Easy to shoot
.22LR is a fairly quiet round, compared to most others, and combined with the super low recoil, it is very easy to shoot. The shooter overall length and moderate weight are also positive factors in making things easier.
Low recoil
As previously mentioned, .22LR produces minimal recoil. This leads to better accuracy (not all the time) and also makes for a great starter platform.
Quiet
As mentioned above, .22LR is fairly quiet on its own. However, if you add a suppressor to the mix things only get better. A suppressor will quieten whatever ammo you’re shooting, but be sure to use subsonic rounds for the most bag (or lack thereof) for your buck.
Compact model
The Takedown model of the Ruger 10/22 takes an already compact platform and really reduces the overall footprint. When this rifle is broken down, the stock/receiver measure around 20″ and the forend/barrel come in at around 18.5″. This makes for a small package when disassembled. The small size also makes it ideal for carrying in a discreet manner. This could prove to be beneficial if you need to travel while keeping a low-profile.
Accurate
With decent ammo, you can easily hit targets out to 100 yards with good accuracy. This, of course, is left up to the shooter, but the rifle on its own is more than capable. The better the optic, the better the accuracy improves. You will a good mix of folks who prefer red dots and magnified scopes. The final decision is very subjective, but either option will be a benefit.
Extras
Numerous accessories
The 10/22 is hugely popular and that is a good thing when it comes to accessories. There is no lack of aftermarket support and you can pretty much find anything you want in terms of upgrades or replacement parts. If you are not careful, aftermarket add-ons can quickly add up and surpass the base price of this rifle.
Uses
Hunting
While this caliber is not recommended for larger game, it is an excellent choice for small game hunting. Regardless of where you live there is going to be a variety of small game that can be efficiently hunted with a .22 LR. Even with iron sights, you should have no problem out to a certain distance (determined by you).
Self-defense
Can this gun be used for self-defense? Can it…yes! Should you…no! Not unless you have zero other options. In my opinion, a .22 should be nowhere near the top of your list for self-defense applications. It simply does not have the stopping power to ensure it can do what you need it to do. However, as I said above, if you find yourself in a situation where it is the only option you have, do what you need to do.
Conlusion
With all of these things in mind, I believe the Ruger 10/22 Takedown makes an excellent choice for an urban survival rifle. It’s affordable, easy to shoot, compact, quiet, and ammo is cheap.
With a few simple upgrades, like an optic, extended magazine, etc., you have a pretty capable platform for training, small game hunting, and more. The price is easy to stomach and is just another reason I think you should add one to your collection.
What are your thoughts?
