The question "If you could only own one, what would it be?" comes up in various firearm forums occasionally. It is both interesting and frustrating to consider. What single firearm would you choose if you could only have one? Certainly no single firearm can do everything. Scenarios are easy to imagine in where one type or caliber would be superior as easily as scenarios where that same firearm would be less than the ideal tool for the job.
Imagine a situation where resupply is unlikely, mobility is a priority and the duration of the event is measured in years... What would you choose?
For me it comes down to ammo - without it a firearm has little value. 22lr ammo is plentiful, ubiquitous actually, inexpensive, highly portable, low maintenance, accurate and capable of performing well beyond its common uses.
There are many excellent platforms and variations to shoot it in. For a long term scenario with limited ammo accuracy would be a priority. A repeater would mitigate the lack of power. The ability to fire a variety of ammo - shorts, longs, subsonic, hi-velocity, etc...- without having to single load would enhance the versatility.
Posed with question, after some consideration, I'm choosing the Marlin 39A Mountie.
2 comments:
I have a Ruger 10/22 because it can do most evrything like you say. I also have a .22 revolver with interchangeable cylinders for versatility - shoot magnums or 22lr. Good post and excellent point on having only "one gun".
Riverwalker
I like the 10-22, it is an excellent and reliable firearm. Every law abiding American should have one and shoot it often. It is a great training rifle and very fun to shoot.
Assuming we face the "end of the world as we know it" scenario I would pick the Mountie over it though.
The advantages of the Marlin 39 Mountie are it is a take down rifle. The rifle can be halved and put into a pack without tools. The Marlin can also shoot 22 short, 22 long and 22 long rifle. There are no magazines to lose and reloading the magazine if faster with the Mountie. The Mountie has a 15 round magazine capacity which is five times more than I need to harvest a limit of Grouse.
I've owned four Marlin model 39's. All were capable of better accuracy than the stock 10-22. All have been more reliable with a wide variety of ammo than any 10-22 I have ever owned.
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