In the world of survival, you must be ready for anything. It’s not only important to be prepared and have a plan, but you must be able to feed and protect yourself should the situation arise.
Read on to learn about a rifle that can help you do both.
RUGER RULES
That’s where Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., comes in. Ruger presents the 10/22 Takedown, a rifle that can keep you alive by serving as both a hunting gun and a protection firearm. This addition to the Ruger line gives the older 10/22 a new twist, and that twist is just what could save you in a do-or-die situation.
Reliability and accuracy are watchwords for the 10/22 Takedown, and thanks to the new model’s ability to be easily separated into two sub-assemblies, the rifle offers convenient transport and storage options, which are important to those on the move.
This gun offers the legendary 10/22 performance in a compact and portable package. Mark Gurney, director of product management at Ruger, told us that “this is the ultimate firearm for survival; it combines an excellent hunting gun with one that works for a wide range of self-defense.”
THE GOODS
You can readily separate the barrel and forend of the Takedown from the action and buttstock by pushing a recessed lever, twisting the subassemblies and pulling them apart. To reassemble, all you have to do is reverse the takedown. A simple-to-adjust, friction-fit lockup of the assembly joint is secure and repeatable, ensuring an accurate return to zero, even when receiver-mounted optics are used.
“It’s unbelievable how the Takedown returns to zero when the barrel is removed and replaced—even when receiver-mounted optics are used,” Gurney says. “We’ve tested this feature extensively, as have many other independent reviewers. As long as the user follows the simple instructions, the rifle returns perfectly to zero time and time again.” Gurney also comments that “the Takedown’s simple design is beautiful in both form and function; it’s easy to break down and makes for a lightweight, small carry weapon.”
The Takedown comes in a ballistic nylon, backpack-style case that features internal sleeves to hold the subassemblies. External pockets with MOLLE webbing provide storage for magazines, ammunition and other accessories, and multiple attachment points for the padded, single-shoulder strap provide an array of carrying options.
The rifle weighs in at a mere 4.67 pounds and runs 37 inches long when assembled. Each sub-assembly is less than 20 ¼ inches long when disassembled. The Takedown uses standard 10/22 action and comes with one 10-round rotary magazine.
In January 2013, Ruger introduced another version of the rifle, the 10/22TDT, which features a blued receiver and cold hammerforged 16.62-inch barrel. The barrel features a SR-556/Mini-14-style flash suppressor mounted with ½-inch 28 thread. We look forward to what Ruger comes up with next!
- Maker: Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.
- Model: 10/22 Takedown
- Stock: Black Synthetic
- Capacity: 10
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Finish: Clear Matte
- Front Sight: Gold Bead
- Rear Sight: Adjustable
- Barrel Length: 18.5 inches
- Overall Length: 37 inches
- Weight: 4.67 pounds
- Length of Pull: 13.5 inches
- Twist: 1:16 inches
- RH Grooves: 6
- MSRP: $399
Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared in the April 2014 print issue of American Survival Guide.