The word “survival” has become as loosely used as “low mileage” and “ON SALE!” Some products that come across my desk that are classified as such always make me question the validity of their designation. Huge and heavy don’t often translate into that world yet I still see bags, blades, guns, etc. that just don’t fit the bill.
What classifies something as a “survival” product? This is another subjective classification, but I look for certain qualities in my gear when I’m thinking about what I would take with me into the wild blue yonder. If you’ve spent any time camping or hiking, you know that essential items are all you want to bring along. When I’m preparing to go out for a stroll through the woods, there are a few characteristics that are non-negotiable to my gear:
You will notice that I did NOT put “Do it for the Gram” as number four on my list. Social media tends to paint unrealistic pictures or make people feel like they don’t stack up. Remember that most situations you see online or on TV are set up. If there is a cameraman, chances are they are going be ok no matter what they encounter. When planning for your outing, be sure you are ready with the proper knowledge and training. The obstacles you may encounter could be fatal without it.
Now that we have an understanding on what we need to help us be successful, let’s talk rifles. When I was younger, I would go out into the woods all day with an old Winchester tube fed .22lr and a pocketful of ammo and a PB&J. For a 10-year-old boy in the mountains of Appalachia, this was the perfect survival kit. I knew to be home when I heard the crickets start chirping again so having a huge bag full of stuff was not necessary. I came home with squirrels, rabbits, and put more holes in cans and natural targets than I can remember. This wasn’t real survival; it was a kid out having fun and a quiet house for my grandparents. The Winchester was great and it’s still in the family, but here’s a great example of not wanting to take family heirlooms into sketchy environments. For that, I present the Top 5 Survival Rifles of 2025:
The most popular rifle in this space is the Henry AR-7 US Survival Rifle. Originally designed by Eugene Stoner for ArmaLite back in 1958, the AR-7 was designed to give the Air Force something small to put in planes and helicopters in case they were shot down. The allure of this design was not only how light it was, but easy it was to break down and store in the stock. Not only did this make it easy to pack around, but waterproof when in storage. The original design (AR-5) was a bolt action in .22 Hornet, but was more mass produced in .22lr. At just 2.5 lbs and OAL of 35” when assembled, the AR-7 was also designed to use 5-10-20 round magazines. Now owned by Henry, there are several colors, designs, and configurations to choose from.
For those looking for something with a little more punch, the Rossi Survival rifle may be just what you need. Having the option to shoot either .45 Long Colt or .410 Gauge shells means versatility in your ammo choices. When you are in the wild, you are inevitably in some angry predator’s home. While .22lr will put squirrels and rabbits over the fire, it is not going to phase an angry black bear or mountain lion like that .45 LC. When Rossi designed this rifle that is exactly what they had in mind. With its breakdown design, you can even fit it in your backpack when not assembled. At just a little over 3 lbs. this is rifle delivers huge impact in a small package.
If you are one of the millions of people with a bunch of G17 magazines laying around, then this option may be right up your alley. Kel-Tec created the Sub2000 Folding Rifle to be something a little more tactical than your average survival rifle. With a quick flip of the thumb release you can break this little 9mm beauty down to just 16.15” to fit into most packs. If your sidearm is a Glock, carrying extra mags won’t be an issue and its 9mm stopping power will bring down or at least deter most critters you will come across. At 4.2 lbs. this is my beefiest selection, but the versatility of ammo and magazine put it on the list. With a full 1913 pic rail, you can bump those numbers up with a light and a dot if your situation demands.
Another eye-catching addition to this list is the single-shot Chiappa Little Badger. While the LB has been around a while, just recently they launched this even more compact version. Now not only can you break this rifle in half, but they also include a waterproof tube to store it in. Features include an adjustable rear sight, four picatinny rails for mounting your tactical treasures to, ammo storage in the stock, and a threaded barrel. This is a great option if you must leave it stored in a place where the elements could be an issue like a boat or camper.
Last on my list is one of my personal favorites, the Ruger 10/22 Takedown. Ruger has produced an amazing number of 10/22s since its introduction in 1964. A magazine fed, .22lr rifle that can be broken in half for easy storage was something I couldn’t live without when they were released. While this is the most expensive option on the list, it is also the most versatile due to the huge number of aftermarket parts and accessories out there. Triggers, stocks, magazines, and more are available by the truckload nowadays so building the rifle to your specs while maintaining its qualification as a survival rifle should be no problem.
Y’all be safe out there.
-Nick
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