Take-down or packable air rifles/carbines?

[zuren]

With some of the talk of air rifles lately, I was hoping to build a thread with links and ideas of full-size air rifles or carbines that could be take-down or packable that are either commercially available or could be built/modified. There is a huge community of airgun modders. We could also discuss legalities with modifying an air gun but to my knowledge, in most places air guns are not seen or treated the same as firearms.

I'm open to suggestion but my thoughts for a suitable take-down carbine is:

- .22
- can accept optics
- pump or break action (no PCP)
- no single component can be longer than 20" (to easily stow in a pack)
- 700 ft./sec. or greater (to be able to take small game humanely)

There used to be a rifle called the Beeman Scout that starts in the right direction - link. My guess it was discontinued.

There is the Industry Brand QB57 take-down but have read it is bulky and heavy - link. This also appears to be the only place to get it and they sell the .22 barrel assembly separate rather than offering it up front. The ft./sec. is also low.

Then I started thinking about air guns that could be modified like the Crosman 13xx series. From the factory they are not considered good for small game. Mountain Air Custom Airguns makes a nice modded 1322 - longer barrel and internal mods that increase the ft./sec. Add a removable butt stock (available) and this could also work - link.

The Crosman 2289 (part of the Bug Out Kit) is probably the closest to what I'm thinking but it needs mods to get the numbers up - link.

The other option is to shorten a rifle. I'm not sure what would be a good candidate.

So I'm just looking for dialogue and ideas. I like the idea of an airgun in a BOB but IMO rifles are too long (if you wanted to be stealthy) and pistols don't have the velocity or accuracy.

Thanks!

[Airgun Sniper]

Crosman Bug comes close to that, if it was going to be a true pot filler on a daily basis I would have it worked on and carry a few spare parts. I would have the valve reworked not so much for more power but rather same power with less pumps. I would put a longer barrel with new crown on it and a LDC. A Long steel breech is a good thing and my favorite optic on them is the Bushnell Trophy TRS-25 very impressive fine dot and 3000 hrs battery life. this would make a very light effective setup!

[Legon]

I have been lookin at that Crosman Bug as well I used to have one sim to this one http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Crosman_1377C_PC77/198# Cant remember what model it was but it was a .177 cal. I killed lots of squirrels,opossums,an japanese hornets with it.But I would like to have it in a .22

[TomArnold]

If you're not wedded to an air rifle only, Henry makes a good break down rifle. It's the Henry Survival Rifle. It shoots .22LR and everything, including 3 8 round magazines, packs into the stock. It's easy to break down & put together, holds zero well.

[zuren]

Originally Posted by TomArnold

If you're not wedded to an air rifle only, Henry makes a good break down rifle. It's the Henry Survival Rifle. It shoots .22LR and everything, including 3 8 round magazines, packs into the stock. It's easy to break down & put together, holds zero well.

I'm very familiar with the Henry Survival Rifle as well as the M6. If you read the other threads on airguns, the idea is that you will never run out of air, you can carry a lot more ammo for the same weight, and they are quiet versus a gun that requires center or rimfire ammunition and can be just as (if not more) effective at taking small game.

Another advantage for me personally is that the state I live in does not regulate airguns like firearms. I can't store a firearm in my BOB unless it is "secured" somehow. A keyed or combo trigger lock may meet the letter of the law but if someone were to steal the gun out of my bag when I had the the option of my safe, the anti-gun lawyers and attorney general in MA might have a field day with me.

I see a dedicated BOB air rifle as a companion to a standard handgun that you are able to grab quickly and head out the door in a last minute emergency. Air rifle to put meat in the pot; handgun as an easily carried defensive weapon.

[kris704th]

I prefer the Ruger 10/22 Take Down .. very accurate and consistent. Too many issues with the AR7s.

[Legon]

I have all .22 stuff covered sub sonic, cb's,long rifle.an the guns that eat them but why not have a good pellet rifle,pistol to stretch out the ammo we have.Cause I aint seen any .22's on any shelf in two months and it may be alot longer before we do.IF. Grab that pellet rifle,pistol an shoot a rabbit or some squirrels for the pot.So back to pellet guns...

[luch]

awsome so glad i saw this. Ive owned a henry breakdown found it a little cheap the ruger option looks amazingly practical. Thanks for the knowledge

[zuren]

Originally Posted by kris704th

I prefer the Ruger 10/22 Take Down .. very accurate and consistent. Too many issues with the AR7s.

What are the lengths of each section when the Ruger is taken down?

A 10/22 Takedown with a folding stock may not be a bad option - http://www.agparms.com/10-22/

[TNdeerhunter96]

Air rifles are heavy get a small .22

[BBQ_Pork]

Originally Posted by zuren

I'm open to suggestion but my thoughts for a suitable take-down carbine is:

- .22
- can accept optics
- pump or break action (no PCP)
- no single component can be longer than 20" (to easily stow in a pack)
- 700 ft./sec. or greater (to be able to take small game humanely)

The other option is to shorten a rifle. I'm not sure what would be a good candidate.

So I'm just looking for dialogue and ideas. I like the idea of an airgun in a BOB but IMO rifles are too long (if you wanted to be stealthy) and pistols don't have the velocity or accuracy.

Thanks!

I just bought a Beeman X2 Grizzley.
-.22 caliber? Check! (also has a .177 barrel)
-Can accept optics? Check! (comes with a 3-9X scope)
-Pump or Break Barrel? Check! (Break barrel)
- 700 ft./sec. or greater (to be able to take small game humanely) Check! (claims to be 800fps with the .22, and 1000fps+ with the .177)
- no single component can be longer than 20" (to easily stow in a pack)
well.......there's the problem. Taking the barrel off, you have a length of about 32". Taking the stock off, you're at 22" for the reciever and the rear of the scope.
My options were to modify the stock, or just have a buttstock sticking out of my rucksack. I decided to just have the buttstock sticking out.

My question is, how do you protect the scope when carrying a scoped rifle in or on a ruck?
I chose to take a cheapo plastic "hard case" for a rifle and chop the ends off, resulting in a padded hard cover for the receiver area.