A survival gun can ideally be used for a few different things, such as self-defense and hunting. It's vital that you choose the right one for you. We rounded up the 11 best survival guns you can get your hands on below.
Best Survival Guns of 2023
Excellent survival guns will be versatile, easy-to-use, lightweight, and therefore, easy to carry and master.
You’ll also want to prioritize weapons that don’t require a ton of maintenance.
In any real survival situation, you may not be able to have access to a gunsmith or tons of high quality or complex tools.
With all this in mind, many of the best survival guns are rifles. But the following list has a healthy mix of firearms that should serve everyone. Choose the one you like the best and take care of it so that it can take care of you.
1. Ruger 10/22 Take-Down
10/22 Take-Down image by Ruger
This light rifle is a durable semiautomatic rifle that can even be disassembled into its component pieces.
This will make it easy to carry or store in a survival backpack, so it serves well as a perfect bug-out bag gun for hunters looking to escape into the wilderness during an emergency.
2. Remington 700
Model 700 NRA American Hunter image by Remington
This classic firearm certainly makes the list, as it’s one of the best bolt action rifles ever created.
You can use it for hunting or self-defense in equal measure or combine it with a great optic for even farther effective range.
3. AR-15
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AR-15s are heavily customizable rifles that can serve you well for either hunting or self-defense.
Furthermore, these guns can be custom-made with a kit, so you can put one together yourself for custom loads if you aren’t near a gun store right now.
4. Mossberg 500
This is a tactical and 12-gauge pump shotgun, but it's also one of the best close-quarters and self-defense weapons you can own.
Pick it up if your survival situation is likely to have a human opponent element at some point or another.
5. Remington 870
Model 870 Hardwood Home Defense image by Remington
Here’s another high-quality shotgun that comes with a synthetic stock and a choke-compatible barrel.
It’s great for slugs and buckshot depending on your needs, so use it for self-defense or hunting according to your situation.
6. Marlin 336 Dark
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When chambered for .30-30 Winchester rounds, it's a phenomenal lever-action hunting rifle that will work for virtually all big game in North America.
This particular model comes with a threaded muzzle, scope mounting options, and a ghost ring sight.
7. Steyr Scout Rifle
Scout Rifle image by Steyr
Find a rifle like this chambered for .308 Winchester, and you’ll have a top-tier hunting rifle that works well with a full-length and top rail mounting system that works with a huge variety of optical attachments.
It also comes with flip-up, open sights for easier storage and better accuracy.
8. Henry AR-7 Survival Rifle
U.S. Survival AR-7 image by Henry
This odd-looking rifle doesn't need any tools to put together or strip down and is incredibly small and lightweight.
Since it only weighs 3.5 pounds, it's perfect for smaller users and is ideal for hunting small varmints and other easy meals.
Keep in mind that it doesn’t have a handguard, so the barrel heats up quickly after firing.
9. Glock 17
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Pick up a G 17 chambered for 9 mm rounds.
You’ll have a capable self-defense weapon and a great cleanup gun for certain hunting expeditions.
The Glock brand’s overall durability makes it a perfect pick for survival situations.
10. Sig Sauer P320
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Sig Sauer produces some of the best concealed carry self-defense pistols, like this one. It’s better used for defending yourself from other people than hunting.
11. Ruger Single Ten
Single-Ten Revolver image by Ruger
You can find this revolver chambered for .22LR rounds: some of the most common ammunition in the world with enough power for most purposes.
A revolver can be a good choice for a survival gun thanks to its low maintenance requirements and ease of use.
Choose this for taking care of smaller animals when hunting or for self-defense.
What's the Best Survival Gun for You?
The answer is it will really depend on you.
Ask yourself, what is the main purpose of this survival gun? What's your budget?
It is also important to be able to hold the gun and check how comfortable you are with it.
The best survival gun will vary from one person to another and it will boil down to personal preference.
At least, having a list to start off will narrow down your choices. Good luck!
What type of survival gun are you looking for? Do you fancy anything from the list above? Let us know which one and why in the comments section!
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on November 02, 2020, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
