Chris:

I am willing to bet your friend that got cleaned out also had plenty of insurance to cover his losses?

I have said it before and I will say it again, a .22 semi-auto rifle is preferred for "backwoods", and a slingshot as a general pack item. The preference for a .22 semi-auto rifle over a more versitale item like the M6 is that it can satisfy urban needs in an emergency situation as well as "backwoods" use.

A .22 may not be able to stop a grizzly or polar bear (neither of which is a concern in Wisconsin.), but those little 40 grain "bees" hitting the nose, eyes, and face of a large animal as a defensive move on your part, will probably work a hell of a lot better than punching him with your fist and yelling "no, stop".

If I was in a line being given the choice of having another weapon in addition to my .22 semi-auto rifle, I would chose an M6 <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />RIFLE <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> first, an M6 pistol second, and my Ruger Govt. Mdl. 6 inch bull barrel last. If I am going out my front door in a hurry, I would grab the .22 semi-auto rifle always, and my Ruger if I thought it might help me.

Bountyhunter