I have been looking for an inexpensive rifle to keep in the cap-covered bed of my truck. For caliber I had already made up my mind on .22LR, primarily due to ammo weight and bulk. It had to have a synthetic stock, be light weight, accurate, and--if a semi-automatic--utterly reliable. I was looking at buying an AR-7. But then it occurred to me I had a perfectly good example of what I was looking for sitting in my gun safe: my Remington Nylon 66:

Nylon 66

It's been my rabbit gun for 20 years. It has never jammed or failed to go bang. I can only think of two disadvantages: it currently wears no sling, and if it were stolen it would cause me some grief for sentimental reasons. But I can rig up a sling easlily enough. And the apprehension I might feel over its possible theft (a remote possibility considering the way I'll have it locked up) is more than offset by the confidence I have in it.

Regards, Vince

Great choice. I prefer a 12ga because of the versatility of shot/slug, but there is very little a .22 can't do.

Nylon 66s are great guns

Of course, my warped mind first said "Man a gun that can fire a truck must have some recoil - about that of a 16" Naval gun"

I agree. If you are talking versatility, the shotgun wins hands down. I thought about using my Remington 870 or my Savage 24 in .22LR/20 ga. mag. But I finally rejected them both due to weight. If I have to hoof it they would just be too heavy along with the rest of my gear.

Regards, Vince

Or how about my Dodge sprouting a turret with twin .50's out the top? Oh right, then I'd need to pack a gunner too. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Regards, Vince

norad, you beat me to it. OK, I'll one-up you. How about a Phalanx close-in weapon system?

Or a Metal Storm.


(Edit: New, working link.)

Gentlemen, come now. We are talking a truck gun, not some fantasy thing. Lets be practical. something that is affordable, durable, and available to the masses. Now here is a weapon that is in use by thousands of Islamic militants, with great success.

If you want a gun in a truck, or a gun for a truck, you have to think about this: http://www.barrettrifles.com/

*drool*

Overpenetration may be an issue, however. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

A mere quibble. Who cares about the objects behind? Are they not in harms way by thier own volition? Isn't that what avoiding friendly fire is all about?

Seriously, I like my neighbors, so I have 148 gr. hollow base wads loaded backwards and Glaser Safety Slugs in my house guns.

If a jobs worth doing.
Do it well



First try at images, I hope it works.

Hope you've got a big truck. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Wow. Does it work on AAs?

I would buy the AR-7, so long as the Henry version is reliable.

Your Nylon 66 is too valuable for you to keep in the truck, and it's going to be harder to secure from whoever breaks into your truck. You may also have to hide, dump or relinquish the weapon along any egress route, so it makes sense to use a gun that will be practical and reliable, but essentially expendable.

I agree the .22LR is the way to go. My choice is also on the list. Good ol' Ruger 10/22. Easy to work on, accurate and more mods/upgrades than Carters has pill.

http://www.fieldandstream.com/fieldstream/photogallery/article/0,13355,1024788_11,00.html

"Now here is a weapon that is in use by thousands of Islamic militants, with great success."

And don't forget that depleted uranium rounds are widely available at every gunshow in America! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Vince

I confess I still might buy the AR-7 down the road somewhere. Coin is a bit short right now though.

Regards, Vince

I second the Ruger 10/22

For a "truck gun" I wouldn't want a 22. Why a 22? It's not a defence weapon. A 22 is a varment weapon. A better gun for your truck is a shotgun. I have a 12 guage myself, but a 20 guage would work too. Any shell at close range would work. I store mostly 8 shot to shoot doves, etc. but 8 shot at close range would put a hurtin on any person. I have a 22, but it would be more for small game if I needed it.

Charles

I don't disagree about a shotgun. I did consider it as well as my combo gun. But consider this:

Nylon 66 (4 lbs) plus 200 rounds CCI Stinger .22 LR (1.5lbs) = 5.5 lbs .

Remington 870 (6.75 lbs) plus 200 rounds #8 dove load (18 lbs) = 24.75 lbs

All weights are approximations but you get the point.

I get pretty far back into the mountains, and it would not surprise me to break down and have to walk 15-20 miles. No way I'm going to be packing 25 lbs, or even half that, along with my other gear.

As far as the capabilities of the .22 LR, I suppose it has it's limitations. But it has advantages too--less meat damage being one.

No matter what you pick it's a tradeoff.

Regards, Vince

My choice would be ruger 10/22, ar-7, or m6. Please leave the nylon 66 at home. It would be horrible to loss, surrender, or have confiscated such a nice rifle.

I do not have currently a 10-22 but have had several in the past. I think the things that are being done afermarket with them are great, and next good gun show, I'll going to reup.

Although I am a traditionalist in most things, I am going to bow to technology and go with a sleeved carbon fiber barrel, a synthetic stock, and a low power variable scope with hopefully a Williams peep as a backup. [my eyes are not what they used to be]

I have had one AR-7, and I thougt it was junk. The only good thing I can say is that it always went bang.

The current weapon, if you want to call it that, that I am using for the small caliber, light target range is a BSA .177 pell gun. It has no model numbers on it. But it has a great full length stock, and excellent finish. I put a 1" 3x9 on it. It will do anything from 50# down, with head shots, up to 50 yards.

Excuse me for being verbose.