M6 Scout Survival Rifle, And the .22 Cartridge

I'd like to throw out a challenge to all my blogger friends; write and post one article this week, hopefully today or tomorrow, based on the .22 caliber rifle or handgun. The tone or theme doesn't matter. Write about a favorite rifle you owned as a child, or an heirloom inherited from a family member. Perhaps you have certain reasons for or against its consideration as the best cartridge (it is in my humble opinion) for survival situations. Doesn't matter, join the fun. Duke at Down Range Report, http://downrangereport.blogspot.com/, got the ball rolling yesterday. Thanks.

Today I'd like to present to you what I believe is one of the best, again in my opinion, survival rifles, the M6 Scout Survival Rifle by Springfield Arms. The rifle was discontinued in 1985. It was designed by the military for combat pilots.

Oleg recently did a photo spread on the M6, nice picture, but the young man said he 'didn't get it,' as to why the rifle was considered the best survival rifle at the time it was issued. My answer; the M6 was designed for utilization under extreme conditions, and pilots have a bad habit of putting the nose of the plane into the ground, after all. Frequently behind enemy lines.

Here is a snippet found at http://jamesazacharyjr.blogspot.com/2009/03/springfield-armory-m6-scout.html.

The Springfield Armory M6 Scout is an interesting superposed rifle / shotgun survival arm. The rifle barrel on mine is chambered for the .22 Long Rifle instead of the .22 Hornet. The lower barrel is the standard .410 bore shotgun. The M6 Scout has been out of production since March of 2008.

Based on the M6 Aircrew Survival Weapon, the Springfield Armory version has longer barrels (18.5’’) to make it legal for civilians. There is a flip-top cover on the gunstock where both .22 and .410 cartridges are stored.

The optional lockable plastic carrying case is designed to carry the disassembled M6 along with some ammunition. I have crammed a few extra items in; a cleaning kit, spray oil, and storm-proof matches. It conveniently stows in the trunk of a car or cuddy of a boat. The case IS NOT waterproof. A disassembled M6 Scout readily fits into a camper’s bedroll or a hiker's backpack.
End snippet.

The M6, as you read above, is chambered for .22 and .410. It's the twenty two that makes the rifle.

The .22 cartridge is light which gives you the ability to hump thousands of rounds. Try packing a thousand rounds of centerfire ammunition. It has the power, with the correct shot placement, to drop man or animal. Another credit in its favor are the endless variety of weapon configurations from which to choose, like the Ruger 10/22, or my personal favorite, the classic Marlin Golden model 39.

As I've said over and over the lowly .22 should never be underestimated. As a young man living in the wilds of Washington State I'd cruise the logging roads (I was a notorious poacher) with an old beat to hell Savage .22 and remember taking at least four Blacktail deer. Hey, venison is the meat of kings. Each of those now long dead critters dropped in their tracks as if hit by lightning. But then again so would a democritter if the shot were placed between his eyes.

By the way, if you know of an M6 Scout Survival rifle for sale, email me. I want one, badly. Remember, I'm poor, too.

My friends, work awaits. Again with the challenge, let's make this .22 week. Give me your take, good or bad, on the best friend this country has ever had, a meat getter and survival rifle ammunition of the highest order, the .22 cartridge.

Thanks,

Stephen