Takedown .22 Rifles

Firearms boredom is setting in again, guys. Hey, better late than never…

For some time now, I’ve thought it would be fun to get one of those little takedown .22 rifles the come apart neatly for transport in a short case. For whatever reason, these have long appealed to me.

I can see three options. I’d be happy to hear from anyone who has experience with either of these.

Option 1: Browning SA-22. My father has been in love with this classic design forever and I think they’re just terrific as well. I’ve heard mixed messages about their accuracy, however. I have reasonable expectations, but some have described the best case as minute of tennis ball, which if true, is not that great considering the cost. This rifle is beautiful, although I’m not a fan of the high gloss stock.

Option 2: Browning Papoose – This one would have to come from the vintage closet because I don’t like the new stainless model that’s available. I’ve never heard anything good, bad, or indifferent about the accuracy of these rifles, they are relatively rare so I’d love to hear from anyone who has owned one.

Option 3: The Henry “Survival” .22. OK, I admit it. I’m really slumming it here relative to the other options, but even back with Armalite was making these based on the original Air Force design, I just thought the concept was gee wiz cool. I know these rifles had lots of issues before Henry picked up the ball and made improvements. Obviously the knock on the Henry is that scope mounting screws up the neat “stow in the stock” feature that really make these rifles what they are. This is a different breed of cat compared to the other two options, but I had to throw it in here.

Anyone own any or all of these? Other options?

Grouse

I’ve got a takedown Ruger 10/22 that I really like.

I have a papoose. Used to hunt squirrels and rabbits with it and it was no less accurate then any other .22 that I own.

I have nothing useful to add, but if it were Suzuki that made this post, he’d have already made the purchase!

I have been eyeing those Ruger takedown’s for some time……

I was so underwhelmed by the one 10/22 that I did own–albeit briefly–that I doubt I’ll ever own another. I don’t like the feeling of the 10/22 with it’s wide middle, and the one I had in the 1990s was marginal at best when it came to accuracy. I kicked it to the curb without hesitation.

I would like to find a decent example of the Papoose from the early 1980s. But then again, I also think the Henry Survival would be fun just because it’s so unusual.

Grouse

I agree the wood 10-22’s feel wide and are hard to get down on the iron sites but mine has shot very well and I got a trigger job which helped. I bought it used from IDO years ago and it has been a good rifle.

Yes, almost since the day the came out, it’s been said the the 10/22 has terrific accuracy. After you replace the trigger, barrel, and a few action parts…

I was warned before I bought one even back then.

Grouse