Home Defense and/or "Battle Rifle" i.e. Bug Out Rifle

[les snyder]

my go-to rifle is my 3gun game gun... it's the one I shoot the most, though a bicycle accident injury to my shoulder prompted me to build a .600" pencil barrel carbine... not sure if it will have the accuracy of the current rifle... it's a 16" mid with RRA trigger, full floated... a single rail for a monopod or SF Scout light that is currently on the 870... TA31F ACOG with red chevron... I don't shoot a sling for most local matches, but did for Ft Benning and Ft Bragg.... couple of ideas for a temporary sling mount for an A1 stock... the push button adapter was done by a friend, the sling loop is his also...  he made me buy the 31F

[MarkCO]

To me, "Defense", "SHTF", "Has to work", "Night Rifle" are all interchangeable descriptors.

My rifle that fits that category has a Burris AR-DBAL http://www.burrisoptics.com/ardbal.html on it.  That is an IR laser, Green visible laser and a Burris FF3 on top of it.  I have an inexpensive 2x night vision monocular on a QD mount behind it for the IR capability and a 3x QD multiplier that goes on the same rail spot.  It also has a white light, but I am still waiting for the "perfect white light".  I have it set-up with a MagPul ACS-L stock with the QD sling stud and one on the forearm, so if I need to go out and about with it, the sling is easy-peaesy on and off.

I have run this set up in night matches, CQB training courses, hunted with it etc. and it is about as good as I can get with the current technology and some level of a "budget."  It is 7 pounds without the NV and just at 8 pounds with.  If you add it all up retail, I have maybe $2500 in the entire rig and a huge level of capability.  The QD optics, ammo, mags are in a pouch which is on the sling.  True grab and go.

[marzie]

Wow, that's a hell of a set up.  I've seen a lot of laser systems like that on some of the training videos I have seen and I've wondered who makes them.  Now looking at them, they are at a pretty high price point, even at dealer prices.  I'm sure they would last forever though.

As far as night vision, I'd love to try it out sometime, but I don't see myself getting it anytime soon due to the cost.  It's always been on my "10 years from now I'd like to have..." list though.  At $2500 for your whole setup, that's not bad considering the capability you have.  That would certainly be a great SHTF rifle.  I love the thought of being able to hunt at night, should it become necessary for survival.  Hell, even going after hogs at night where it's legal sounds like a lot of fun!

[MarkCO]

As far as night vision, I'd love to try it out sometime, but I don't see myself getting it anytime soon due to the cost. 

Poor man's night vision...

One of these: http://www.crimsontrace.com/products/type/infrared-laser-sights/01-9693 plus one of these: http://www.opticsplanet.com/bushnell-night-vision-2x24-night-watch-260224.html?gclid=CJfvvPeIl7oCFY5FMgod-GoAvw&ef_id=UWbwagAAAITz1N0h:20131014193436:s with a pic rail camera mount for about $30.

You have a pretty decent set-up for about $500.  I won't say it is battle worthy, but for light use and or hunting out to about 150 yards, it works very well.  Keeping the two systems (IR laser and NV optic) separate allows piecewise upgrades at a later date.  I have built up a few of these for folks for different purposes and compared them directly to NV scopes in the $1500 range and actually pretty the modular approach.  Certainly not saying this is on a par with the state of the art stuff by any means, but it is a less expensive way to try it out and the used prices on those two pieces is pretty decent as well.