Best Takedown Guns for Backpacking & Survival

One of the problems with long guns (rifles and shotguns) is that they're just that: long!

Luckily, some of them come apart and pack down small enough to fit in a backpack or survival kit. They're called takedown guns, and they're popular with everyone from survivalists to Alaskan bush pilots.

We compiled this list of the best takedown guns we know and trust. Let's find the right one for you!

Takedown Gun Comparison Chart

How We Chose the Best Takedown Guns

For this article, I hand-tested a bunch of takedown guns, evaluated them with my years of experience, and got input from the rest of the Pew Pew Tactical team.

Every review rifle undergoes 500 rounds of various ammunition at distances that are appropriate for the rifle and cartridge.

For guns we have reviews on, we've provided links to those so you can read more.

Best Takedown Guns

1. Ruger 10/22 Takedown - Best Overall

Best Overall

Ruger 10/22 Takedown

$418

at Classic Firearms

Prices accurate at time of writing

$418 at Classic Firearms

GrabAGun (see price)

MidwayUSA (see price)

Kygunco (see price)

Show all prices

Specs

• Caliber: .22 LR
• Action: Semi-automatic
• Capacity: 10+1
• Barrel Length: 18.5"
• Overall Length: 37"
• Weight: 4.6 lbs

Arguably the best modern rimfire takedown gun is the Ruger 10/22 Takedown.

The 10/22 is the most popular rimfire platform out there, with millions having been produced. With that level of popularity, we get all sorts of optic options, sighting options, and magazine options, and Magpul even makes an awesome aftermarket takedown stock.

With the Ruger 10/22 series, shooters get a rimfire rifle that works with nearly every type of .22 LR ammo.

This semi-automatic action is light and fast. It's perfect for smaller and newer shooters while still providing tons of fun for veteran shooters.

On the takedown model, the barrel and forend pop off the receiver, making it very easy to break it down and toss it in a backpack. Ruger even includes a handy backpack case that's is perfect for this utilitarian rifle.

Want something even smaller?

There's also takedown version of their 22 Charger, a pistol version of Ruger's 10/22 platform.

Ruger 22 Charger Takedown

$391

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$391 at GrabAGun

Kygunco (see price)

Love the 10/22? Check out our hands-on article on the 25 best 10/22 Upgrades!

2. Ruger PC Carbine and Charger - Best PCC

Best PCC

Ruger PC Carbine

$719

at Primary Arms

Prices accurate at time of writing

$719 at Primary Arms

GrabAGun (see price)

Kygunco (see price)

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm
• Action: Semi-automatic
• Capacity: 17+1
• Barrel Length: 16.1"
• Overall Length: 35.5"
• Weight: 7.3 lbs

At first glance, the Ruger PC Carbine looks like an amped-up version of the Ruger 10/22. But there are significant differences.

The RC Carbine is chambered for 9mm, which is a substantially more powerful cartridge than .22 LR and is well-suited for home defense. It can also share ammo with your 9mm pistol.

It comes with two magazine wells: one for Ruger mags and one for Glock mags. Aftermarket magwells have also opened up support for various other magazine types.

Ruger employs a novel Dead Blow action system that reduces recoil compared to a standard blowback action, giving shooters soft recoil and minimal muzzle rise.

The simple breakdown design allows the barrel and handguard to detach from the receiver. Once separated, the PC Carbine has a much smaller footprint and is easyto stash away for convenient storage.

The breakdown system is robust and well done, with no noticeable zero-shift in my shooting.

Like the 10/22 Takedown, there's a smaller version of the PC Carbine available. The Ruger PC Charger still comes apart but you may not have to use its takedown feature to fit it in a backpack.

Ruger PC Charger

$565

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$565 at GrabAGun

Kygunco (see price)

Primary Arms (see price)

Take a look at our full reviews of the Ruger PC Carbine and PC Charger!

Like the PC Carbine or Charger? Rate them below!

3. Savage Arms 42 - Best Combination Gun

Best Combination Gun

Savage Model 42 Takedown

$493

at Kygunco

Prices accurate at time of writing

$493 at Kygunco

GrabAGun (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .22 LR + .410
• Action: Over/under
• Capacity: 2
• Barrel Length: 20"
• Overall Length: 35.75"
• Weight: 6.1"

The Savage Arms 42 is a modern take on the discontinued M6 Survival Rifle, and it gives shooters a combination of a .22 LR rifle and a .410 shotgun.

When it comes to survival weapons, the Model 42 might be one of the best bug-out blasters out there. The over/under combination of .22 LR and .410 bore makes it capable of hunting birds, squirrels, rabbits, and --in a pinch -- larger game with the right shotgun loads.

Both .410 and .22 LR are extremely lightweight and packable rounds.

Takedown requires nothing more than hitting a button and splitting the weapon in two. The gun comes with adjustable sights with the option to mount a fiber optic sight.

Savage includes a handy bug-out bag for stashing the weapon, but the gun is small and light enough to toss into your own bag or strap to the side.

Even if you're not interested in survivalism and bugging out, the Model 42 is a handy little gun. It's perfect for pest control and teaching young hunters how to shoot.

4. Henry Repeating Arms AR-7 - Best Survival Rifle

Best Survival Rifle

Henry AR-7 Survival Rifle

$298

at Palmetto State Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$298 at Palmetto State Armory

GrabAGun (see price)

Kygunco (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .22 LR
• Action: Semi-automatic
• Capacity: 8+1
• Barrel Length: 16.1"
• Overall Length: 35"
• Weight: 3.5 lbs

You might say I only like the Henry AR-7 because of James Bond, and you'd be half right. Connery introduced me to the weapon, and the unique design and layout captured me.

Armalite (yep, that Armalite) originally designed the AR-7 based on an early bolt-action rifle known as the AR-5, but the gun we get now is a semi-automatic, magazine-fed rifle chambered for .22 LR. Although Armalite no longer exists as it once did, Henry now produces the AR-7.

It is very minimalist, without many of the comfort features we get on modern guns.  

To break the gun down, the receiver and barrel separate from the stock, and the barrel then separates from the receiver. You can then store the entire gun inside its own stock.

The sealed polymer stock floats and doubles as a protective case.

The semi-auto, blowback-operated action isn't fancy, but it is reliable. This is a weapon that works well when oiled and fed good ammunition. In my experience, Federal AutoMatch is the best bulk ammo for this rifle.

This package isn't the smallest, but it is very efficient. You can stash this thing almost anywhere -- in your vehicle, a bug-out bag, your boat, or even a bush plane -- and have a rifle on hand for emergencies.

Plus, James Bond used it, which makes it pretty cool.

Don't forget to take a look at our hands-on review of the Henry AR-7!

5. Browning BLR Lightweight '81 Stainless Takedown - Best Centerfire Rifle

Best Centerfire Rifle

Browning BLR Lightweight ’81 Stainless Takedown

$1733

at Guns.com

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1733 at Guns.com

GrabAGun (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm-08 Rem, .308 Win, .30-6 Sprg, .300 Win Mag, .300 WSM
• Action: Lever action
• Capacity: 3+1, 4+1
• Barrel Length: 20 - 24"
• Overall Length: 40 - 45"
• Weight: 6.5 - 7.75 lbs

So far, we've had a lot of rimfire rifles and a pistol-caliber carbines. While those are great guns, they lack the true range, power, and capability of a centerfire rifle.

When it comes to takedown guns in larger hunting calibers, it's tough to argue against the Browning BLR Lightweight '81 Stainless Takedown.

Browning's BLR is a lever-action rifle with a detachable box magazine. Unlike the tube magazines that are common on lever guns, this approach lets you use traditional rifle calibers with spitzer bullets. I'm talking 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, .30-06 Sprg, and even .30-caliber magnums.

Personally, .308 Win would be my caliber of choice. It offers awesome range, power, and penetration. You can reliably take medium and large game with a well-placed shot. The lever action provides fast follow-up shots while remaining legal in every state.

The BLR takes down with the flip of a lever. Browning drilled and tapped the receiver for an optic if you don't want to use the factory irons on the barrel.

Like all Brownings, it's exceptionally well made, and the price reflects that. Be prepared to dish out the dinero for this awesome takedown rifle.

6. FoldAR - Best AR-15

Best AR-15

FoldAR

$1699

at FoldAR

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1699 at FoldAR

Specs

• Caliber: .223 Wylde
• Action: Semi-automatic
• Capacity: 30+1
• Barrel Length: 16"
• Overall Length: N/A
• Weight: 6.8 lbs

The AR-15 is such a versatile platform that it can do just about everything. In the case of the FoldAR, that includes being a takedown gun.

This clever design does everything we expect from an AR-15, but it folds in half without separating the upper and lower receiver. Once you do that, it's less than 18 inches long.

You might have noticed that this rifle shoots .223 Wylde. Not familiar with that cartridge? It basically means you can shoot 5.56 NATO and .223 Rem safely.

When we tested this rifle, we came away impressed by its accuracy and reliability. We folded it, unfolded it, changed up the ammo we were using, and the rifle just performed no matter what.

See all the details in our FoldAR review!

How to Pick the Best Takedown Gun

These are all great takedown guns, but some might suit your needs better than others. Let's figure out how to tell which one is right for you.

Size

Hey, there's a reason you're shopping for a takedown gun instead of a normal rifle or shotgun, right? Figure out how much space you have to work with.

Once you know where you'll keep your takedown gun -- a certain pack, in the trunk of your car, in a hard case on your ATV -- you'll know what kind of physical dimensions and weight limits you're working with.

Cartridge

Next, think about how you'll be using your takedown gun.

If you're prepping for a survival situation, a .22 LR or small-bore shotgun might be the best means of hunting small game for food. If you're concerned about personal safety, a PCC, centerfire rifle, or larger shotgun might be a better choice.

Keep in mind that ammunition is heavy. If you think you'll need to carry your takedown gun long distances by foot, keeping it and your cartridge selection light would be wise.

Optics & Sights

Remember that not all takedown guns come with sights. If you choose to add a red dot or scope, that's going to add size and weight.

Good, old-fashioned iron sights are the most compact. If that's what you choose, make sure you train with them on a regular basis.

Meet the Experts

Pew Pew Tactical author Travis Pike spearheaded this article. Travis spent a lifetime shooting as a kid and later joined the United States Marine Corps, where he spent five years as an infantryman. In the middle of his Marine Corps career, he began writing and never stopped. 

Editing this article is Scott Murdock. Scott is a Marine Corps veteran who competed and qualified as a rifle and pistol expert while in service. In addition to shooting, Scott has written for a variety of publications, testing, researching, and evaluating guns and gear. He brings that knowledge and skillset to this article, editing and fact-checking for accuracy.

Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers. She is a National Rifle Association Basic Pistol Instructor as well as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical.

Final Thoughts

There are times when you might need a long gun, but don't have anywhere to put it. I can appreciate a rifle, shotgun, or combination gun that splits into two pieces and makes itself more convenient to carry.

Takedown guns are super handy. They're also neat pieces of engineering, if nothing else.

I'm confident that something on this list will check all your boxes. Now go get ready for your next backcountry adventure, survival situation, or the zombie apocalypse!

What are your thoughts on takedown guns? Let us know in the comments. Interested in other great survival rifles? Check out our guide to the Best Survival Rifles!

Latest Updates

May 2025: Removed the AXOR Arms FP 01 and Pantheon Dolos. Added the FoldAR. Added a comparison chart and updated supporting content.