We’ve had a bit of a retro redux in the last few years. You may have noticed that that old school is cool again.
With that in mind, do you know what needs to make a comeback? Takedown guns.
There used to be a time when takedown guns, whether it was lever-actions, semi-autos, bolt actions, shotguns, or rifles, were incredibly common.
Guns like the Winchester 1897, Model 12, Remington Model 8, and Winchester Model 1911 all had takedown capability.
So what happened? Who doesn’t want an easier-to-carry, easier-to-store option?
Luckily, they haven’t died off completely. I’ve always appreciated takedown guns, and today I wanted to gather a list of the best takedown guns on the market.
This isn’t a list of the best ever because many of the best ever are no longer produced. But without further jawin’, here are the best takedown blasters you can get these days.
THE QUICK LIST
-
Best Takedown Rifle
-
Best Takedown PCC
-
Best Takedown Combination Gun
-
Best Survival Takedown Gun
-
Best Full-Power Takedown Rifle
Table of Contents
Loading…
How We Chose the Best Takedown Rifles
I’ve spent a lifetime shooting that started in a family that hunted every season they legally could. From there, I joined the United States Marine Corps and spent five years as an infantryman.
In the middle of my Marine Corps career, I began writing and have never stopped. I soon earned my NRA instructor certification.
I love shooting, and I love guns — weird guns, old guns, new guns, tactical guns, you name it. I’m a continual student of firearms, and I strive to educate myself to provide the best information possible to the readers of Pew Pew Tactical.
Input from this article came from the entire time after hands-on testing with the models suggested.
Best Takedown Guns
1. Best Takedown Rifle – Ruger 10/22
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Proven design
- Tons of aftermarket accessories
- Cheap ammunition
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not ideal for medium or larger game
Arguably the best modern takedown rimfire is the Ruger 10/22 Takedown.
Not only do we get a reliable platform with a long track record of proven performance, but we also get a modular rifle that has kept up with the times.
With the Ruger 10/22 series, shooters get a rimfire weapon that’s not ammo picky and works with nearly every type of .22 LR ammo.
This semi-auto platform is light and handy. It is perfect for smaller and newer shooters while still providing tons of fun for veteran shooters.
It’s 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.
On the takedown model, the barrel pops off the receiver, making it very easy to break it down and toss it in a backpack. Ruger even includes a handy backpack option that is perfect for this utilitarian rifle.
Ruger also offers a takedown version of their 10/22 Charger, which is a micro-sized pistol version of the platform.
Overall, the 10/22 Takedown is light, handy, and, best of all, affordable.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Love the 10/22? Check out our hands-on article on the 25 best 10/22 Upgrades!
2. Best Takedown PCC – Ruger PC Carbine and Charger
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- 9mm is well-suited for home defense
- Robust takedown system
- Interchangeable magwells for magazine compatibility
Cons
- Somewhat heavy
At first glance, the Ruger PC Carbine and PC Charger look like amped-up versions of the Ruger 10/22. However, there are some significant differences.
These are in 9mm, which is a substantially more powerful cartridge than .22 LR and is well-suited for home defense.
The Charger variant has a shorter barrel and lacks a stock. Both guns come with two magwells, 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.
Both versions feature a simple breakdown design that allows the barrel to detach from the receiver. Once detached, the platform has a much smaller footprint and is much easier to stash away for convenient storage.
The breakdown system is robust and well done, with no noticeable zero-shift in my shooting.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
These affordable guns have taken the world by storm and become quite popular, enough to warrant numerous models. The takedown feature has been around since day one, and it’s certainly helped propel sales.
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. Best Takedown Combination Gun – Savage Arms 42
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Combination rifle and shotgun
- One-button takedown
- Bug-out bag included
Cons
- .410 ammunition is fairly expensive
The Savage Arms 42 is a modernized take on the no longer produced M6 Survival Rifle and gives shooters a combination of a .22 LR rifle and a .410 shotgun.
This over/under design comes in a convenient takedown model that’s exceptionally nice.
When it comes to survival weapons, the Model 42 might be one of the best bug-out blasters out there. The combination of .410 and .22 LR makes it capable of hunting birds, squirrels, rabbits, and even deer or hogs with the right shotgun ammo.
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, but that can be removed for an optic.
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 young hunters and for pest and small game elimination.
4. Best Survival Takedown Gun – Henry Arms AR-7
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Stock serves as a built-in case
- Floats on water
- Proven design
Cons
- Can be ammo sensitive
You might say I only like the AR-7 because of James Bond, and you’d be half right. Connery introduced me to the weapon, but the unique design and layout captured me.
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 .22 LR rifle.
It is very minimalist without many of the comfort features we get on modern guns.
Although Armalite no longer exists as it once did, Henry currently produces the AR-7 rifles. To break the gun down, the receiver and barrel separate from the stock, and the barrel then separates from the receiver. Users can then store the entire gun inside the polymer stock.
The sealed stock floats and doubles as a protective case for their rifles.
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 plane, and have a rifle on hand in case of emergencies.
A semi-auto, blowback-operated action isn’t fancy, but it is reliable. This is a weapon that works well when oiled and paired with good ammunition. Federal Automatch seems to be the best option when it comes to bulk ammo.
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. Best Full-Power Takedown Rifle – BLR Lightweight ’81 Takedown
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Excellent for medium to large game
- Great accuracy
- Easy to take down
Cons
- Expensive
- Hard to find
So far, we’ve had a lot of rimfires and a pistol-caliber carbine. While those are great guns, they lack the true range, power, and capability of a rifle.
When it comes to takedown rifles in real rifle calibers, it’s tough to get better than the BLR Lightweight ’81 Takedown.
Browning’s BLR is a lever action rifle with a detachable box magazine that uses traditional rifle calibers with spitzer bullets. I’m talking .308 Winchester, .243 Winchester, .30-06, and many more.
Personally, the .308 Winchester would be my caliber of choice, as it offers you awesome range, power, and penetration. Medium to large game can easily be taken by a well-placed .308 shot.
In a lever action format, you get fast follow-up shots while being legal in every state. However, if you want something with a little less recoil, the .243 Winchester is a fantastic alternative.
The BLR takes down with the flip of a lever and becomes the most compact, easily stored rifle caliber rifle out there. Browning has drilled and tapped the barrel for a forward-mounted optic to allow for a scout rifle-style setup.
A slick and sleek design delivers you a lightweight, handy multi-purpose rifle. Like all Brownings, it’s exceptionally well made but also quite pricey, so be prepared to dish out the dinero.
6. AXOR Arms FP 01 Shotgun
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Suitable for taking any type of game
- Affordable
- Easy to fold
Cons
- Can be hard to find in stock
While not a “true” breakdown gun, the AXOR Arms FP 01 shotgun is a pump action shotgun that folds in half with a quick hit of a top latch.
This shotgun reminds me of the Burgess folding shotgun imagined as a modern concept.
This Turkish-made shotgun has only recently hit the market. I grabbed one instantly because I’m a huge shotgun nerd. It’s a neat design that’s also quite affordable.
Takedown guns are often designed as survival and bug-out tools, and a 12-gauge shotgun is tough to beat for survival purposes.
It can hunt anything in North America. Use birdshot for small game, buckshot of various sizes for various medium game, and slugs for bears and the big beasts. Plus, as a pump action, it’s still a suitable option for self-defense.
With the AXOR Arms FP 01, we get four rounds of 12 gauge in a tube magazine with a nice set of open sights. They are very much like pistol sights but translate well to this shotgun.
It may not be an actual takedown gun, but you can just fold it and forget it.
7. Pantheon Arms Dolos Takedown System
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Can install on any standard AR-15
- Can be faster than attaching an upper and lower
- Compatible with YHM handguards
Cons
- Bolt must be locked/held back to mount the barrel
- Leaves part of the thin gas tube exposed
AR-15s are somewhat takedown rifles as-is. Pop the upper off the lower, and bam, two pieces.
However, it’s the fastest method, and the bolt will inevitably slide out and prevent the gun from being ready when you need it. It may work for most, but there is a better way, and Pantheon Arms has found it.
Their Dolos kit is essentially a barrel nut that allows you to remove your AR barrel from the upper receiver almost instantly.
You can toss it on nearly any AR-15 and instantly turn it into a takedown rifle. The AR-15 is already a lightweight, versatile rifle system that allows you to effectively engage targets from point-blank out to several hundred yards.
It’s a kit that costs less than $200 and makes an already super handy rifle into a true takedown gun.
Final Thoughts
Takedown rifles, shotguns, and even handguns can be super handy. And honestly, they are neat pieces of engineering, if nothing else.
I can appreciate a long gun that splits into two and makes itself more convenient for my storage needs.
How come over a hundred years ago, they were the talk of the town, and now we are down to a meager list from a few companies throwing us a bone! I’d love to see more manufacturers look at takedown platforms seriously.
What are your thoughts on takedown guns? Do you have a favorite? Let us know in the comments below! Interested in survival rifles, but aren’t deadset on a takedown? Check out our complete article on the 8 Best Survival Rifles!
16 Leave a Reply
It's really all I like due to storage considerations. I own a savage take-down model 64 .22lr that I really like and I own a tnw ASR in 10mm which is good, but could use some improvements. I'd like to see more centerfire options in semi auto. Not sure how these aren't more popular here in the US.
Thanks for the article!
TNW Aero Survival Rifle? Awesome in 10mm.
Aerosurvival PCC? S&W FPC? Seems like these would be good options for SHTF. Have both and they are ultra reliable.
Since this is about survival guns and backpacks, why include the Ruger PC carbine Chasie model? The model that comes with the Magpul Backpacker stock is smaller and lighter. No one needs a heavy carbine in a backpack. The Backpacker also stores an extra 21 round magazine in the stock. With 147 grain hollow point ammo and a Glock or Magpul 33 round magazine, along with a pistol to match, I think your chances of survival are increased no matter what you encounter.
Would love a folding follow up
I have the two Rugers and the BLR in .308. For my shotgun I have an old Stevens Model 520. They're pretty easy to find cheap, take down nice. The military models are hard to come by but the longer barrels are easily cut down to 18.25 and a bead sight installed.
I agree that the original AR-7 or the new Henry survival .22 LR are great backpack rifles. A few others NOT mentioned would be the original Charter Arms Explorer II pistol. Based on the AR-7 with a detachable barrel. Mine has the 8-inch barrel. There were some with a 6 inch and a 10 inch made as well. Another mention is the Kel-Tech SU 16 .223. It folds up and uses the standard AR magazine. Two 10 round magazines or one 30 round can be stored in the stock. Most people do not consider the .223 or 5.56 a round capable of bringing down big game like deer. BUT they would be dead wrong. I know from experience even the little .22 LR will kill a deer if the shot is placed right, and the right ammo is used. If the 5.56 can be used to stop men, it will certainly bring down game. One thing I like to consider is not just how much space is used to pack a survival gun but the weight as well. I see that shotguns have been mentioned but now you are getting into the very heavy category to carry. Unless you have the M6 Scout in .22LR/.410 the weight of the ammo as well as your firearm makes a difference. It always comes down to your own preference for choice.
I just picked up a 10/22 Takedown a couple days ago and man I LOVE that thing! I will say it's my favorite gun I own not just because I can have fun all day for about $20 in ammo but more importantly because it is the rifle that is now helping to teach my kids gun safety and how to shoot. Memories are priceless!
Teaching "gun safety" to your children. That brings me back to my childhood. I thank you for stating that simple thing. Teaching safety, rather than teaching fear is absolutely imperative.
JRC carbines has a take down model for those interested in a pistol caliber take down rifle, and not limited to .22LR.
AR compatible trigger and stock.
Comes with familiar AR adjustable stock.
Takes popular pistol manufacturer magazines.
Multiple calibers to choose from, 9mm, .40sw, .45acp, 10mm.
What? AR's aren't on the list?
One of the easiest guns to break down requiring No Tools is the AR Platform. Two captive pins pulled and voila, two parts that fit easily into a backpack.
Great point!
And a great take rifle it is, if not one of the best there is?
Did you not read #7? Having said that, not very keen on the Dolos. Although the price is right on the Dolos you get what you pay for. The Cry Havoc Tactical Quick Release Barrel kit is rock solid and far and away better. Way better. Check it out.
Can all double-barrel SxS shotguns all be considered "takedown"?
sure
Is there a 20-inch sxs that is low cost and recommended?