.22 pistols in Alaska?

[S.B.]

If Castner's Cutthroats (Alaskan Scouts WWII era) carried Colt .22 Woodsman pistols and did well in the Alaskan wilderness why do most now carry .44 magnums? Isn't food priority one. still for survival?
Please, all responders, give your age and the state(place) you were born in and how long you've been in Alaska?

[deltecs]

A .22 LR rifle is my survival rifle on a boat.  If I'm carrying a centerfire rifle hunting, I ususally carry a .22 Browning Nomad in a side holster.  I've been liviing in Alaska's bush for over 25 years, with varying times in metropolitan areas for work.  I'm retired now and still living in the bush.  Born in PA, lived there until 20, moved to AK in 1969 and don't expect to live anywhere else.  I'm retired now at 58.

[Sourdough]

I always have a .22 revolver on the snow machine or the 4-wheeler.  It's usually inside the console of the boat when I take to the river, or on my person when flying.  It is an Italian made import, but shoots well.  Two cylinders .22 RF and .22 Mag, the mag cylinder is never used.

I was born and raised in the Tennessee hills.  I've been in Alaska since 1971 off and on serving with the military, four tours to Alaska, retiring in 1989 and staying.  Now totally retired at the age of 58, (disabled).  Looking at moving south, love it here but the high cost of heating oil and electricity is running us out.  No disposable income left after we pay these required bills.

[corbanzo]

Food kind of took the backstep now that we have restaurants and grocery stores everywhere.  I was born and raised in Alaska, went to college outside, and moved back, cause I wouldn't want to live anywhere else, hands down. 

When I am out, I either bring a .44mag/.454casull and a .22 pistol, or a shotgun with both slugs and birdshot.  So I have both my bear protection and my food getter, no matter what I am doing. 

Usually, If I do have a rifle and am out for big game, I still bring my big bore sidearm, because one, I don't plan on hunting small game while hunting big game, and two, while on a kill, I want to make sure I always have a firearm within reach. 

[SHOOTALL]

I would guess because they used them to take out enemy sentries , and relied on their 30-06 for other duty .

[deltecs]

I always have a .22 revolver on the snow machine or the 4-wheeler.  It's usually inside the console of the boat when I take to the river, or on my person when flying.  It is an Italian made import, but shoots well.  Two cylinders .22 RF and .22 Mag, the mag cylinder is never used.

I was born and raised in the Tennessee hills.  I've been in Alaska since 1971 off and on serving with the military, four tours to Alaska, retiring in 1989 and staying.  Now totally retired at the age of 58, (disabled).  Looking at moving south, love it here but the high cost of heating oil and electricity is running us out.  No disposable income left after we pay these required bills.

I'm disabled too with Multiple Sclerosis.  I'm sorry to hear that finances may require you to leave Alaska.  Luckily the wife and I operate a set gill net commercial fishing enterprise.  It brings in enough additional money for the extras above my retirement checks.  Glad to see some others also feel the need for a .22 sidearm for survival up here.  I've considered on occasions that maybe I might be going overboard on survival, then let my common sense guide me with the "when" question instead of the "if" it becomes necessary.  Whichever your decision, I hope all turns out well.

[S.B.]

I would guess because they used them to take out enemy sentries , and relied on their 30-06 for other duty .

I disagree, the Colt Woodsman was issued for survival? These were woodsman and trappers not military men per sa. They were issued what they asked for. IE: the book.

[Daveinthebush]

I have a Charter Arms .22 revolver in the boat as a survivor firearm.  For hunting I have a Woodsman and an AMT.  Carrying a sidearm depends on the activity.  If I have 50 pounds of caribou or moose strapped o my back I want the .44 (I also want some Alieve).  If I am just screwing around, the .22 has a lot more bang for the buck.

[SHOOTALL]

SB that's from the history channel  program on the subject . But i feel sure they used it for what ever they needed it for .

[S.B.]

My information came directly from the book. When my son was back home for the holidays, this last fall, I gave him my copy so he could read it, also. I much prefer books to anything on celluloid?

[SHOOTALL]

What book sounds like a good read . And i don't disagree with you , just offered what i saw . i would have thought a pistol as described would be suppressed but who knows

[Chilachuck]

Alaska is a really big state, and there's lots of different habitats. You want to figure where people are talking about when they are discussing special things to carry to survive. But, I think the people talking about the heavy hand guns are thinking of bear and moose defense, not hunting.

The only small game on Prince of Wales Island is grouse, and they are uncommon. I think the marten work them over pretty hard. Marten are edible, but I don't know how long you have to cook them, or if they are as rubbery as mink.

[deltecs]

Alaska is a really big state, and there's lots of different habitats. You want to figure where people are talking about when they are discussing special things to carry to survive. But, I think the people talking about the heavy hand guns are thinking of bear and moose defense, not hunting.

The only small game on Prince of Wales Island is grouse, and they are uncommon. I think the marten work them over pretty hard. Marten are edible, but I don't know how long you have to cook them, or if they are as rubbery as mink.

Alaska is a really large place with lots of different game in the different areas.  But for survival purposes only, I'd eat sea gull, duck, or what ever came my way, if necessary.  An accurate .22 would provide that sustanance almost anywhere.  Different areas of the State require different suvival kits, clothing, shelter, and mental attitudes.  The .22 with a couple boxes of ammo, would keep a man healthy enough and provide calories for personal body heat and physical energy to walk out if needed.

[corbanzo]

It's a good thing our fisheries spread those damn gulls EVERYWHERE, now we always have something to eat... speaking of survival....  One thing that is in my survival kit, or that I almost never leave at home, is fishing gear.  It's pretty hard to find a place in AK where you can't catch fish.  - of course there are places, as above mentioned.   But for most places, a fishing line and lure is going to get you a lot more food than a .22

[deltecs]

It's a good thing our fisheries spread those damn gulls EVERYWHERE, now we always have something to eat... speaking of survival....  One thing that is in my survival kit, or that I almost never leave at home, is fishing gear.  It's pretty hard to find a place in AK where you can't catch fish.  - of course there are places, as above mentioned.   But for most places, a fishing line and lure is going to get you a lot more food than a .22

Sea gull Swiss steak a la Survival in fried fish oil with sauteed fish filet.  Actually sounds good.   

[SHOOTALL]

worked with a guy that ate a gull in Korea , said it didn't taste like chicken !

[corbanzo]

Anything that their main diet is rotten fish I would say doesn't taste that good.  Most likely would taste like sea duck though.  Heavy and oily.  Most, that live on the sea (like kittiwakes) eat a crapload of candlefish. 

[Dand]

I have been carrying a .22 Ruger Mk2 lately as I have been looking for Ptarmigan and rabbits.  Other times of year I often carry a 4 in Ruger security six in 357 - carry .357 and 38 ammo.  I have taken a few rabbits and grouse with 38 loads - sometimes a little more certain than a .22 plus I have a more potent round in case something bigger comes along or even self defense in a pinch. 

Like Corbanzo says - when packing meat or wandering in bear country I like more power and carry a .41 magnum.

Yes a .22 could be a very good survival weapon but nowadays  much of Alaska is not near as remote as it was during WW2. Also if you do have a large caliber rifle then the .22 is a good complement. But if I'm only carrying one firearm, and its a handgun, I like some thing more than the .22.

I'm born and raised in Anchorage,college in Fairbanks,  lived in S W Alaska since 1978, retired now at 53 and hoping prices don't drive me out like Sourdough but its getting scary.  Lots of  young folks leaving the bush as the starter jobs just don't cover the cost of rent or a mortgage, $5/gallon gas, and $4.19 gallon fuel oil bills.

[Chilachuck]

Cobanzo, if you are concerned about flavor, you don't need to eat yet. (Although that one porcupine... RALPH!)

I've eaten many fish ducks even when not starving and thought they tasted great.

Most mallard hunters I've read insist that the mallards not be skinned because there's a lot of flavor in the skin, so maybe the flavor people object to is in the skin.  I skinned the fish ducks to keep from having to pluck them because I'm lazy and don't like feathers all over the place.

[corbanzo]

I love mallard, one of my personal favorites!!  But they are not a sea duck.  If you compare a mallard to a long tail, or an eider, there is a total difference.  Long tails and harlequins aren't horrible.... but they definitely are not my prefered taste in bird. 

Freshwater ducks like mallards, pintails, ringnecks, etc, we usually just pluck and bake whole.  Sea ducks I prefer to cut the skin off of, and usually cut them up, soak in vinegar, and fry them with some bread coating, that makes them pretty good.  Now puffins are also an interesting experience, they are sort of like sea ducks, but a little different, more oily, I think that is a trait that the alcids all share. 

[thxmrgarand]

I moved to AK in 1973.  I like .22 pistols as well as anyone, and the one I am most likely to have in my pocket lately is an NAA 5-shot .22 revolver.  It's impractical perhaps but fun.  I am surprised and pleased with how well it is designed and manufactured.   What I most wanted to answer however are the comments about inflation and costs of living in Alaska.  Of course I have no opinion or advice for anyone else and I cannot know what their circumstances might be; have enough trouble figuring out my own.  My own situation and observations are that while costs of many commodities are higher in Alaska, the lack of an income tax, the PFD, the availability of subsistence food (especially salmon) and in my specific location the modest use of my truck since there is no road out of here lead me to believe that my actual cost of living would be no less in the Lower 48.  I have only gassed up my truck once in 2008 for example.  My chainsaws use gas but that saves on heating oil.  My outboards are surprisingly easy on gas, and maybe that means I'm not very hard on the throttle.  The price of lead shot hurts but I have enough bullets and wheel weights ahead for everything else for quite a while.  So for my money, Alaska remains the best place and it appears to be no more expensive than the Lower 48 so far as I can see.  In closing, to take a fun jab, I will add that it appears that despite this obvious price inflation I may still be able save a little to periodically send money to the NRA, especially in this interesting election year!  Thanks for your time.

[SHOOTALL]

thxmrgardnd ,
It's nice to hear from an honest man !

[deltecs]

There are many places in Alaska that the cost of living is comparable to lower 48.  There are also lots of places in Alaska where the cost of living is substantially more.  Land prices are generally higher here than most places in the lower 48 for the same standard of living.  Metropolitan land is fairly high but somewhat offset by cheaper goods and services.  Bush living land varies from medium to outrageous, depending on availability in the surrounding area, and goods and services tend to be higher too.  Especially fuel costs on those dependent on their own generation or very small electric companies.  Groceries, especially staples, can be purchased in the bigger cities for reasonable prices and stockpiled for extended living in the bush.   However this requires a large lump sum outlay at one time.  Satellite tv and broadband Internet is available with larger dishes at additional cost, but the monthly access fees are the same as the lower 48.  Wages are not much different here than elsewhere.  It used to be that wages were higher here, but that is no longer the case, in general.  Taxes vary from area to area around the State.  My personal bush living costs about $3,000 a month, mostly in diesel generation, groceries, communications costs, and boat fuel.  That includes taxes, travel for supplies, electric, parts, equipment repair, water, building maintenance, boat maintenance, and capital investment amortization.  I hopefully will have a hydro electric setup one of these days and decrease that monthly cost by at least $1,000 a month. 

[S.B.]

Since this is turning into a financial discussion, I live in Illinois and work as a construction laborer. We used to have wages higher than local factories but, now we're actually lower, with the same number of mouths to feed. Welcome to the real world.
'

[SHOOTALL]

wish i could get by on 3 grand a mo.

[deltecs]

Since this is turning into a financial discussion, I live in Illinois and work as a construction laborer. We used to have wages higher than local factories but, now we're actually lower, with the same number of mouths to feed. Welcome to the real world.
'

The financial discussion was in response to a valid post as an aside.  I bet you don't carry a handgun almost every time you go outside for personal protection from wildlife, like I and others do in Alaska.  Are residents even allowed to carry a .22 in Ill?

[S.B.]

No, and your right about not being able to carry legally. But my fact remains, we suffer from lack of money and sufficient wages, also? We do suffer from the predator politician who prey on our every resource, is this common in Alaska?
Seems like no matter where one lives, there are problems in every walk of life on earth today.

[SHOOTALL]

I live in Va. and carry everyday some for 2 legged critters and some for 4 leg critters . We have black bear , mt. lion etc .
We also have just about every tax you can come up with ! land cost 1/4 acre lots in some areas $400000.00 .
ya'll have toll roads ?
all over this country things are tuff.
I guess when we hear some one complain that lives where they want to it rubs us the wrong way ! WANG !
suck it up and enjoy the view !

[deltecs]

Believe me, I'm not complaining.  I'm like some others here that hate the idea of having to move with government intrusion so prevalent.  We do have some problems here, but the scenery and outdoor lifestyle more than offsets the negatives.  The older I get, the weather affects my medical condition and limits my activities.  I'd only move to maintain my health, to somewhere I can carry a handgun with a low cost of living, so as to pay for my outdoor activities and taxes.  I dread the day it may happen.

[SHOOTALL]

hope you have a long stay up there , hope to visit one day !