In the realm of survival tools, few items are as essential as a reliable, compact firearm. Dark Mountain Arms, a veteran-owned company, has designed the Stowaway Rifle and Pistol to meet the needs of outdoor enthusiasts, survivalists, and anyone looking for lightweight, packable firearms. These single-shot firearms aren’t just ultralight — they’re adaptable, suppressor-ready, and easy to break down for transportation. Fortunately, we got our hands on these to explore the features, practical applications, and real-world performance of the Dark Mountain Arms Stowaway series of firearms.
After the barrel is seated, the shroud is screwed in place and locks it firmly together. When it is broken down, the entire firearm fits nicely in a variety of day packs.
Dark Mountain Arms Stowaway Rifle
The standout feature of the Dark Mountain Stowaway Rifle is its packable design. With a barrel length of 16 inches, the rifle can be taken down into two parts, reducing its total length to less than 17 inches. This makes it ideal for packing into backpacks during long hikes, camping trips, or survival situations. Despite its small footprint, the rifle can be assembled in less than 30 seconds, making it quick to deploy when needed.
Weighing just over 4 pounds, even with an optic attached, the Stowaway Rifle remains incredibly light without compromising its durability. Its minimalistic design makes it easy to carry for extended periods, and the threaded barrel allows for the attachment of suppressors or other barrel accessories, adding to its versatility. The ½x28 thread pitch ensures compatibility with a wide range of accessories, including compensators and flash hiders.
Caliber Swapping and Optics-Ready Rail
One of the rifle’s most versatile features is its ability to swap calibers easily. By changing out the bolt face and barrel, you can quickly adjust the rifle to suit different needs. This adaptability makes it particularly appealing to survivalists who may need to shift between calibers based on the availability of ammunition.
The rifle comes optics-ready, equipped with a Picatinny rail that allows you to attach a variety of sighting systems. We mounted the Primary Arms GLx 1x MicroPrism for testing the rifle, an optic with clarity and wide field of view. This optic also complements the rifle’s lightweight and compact design perfectly, adding a mere 9.1 ounces to the total weight. When paired with the GLx, the combined weight of the Stowaway Rifle and optic remained well under 5 pounds, a significant advantage for those trekking long distances with their gear.
Suppression-Ready for Stealth Hunts
Its ability to attach a suppressor makes the Stowaway Rifle a top choice for small game hunting, particularly in scenarios where stealth is critical. Whether you’re hunting rabbits, squirrels, or other small game in a survival situation, the ability to reduce noise is invaluable. A suppressed shot is less likely to alert other animals, giving you a better chance at landing multiple kills in a single outing.
The pistol assembles and disassembles the same as the rifle, but with an even more compact profile.
Dark Mountain Arms Stowaway Pistol
While the Stowaway Rifle offers a balance between portability and power, the Stowaway Pistol pushes the concept of a survival firearm even further. This bolt-action pistol is designed to be just as packable and versatile as the rifle. The barrel is removable, making it easy to break down and stow in a small pack or compartment. Despite its large format, the pistol remains easy to handle, particularly for close-range encounters.
During testing, the SIG Sauer Romeo-MSR was mounted on the pistol’s Picatinny rail. The optic’s lightweight design paired well with the pistol, adding minimal bulk while providing clear, parallax-free sighting. We found the Romeo to be a good choice for the Stowaway Pistol, as it added only 4.9 ounces to the total weight, keeping the pistol light and maneuverable.
If you’re a right-handed shooter, resting the thumb of your support hand on the charging handle makes handling the pistol less awkward.
Smaller Size, Same Capabilities
Like the rifle, the Dark Mountain Arms Stowaway pistol comes threaded for suppressors (½x28 thread), making it a great option for discrete, close-range shooting. This is particularly useful in situations where you may need to shoot without drawing attention, or where you’re hunting small game and want to remain as quiet as possible.
Caliber swaps are just as easy with the pistol as with the rifle, offering the same flexibility to change out the barrel and bolt face. This adaptability means that, much like the rifle, the Stowaway Pistol can be tailored to different situations, whether you need a higher velocity round for hunting or a smaller caliber for target shooting.
The recoil of the rifle is almost non-existent, making it a stable platform to aim with.
SBR Kit for Added Stability
The pistol can also be upgraded with a 1913 Style Adapter kit, which allows the shooter to add a stock for improved stability and control. This is an excellent option for those who want to maximize the pistol’s performance for more precise shooting.
Dark Mountain Arms Stowaway Performance and Real-World Applications
When testing both firearms at the range, we were impressed with the balance and performance, especially given the lightweight nature of both setups. One unique aspect of the Dark Mountain Arms Stowaway Pistol is its left-side bolt placement, which can be a little awkward for right-handed shooters. Placing your support thumb on the charging handle, while resting the shooting thumb on top, resolves this issue and allows for smoother operation. It’s a minor adjustment, but one that’s important to get used to if you plan to use the pistol regularly.
For survivalists, both the Stowaway Rifle and Pistol provide reliable, lightweight options that can be easily packed away until needed. Their single-shot designs may not be ideal for high-threat scenarios, but they encourage precision and patience, which can be a major advantage in situations where ammunition is scarce.
The ability to quickly swap calibers makes both firearms adaptable for a range of survival scenarios, from small game hunting to self-defense. And with their suppressor-ready barrels, you can operate more stealthily in the field, a critical feature when trying to avoid detection.
Being single shot with no magazine means that the shooter is forced to make the shot count.
Recreational Use
Though designed for survival, these Dark Mountain Stowaway firearms are also well-suited for recreational shooting. Their low recoil and ease of handling make them ideal for younger or less experienced shooters, while their compact designs make them fun and convenient for backpacking trips, camping, or off-the-grid excursions. With price points under $400, they’re also affordable enough to be enjoyed by a wide range of users.
Final Thoughts on the Dark Mountain Arms Stowaway Rifle and Pistol
Both the Dark Mountain Arms Stowaway Rifle and Pistol are perfect examples of how modern firearms can be designed for portability, adaptability, and performance, all at an affordable price. These firearms are designed to be companions for campers, overlanders, and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Their ultralight weight, suppressor readiness, and optics compatibility make them versatile solutions for a variety of scenarios. Whether you’re planning an extended backcountry trip or simply preparing for the unexpected, the these firearms strike the right balance between features and performance.
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Editor’s Note: This article has been modified from its original version for the web.
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