This is another article-to be, put here for critique. The 10/22 has now been in production for 50 years, and it's become a classic for its popularity and innovative features. Hope you like it!

John



In 1964, the 15-year-old gunmaking firm of Sturm, Ruger & Company announced a look-alike companion piece to its .44 Magnum carbine, in .22 Long Rifle caliber. The little 10/22 carbine has now endured for over 50 years, and shows no signs of diminishing in popularity today. It’s become the favorite rimfire autoloading rifle in America, and over 6 million have been sold. This is its story.

Company president Bill Ruger had been wanting to introduce a really nice, affordable, accurate and reliable .22 autoloading rifle to get a share of the market enjoyed by worthy competitors such as Remington, Mossberg, and Marlin. He also wanted something so technologically advanced that it would be more than just competitive. The gun should sell itself with its features and have a good chance to become a leader in the marketplace.

Accordingly in the early 1960s, he collaborated with a couple of other ace design innovators, Harry Sefried and Doug McClenahan. The result was a short rifle that featured some really new concepts. The 18 ½-inch barrel was not screwed or pinned into the lightweight aluminum receiver. It was clamped to the receiver with a v-shaped crossbar that utilized two large hex screws. This allowed the barrel to be swapped out easily for ones of other lengths and configurations, and it could be removed for thorough cleaning from the breech. However, the really innovative feature lay not in the gun itself, but its magazine. Taking his cue from the Savage 99 rifle which used a rotary integral magazine, Ruger conceived the idea of a detachable 10-shot rotary magazine that would fit flush with the stock, making the gun sleek and easy to handle. The feed lips of the plastic magazine were durable steel. Thus the magazine would feed reliably and last indefinitely. An easily-removable captive action spring with its attached operating handle rested into and behind the reciprocating investment cast blowback bolt. The trigger and hammer group could be easily removed from the receiver with a couple of pins. This group incorporated the hammer, a manual hold-open lever, a number of stamped metal parts and a crossbolt pushbutton safety. The bolt, in recoil, impacted on a sturdy metal dowel placed transversely through the back of the receiver. The magazine could be plucked out using a thumb latch and a dished-out section of its guide in the receiver. After loosening a single screw, the barrel and receiver could be lifted easily out of the stock once the barrel band was loosened and slid off. The receiver itself was made of investment cast aircraft-grade aluminum, and anodized black to match the aluminum trigger and hammer group. This was a well-engineered gun, but it could be manufactured economically so it could be sold for an attractive price – just $54.50 at introduction.

The rear sight was a folding leaf, adjustable for both windage and elevation. The front sight had a brass bead. The top of the receiver was drilled and tapped for a tip-off scope mount rail that was provided with the gun. The stock was well-finished walnut and the buttplate was black-anodized aluminum. The barrel itself had a 16-inch twist with six grooves, and was unusually accurate. The only tools needed for complete disassembly and assembly were a screwdriver, a hex driver and a punch. The 10/22 was quite modular, so a variety of stocks and barrels could be swapped out easily. Bill Ruger billed it as “…the ultimate in logical design.” Not only was it an ideal companion piece for its more powerful .44 Magnum sibling, it weighed only 5 ¼ pounds. This made it great for informal plinking, small game hunting and casual target shooting. An aftermarket industry for the immediately popular little gun quickly sprang up, offering target barrels, fancy or folding stocks, improved components and add-ons. The basic gun could be made into anything from a target rifle to a “tactical” number complete with extended magazines holding anywhere from 20 to 50 rounds. It became a .22 rifle for all seasons. Bill Ruger, in writing to prominent gun writer Jack O’Connor, said “from a technological point of view, the new 10/22 is one of the best things we have done.”

Because the 10/22 was modular, it was easily modified at the factory so as to offer a multitude of variations. One of the first was the “Sporter” version, introduced in 1966. The stock was more gracefully contoured, it had a rubber recoil pad, and had no barrel band. The next year, the same configuration was available with hand checkering. A version with a Monte Carlo comb on the stock was also offered. In my opinion, one of the classiest versions was the “International” model that used a full-length Mannlicher–style stock. One of these is illustrated here. It features extra-fancy wood with a polyurethane finish, and was part of a special run for a big distributor in 1995.

The cost of walnut blanks began to escalate, and in 1980, the standard stock for the 10/22 became birch, and later, maple became the regular production item. A stainless steel barrel became an option in 1992. More recently, the trigger and hammer housing was made of a strong polymer material, the same as the standard buttplate. The Sporter model still has a walnut stock, checkering and sling swivels. A “Compact” model has an uncheckered stock, a fiber-optic front sight and a 16-inch barrel. The Target version has a custom light trigger and a 20-inch bull barrel. There are no sights on this one, but it’s drilled and tapped for a scope. A “Tactical” type has a choice of barrels; one is a 16-inch bull barrel and the other is a standard barrel with a removable flash hider. Options on this one are a black polymer stock or a Hogue Overmolded stock with an adjustable bipod. This version has been utilized by the military and law enforcement, often equipped with a sound suppressor for covert use. The Navy SEALs are known to have some of these. .22 WMR and .17 rimfire versions were offered for a short while, but have now become collector items. Ruger has produced a clear polycarbonate 10/22 40th anniversary edition 10-round magazine as well as a five round rotary magazine for states with restrictive magazine capacities. In 2011-2012 the company introduced the BX-25, a factory 25-round curved extension mag with a black composite frame and steel feed lips.

A number of commemorative editions have been marketed, and the SR-22 is a variant that mimics the appearance of an AR-15. The “Charger” is built as a pistol, with the same action, a short barrel and a bipod for stability. Recently, several takedown versions have been offered, where the barrel and forestock are removed easily with a twist. These come equipped with a custom backpack that accommodates the two major pieces. In 2014, all 10/22s made have special 50th anniversary markings to commemorate the passing of 50 years since the gun’s introduction. Custom aftermarket kits abound, with one of them even transforming the 10/22 into a Thompson submachine gun look-alike. Another binds two 10/22 actions together and trips their triggers with a hand crank, making a rapid-fire “Gatling gun” that fires from a tripod. Another kit cosmetically alters the barreled action into a German MG42 machine gun look-alike!

The 10/22 is not without its faults. The original gun’s magazine release system was awkward, and popular aftermarket extended mag release levers found such wide acceptance that the factory is now equipping each new rifle with one. The gun has a fast lock time, but the trigger pull is normally somewhat heavy. Many owners install custom trigger components to give a light, crisp let-off. The manual hold-open device requires a less-than intuitive action to release the bolt, but aftermarket replacements allow the bolt to go forward after retention by simply pulling the bolt back a bit and releasing it. As issued, the 10/22 must be cleaned from the muzzle unless the owner is willing to detach the barrel so it can be cleaned from the breech end with a cleaning rod. Cleaning from the breech is desirable so as not to damage the critical muzzle area. Some owners have modified their guns by drilling a hole in the back of the receiver to allow a cleaning rod to go clear through from the rear. As the rear of the receiver is normally concealed by the stock, there are no cosmetic or debris admission problems connected with this. I think such a hole is a good idea, and I recommend it as a factory feature. Getting the recoil spring and operating handle back into the bolt and receiver takes manipulative skill, and can be frustrating. A larger bolt handle such as offered on the short-lived .22 magnum version of the gun would help – and yes, this is another hint to the factory.

The Ruger 10/22 has achieved classic status for its innovative features, its modular adaptability and its sterling sales record for over 50 years. You won’t find many of them on the used gun market; their owners love them!


(c) 2014 JLM

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I have two of them, a standard model with hardwood stock and a blue
and synthetic stock model. I like the synthetic stock best. It is trimmer
and has a lower comb more suitable for the iron sights. The wood
model is very accurate and wears a scope, the synthetic model is very
accurate for me with the sights. No, the 10-22 is not perfect. The tiny
folding rear sight is nearly useless in dim light. The trigger pull on my
wood version is so heavy I have thought I left the safety on when
trying to fire it sometimes. The standard wood stock is clubby with a
slippery finish. But overall the 10-22 is a very good accurate and
durable rifle. The market clearly favors autoloaders in today's world.
The closest competitor to the 10-22 is the Marlin mod 60. The current
model with 19" barrel and laminated stock is much more attractive
than the older 22" version and cheap looking birch stock. The mod 60
doesn't have the aftermarket following of the 10-22 but is likely a
better buy for using in stock form. The mod 60, as most know, is the
best selling 22 rifle of all time with eleven million sold as of 2010 I
think. Considered a cheap utility gun the 60 seems to generate very
little in the way of print compared to the 10-22. It must have
something going for it besides low price however. Now made by
Remington the 60 has been going up in price. I have two of them
also, one by Marlin and one by Remington. Since so little attention to
the 60 has been given by gun writers a good insightful article on it
would be timely. John?

I've only played with a Marlin 60 one time. An old neighbor of mine had one in his closet, and it hadn't been fired in years. Knowing of my interest in guns, he asked me if I could take it apart and clean it for him. I was glad to do so, and pulled out the NRA disassembly book to figure out how to do it properly. My neighbor was grateful for the help, and I was grateful for the exposure to this gun, since I don't own one.

In truth, I think the only thing going for the Model 60 autoloader is that it's cheap. There is nothing really innovative about it; it's the most pedestrian .22 automatic I can think of. The impressed checkering was just awful; I'd hide my head in shame if I had to display one at the range. I think it has a following mostly among people who are looking to save a buck, and I suppose it fills that rather large niche quite well. In all honesty, I like writing about guns with innovative features, and the Marlin 60 really doesn't seem to have any. I'll give it some thought, but don't get your hopes up on it! It's kinda the Rodney Dangerfield of .22 rifles.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Good, solid writing there, John.

As always a great read. Might add a pic of the standard model. I always think everyone has seen one until someone at the range asks me where the mag tube on my Marlin is. Not that that's happened recently since I cannot source affordable .22LR to save my life!

OK - here's a pic of MY "standard model."

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Nice article as usual John, I avoided 10/22s for decades until last year when I bought a takedown version. I was looking for a rifle that would be convenient to throw behind the seat of my truck for plinking and small game hunting when I felt the desire. The 10/22 TD has been one of the few firearms I've ever bought which lived up to my initial expectations.

Nice article on a great gun. The only thing I would add is that the .44mag carbine has been discontinued. Here is a picture of my 66 sporter, it is one of my favorites. Ed

Very nice article,
My first rifle was a Ruger Bicentennial 10-22 with the words "Made in the 200th Year of American Liberty" rollstamped into the barrel which is still a favorite.

I seem to recall briefly confusing the 10-22 on display for its near twin 44 mag brother and wondered why one costs quite a bit more than the other until until viewing them from the business end,
BTW Still have both rifles.

Interesting the 10-22 was an afterthought to the 44 yet overshadowed it in the end.



I have heard rumors Bill Ruger was an M1 carbine fan and based the 44 and 10-22 on it.

Whenever I think of the 44 carbine I recall this ad which at the time it circulated was not politically incorrect .

Actually there were two types of Ruger .44 Mag carbines. The first model with a tubular feed was discontinued, and then a second model, based on the Mini-14 action, and with a 4-round detachable rotary mag, was made from 2000 to 2006 as the Deerfield Carbine. I have one of these, pictured here. At any rate, the article is about the 10/22; the 44 mag carbines make a tangent I didn't want to address here, but maybe in a future article.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

John, I love your standard model!!! Here's mine...a relatively Plain Jane with a refinished stock and Volquartsen trigger.


I purchased a Sporter model in 1971, but then traded it for a 1951 Winchester Model 94. I bought another Sporter in 1972 to give to my wife for a college graduation present. She still has it.

It's tough to beat the overall, "workhorse" reliability of the Ruger 10/22.

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Pack light and cinch tight.

They are among my faves!
Our boys all learned to shoot from age 5, starting with a single-shot pump Benjamin pellet pistol, then air rifle. Soon after it was a Ruger Single Six or Colt New Frontier. After showing responsibility with those they went to my Ruger 10/22. At age 10, each got his own 10/22. Here it is 15 to 20 years later and when they come home they stash them in my safe REMINDING ME that the guns are THEIRS! Not that *I*, their trusted father, would ever misappropriate them for some crass personal project. At least, not if they caught me . . ..

Great overview of a great gun.

The 10/22 was always on my want list, but never something I could justify buying, since I already had multiple good .22 LR rifles.

Last fall I won a 10/22 takedown in a raffle (first prize was a 15-22). I attached a BSA red dot sight I won in another raffle a few years ago and have had loads of fun and wasted more ammo with that little jewel than anything I've owned since the supply of surplus .30 carbine ammo dried up.

My brother was gifted a stainless DeLuxe model soon thereafter.

I thought I had enough .22 LR ammo stockpiled to last out the drought. I may have been mistaken.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

I agree about showing a standard, as shipped from Ruger (not poly finished), configuration 10/22, be it a carbine, sporter, or international. One other note is the fingergroove sporters had both plastic butt plates and monte carlo stocks. Even the deluxe sporters had plastic butt plates until the late 80's.

Nice article.

I agree not to go off on a tangent. The way the carbine is mentioned in the article makes it seem that it is still available. Ed