I am getting my son a 22 rifle for christmas, but I am not sure which one. It is either going to be a ruger 10/22 with an adjustable ar style stock, or an M&P 15-22. I clean my firearms after every shooting/hunting trip, and I really like the how easy it is to tear down and clean the 15-22. The purchase cost of both are close to the same after buying the add ons he wants on the 10/22, where the 15-22 is already setup the way he wants. What I want to know from owners of both, is which one you prefer. Which one is more reliable. I know the aftermarket support for the 10/22 is second to none as far as 22 rifles go. I am leaning towards the 15-22, but only on the fact that it will take only minutes to disassemble, clean and reassemble. The 10/22 in the stock kit the my son likes will be a little more involved, but not difficult.

I would appreciate any input and thoughts I can get. My local dealer has both in stock.

I have both the Ruger 10-22 and the S & W model 15, 22 rifle. My Ruger hasn't been out of the safe this year. The S & W jams less, is extremely accurite, its just a nice rifle. My Ruger is nice too, it has a custom lamiated stock. I have 12 magazines for each. I just perfer the Smith.

I would go for the 10/22. He wants the 15-22 because he's a pre-teen and probably likes the way it looks. And it's entirely too much plastic. Feels like a toy to me. The 10/22 can be the one he will have forever. Everybody should have a 10/22 in the collection You can turn it into anything you want as his tastes change. My Ruger has the Tapco on it now, but the wood stock is sitting in the safe, waiting for the day i want to get back the the traditional look. I highly doubt the 15-22 is as accurate as the ruger. I shoot the pencil off erasers at 50 yards with my 10/22. Ruger now makes 25 round factory mags that are awesome, too. I have come very close to picking up a 15/22, but then I say 'what will this do that my 10/22 won't do better?". About the only benefit I see to the 15-22 is it's use as a trainer for the real Ar-15.

The 10/22 is a classic and every house should have one in it (I have two). That being said, if he wants an "AR" style rifle, then get the M&P. The 10/22 is a great rifle, but it is not an AR. You can do a million cool things to a 10/22, but it will never be an AR clone, no matter how much you bolt onto it.

I have the 10-22 takedown and a 15-22. I really like them both and would hate to have to choose one over the other.

Either rifle will be a good choice. Both are accurate, simple to take down, and reliably shoot bulk and special ammo.

The 10-22 is my choice for small game - rabbits and squirrels because it's light and easy to carry around for a morning but I prefer the 15-22 when I go to the range.

The iron sights on both guns are excellent but I have equipped both with Nikon scopes.

If you get the Ruger, I highly recommend buying a couple BX-25 magazines and an extra 10 round mag too.

To field strip the Ruger you need a flathead screwdriver, but it is very very simple and easy.

Whichever one you buy will be a fine rifle.



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My 10/22 doesn't come out of the safe anymore either. My 15-22 gets used everyday here on the ranch.


If you're goal is to slay paper and get the best groups possible, neither the 15-22 or the 10/22 would be the best option.


I use to think it was cool to dump thousands of dollars on a 10/22 to make it more accurate. Then I started shooting my 77/22 again and realized it was a waste IMO.

WOW that's a tough call I have both, the 15-22 is more fun than the ruger but i would never sell it.

How old is your son? Reason I ask is if he's old enough to put the question to him with the options he may be the best one to ask which one he would prefer.

The 15-22 as others have said is an excellent trainer for an AR weapon should he have aspirations to go into the armed services, gov't., and/or competitions that involve AR's. You already mentioned no-tool breakdown/cleaning and again, it mirrors take-down/cleaning of an AR. There are numerous parts that will swap out as well but be wary of ones that won't as the 15-22 is definitely NOT a true AR.

The 10/22 is a wonderful weapon also as others have stated. You can get a bare-bones stock 10/22 and let him be the one to modify it to his liking, be it a collapsible or folding stock, or just something that he likes more. I know the 10/22 if you kit it out to be as close to the 15-22 as you can as to the rails and what-not it's going to cost just about as much so price is really only a consideration if you are not planning on doing a bunch of stuff to the Ruger. I know there are Ruger 10/22 owners out there that have built their perfect weapon for half the price of a 15-22, but I'll let them speak for themselves.

Me, I'm saving up for a 15-22. I'd put the question to your son though as I said weighing in on the options and see what he says. Can't go wrong with either one I think no matter what he decides.

__________________
Live For Today Not Tomorrow

I have both. I bought my Sporter-stocked 10/22 back in the mid 80s and have long lost count of the number of rounds through it. It's basically stock except for the FCG which was worked on a few years ago by Clark Custom Guns to give it a 3.5 lb trigger.

Since I bought the 15-22, the Ruger hasn't been out of the vault except to sight in a new scope. It's still a great rifle, but I now prefer to shoot the 15-22.

Nothing the matter with having both, as others have said.

Let me start off by saying I am a Ruger fan through and through. I have more Ruger guns that I care to count including a few 10/22. After my buddy bought his 15-22 I decided I would deck out a new 10/22 to match his 15-22.

Here is the result...



I also have the latest in the 10/22 offering in the new takedown...



My buddy and I were shooting here at the range one day and he asked to shoot my 10/22 so I obviously obliged as he offered me his 15-22 to shoot. Long story short by the end of the next day I owned a 15-22 and I couldn't be happier with it. I haven't removed the 10/22 from the safe since buying the 15-22. The 10/22 is a great gun and I like them but they are NOT a 15-22. It pains me to admit but I have to be honest in saying I prefer the 15-22 hands down.

I traded a 10-22 straight across for my 15-22 a few years ago. The 10-22 was a great gun and, even without hundreds of dollars in hop-ups, was quite accurate. The 15-22 is the most fun firearm I've owned. It's even more fun than the SPAS-12 was. It isn't as accurate as the Ruger, but I'm okay with that. Every time I'm out shooting, people put down whatever they might have brought to go through a couple of magazines. Everyone hands it back with a big, stupid grin on their face. Keep in mind that, even though they are the same price initially, it is very easy to spend a lot of money on accessories for the 15-22. I vote 15-22, no contest.

i looked at them both and went with the 15-22. it was just more "fun" to me which is what i wanted the gun for. i have never shot a 10/22 though but the s&w seemed easier to add on to for the look i wanted.

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od: xd9 3"&4", 15-22, 1911 .22

I have both and like others have said, the 10/22 stays in the safe, the 15-22 goes to the range. I just like having the AR controls, light weight, and 25 round mags.

I have both and they each have their place. Both have functioned well with very few issues.

I like the last shot bolt open, the magazine loading (rounds into), and magazine eject of the 15-22.

The 10-22 is more accurate, better built (IMO), and can be built up into any configuration.

I wouldnt sell either but I bought the 15-22 MOE first and the 10-22 VLEH second if that helps.

My son is 8, he is tired of his cheap bolt action single shot. The biggest hurdle for him is, he is a lefty, and he gets frustrated with the rigth hand bolt. He started of with his little bb gun when he was 4 and could shoot both lefty, or righty. Over the last few months, he has been all lefty, and can't shoot as good righy anymore. I don't want him fighting it. I have a Stevens 22 semi auto, and it is a very accurate gun, and he loves shooting it, but since it is too big for him, he can only shoot it of a rest, or bags. He shoots very very good with both his air rifle and his 22, but lately the he is loosing interest in his single shot because he doesn't like the way he has to work the bolt. I figured to keep him interested in it until he is big enough for an adult sized gun I would get him a good auto loader. He loves shooting my friends AR when he has the 22 upper on it. If I get him the 15-22 with adjustable stock, he will have it forever. The same with the 10/22 in an aftermarket stock. He has been looking at different guns every time we go to my local shop, and always is drooling over the ar's, ak's and stuff like that. I want to get him into something he likes, so he will beg me to take him to the range. Right now he doesn't want to go with me lately. When I started showing interest in shooting as a kid, all my dad had was full size stuff, and I struggled until I was big enough for them. I don't want my son to loose interest like I did. I want to get him something that he likes, and that won't jam very often.

Thanks for the replies and input.

I know this is obvious but shooting an auto loader left handed adds another level of concern. I doubt anyone here can quantify how many 15-22 or 10-22 have fired "OOB" but if that happens its clearly not a good situation.

Aside from that you'll have the spent casings landing all over the place including the fold in your arm. It might be worth taking a look at an incremental improvent of a solid left handed bolt gun with a higher magazine capacity.

Good luck with purchase

I'm glad you asked this question as I am in the same boat trying to decide what to get for my grandson. He really likes my 15-22 but at the Appleseed Shoot I took him to he really had problems in the prone position & the mags resting on the ground. I believe if Pop would have had him some 10-round mags he would have been OK but live & learn I guess. I have looked at the 10-22 & think he would like it OK but I'm pretty sure he would be happier with the 15-22 even if I have to get him some of the shorter mags.
Good luck with your decision, try to keep the young fella interested we need all the shooters we can get

I shoot left handed and have never had an issue shooting any semis, pumps, or levers in respect to brass hitting me or entering into my FOV. I had one OOB in the 15-22, where the FCG clicked but there was no FP mark on the round, and it is my opinion that if the bolt is not all the way forward, the hammer will not strike the FP. I could be wrong.

While I do not own the 10/22, there was a guy shooting one next to me at the range yesterday and all that I can say is I am glad I chose the 15-22.

I am sure whatever you decide to get him, he will love.

That was another one of my concerns. I have talked to a few friends of mine that shoot lefty, and a few of them say it's no issue, another made a brass deflector out of some clear plascit that deflects the empty brass down. I have been thinking and wondering about all of these things over the last month or so. I am seriously walking a fine line here with having my son actually want to go out shooting with me, or him getting discouraged and not wanting anything to do with shooting or hunting. I don't want to kill his spirit now when he wants to go hunting and shooting with me. I figure let him have his fun now, and when he is old enough to hunt along side me with his own gun, I want him there, not at home playing video games.

Some of my best memories growing up were the hunting trips I would go on with my grandpa...

My grandson is eight and has shot all my .22s, rifles and pistols both. He outgrew the Cricket I got him rather quickly after he got his hands on my 15-22. He much prefers it to my 10/22, so as a result, he will be getting his own 15-22 for Christmas.

I have a 15-22 and the only problem I had was the barrel nut came loose which is a easy fix and tacticool22 sells a ambidextrous safety for the 15-22

I'm a left handed shooter.

The 15-22 is much nicer for a lefty IMO. The main reason is the charging handle is in the back instead of stuck on the right side of the rifle. You can buy an ambi charging handle like I did and make it very easy to manipulate. You can also get the BAD ambi safety selector which is a must for left handed shooters.

With the 10-22 I always got shells down my shirt. With the 15-22 I get them on my forearm. The shells hitting my forearm bothers me a lot less, and not at all when I wear a long sleeve. They wouldn't hit me at all if I didn't hold the handguard at the end towards the muzzle.

Next for me is a Norgon ambi catch.

The 15-22 is a great gun. Perfect? Perhaps not, but none are completely perfect, are they?

I got a 15-22 for my son as he was using the club's anschutz (iron sights) or my old glenfield bolt action (found a youth stock for it) with a scope. He would prefer a modern weapon (aka no wood on it) so I looked a a few - the mossberg is cheap but IMO junk, well, close to it. Several kids on the jr team have them and misfires and moving POI issues are way way too common. And the mag well is 22 size as opposed to the 223 sized one in the 15-22.

The short mags are needed for prone shooting. We've shot all sorts of ammo through ours with not one misfeed and some of ammo is 25 years old, some of it is on SW's 'do not use' list and still no issues.

My son (age 11) has gotten 1.2" 10 shots groups at 50 yards with cci stingers.

The adjustable stock is great he can shoot it and so can I. And it's alot of fun to shoot. and shoot..and shoot.

The only issue I've noticed is being all plastic it 'bends'. Not a lot but you can move the POI from bench to standing and then with a sling. I'm gonna add an alum AR picatinny riser to see if that strengthens it.

^have you free floated the barrel? aka removed the handguard cap.

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od: xd9 3"&4", 15-22, 1911 .22

Get the kid what he wants or he wont be happy. You want the 10/22 he wants AR 22.
Then by the 10/22 and the Troy T 22 kit.
http://troyind.com/%20/weapon-upgrad...sis-t-22-sport

Or do it the easy way M&P 15-22


Zack
Using Tapatalk

I assume you are also asking this question on the Ruger forums, to get balanced responses?

As most have said, they're both great guns. I think there's a decent chance, with both of you interested in guns, that you'll end up with both. While we all anguish over what gun to get (next), it probably won't be our last, so as long as it's a decent choice, the money's not wasted and you can get a different one next time.

So why not get your son the one he thinks he likes best first (15-22), and it's a pound or so lighter, meaning it'll be easier for him to handle? Heck, the light weight is one of the reasons I like the gun, and I'm an old fart.

just throwing this into the mix as i just purchased one of these last week. the mossberg tactical .22(model 715t). my friend has put over 2000 rds through his since may with no issues. i've got 100 through mine and it is fun. i bought it over the 15-22 because of the price. it's around $300. i got the the laser and flashlight from ebay for 80 and the foregrip from amazon for a whopping $9. the mossberg has a quad rail, adjustable stock and where permitted, a 25 rd magazine.

I am not a big fan of semi autos for very young shooters. While it does supply the instant gratification, that has become too ingrained in our culture, it does not encourage building marksmanship skills.
You mention video games, a bane of modern parenthood, and I agree that kids these days NEED to be PULLED away from them. I will not belabor that point. Your son is lucky his dad is actually interested in being a dad.
Here is what I would think about getting for him Henry Repeating Arms | Fine Rifles Made in America and Priced Right

Cool enough to perk his interest, works well for a lefty and not prone to developing the spray fire mindset.


RAL

I agree. In my opinion, the allure of the M&P22 and other tactical looking rimfiers is they make the owners feel like their some Navy SEAL. I saw an H&K .22 with what looks like a suppressor on it. Suppressor is cosmetic only and has no function. Kind of like bringing the Call of Duty game to life. Some people use them as low cost trainers for AR's, but many do not. Kids are especially susceptible to the fantasy. My 13 year old nephew was not interested in my 10/22 when it was stock with the factory flush 10 round mag, but now that is has a Tapco collapsible stock and curved 25 round mags, he's interested. Why? cause it looks different? The OP didn't say how old his son was, but for ME, I would not get a semi auto rifle for a child under 15. He's gonna do what kids do and spray. Betcha he asks for a red dot with it, too. What ever happened to learning iron sights? The henry rifle is exactly what I would get my son.

^so you're blaming the type of gun for the type of shooting? guess we better ban the 15-22.

they're kids, buy them what makes them happy and teach them how to use it properly. forcing them into a choice that makes you happy is just wrong.

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od: xd9 3"&4", 15-22, 1911 .22

As near as I can tell, it appears that you don't have a 15-22. The OP asked for opinions from those who have both.

It appears that those who have both recommend the 15-22 over the 10/22.

I would recommend at 15-22 (I'm letting the OP know up front that I do not have a 10/22) so my opinion is tainted/biased.

BTW, all of my rifles with Red Dots ALSO have functioning iron sights that get used.

I agree ! This ain't the 1950's anymore, not even the 1990's ! I have 3 .22lr long guns so I can shoot with the 2 grandkids . A new to Me MP15-22, a 1967 Ruger 10-22 ( 2.8lb trigger job ) and a CZ American ( 2 .5 lb trigger ) . My 8y/o Grandson shoot lefty so I will have Him on the S&W with the iron sights, 6 y/o granddaughter will be using the ruger ( Mags only loaded with 1 round each ) and Papa will be plinking Our paper and spinners @ 50yards with the CZ. Safety, proper use of the firearm and experience shooting the firearm at this age by adding fun into the mix is how my grandkids will learn to be responsible with firearms. ...wvleo

Another one here with both. We have stock 15-22 and a fully custom 10/22 (not a Ruger part on it). I would say hands down I enjoy shooting the 15-22 the most. Yes the 10/22 is super nice and ours is just as reliable but the 15-22 is more fun for me. I think part of it is that I feel like I am gaining muscle memory for when I shoot my AR's.

You won't go wrong with either one.

As the owner of several 10/22s, one 15-22, a number of bolt action .22s, a former NRA rifle instructor (who spent 4 years teaching 8-15 year olds at summer camps), and shooting with my own 15 and 12 year old boys for several years. Some thoughts FWIW.

I would not recomend going from a single shot to a 10 or 25 round semi. Kids(99%) do not have the level of self control to not "shoot fast". They want to have fun and Video games/ TV have given them a false sense of shooting. Guns are not point and shoot...you know that..... they have to learn it.

My boys both started with a single shot "CZ Scout" and iron sights at age 10 off a bench w/ a sand bag. They spent the first summer learning the basics of sight picture,trigger control and breathing.

My 15 year old got a youth model 10/22(short stock 11inch LOP) at 12 with 5-round Ruger mags. and Williams peep sights. Started out only loading 2-3 in the 5 round mag

This summer at 14 he started to shoot the 15-22 with red dot and the short 10 rd mags. And my scoped CZ/FS.

My advice is to keep him shooting a good bolt gun to become the best shooter he can be. I jokingly called it "Sniper school". They both bought into the concept.

But, I try to divide up each shooting session into 2 parts the first; to work on basic shooting skills with the bolt action(Sniper School); the second is some fun shooting; clays, spinners and Zombie targets w/ some movement (14/15 year old only)with the 10/22(5rd.loaded) or 15-22(10 rds loaded). With me as a one on one range/safty officer......

Every year is something new ...more rounds fired..my 15 year old loves the 15-22 trigger time(the 10/22 hasn't even gone to the range this year)......they are having a blast

Edit: OP, CZ makes left-handed .22s not the Short butt( 11 or 12 inch LOP) "Scout" but I think both the Trainer and American can be gotten with a backwards bolt.LOL CZs are also "lifetime" guns worth the investment! The best of the breed I think is the 452Trainer w/ its rear sight and a (J&P) peep ring blade added. But the stock may be too long for your 8 year old!

just because the 15-22 comes with a 10 or 25 rd mag, doesnt mean you have to load it all the way.

everything ive read shows that they both are reliable and accurate for range needs. the 10/22 has more overall configurations but the 15-22 is "rock-n-roll" ready from the box. they both can use similar add-ons.

again buy what THEY like, load what they can handle and teach them proper skills. there are numerous styles of guns that operate differently so whatever they learn wont always carry over to another platform.

hell buy em both!

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od: xd9 3"&4", 15-22, 1911 .22

What's the difference between running 5 rounds and 25 rounds in a mag for a semi auto?

I get the idea behind using single shot or bolt actions for real beginners and for training, but once you start semi auto how does downloading the mags help with anything?

And for that why NOT use a RDS? They are the wave of the future. An Aimpoint H1 has a batter life of 5 years. It is as close to indestructible as you can get. Nothing on a flat range should break it. Trigger control? Sure. Breathing? Sure. I get those. Iron sight picture? Meh. I don't see much point in hammering that in. A brief mention and make sure they have the basics of it, sure if you need to.

If you are worried about EMP (honestly?) then get a dual illumination device like the RMR's.

KBK

wOady, you are correct you don't have to "load it all the way" but I can tell you they will try..........LOL You tell them to load 3-5 (to shoot a group) without moving off a rest......sometimes they will load 4,5,6.

If they are having fun.......they don't concentrate and "one" will at some point make a safety mistake. While working at summer camps I must have trained a couple thousand kids.....they can do dumb things. Other counslers told me I had an easy job......I was beat at the end of the day.....you could not relax for one minute if you had campers on the range!!!!!

"....buy them what they like"........ they "like" full mags. The biggest grin I got from my then 14 year old was after his first 10 round mag dump with the 15-22. (He doesn't even know about the 25 rounders yet..LOL..maybe next year!)

I'm not saying you are wrong ....... it's just easier, to control and run a safe range. My experience is they will pester you, to the point you just want to go home, to load it UP.

Kayback, kids having fun lose their concentration...and their ability to count....forget about a squib or jam. Unless you don't shoot and do one on one supervision........it's a problem that will happen. With a bolt gun a quick look from 10-20 feet will tell you if the bolt is open or closed

In the words of Dirty Harry...."did I fire 5 or was it 6?"

Safe the weapon. Take out the mag and work the action.

It's something you'd need to do on a range to go forwards anyway, unload and show clear, insert chamber flag.

It isn't rocket science. They do need to learn to stop shooting, even when there is ammo in the gun.

KBK

Kayback correct on all points........

As I said in my first post "FWIW",all kids are different, you be the judge of yours....... just saying what has worked for me!

FYI I moved the boys to scopes and longer ranges 50 & 100 yds after the first summer.I think learning how to use iron/peep sights is important.... and it gives you the ability to introduce "new" things for birthdays and Christmas

My Dad(a competitive Pistol shooter) had me shooting at about 8 (God; 50 years) and I was hiking around the mountains with my single shot Stevens Favorite at 10; and my first new gun, a 5 shot Remington 511-x with scope at 11!!!! How the world has changed!

One last suggestion.....If you can afford them "electronic ear protection/muffs".... your kids can hear all range commands and instructions.....When a Kid turns his head to ask "WHAT? what did you say?" that muzzle goes everywhere!!!

I get what some are saying about sticking to the low capacity bolt guns. That was my grandfather's thinking when he bought my cousin and I our first 77/22s years ago.

However, times have changed. The AR15 is the modern sporting rifle. People target shoot, compete, hunt, and plink with them. To me it isn't a bad idea to get youngins use to the platform early so they are pros by the time they get their first AR15. Then when they do they will be more knowledgeable than most first time AR buyers/shooters. That might require a little more work from the teacher, but that wouldn't bother me at all.

You could always have the young shooter earn his ammo. That might suppress the urge to do mag dumps if the kid doesn't like to do what he is told the first time.

It's ALL what the adults teach the kids - and how close they are supervised when they are shooting.

My grandson outgrew his Cricket in a couple of months and graduated to my 77/22 and 10/22, but the LOP on both are too long for him and I'm not about to restock them. He handles the 15-22 just fine and is a rather deliberate shooter most of the time. He'd much rather see a target fall or hear the impact on a metal target than machine-gun the rifle.

To each his own!

I agree with pretty much everything said, I was just wondering why the low round count in a high capacity gun. I totally get the sticking with the single shot/bolt action until trusted to use a semi auto, but once there, rock on the 25 round mags.

Gopher has a brilliant idea with the earning the ammo. Time to set up a chore to ammo ratio. That'll actually achieve results. Thanks.

My son-in-law told Kinley he was going to have to start shooting up whatever ammo he could afford out of his allowance and quit shooting all of grandpa's ammo. That would probably limit him to 100 rounds a month.

Well, yeah, that is part of the fun. For us, too. But after on fast burst of 25, remind them that the intent of the gun is not to just make noise; you can buy firecrackers and use them without a gun for that. Give them a second target, and have them shoot slow, deliberately-aimed shots at it, and compare the two. They do want to be "good shots" too, right?

The shop I go to will have a 10/22 in for me with a tapco stock on it tuesday for my son to try out. The 15-22 is a good bit lighter.

My son learned to shoot with open sights. He doesn't want a red dot sight, he wants an actual scope. Another reason for me to get him the 15-22, BUIS that are easily seen unlike the 10/22 i saw with the ati stock. I am not worried about him doing a mag dump if he wants once in a while, but I won't allow it constantly. How can I stop him from doing something I myself do once in a while. I have a 14 square steel target that I like to place as many rounds on as fast as I can with all of my auto loaders.

I have both, and enjoy both. But like most above have said, 10/22 sits in the safe, while 15-22 goes to the range every month.

But I shoot steels, and the AR with a big RDS is faster than the Ruger. If I were squirrel hunting, I'd take the 10-22. I have a 4x Weaver K38 scope on the Ruger with open rings, so I can also use the excellent standard irons on the Ruger.

If he is going to hunt or target shoot, get the 10/22, if he's going to plink or compete steels, or train for 3gun, get the AR.....

When I first got into shooting I was 10 years old. I was raised on my dads old Glenfield mod 75 (I think). Iron sights only. When I came of age (14) to get my first .22 rifle, there was two guns I was torn between: the Ruger 10/22 and the M&P 15-22 (plain muzzle). I did my research on both of them. I read magazine articles, youtubed videos, and talked to people who had them. I finally choosethe 15-22 for its lightweight, ergonomics, and the cleaning. When I first got the gun I started out on the iron sights. After about 3 months I finally got a scope. Safe to say that the 15-22 has kept up with me as I've grown

If you're gonna go for the "ar stock" anyway, just cut to the chase and get the ar platform.

Or just buy the Ruger SR-22. It's Ruger's contribution to the tactical .22 market and is pure 10/22 "under the skin".

Ruger® SR-22® Autoloading Rifle Models