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What should I know before buying a 10/22?

11K views 43 replies 35 participants last post by  rmechelke  
#1 ·
I am starting to explore next firearm purchase and the Ruger 10/22 seems to be near or at the top.
They seem to be so popular because they are easy to customize with aftermarket parts. There are so many models to choose from and variations of each model. It has been produced for 50+ years so some models have come and gone.

What should I know as I start my search for a 10/22? Is one era gun better than another? Should I be looking for used or new? How durable is the gun? Is it easy or difficult to breakdown and clean? Does it lend itself better for scope or open sight use? As you can see there is much to learn to help make a choice. I would not really plan to modify much and the intended use would probably be plinking and casual target shooting. It may also see use for small varmint control. Any guidance from past/current owners will help. Thanks in advance for your advice and knowledge.
 
#4 ·
Keep it clean and lubricated .
Shoot ammo it likes - CCI Mini-Mags are usually a good choice but try several different brands .
Use Ruger Factory 10 round magazines for the best feeding and they usually last a while but be aware magazines don't last forever so pick up a few extra to have on hand .
Read the owners manual and follow its recommendations .
Bring plenty ammo when you go to the range .
The 10/22 is a FUN GUN so be ready to smile a lot .
Shoot in factory stock form untill you get it broke in and find what ammo it likes before you start putting a bunch of aftermarket parts on it . .. if there is a problem , it's hard to tell if it's the aftermarket part , the ammo or the factory part that is causing the problem . Shoot it first then change one part and see how it works ... trust me on this one !
Gary
 
#5 ·
@gwpercle speaketh the truth. Find an ammo it likes, make one change at a time. Keep in mind if you change the barrel, you may need to find a new favorite ammo. Factory magazines work best.
Optic or sight, that is a personal choice. Trigger job is usually the first thing most do. Either after marker drop in, DIY or send it out Brimstone being a top notch company.
The fun is endless as is the modification that can be made. I used to think the AR was the erector set of rifles, they have nothing on 10-22s
 
#8 ·
I have Ruger clear magazines so I can see if rounds are in it. I had one Ruger magazine hold a hidden round and it could have fired if I played with the rifle. A friend had the same thing happen. I have owned two and they are great all around rifles. My second has a custom barrel and is a tack driver and operates flawlessly. Overall these Rugers are excellent.
 
#10 ·
It looks like the core of your questions went unanswered so let me try and assist.
I am starting to explore next firearm purchase and the Ruger 10/22 seems to be near or at the top.
They seem to be so popular because they are easy to customize with aftermarket parts. There are so many models to choose from and variations of each model. It has been produced for 50+ years so some models have come and gone.

What should I know as I start my search for a 10/22?
You should search for one that looks to be in decent shape at a decent price. You should decide what you want and explore your options. Charger? Take down?

Is one era gun better than another?
As long as the condition is good you are good to go. I have not heard of any problems over the years. The older ones like I have have the metal trigger housing and the newer ones are plastic. Some say the plastic holds tolerances better and is the way to go. I say metal is the way to go. You decide what's right for you.

Should I be looking for used or new?
Whatever you can find in good condition at the right price.

How durable is the gun?
It's very durable and it's reputation speaks for itself. I have two myself the first one I got around 1982 and thousands of rounds later still trying to wear it out.

Is it easy or difficult to breakdown and clean?
It is extremely easy to break down and clean.

Does it lend itself better for scope or open sight use?
The real question is what is your preference and do you lend yourself better with a scope or open sights. I actually don't like the original buckhorn style sights and prefer a peep. If you buy used without a scope you may not get the mount but they're easy to find. They come drilled and tapped for mounts.

As you can see there is much to learn to help make a choice. I would not really plan to modify much and the intended use would probably be plinking and casual target shooting. It may also see use for small varmint control. Any guidance from past/current owners will help. Thanks in advance for your advice and knowledge.
Don't overthink it just get one and start with a thorough cleaning and lubing. Don't ever underestimate that simple act. Breaking it down and cleaning it will get you familiar with your firearm and allow you to inspect it for problems and keep an eye on wear once you get a good baseline inspection done.

Keep it stock for a while till you decide what you may want to change. May I suggest a Brimstone trigger job as your first upgrade.
 
#11 ·
It looks like the core of your questions went unanswered so let me try and assist.
You should search for one that looks to be in decent shape at a decent price. You should decide what you want and explore your options. Charger? Take down?

As long as the condition is good you are good to go. I have not heard of any problems over the years. The older ones like I have have the metal trigger housing and the newer ones are plastic. Some say the plastic holds tolerances better and is the way to go. I say metal is the way to go. You decide what's right for you.

Whatever you can find in good condition at the right price.

It's very durable and it's reputation speaks for itself. I have two myself the first one I got around 1982 and thousands of rounds later still trying to wear it out.

It is extremely easy to break down and clean.

The real question is what is your preference and do you lend yourself better with a scope or open sights. I actually don't like the original buckhorn style sights and prefer a peep. If you buy used without a scope you may not get the mount but they're easy to find. They come drilled and tapped for mounts.

Don't overthink it just get one and start with a thorough cleaning and lubing. Don't ever underestimate that simple act. Breaking it down and cleaning it will get you familiar with your firearm and allow you to inspect it for problems and keep an eye on wear once you get a good baseline inspection done.

Keep it stock for a while till you decide what you may want to change. May I suggest a Brimstone trigger job as your first upgrade.
Thanks Fixitagain! I am glad to hear that they are easy to breakdown and clean. Also happy to learn that quality of the 10/22 is about the same with older and newer guns. The search is on! The Brimstone trigger job has been mentioned a couple times so I will look that up as well. Thanks again.
 
#16 ·
Image

Factory stock optic only model. Good critter getter. Try as many different kinds of ammo as possible. see what your rifle shoots the best, not as easy to do right now. I find Winchester ammo is of very low quality.

I always recommend this book to get the most outta any rifle.

Marksmanship Fundamentals by Pseudonym Sniper


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#20 ·
They all shoot reliably and for some reason they all respond well to minor tinkering. If you can afford it or find it, all of my 22s like Green Tag. I have a stainless model that has many upgrades Barrel, trigger, scope, and is a tack driver.
I purchased a plain base model added a M1 style stock and it shoots so well I am making no other upgrades.
Ruger makes their own target model which I got for my son and it shoots better than the shooter.
All of the previous replies have good advice, and you will have more fun with a 1022 than almost any other 22.
I recommend a scope with an adjustable objective, the iron sights are basic but ok if you are used to iron sights.
 
#21 ·
As was posted earlier in the thread, keep it clean. If using cheaper 22 ammo, it will get dirty faster than using the higher priced foo-foo stuff and at times not like to chamber a round at times. If you don't clean it once in a while it will let you know when. I'm not a complete cleaner, even for the bore every time I take one of mine (have two, early 90 version and around a 2007 purchase) and shoot em. You can clean pretty well without a complete takedown, but they're not that bad to do. I use both Butler Creek and Ruger BMX 25 round mags alot with no problems. Only time I do have feeding issues is when the innards get a bit dirty and that's not on the magazines. I've shot thousands of rounds through my six Butler Creek mags since the early 90's and they still function well. I've never had problems with my four Ruger BMX's as alot of guys post. I do use the standard 10 rounders once in a while, esp if shooting off of sandbags. Love Rugers 22 autoloader, one of the classic's that came along.
 
#24 · (Edited)
There are a blue million 10-22s out there of all ages that have shot a bushel and a half of ammo, and many satisfied owners who have shot the gun without doing a thing to it! That's BEFORE they discovered Rimfire central! Don't ask how I know this! :rolleyes:The aftermarket purveyors on line will sell you all the "improvements" and "upgrades" you want! ;) Even the "Target" model 10-22s aren't really benchrest guns!
At first, the trigger pull on mine was horrible! it could lift my puppy off the floor when I attached it to his harness, and he was probably~8 lbs. back then. It would peg the needle on my RCBS spring trigger pull scale...the old one. "All" I have done to mine was add a Volquartsen hammer, which as advertised, lowered the trigger pull to 2 3/4 lbs! 😎 A great improvement, IMNHO. while it was apart, I dremeled the bolt release...not necessary, but nice. ymmv. There are scads of posts on Rimfire Central.com, and you can see what lengths some go to make the little gun a "tackdriver". I added a 4x scope, which proved to be an accuracy enhancer. All together, a fun little gun! Enjoy!
 
#25 ·
I have an unaltered 1981 with wood stock. Even has the factory scope rail. It is in extremely good condition. The trigger is very good for factory. I have a Simmons 22 Mag 4x32 on it. Basic as you can get. I don't have the heart to alter it and my wife likes it the way it is.