[Hog Leg Hauler]

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.

 

[roashooter]

I have Ruger 10/22s......but in your search.....do not pass up a CZ.....my 10/22s are fun....but my CZ452...is much more accurate than the Ruger

 

[MadViking]

I have Ruger 10/22s......but in your search.....do not pass up a CZ.....my 10/22s are fun....but my CZ452...is much more accurate than the Ruger

Yeah... But many of us don't want to drop double or more on a .22 rifle..

There is a CZ452 currently being bid on used on Gunbroker for starting bid of $400.

CZ 452-2E ZKM 22lr 452 - Bolt Action Rifles at GunBroker.com : 894767331

Much of the value of a 10/22 is that the base model is like $250, and is good quality for that price.

 

[flyboy61]

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.

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! 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!

 

[JTJ]

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.

 

[MSgt Mark]

10/22's are addictive. Once you start getting into it, the possibilities are endless as far as customization. Inherently accurate, easy to maintain, they're a joy to shoot and own.

 

[Eltell]

No matter which one you get, you can't go wrong with the 10/22. My son and I have had hours of fun with ours, easy to shoot and easy to maintain.
Buy one, you won't regret it!

 

[Eltell]

 

[WindyHill6561]

10/22's are addictive. Once you start getting into it, the possibilities are endless as far as customization. Inherently accurate, easy to maintain, they're a joy to shoot and own. View attachment 152892

Thank you for your service Master Sergeant! I appreciate it.

 

[roland]

I bought one about 4 years after they came out. I have shoot dozens since and handled a hundred or so more. Based on that I would look for an older one in great shape if I wanted to do little modifications. If major work is in order then I would probably buy a new one as the receiver will be all that is left when you are done!!!

 

[ajgunner]

Never-never-never lock them in a dark safe===they tend to multiply like wabbits.

 

[MSgt Mark]

Bunnies... lmao! Love the laminate stocks.

 

[rvance]

Note that the above referenced thing about the 10-22 and the Harley both having a bunch of accessories.
That is the ONLY thing that they have in common.

 

[pac3of7]

So there are lots of mods that can be made to the 10/22. So if I start with a basic rifle, change the trigger, replace the stock with a thumb hole model, install a bull barrel, purchase new magazines, refine the sight picture with new sights and upgrade the bolt, what parts will I need to just build a complete 10/22 rifle with aftermarket parts? I have a weak spot for the RSI model, but just never pulled the trigger to buy one when they were under 450$. My brother showed up at the family shooting day with a nice custom 10/22 and may have caused me to catch the bug. So if I do this one mod at a time, will I eventually be able to reassembly the original 10/22 from the parts bin ?

If you buy enough HD parts you can rebuild your original bike with the takeoffs. Do not ask how I know. Will trade HD parts for ammo.

 

[BonesHiegel]

Folks are right on about making the decision on which type. I went with a charger first as it was a bug-out build. Everyone I know has certain quirks with theirs regardless of type of 10/22 but that’s part of the fun. No matter what ammo you find it likes to eat I would recommend an upgrade to the extractor and don’t buy cheap aftermarket mags. Get the Ruger ones and buy once cry once. Same goes for optics if you decide. Put 3 cheap setups on my first 10/22 before I realized I could’ve spent less on a good setup if I would’ve just done it right the first time.

 

[Redrunner]

To the op just get one! 10-22 Ruger is a must have!

 

[FastEddie]

My advice? Just buy it and enjoy.

 

[jyo1]

I bought my first 10-22 from a locksmith in Hollywood who bought it for his daughter ---she didn't take to it and he sold it to me for $50 and it included the almost impossible to get; two extra 10 rd magazines! The gun was pretty close to new and I shot it for many, many years. It get away to a thief back before I learned you really need a safe! I replaced it with a rather old, but mint Pre-Warning Deluxe Sporter with a much nicer walnut stock with sling swivels... It remains pretty standard, with only a very few mods---a trigger job by a local gunsmith brought it down to about 3 1/2 lbs from about 12 lbs, and made it a lot easier to hit with---an extended magazine release, along with a "auto slide release" by Volquartsen and a $3 dollar green canvas sling I bought at a gun show that usually came with 9mm UZI rifles (should have bought a dozen, only bought 5---all in use now!) Probably the best, simplest 22 rifle ever!

 

[Ronin Ruger]

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.

Can't beat one. It really does not matter old or new IMHO...they all work. I have owned over 14 different models and currently own three and never had a problem with any. Mine all worked with what ever ammo i used, and i always have used factory magazines. "Tandemcross" sells a nice tool that allows you to take them apart for cleaning etc, but frankly, I have never cleaned any of mine and they run fine! If you want a tack driver you will probably want to upgrade a trigger etc, but that is purely subjective. All of mine were accurate to "min" of squirrel with out any work. I used a Volquartensen upgrade trigger kit for about 430 bucks that makes an excellent trigger. The 10/22 is easy to use, reliable, can be upgraded, works with iron sights or scope, can be made into a target gun, hunting rifle or plinker......what's not to like.

 

[Ronin Ruger]

Can't beat one. It really does not matter old or new IMHO...they all work. I have owned over 14 different models and currently own three and never had a problem with any. Mine all worked with what ever ammo i used, and i always have used factory magazines. "Tandemcross" sells a nice tool that allows you to take them apart for cleaning etc, but frankly, I have never cleaned any of mine and they run fine! If you want a tack driver you will probably want to upgrade a trigger etc, but that is purely subjective. All of mine were accurate to "min" of squirrel with out any work. I used a Volquartensen upgrade trigger kit for about 430 bucks that makes an excellent trigger. The 10/22 is easy to use, reliable, can be upgraded, works with iron sights or scope, can be made into a target gun, hunting rifle or plinker......what's not to like.

actually that should be $30 bucks!!