Another 10/22 thread

[KYShooter]

Just sharing a story of my first experience with a Ruger 10/22. Three weeks ago, my Father-in-law passed away. His widow asked that I remove the guns he had left and do with them as I pleased. There were several and I asked that my three kids divide them up among themselves however they saw fit.

He had been ill for several years and hadn't shot anything in that time. Also, he just wasn't able to maintain any of them during that time so I've spent quite a bit of time tearing them down and getting them back to running order.

One of the rifles was a stock 10/22. I've never had any experience with the Ruger and when I first test fired it, it would jam about every other round. So, I went to the internet and found some disassembly instructions, got my cleaning gear out, and went to work.

First thing I realized was just how easy this rifle was to completely disassemble. As long as I just took it slow, I was having no problems. Second thing I noticed was just how bad a shape this rifle had gotten into. It looked as though WD-40 was used on it in the past and the trigger assembly was thoroughly gunked up. The bolt area had lots of carbon and powder fouling. The barrel was the worst. You literally could not see the rifling.

For everything except the barrel, every part was thorougly cleaned with Breakfree CLP. I chose this because it seemed to really cut the gunk and when the parts were cleaned and wiped off, there would be a film of lubricant left on the parts. The barrel was a different story. I tried solvents and brushing but it seemed like the more I worked, the worse the situation looked. There was lots of lead fouling. So, I plugged the muzzle with a bit of modeling clay and poured the barrel full of good ole Hoppes #9 and let sit for over 12 hours. The solvent was black/gray when I poured it out and after a couple of brushings and patches, the bore was shiny and rifling distinct and crisp.

The magazine was also disassembled and cleaned with CLP. After multiple attempts learning how to get the proper spring tension, it went back together just fine.

Yesterday, the newly restored rifle was put to the function test and passed with flying colors. Not a single hiccup. Cleaned off the lenses on the old Weaver K-4 and took it to the range for sighting in. With the good Remington hollowpoint ammo, it grouped at just less than 1/2" at 25 yds. Just making a minute downward and 1/2 minute right windage adjustments on the scope, I moved to the 75 yard steel turket and connected on a "head" shot on the second shot (first shot was high). Moved to the 100 yard steel turkeys and connected on every shot. All in all, I fired about 30 rounds including about 15 of the cheap Remington stuff (noticeable less accurate). Not a single malfunction.

To me, this was a testament on the utility of these rifles. Don't know why I haven't tried one before but now I've asked the kids if they wouldn't mind leaving this rifle here at the house for me to use.

[Jet]

Great write up. I bought a heavy barrelled 10/22 for my wife for Christmas. I'm looking forward to seeing what it will do.

Jet

[dozier]

You can't go wrong with a 10-22. In stock form they are accurate, cheap and fun to shoot. They can be made super accurate with the many accessories that are available. dozier

[cjjtulsa]

I have one I bought new in 1987, and it's almost like new. Wanting to let my two young sons run bricks of .22s through a 10/22 other than the one I have, I bought an old, used 10/22 off of a local forum. It turned out to be an '83 model, and I think may have been cleaned about 3 times since it was new. Plenty of dings and bluing wear and full of fouling and dirt. After I gave it a mild cleaning I did the function test thing myself yesterday, and had the same results as KYShooter. Other than needing the sights adjusted (shooting a little high), it ran like a sewing machine. I'm even more convinced these things are bomb proof.

[f1fanatic]

If you enjoy target shooting and plinking the 10/22 is a must at some point in life. Not to mention the 10/22 almost has as much customization potential as an AR.

[CTC01]

I've had anywhere from 1 to 4 10/22s in my safe for many years. They are GREAT little rifles.

[nf1e@snet.net]

I have 3 10/22 rifles. 2 are full deal Volquartzen stainless target rifles for silouettes. The other I just set up for fun. I installed a Tactical Solutions fluted and threaded 16.5 in. barrel and a AWC can. Put her in an Archangel Maurauder stock. What a blast.

[losok]

We just a got one made in 1978, that is like new, I dont think my wife's uncle put more than a couple mags through it in his lifetime. I passed it down to my youngest for Christmas Its a beauty, only thing I might do is strip Ruger's attempt a wood finish off and get some real Tung Oil on it. I can see really nice walnut under there, so I may as well let it show. I took it out at Thanksgiving, and had similar results to the other two, its just way more accurate than I expected, and reliable as my Garands.

[Rawnerves]

The greatest utility rifle I have ever owned. Can't hunt grizzlies with it (well you could but you'd be eaten) but you can certainly put food on the talbe and the wife and kids can get in on the fun too. They can take a tremendous amount of abuse (wife and kids) and keep on ticking. Great story thanks.

PS: you can buy tons of ammo for practically nothing

[Xsail]

They aren't a battle rifle by any means but I wouldn't want someone peppering my butt from 200 yards with one of them! I'd probably have a hard time determining the direction it's coming from. :) If the truth was known, more deer have been killed with a .22lr than any other caliber...O.L.

[tonyben]

I've got nothing but love for the 10/22. I've had my own since 1999. It's a stainless model. I had the barrel threaded and it runs a suppressor most of the time. I'll have to get a good pic of mine soon.

Tony.