The Ruger 10/22 is a series of semi-automatic rifles produced by American firearm manufacturer Sturm, Ruger & Co., chambered for the .22 Long Rifle rimfire cartridge. It uses a patented 10-round rotary magazine, though higher capacity box magazines are also available. The standard Carbine version of the Ruger 10/22 has been in production continuously since 1964, making it one of, if not the, most successful rimfire rifle design in history, with numerous third party manufacturers making parts and accessories for upgrading and customization. In fact, the 10/22's aftermarket is so prolific, that a 10/22 can be built with completely non-Ruger made components.
A magnum version of the 10/22, chambered for the .22 WMR cartridge, was made from 1998 to 2006. A .17 HMR version, the 10/17, was announced in 2004, but was only listed in the catalog for two years.
Video Ruger 10/22
Uses and customization
The 10/22 was immediately popular upon its release. It was designed as a quality adult gun (with adult ergonomics) and not a cheap "youth rifle". It was styled as reminiscent of the U.S. 30 caliber carbine adding to its appeal. Its easy handling characteristics, negligible recoil and inexpensive ammunition nonetheless make it ideal for young or inexperienced shooters. It is very popular for small-game hunters and those who want an inexpensive rifle firing inexpensive ammunition for target and plinking use. This popularity has led to many after-market modifications being available to improve performance, augment the rifle's looks, or increase its magazine capacity, leading the 10/22 to be one of the most customizable firearms made. Custom manufacturers also make "clones" of the 10/22, which are similar in design (most parts will interchange) but built to much higher specifications and costs. The 10/22 barrel uses a unique two-screw, V-block system to attach the barrel to the receiver, making removal and replacement of the barrel (which would require a gunsmith's work with most other rifles) very easy. This, when combined with the simple construction of the rest of the components, means that the average person can easily replace any part in the gun with nothing more than a screwdriver, a hex key and simple punches.
Maps Ruger 10/22
Variants
10/22 Target
Target shooting model with heavy 20" bull barrel with no iron sights.
SR-22 Rifle
In 2009, Ruger released the SR-22 Rifle model, a 10/22 receiver embedded in a chassis that mimics the dimensions of an AR-15 style rifle such as their own SR-556. The SR-22 Rifle uses standard 10/22 rotary magazines, in addition to most aftermarket 10/22 magazines. The positions of the magazine release, the safety and the charging handle are all more similar to a standard 10/22 than an AR-15. The SR-22 Rifle competes directly with other AR-15 style rifles such as those made by Colt and Smith & Wesson.
22 Charger Pistol
The 22 Charger pistol, first introduced in late 2007, is a pistol based on the 10/22 action. The 22 Charger originally came with a black laminated wood pistol stock with forend, a 10-inch (254 mm) matte blued heavy barrel, a bipod, and a Weaver style scope base in lieu of iron sights. Overall length is just under 20 inches (510 mm), making it quite large for a handgun. As it has an included bipod it is likely to be used from a shooting bench or table. The bipod attaches to a sling swivel on the stock fore-end, and is easily removable. Due to technical features, such as the magazine being outside the pistol grip, the Charger is not legally available in some U.S. states. The 22 Charger was later discontinued.
A 3D printed copy of the Ruger 10/22 Charger's receiver was demonstrated in July 2014.
AWC Ultra II
The AWC Ultra II version of the Ruger 10/22 is integrally-suppressed and features a shortened barrel. The sound suppressor encloses a ported stainless barrel and is made of 300 series stainless steel having a 1" diameter which closely resembles a bull barrel. The barrel length is 16.5" with an overall weapon length of 341/2" and the weight is 6 lbs. Due to the integral suppressor, this model is a Title II weapon in the U.S.
Modifications
The image on the bottom right shows two 10/22 carbines, the top one in issued form (with a 4-power magnification scope added, using the factory supplied scope base) and the bottom one in highly modified form. The modified target version includes an 18 inch bull barrel, a muzzle brake, a laminated wood silhouette style stock, and a scope with an illuminated reticle, in addition to internal modifications of the trigger group to improve the firing characteristics. See the entry on accurizing for more information on the reasons for these modifications.
A wide variety of aftermarket modification kits are offered for the 10/22, including conversions to bullpup configuration and cosmetic alterations to replicate the appearance of weapons like the M1 Carbine, Thompson submachine gun, FN P90, and AR-15.
Magazines
There are many types of magazines for the Ruger 10/22. The standard 10/22 ships with a black 10-round polymer rotary magazine, the BX-1. Ruger has also introduced a transparent polycarbonate version ("40th-anniversary edition") of the BX-1 called the BX-1CLR, as well as a 1-round version for training and a 5-round version for states or countries that restrict magazine capacities. In 2011-2012, Ruger came out with the BX-25, a curved 25-round box magazine with a black composite frame and steel feed lips, as well as the 15-round BX-15 box magazine for states that restrict magazine capacities. Aftermarket options include 25-, 30-, and 50-round box magazines; 50-round teardrop-shaped rotary magazines, and 50- and 110-round drum magazines.
The standard BX-1 rotary magazine stores the cartridges in a cogwheel-like holder, rather than stacked as seen in a box magazine. This allows the magazine to be very compact and fit flush into the rifle without protruding from the stock at the natural balance point for one-handed carry. The bolt of the rifle pushes a cartridge from the metal feeding lip of the magazine with each shot, allowing the next cartridge to feed into place. Due to its time-tested reliability, the rotary magazine is also used by the Ruger's American Rimfire series bolt-action rifles. Even Ruger's market competitor Savage Arms has recently adopted a detachable rotary magazine design similar to the BX-1 in its new A series (semi-automatic) and B series (bolt-action) rimfire rifles.
Not all Ruger 10/22 magazines are interchangeable. The owners manual for the 10/22 Magnum model states, "Do not attempt to use standard 10/22 magazines in the 10/22 Magnum rifles or load .22 Short, Long, or Long Rifle ammunition into the .22 Magnum. They will not function correctly and are unsafe to use in .22 Magnum rifles." It goes on to say, "Never attempt to use .22 Long Rifle ammunition in Ruger 10/22 Magnum rifle magazines. The cartridges have a smaller case diameter and can split or burst when fired in the larger magnum chamber, releasing hot powder gasses and particle fragments out of the action at high speed, possibly resulting in injury to the shooter or bystanders."
See also
- Intratec TEC-22, a pistol that feeds via 10/22 magazines.
- Marlin Model 60, a competing .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle.
- Mossberg 702 Plinkster, a competing .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle.
- Remington Model 597, a competing .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle.
- Savage Model 64F, a competing .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle.
- Smith & Wesson M&P15-22, a competing .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle
- Table of handgun and rifle cartridges
References
External links
- Official page
Source of article : Wikipedia
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