Ruger 10/22

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ruger 10/22
10/22 Carbine
Type	Rimfire semi-automatic rifle
Place of origin	United States
Production history
Designer	William B. Ruger, Harry H. Sefried, II
Manufacturer	Sturm, Ruger
Number built	over 5 million, 1964-present
Specifications (Standard 10/22 carbine)
Weight	5.25 lb (2.4 kg)
Length	37 in (940 mm)
Barrel length	18.5 in (470 mm)
Cartridge	.22 LR
Action	Auto-Loader
Feed system	10 round rotary box magazine

The Ruger 10/22 is a semi-automatic rimfire rifle chambered in .22 Long Rifle. It has a removable 10-round (or 5-round) rotary magazine which allows the magazine to fit flush with the bottom of the stock. Higher capacity magazines are also available. A magnum version, chambered for the .22 WMR cartridge, was made from 1998 to 2006^[1], and a .17 HMR version, the 10/17 was announced in 2004, but this model is no longer in production.^[2] The standard version has been in production since 1964.^[3]

[edit] Variations

The 10/22 is available in a wide variety of configurations. As of 2008, the Ruger catalog shows nine current and two discontinued variations, all in .22 LR.^[4] Wooden stocks are available in standard, deluxe versions and International versions, in addition rifles with laminated wood and black synthetic stocks are available. The standard "Carbine" barrel length is 18 1/2 inches, while the "Rifle" version has a 20 inch barrel, and the "Compact Rifle" has a 16 1/8 inch barrel, and a shorter stock. A target model is available with a 20 inch bull barrel with no sights. There is also a 22 inch barrel version, but Wal-Mart is the exclusive dealer for this model. The .22 Long Rifle version uses an aluminum receiver, while the .22 WMR version uses a steel receiver with integral scope bases. Ruger also produced a 10/22 model international version with a mannlicher stock, although it has recently been discontinued

Ruger 10/22 International model, which comes with a full length Mannlicher style stock

[edit] 22 Charger pistol

The 22 Charger target pistol, introduced in late 2007, is a target handgun based on the 10/22 action. The 22 Charger comes with a black laminated wood pistol metallic silhouette style stock with forend, a 10 inch (25 cm) matte blued heavy barrel with no sights, a bipod, and a Weaver style scope base. Overall length is just under 20 inches (50 cm) making it quite large for a handgun. As it has an integral bipod it is likely to be used from the prone position. The bipod attaches to a sling swivel on the stock fore-end, and is easily removable.^[5][6]

[edit] AWC Ultra II

The Class III integrally-suppressed AWC UltraII

The AWC Ultra II version of the Ruger 10/22 is integrally-suppressed and features a shortened tactical stock. 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 34.5" and the weight is 6.0 lbs. This weapon qualifies as a Class III weapon in the U.S.^[7]

[edit] Uses and customization

Ruger 10/22 highly customized by Clark Custom Guns. Clear/red magazines are 40th anniversary edition. The clear body of the 40th anniversary magazines shows the unusual rotary operation of the 10/22 magazine;^[8][9][10] the red part is the magazine follower.

The 10/22 was immediately popular upon its release, being one of the first modern rifles chambered in .22 which was designed as a quality, adult gun and not a "youth rifle." However, its easy handling characteristics, negligible recoil and inexpensive ammunition make it close to 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.^[11] 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^[12]. 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 attachment technique where the barrel is screwed rather than pinned into the frame (the barrel is not threaded, but attachment involves two screws), making removal and replacement of the barrel (which would require a gunsmith's work with most other rifles) much easier. 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.

In fact, every part of the 10/22 can be purchased from aftermarket makers, and it is possible to spend many times the original cost of the gun buying aftermarket parts.

A modified 10/22 with a scope and suppressor was adopted by the Israel Defense Force in 1987 to be used as a less than lethal weapon. It is still in use to this day by the Israeli military to dispatch dogs. Israeli Judge Advocate General reclassified the 10/22 as a lethal weapon, thus limiting its use,^[13] but soldiers still use it to disperse protesters in spite of the classification.^[14]

[edit] Modifications

Standard Ruger 10/22 Carbine, and a highly modified Ruger 10/22

The image on the 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.

[edit] Magazines

Ruger 10/22 10-shot Rotary Magazine

There are many types of magazines for the Ruger 10/22: including the standard 10 round rotary magazine; 25, 30, and 50 round box magazines; 50 round tear-drop-shaped rotary magazines, and 50 round drum magazines.

The standard 10 round 10/22 magazine stores the cartridges in a rotary fashion, rather than stacked, as seen in a box magazine. This allows the magazine to fit flush into the rifle without protruding from the stock. The action of the rifle strips a cartridge from the magazine with each shot, allowing the next cartridge to feed into place.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ruger 10/22

• Official page