Ruger 10/22s: disappointing

[Oddway Otts]

I was thinking of getting another Ruger 10/22, but I've been really disappointed with two of the three I've had. One, with a neat Choate(?) stock, just stopped shooting. The trigger wouldn't activate. I'd gotten about a dozen practice rounds through it before a steel plate match, and zip...wouldn't shoot anymore . Number two with a neat tactical collapsible stock, constantly mis-fed and jammed. Same with several magazines, both factory and aftermarket, and with various ammo. Maybe they don't like replacement stocks. Number three, a take-down, would take-down fine, but struggled with the bolt lock. They were all just too frustrating. Now, post Atterbeary, I don't know if I want to chance getting stuck with another 10/22 and maybe be disappointed, again. Any recommendations on a moderately priced semi-auto rimfire?

 

[joppaj]

The Marlin 795 if you can find one is a a very nice competitor for the Ruger.

 

[wilcam47]

I was thinking of getting another Ruger 10/22, but I've been really disappointed with two of the three I've had. One, with a neat Choate(?) stock, just stopped shooting. The trigger wouldn't activate. I'd gotten about a dozen practice rounds through it before a steel plate match, and zip...wouldn't shoot anymore . Number two with a neat tactical collapsible stock, constantly mis-fed and jammed. Same with several magazines, both factory and aftermarket, and with various ammo. Maybe they don't like replacement stocks. Number three, a take-down, would take-down fine, but struggled with the bolt lock. They were all just too frustrating. Now, post Atterbeary, I don't know if I want to chance getting stuck with another 10/22 and maybe be disappointed, again. Any recommendations on a moderately priced semi-auto rimfire?

What ammo you using?

 

[outrider58]

Most of my adult live, I thought I needed a 10/22. Everybody had them! I got one on a nice deal. I took it to the range and thought 'Meh'. "Oh, but they are so customizable!' they said. Now why in the hell would I-should I dump hundreds of dollars into customizing a much ballyhooed gun? A .22, no less. I sold it and moved on.

 

[joppaj]

I love my 10/22. It has a few small upgrades to make it better for an Appleseed shoot but nothing insane.

 

[Hibs]

Not sure why you're having issues with your 10/22s... they are hands down the most reliable semi-auto rimfires in production.

As an alternative, I would offer the Thompson Center TCR22. It's basically a 10/22 clone, but done better. I've got two of them and love them. Will run ya just over $300 but comes with many upgrades over a "standard" ruger.

 

[Biggfoot44]

10/22 are like SBC , they're popular expressly because of the wealth of aftermarket goodies . As- Is out of the box , there are several better rifles .

 

[Biggfoot44]

Not sure why you're having issues with your 10/22s... they are hands down the most reliable semi-auto rimfires in production.

I guess Odway and I are the statistical freaks then .

 

[Mr. Ed]

My first rifle was/is a 10/22. Had it for ~50 years now, and the only thing that's stock is the receiver. Everything else has been upgraded. Still one of my favorite toys.

 

[T-Man]

I love my 10/22. It has a few small upgrades to make it better for an Appleseed shoot but nothing insane.

Me too. Thousands of rounds of whatever 22 I have on hand have gone through it without a problem. It is nothing fancy, but does what it should.

 

[Catch-10-22]

I was thinking of getting another Ruger 10/22, but I've been really disappointed with two of the three I've had. One, with a neat Choate(?) stock, just stopped shooting. The trigger wouldn't activate. I'd gotten about a dozen practice rounds through it before a steel plate match, and zip...wouldn't shoot anymore . Number two with a neat tactical collapsible stock, constantly mis-fed and jammed. Same with several magazines, both factory and aftermarket, and with various ammo. Maybe they don't like replacement stocks. Number three, a take-down, would take-down fine, but struggled with the bolt lock. They were all just too frustrating. Now, post Atterbeary, I don't know if I want to chance getting stuck with another 10/22 and maybe be disappointed, again. Any recommendations on a moderately priced semi-auto rimfire?

I find “Remington” Marlin 795s do not live up to the reputation. One of mine had the rear sight milled completely off-center and the action springs are fiddly compared to a 10/22. I almost never use mine and one will get a dead trigger occasionally. While other instructors were big believers in 795s (one has rifles with 30k and 45k rounds through them that they are finally going to retire) they aren’t worth it anymore and may be discontinued now that Ruger owns Marlin.

I have standardized, mostly, on 10/22s or clones as Appleseed loaners and they are highly reliable, accurate, and durable. I have nearly all in replacement stocks as well, have built many from receivers, spare parts, really nice parts, etc. There is a ton of YouTube support to work on them as well. My “match” 22s are also highly customized 10/22s and they are very accurate. I have other rimfires - S&W, CZ, Tippmann, Savage, Henry that are also great.

There can definitely be magazine compatibility issues with stocks. I have had to sand some mag wells to get mags to seat right or drop free in aftermarket stocks. If you have the factory stocks, see if that changes the geometry.

Are your problems with OEM 10-round mags or larger capacity ones, Ruger or otherwise? 15-25 round mags of any variety (and the long 10s) can wobble and cause malfunctions. I still use them, but only for plinking. You say factory and aftermarket but size matters.

I have replaced every bolt lock with an aftermarket auto bolt release. But once you learn the secret (hold handle back, push button in, release button, release handle) they work well without it. Marlin’s bolt release is superior, no doubt.

Not sure about your dead trigger - but get a BX or Brimstone trigger and see if that solves it. Or just move your trigger pack and bolt from one of the other two guns and see if that fixes it. Best think about having a bunch of 10/22s is you can mix and match parts for function.

I am also a bit pickier on ammo for my loaners and own rifles. Love CCI, Federal and Aguila are just ok, hate Remington and Winchester for reliability.

Worse case, I will buy all your bad rifles and use them as Appleseed loaners

 

[Catch-10-22]

Not sure why you're having issues with your 10/22s... they are hands down the most reliable semi-auto rimfires in production.

As an alternative, I would offer the Thompson Center TCR22. It's basically a 10/22 clone, but done better. I've got two of them and love them. Will run ya just over $300 but comes with many upgrades over a "standard" ruger.

The TCR22 is very nice and worth the upgrade for the chromed quick clean bolt, milled rail, threaded barrel, and solid trigger pack.

 

[DeadInside]

I have a couple basic 10 22s and the are fine for “relatively“ low price guns. One has a scope and I set one up with a peep site and they both function fine and shoot okay. If you are looking specifically at semi autos you could consider a Remington 597, Savage A22, or S&W 15-22. I have one of each of these and they all function fine and shoot accurately as well.

 

[TheOriginalMexicanBob]

My Nylon 66 has never failed...had it over 40+ years and it just keeps working.

 

[SummitCnty]

The 10/22’s of today are not close to the quality of 10/22 from 20 years IMO. Have owned both.

 

[mpollan1]

Most of my adult live, I thought I needed a 10/22. Everybody had them! I got one on a nice deal. I took it to the range and thought 'Meh'. "Oh, but they are so customizable!' they said. Now why in the hell would I-should I dump hundreds of dollars into customizing a much ballyhooed gun? A .22, no less. I sold it and moved on.

There's a sucker born everyday . I like mine

 

[outrider58]

There's a sucker born everyday . I like mine

 

[Jimgoespewpew]

Tippmann

 

[wilcam47]

Only issues ive had is they dont like thunderbolt or winchester white box ammo. Federal shoots all day

 

[Baldheaded]

I love my Ruger 10/22! Put in some Kidd upgraded parts and it is a dream to shoot. Eats everything and never a fail. Been debating on a barrel upgrade and new stock. Ruger makes a nice bull barrel and I really like the Magpul X22 hunter stock. Should I go for it?