Quick and easy upgrades for the Ruger 10/22.

F

Flennor

Inactive
Hello folks.

I just picked up a brand new Ruger 10/22.

After reading many threads, and many posts, spread across this forum, I found that there are seemingly endless possibilities as far as upgrades, and modifications, go...so many, in fact, that I had a hard time keeping track of them all. I was hoping to consolidate that list, somewhat.

This is the model I purchased...

Ruger 10/22-RB,1103 - Hardwood - Matte Black - Alloy Steel - BL: 18.50" - OL: 37.00"


I'm not looking to make extreme changes, just some minor tweaks I can do to increase performance.

Thanks in advance for all of your combined wisdom.
 
Things I did to mine:
Got rid of the scope base, replaces with Picantinny rail
Got extended magazine release
Got automatic bolt release
Couple of 25 round magazines with speed loader
 
Here is what I recommend and usually perform on my friends conversions; ;)

1) Basic Target hammer kit by Volquarzen @$30.00; Noticeable improvement.
2) Poly buffer, replaces your existing Bolt Stop. @ $4.00 to $8.00; Functional improvement
3) Auto bolt realease, @ $8.00 or you can modify your OEM. Functional improvement
4) Yours already has an extended mag release.

The above listed items should never need replacing or removal and you don't have a bunch of money into it. Shoot it and then see where you might want to go from there. There is much more you can do and the 10/22, is one that you can upgrade every single part, if you choose to do so. .... :rolleyes:


Be Safe !!!
 
AGree with the posts above.
If you have any mechanical skills, a lot of polishing/smoothing can be done to the trigger parts for $5 worth of sandpaper.
See Rimfirecentral.com for ideas.
 
I got a very used one for cheap at a gun show, I intend to do the "Liberty Training Rifle" stuff to it, basically sights like the WWII rifles had, a sling, a mag release ...I don't think it really needs or wants much more than that, unless you want to make something else of it that isn't a 10/22. putting a thousand dollar barrel on a $200 gun doesn't leave you with a $200 gun any more, and that's what I wanted.
 
What Pahoo said...

The only thing I did different on mine was to install a Williams Peep Sight and not do the auto bolt release (I didn't care about that).

The Williams Peep is a much better sight than the standard sights.

This is a pretty rugged functional set up, costs are low... what's not to like.
 
Perfect!

This is EXACTLY the kind of stuff I was hoping for.

I dont want to dump a bunch of money into it, just small tweaks that make noticable changes to functionality and performance.

Pahoo, thanks for that break down.

I appreciate everyones reply, and will be looking into that peep sight.

Fortunately, I do have some mechanical skill, so pulling apart and smoothing out the rough spots will also go on the list.

Thanks again...and keep 'em coming if someone has more to add.
 
Get the Volguartsen target hammer & bushings. They are on sale now at Midway.

I put in the auto bolt release on mine last week, but I am going to put the factory one back in this weekend. The auto release makes it harder to lock the bolt open, you have to find just the right stop or it will keep closing. I would rather it be easier to lock open than close since it doesn't lock open after the last round anyway.

I also have a recoil buffer on order, but that isn't going to give you better performance, it just will not make as much noise cycling.

You also might want to get a tool made by ( gunsmither ) it makes removing and installing the bolt alot easier.

You will need a pin punch to remove the trigger group. The Glock tool works pretty good. They are also on sale at Midway, if you don't want to buy a set of punches.

I put a Talley light weight base and ring combination on mine, that i really like. I am going to put a 2-7x33 Redfield scope on it. Once I get the scope I am going to send it to Leupold and have them change the parallax setting to 65 yards for huntings. Another good scope line to look at is the Weaver rimfire. Mueller makes a good scope for target, 4.5-14x40 APV.

+1 on getting more mags.
 
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I highly recommend the VQ extractor also. I've seen several 10/22's that were picky about some ammo, but shot fine with others. They have all shot perfect with any ammo after changing the extractor to a VQ one. Another modification I'd make is change out the base that uses the .22 style rings for a Weaver style base. Although they may ship with Weaver style bases now, I thought I read that somewhere, but I've not known anyone to buy one recently.
 
10/22's are a Tinkerer's dream come true !!!

You also might want to get a tool made by ( gunsmither ) it makes removing and installing the bolt alot easier.
Click to expand...
They already make one but with a little practice, you will do fine without one. Instead, spend the money on something else you can really use. .... :)

Get the Volguartsen target hammer & bushings. They are on sale now at Midway.
Click to expand...
The standard target hammer kit, comes with bushings, shims, hammer spring and Trigger return spring. They are always updating these so it may vary but you will deinitely get the bushings as they don't know what vintage 10/22 you have. The newer 10/22's come with hammers that have intregal bushings. ...:barf:

Be Safe !!!
 
Well, if you want to go a bit nuts you can always do this.

M1Carbine1022Big_small.gif


You can learn about it HERE.
 
1. volquartzen target hammer reduces trigger pull considerably
2. tech-sights give a much better sight picture.
3. you can use a dremel to mod the factory bolt catch to an auto release very easily
4. extended mag release if you don't have one. I haven't bothered doing this to mine.
 
You already have the extended mag release because those come factory now. So does the easy to adjust rear sight. I replaced mine with the new style. I really like the volquartsen auto bolt release and mag release I put on mine. The volquartsen extractor is next. I personaly don't think the factory trigger needs improvement so I haven't messed with the trigger. I also love the hogue overmolded stock, it fit perfectly and really makes the gun feel nice. You can buy them directly from ruger with the silver ruger emblem on the grip cap. Mine wears a usgi web sling. I used to use oil to lube the action but it was collecting too much gunk so I switched to dry lube and that made a big difference. Welcome to the world of the 10/22!
 
extra mags
extended mag release
I like the williams sights better than the tech sights, they are cheaper and
easier to adjust
the existing bolt hold open can be modified to auto release
replace the stock, the hogue is the most bang for the buck, the factory one
sucks
if you scope it, get the mount that extends PAST the front of the reciever, you will need it to get the scope far enough forward
 
Actually, the steel lipped butler creek mags are pretty good mags. I have two and they have never malfunctioned. How much better can a mag be?
 
For $35 I made huge improvements in accuracy and performance ($35 doesn't include the scope and mounts).

-weaver mounts
-Scope
-leveled and polished action
-added nylon buffer (smooth part of a long nylon bolt)
-modified bolt for auto release
-I also also pressure-bedded my factory barrel and stock with Devcon.

It shoots 1-1.5" groups at 100 yrs when there's no wind.

It's kind of funny, my rifle looks completely stock but it's a machine. One time I took it to the range and there was a guy there that had all of the after market stuff, Bull barrel competition stock, etc and my gun was out performing his. He was shocked on how well my "stock" 10/22 was performing. I then confessed to all of the modifications.

You're going to love this rifle.:D
 
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