Ruger 10/22 Factory Mag Problem

B

Bob Locke

New member
Took my SWEET shooting little rifle to the range for the first time today. I was totally impressed with its accuracy, even out to 100 yards (shot about 4" groups, all ten rounds in the target) using CCI Blazer, which is pretty far from match-grade ammo.

I had one problem, and it REALLY bothered me. The bolt would absolutely, positively NOT lock open after the last round. The tenth round would usually be followed by an audible "click" as the hammer fell against nothing. This was usually followed by an expletive from my lips.

Anyone else have similar experiences using the factory Ruger magazines in these rifles? I find it very disconcerting, as I know it's a bad thing to dry-fire a rimfire (which is basically what was happening, though NOT intentionally in the least).

Thanks in advance.
 
Bob, I think there's something you should know before you get too upset at your 10/22 and it's magazines...

Ruger's 10/22 is NOT DESIGNED OR BUILT to hold it's bolt open after firing the last round in the magazine. There's nothing in the receiver to accomplish that function, nor is the cartridge follower in the magazine designed to provide that function, either.

You're not the first to wonder about it, though. There's been some discussion in the 10/22 forums about adding that modification, but it all boiled down to too much work for a convenience, and that in the case of the 10/22, dry firing doesn't hurt the gun. Hope this helps!
 
It most certainly DOES help!

I don't like the fact that it doesn't lock open, but if there's no harm done to the gun when it is dry-fired, then I have no concerns anymore.

Thanks much.
 
BTW, the explanation for the safe dry-firing of the 10/22 is that the bolt's cartridge face is recessed a minimum of 0.045" from the bolt face proper(Typically 0.080" or more on factory stock guns), and the firing pin cannot physically contact the barrel breech during dry-firing. Here's mine:

darin22-1.JPG


[This message has been edited by Gewehr98 (edited October 09, 2000).]
 
Yup, Fajen Aristocrat Midnight Laminate. Fajen hasn't made them since they've resurrected themselves, concentrating on thumbhole stocks for the 10/22 instead. But, both Volquartsen and Boyds (who got a lot of Fajen's patterns) offer the same stock in their respective lineups...
 
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