My New 10/22 Takedown(Not What You Think)

I have a new 10 shot .22 (10/22... get it? ) Takedown Carbine. Its a Beretta Neos pistol, and the Neos Carbine Kit. Since I already have four 10/22 carbines, the idea of a fifth, in the takedown version just seemed kind of redundant. I have 22 pistol disease, and recently bought a Beretta Neos. I really like the Neos, and part of the reason I bought it, was the fact that the Carbine Kit is available to make it into a handy, takedown carbine. Well... the Carbine Kits are hard to come by. The Neos pistol is made here in Maryland, and in Italy, but the Carbine Kit is only made in Italy. I dont know if they dont import that many to the US, or simply dont make that many kits. I had been watching several online retailers, and last week, several popped up on Ebay, so I grabbed one.

I have not shot it yet, but reviews from owners of the Carbine comment about excellent accuracy. The combination Neos pistol, and Carbine Kit is more expensive than the MSRP of a Ruger 10/22 Takedown, but with the Neos and Carbine Kit, you have the option of going back and forth between pistol and carbine, so that is an advantage. Right now, it seems the 10/22 Takedowns are selling for right around $500, and thats just a few dollars more than a Neos pistol, and Neos Carbine Kit.

The only disadvantage I see of the Neos Carbine when compared to the Ruger 10/22 Takedown, is the fact there are no aftermarket high capacity magazines. A couple of advantages are that its lighter, and the scope, if equipped, stays with the barrel, on a cantilever mount, theoretically staying in zero better, when the barrel is removed and replaced numerous times. The Ruger 10/22 Takedown with a scope mounted, the scope stays with the receiver, although reports are that the scope does stay in zero when the barrel is removed and replaced. Some owners comment that the Neos Carbine length of pull is too short. I am a large man, and I dont find it distracting, or uncomfortable.

The Neos Carbine barrel is 16 1/8" long, and total length is 31". The Ruger 10/22 Takedown barrel is 18 1/2" and total length is 37"

I am looking forward to shooting the Neos carbine. I need to find a soft takedown case like what the 10/22 Takedown comes with, and I will be all set.

The Neos is very ammo friendly. I have shot Federal Bulk, Winchester Bulk, Remington Golden Bulk, and Blazer Bulk. I have a second Neos in stainless, and that is the one I have shot the ammo brands I just mentioned. I have about 800 rounds through that Neos, and every single round has chambered, fired, and ejected perfectly. I assume this Neos carbine will be the same(different pistol, I bought a second one so I could keep it as a dedicated carbine). If you read comments from other Neos owners, you will find the same experiences. The Neos is a very reliable pistol, and seems to like just about any high velocity ammo.

chicharrones... Thanks for the tips. It looks like that case is out of stock everywhere, but the longer case(30") is available. Since my scope is mounted 1" past the rear sight, I think the 23" case would be tight, so the extra 7" on the 30" case would work well. I dont mind it being a little long. Cant wait to shoot mine. Too cold and snowy today to go to the range. Spring is right around the corner though...

Thanks Wriggly... thats just what I was looking for.

danez71 said:

A couple years ago my 22 love rekindled but I never wanted a NeoS... until now.

Whats serialized on the gun?

And I forget..... whats the rule on going from pistol to rifle to pistol again? No issues to worry about?

Click to expand...

The receiver has the serial number. If you look at the left side of the gun, above, and in front of the trigger, directly above the takedown wheel, is a silver oval shaped plate.That has the serial number stamping.

The BATFE clarified the ruling 2 years ago, on a challenge from Thompson Center. TC has a "kit" that has a rifle and a pistol barrel. The BATFE ruled that as long as the gun was ORIGINALLY CONFIGURED AS A PISTOL, and when converted to a rifle, meets the following... Barrel longer than 16", overall length longer than 26", that no $200 fee is required, and no NFA item is made. You can go back and forth as many times as you want. What you CANNOT do, is use the shoulder stock, and the pistol barrel together. That is considered a Short Barrel Rifle, and IS legal, after approval, and the $200 fee. So, for most of us that just want the pistol, and carbine, and have no interest in making a SBR, it is perfectly legal.

Wally... you can switch the Neos back and forth. There is nothing permanent with making it into the carbine. Its as simple as removing one Allen screw in the butt of the grip. Beretta even includes a nifty little tool with the kit that has a shortened Allen wrench that fits. Takes all of a minute to swap back and forth, pistol to carbine, and back to pistol.